DEFENCE SERVICES

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 218, 10 June 1933, Page 9

DEFENCE SERVICES

News of Rank and File

ON PARADE AND OFF The Future of the Army (By Liaison.) The future of the Army—i.e., the future of its officers and men, is, whether they like it or not, largely dependent on the degree of achievement effected b.v the League of Nations in the field of disarmament, says "The Fighting- Forces.” This degree of achievement has been exceedingly meagre up to date, and may remain so. In which ease the Army will continue much as it is to-day. and may even be increased. On the other hand. the League may achieve definite disarmament results, and in this case diminution of certain portions of the Army will inevitably ensue. The question is, which portions? Not only officers but parents who contemplate putting their boys into the Army would do well to ponder over this question. Despitte the disarmament cloud which many officers must regard rather apprehensively as it looms up on the horizon, it seems to us the future of the infantry is bright enough—or at least there is little likelihood of aiiy large reductions in this branch of t.he service. The future of the Tank Corps, too, should be well assured. The gunners, it seems almost certain, must, reconcile themselves to the loss of their heavy batteries, which, after all, would only be a reversion to type, unless it be that portion of the heavy artillery is earmarked for use in an international force—a contingency which is not so remote as many people imagine. The cavalry, are, it is feared, likely to stiffer still further diminution in their already depleted numbers. The Wellington Regiment.. The new training year commenced on Thursday last and parades will be held on alternate Thursdays in AVellington (A, B, and D) (Machine Gun) Companies and on alternate Mondays at I’etone (C Company) commencing on June 29 and July 3 respectively. The annual camp, to which all ranks are looking forward with the keenest interest, will be held at Waiptikuntu in February next. On this occasion, however, they will not be alone, as it is proposed to hold a combined camp of all the units in the 2nd. Infantry Brigade, viz., the First Battalions of the 'Wellington, Wellington-West Coast, Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay Regiments. With all these units in camp together, it is only natural that competition will be keen. There are vacancies in all four companies and intending recruits are asked to make early application to tiie Battalion Headquarters, Buckle Street, where full information can be obtained.

Field Artillery. On May 24, in conjunction with other Artillery Units, the sth Battery. N.Z.A., paraded for inspection by the General Officer Commanding N.Z. Military Forces, Major-General AV. L. 11. Sinclair-Burgess, C. 8., C.M.G., D. 5.0., N.Z.S.C., and during the parade the cups and trophies won by the Battery during the last training year, were presented. The Colonel Commandant, the Central Military Command, accompanied the inspecting officer. Lieut.Colonel G. Lyon. M.C.. N.Z.A., commanded the parade. The G.O.G. expressed his pleasure at seeing (he smart turn out of units on parade, and urged all to maintain the excellent standard of work carried out in the past training year. The list of sth Battery trophy winners is as follows: —Best. Section Headquarters, Lt, J. 11. Dunn ; Best Sub Section “A,” Sgt. NA'. L. Cbernside; Best Gunlayer. Bdr. A. M. Aimin'; Best .Gunner, L.-Bdr. G. B. Cachemaille; Best Battery Stuff, Bdr. A. Simpson; Best Driver, Bdr. G. L. Riches; Most improved N.C.0., L.-Sgt D. AV. Sinclair: Meritorious Work‘itt Camp, L.-Sgt. A. M. Boyce. In Palmerston North on July 3, a similar inspection is being carried out by the

2nd. Field Brigade Commander, Lieut.Colonel 41. Lj-ou, M.C., N.Z.A. The 7th. and Sth. Batteries football team were runners-up in the Mamiwatu Rugby Union Junior seven-a side tournament on June 3. The team won three matches and were defeated on the bell for pride.of place by the conversion of n try by Palmerston North Old Boys Club. This is the host performance to date. The hockey teams "A” and “B” entered for the tive-a-side tournament at Fcilding on June 3, but were unfortunate in drawing the winners of the competition in. the first round. Still the experience gained will remain.

