Canterbury Regiment Celebrates Centenary

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29052, 14 November 1959, Page 17

Canterbury Regiment Celebrates Centenary

The occasion of a centenary was an important one in the military -life of the country and the unit’s record of achievement during the intervening years was one of which both the regiment and New Zealand could well feel proud, said the Governor-General (Lord Cobham) in a message to the Colonel of the Canterbury Regiment (Brigadier. J. T. Burrows).

The regiment is celebrating its centenary this week-end. Messages of congratulation to the regiment have also been received from the Minister of Defence (Mr Connolly), the Chief of the General Staff (MajorGeneral C. E. Weir), the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr G. Manning), the Colonel of The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment (to which the Canterbury Regiment is affiliated) and from the commanding officers of all sister infantry regiments in New Zealand.

Lord Cobham said: “I have learned with interest and pleasure that the Canterbury Regiment is about to commemorate its 100 years of continuous service. I take this opportunity of sending to all officers and men of the regiment my warmest congratulations on this important occasion of its history.” “From the Government of New Zealand I extend heartiest congratulations to the Canterbury Regiment on its centennial,” said the Minister of Defence (Mr Connolly). “Your record of service to New Zealand and • the Army is one of which you can well be proud. In peace and war men of Canterbury have served in your ranks and at no small cost. The service of your battalion is cherished not only by the people of Canterbury, but by all New Zealanders. “I am particularly pleased to see the efforts being made by the Canterbury Regiment itself to build Up its strength and to uphold the traditions of this unit,” Mr Connolly said. “Over the last two months the number of men joining the Canterbury Regiment has increased markedly. This is most pleasing, and credit should go to all members of the Canterbury Regiment for the determined effort being made to honour the proud record of the unit and to look actively and constructively forward to further honourable service to Queen and country. “Again congratulations and good luck in your continuation of the traditions forged by the men of the Canterbury Regiment over the last 100 years.” Battle Honours “Personally and on behalf of the New Zealand Army I send you our warmest congratulations on the achievement of your Centenary,” said Major-General Weir. “This achievement spells out a long period of distinguished service by the Canterbury Regiment

to the New Zealand Army both in peace and in war, service which we are well aware has not been without heavy sacrifice by members of the regiment both past and present. Your impressive displays of battle honours on your regimental colours bears witness to this,” said MajorGeneral Weir. .

“On your long and proud record of service to our Army and to our country we extend to you our warmest thanks and congratulations. I hope that the present servixfg members of the Canterbury Regiment will take inspiration from the long and distinguished record of service of your predecessors and will strive to uphold the proud tradition now so firmly established by the Regiment in its last 100 years of service to our Army and to our country.”

Mayor’s Message The Mayor (Mr G. Manning) said he wished, on behalf of the citizens of Christchurch and the City Council to comatulate the Canterbury Regiment on the celebration of its centenary. “Its history coincides with the settlement and expansion of the city, while its proud record and traditions are interwoven with the pattern of our, social and political heritage,” he said. On the occasion of the presentation of a silver bugle on its centenary from all ranks, The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment,’ the Colonel, MajorGeneral D. E. B. Talbot, writes: “We, in The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment, have always been very proud of our alliance with the Canterbury Regiment of New Zealand. ’ This alliance, which has existed since 1913, has been strengthened by many bonds through two World Wars, though our connexion with your lovely country goes back much further. “On this, the occasion of your centenary, all ranks of The Queen’s Own join in sending their heartiest congratulations and very best wishes to the Canterbury Regiment. We would like you to accept this silver bugle, which is adorned with the regimental crests, of both our regiments, as a visible symbol of the enduring strength of our joint alliance and of the close association between our two regiments. “Our Colonel-in-Chief, Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, knows of, and warmly approves, this presentation. I have been commanded by Her Royal Highness to send you her congratulations .on your centenary, and her very best wishes for the future of the Canterbury Regiment."