DEFENCE SERVICES

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 35, 4 November 1933, Page 24

DEFENCE SERVICES

News of Rank and File ON PARADE AND OFF Activities at Wanganui

(By

“Liaison.”)

The Wellington West Coast Regiment at Wanganui and Feilding has made a start on its weapon training and very satisfactory progress has been made in both centres. The M.G. course has been completed in Feilding. The rifle and light automatic courses are being proceeded with. In Wanganui the rifle course has been completed, and the M.Gcourse partly completed. An area rifle meeting is proposed for November 18 and 25. A good deal of interest is being taken by both territorials and cadets in the district. A miniature rifle match between the WJW.C. miniature rifle team and the Dunedin R.S A. was staged on October 10. It resulted in a narrow win for the W.W.C. team. Teams were eight a-side, with eight shots to count,''total score per firer 80. Results -were as follow: — W.W.C. Regiment: Pte. Fisher, 79; Lieut.-Col. Cade, Captain Maxwell, 78; Lieutenant Burford, Pte. Brandon, 77; C.S.M. Malcolm, Major Lilburne, 76; C.S.M. Beavan, 75; total 616. Dunedin R.S.A.: D. Marr, 80; W. Goudie, R. Bowie, 79; R. Pender, 78; J. Judson, 75; H. A. Edmonds, G. H. Ferens, 74; T. Menzies, 73; total 612. Preparations for the annual camp are being proceeded with. On November 6 all officers and N.0.0.’s are to be lectured on interior economy. It is essential that all officers and N.0.0.’s should be thoroughly conversant with camp routine in order that the camp should run smoothly. A lecture of this nature will be helpful in producing a higher state of efficiency of all ranks.

Air Force Course. ■Supplementary courses have been arranged as follow; —No. 4 (A.C.) Squadron, November 14-17; No. 2 Squadron, November 18-21; No. 3 Squadron, November 22-25. It is understood that these supplementary courses are intended to bridge the gap that exists between the regular courses held in February and March at the annual camp. Some 15 officers will probably be able to attend each of the courses arranged. A comprehensive programme has been arranged, and the courses will ~be held at Wigram aerodrome.

AU ranks of the Second Field Company and the Central Depot, N.Z. Signals, held a combined week-end camp at Fort Dorset on October 28 and 29. The camp was entirely voluntary, but was well attended, and despite the wet and windy weather an instructive programme of work was carried out. It was possible to work outside on Saturday, and the Engineers, spent the afternoon on the beach performing some useful and interesting demolition experiments. After dark a small tactical Scheme was held. This included an advance over steep country, and the reconnaisance and occupation of a defensive position with the object of preventing a landing on the shore. The drivers of both units bad some riding on Saturday, but Sunday proved to be too wet. The signallers were less handicapped by the rain, as their instruments could be set up under shelter, and the wireless sets could be operated from the cover of a building. They also carried out a night scheme with lamp and wireless on Saturday night.

The Wellington Regiment. Last Saturday afternoon the members of D (Machine Gun) Company journeyed to Trentham for a Vickers Gun shoot. The weather conditions were far from good, but beyond spoiling the visibility they interfered but little with the shooting. A number of good scores were reported. The work was very satisfactory .considering that a large proportion of those pres'ent were recruits. The battalion is to attend its annual Armistice Day service in remembrance of past members of the regiment who made the supreme sacrifice during the Great War. This year the service will be held at gj. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral.' where the old colours of the battalion were laid up in November, 1929. The following are to be congratulated upon .passing their examinations for promotion:—Captain A. L. George, Lieuts. D. C. Bryson, R. B. Broberg. and E. W. Hay ton, and Corp. J. McM. Elliott, for examination for first appointments to commission.