Promotions. The 'Wellington East Const Mounted Rifles Major (Quartermaster) J. R. 1. Slipper. V.D.. is transferred to the Reserve of Officers, Class I (b), R.D.6. Dated April 2(1. 1933. Join) Tinsley Russell (late Lieutenant. The Border Regiment) to be Lieutenant. Dated Mare!) 17. 1933.

The 'Wellington Regiment.—Walter Wynne Mason to be 2nd Lieutenant (on prob.l. and is posted to the 2nd Cadet Battalion. Dated November 1. 1932. Acting Bandmaster Harry Baker, Ist Battalion, to be Bandmaster (W.O.L). Dateq April G, .1933. Samuel John Swift to be W.O. II (Company SergeantMaior). Ist Battalion. Dated November 3, 1932. The Taranaki Regiment.—2nd Lieutenant I>. J. -Mcß. Coleman, Ist Battalion, to be Lieutenant. Dated August lu, 1932. , T . Regiment of N.Z. Artillery.—2nd Lieutenant E. J. Scotland ceas'es to be posted to the 15th Coast. Battery, and is seconded for a period of four years to the N.Z. Air Force. Dated February 12, 1933. The Wellington Regiment. —Lieutenant B. W. Wotton. Ist. Battalion, is transferred to the Wellington "West Coast Regiment. Dated April It). 1933.. 2nd Lieutenant F. A. J. Goodall. Regimental Supernumerary List, is transferred to the Reserve of Officers. Class I (b), R.D.o. Dated April 22. 1933. 2nd Lieutenant G. B. Massingham, Regimental Supernumerary List, is transfered to the Otago Regiment. Dated May 1. 1933. The Wellington "West Coast Regiment. —Captain E. H. W. Rowntree. Ist Cadet Battalion, is transferred to the Reserve of Oflicm’s. Class I (b), R.D.6. April 22. 1933. Lieutenant 11. •'' ot ’ ton, from the Wellington Regiment, to be Lieutenant, with seniority from November 4, 1931. and is posted to the Ist Cadet Battalion. Dated April 10, 19332nd Lieutenant (on prob.) 11. I. Glen, 2nd Cadet. Battalion, is transferred to Hie Hawke's Bay Regiment. Dated April 28. 1933. , . . , The Hawke's Bay Regiment.—2nd lieutenant (on prob.) H. I’. Glen, from the Wellington West Coast Regimen . to be 2nd Lieutenant (on prob.). wit.n seniority from January 1. 1931, and is posted to the 3rd Cadet Battalion. Dated April 28. 193".

Obituary. , s The death of S.S.M. (AN .0.1.) AN ilham George Bauer, New Zealand Permanent Staff, occurred at NVellintgton on May 31. Enlisting in the Ist Battalion, the Auckland Regiment, the deceased leit ACT Zealand with the Main Body tn 1914, and served in Gallipoli and Egypt. Being invalided to England, he subsequently served there as an Infantry and 1-1 • Instructor at the N.Z. Depot. Lillet. be was selected to attend the Officers 1 1-alu ' ing Corps at Oxford University, where he obtained his commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the N.Z. Expeditionary Force. Returning to New Zealand in April, IJlffi he received an appointment as Area Olncer at Napier. In January. LUU. dewas appointed to the New Zealand 1 ex* manent Stall’ and stationed at In 1927 he was transferred to the G.U.<2. Training Depot at Trent ha in as Ini an try Training Instructor, which position ne held at the time of his death, m addition to that, of Depot Sergeant-Major. NA bust stationed at Trentbam the late warrant officer was associated with the training of recruits for the N.Z. Permanent Forces. He was also closely connected with the conducting of the annual rule meetings of the National Rifle AssociiP tion. During his sojourn in AAangauui deceased was responsible lor the drill and training of the Regimental “‘111(1 <u Queen Alexandra’s Own Mounted Rille— The band was' successful at several contests under his leadership as drum-major. The widow is at present on a visit, with her two young sons, to relatives in England. General sympathy is expressed for them in their sad bereavement.