South Island Changes In New Zealand Army

Press, Volume C, Issue 29623, 20 September 1961, Page 22

South Island Changes In New Zealand Army

The Nelson-Marlborough-West Coast Regiment would go* into recess under the reorganised structure of the New Zealand Army, said the officer commanding the Southern- Military District (Brigadier A. H. Andrews) yesterday. Although still able to wear the regiment’s insignia, men of the regiment would be redistributed to two companies of the Ist Battalion Canterbury Regiment, which would be raised and maintained at Blenheim and Nelson. The Nelson-Marl-borough-West Coast Regiment Would continue to maintain its depot at Nelson, he said. Brigadier Andrews said he expected the local reorgan-

isation to be completed by late October.

Major changes in the reorganisation include the disbanding of the sth Independent Field Squadron, men from which will go to the 3rd Field Squadron, Royal New Zealand Engineers. The headquarters of the 3rd Infantry Brigade will be absorbed into the South Military District Headquarters and all Territorial forces in the South Island will come under the command of district headquarters from September 25. Previously located at Timaru, the 3rd Field Ambulance, Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps, has now been relocated at Christchurch. It will absorb C Company, 2nd General Hospital, and the 3rd Field Hygiene Section, which has been disbanded. The Ist Casualty Clearing Station at Dunedin will be disbanded and this will be absorbed in the Otago University Medical Corps. No change has been made to the 3rd Infantry Brigade workshops at Addington which will now absorb R.N.Z.E.M.E. men of the 12th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Workshop. No. 123 Heavy Battery. 12th Anti-Aircraft Regiment has been disbanded and will now be absorbed into the 3rd Field Regiment. The sth Light Regiment, R.N.Z.A., at Invercargill, will be reduced to a light battery which will be absorbed into the 3rd Field Regiment, R.N.Z.A. No changes have been made to the 3rd Transport Company, Royal New Zealand Army Service Corps The 3rd Mobile Dental Unit at Dunedin has had its establishment reduced. Headquarters of 3rd Infantry Brigade, light aid detachment, R.N.Z.E.M.E., has been disbanded and its men transferred to the 3rd Infantry Workshops at Addington. The sth Light Regiment Light Aid Detachment. R.N.Z.E.M.E., has been disbanded and its men posted to the 3rd Field Regiment, Light Aid Detachment.

The Territorial element of the Division of the Royal New Zealand Provost Corps will consist of one detachment only, based at Christchurch.