Parade honours major

Press, 28 June 1989, Page 8

Parade honours major

By

CULLEN SMITH

Major Roly Manning took the salute at Burnham Military Camp yesterday, accorded the unique honour of a battalion parade marking 40 years of distinguished service and his retirement from the Army. After an inspection by the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Leith Comer, the 560 soldiers of the 2nd First Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, marched by, bayonets fixed, to farewell a special officer. Staff Officer (Works) Major Manning joined the Regular Force in April, 1949, and retires as the senior works officer in the South Island. In between came a posting to the Fiji Infantry Regiment, service in Malaysia — where he was decorated — Borneo, Singapore and Vietnam. The battalion Honorary Colonel, Brigadier Mike Kennedy, told the parade Major Manning rose to the highest rank of the non-commissioned service and stubbornly resisted promotion. -

However, Major Manning was commissioned as lieutenant in June, 1980, and promoted to captain the next month. In July, 1986, he was promoted to major.

Brigadier Kennedy said the Army in the South Island owed a great deal to Major Manning.

“He has worked miracles for the Army in the repair and maintenance of our buildings, with little funds,” he said. Major Manning’s lifelong love of rugby rekindled the Army’s interest in the sport and he coached every Army side, from Colts to Combined Services. It is an interest that Major Manning intends to pursue in retirement, continuing a long relationship with the High School Old Boys’ Club. MajorManningsaidhefelt overwhelmed by the special parade in his honour. “It was all kept pretty

much a secret from me. It was a bit of an ambush job,” he said. Highlights of his service were his time with the Fijian Infantry Regiment and serving with the New Zealand Battalion as an assault pioneer commander and senior weapons

instructor. Major Manning said he was impressed by the quality of today’s soldier and recommended the military as a career. “Not for monetary gain, or those wanting a nine-to-five job, though,” he

said. “It’s very demanding and very rewarding.” Major Manning was most impressed with the battalion parade.

“To me it’s a visible sign that the infantry is in good hands and good heart,” he said.