TERRITORIAL ARMY CAMPS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 113, 6 February 1939, Page 8

TERRITORIAL ARMY CAMPS

Artillery And Infantry GOOD ATTENDANCES The camping season for the Territorial Army has begun and Waiouru is the scene of the largest regimental camp to be held since the volunteer scheme was introduced. Situated amid the plantations surrounding the old Waiouru homestead, with Mt. Ruapehu towering in the distance, the ground selected is an ideal camping site. The plateau on which the camp has been erected is more than 2700 feet above sea level. During the past week about 50 members of the sth Battery (Wellington), under Lieut. B. Hardy and Lieut. S.. Almao, have carried out extensive training in artillery work under the .instruction of members of the Royal New Zealand Artillery. The battery camp is being held this week. On Saturday more officers and men went into camp and the battery will have more than 95 per cent, of its establishment under canvas. - The training during this week will embrace all types of battery work, culminating with field firing, using live ammunition, on Thursday and Friday. The Ist Battalion, Wellington Regiment (City of Wellington’s Own) is holding the largest camp that has been held since the volunteer scheme came into force. The keenness of the men, coupled with the co-operation of employers, have been the main factors in securing the record attendance. The total number attending the regimental camp is more than 400, which is more than twice as many as attended last year and represents approximately 80 per cent, of the peace establishment of a battalion. For many of the men it was their first experience of life in a military camp and under canvas. The ideal situation and with the interesting training have created a very favourable impression, and it is expected that the regiment will have no difficulty in securing the few remaining recruits required to bring it up to full strength. The course last week was held mainly to fit the men to carry out more efficiently the work they will have to do during this week. Competitions have been held, and one was for, the whole of the company area. This was won by B Company, others placings being: D 2, A 3, C 4 and Headquarters Company 5. In the company marquees competition the results were: A 1, O 2, D 3, Headquarters 4 and B 5. A Company is composed of the Khandallah, Johnsonville and. Eastbourne platoons, all in camp for the first time. The regiment is under the command of Lieut.-Colonel E. M. Stace, E.D., and Major A. B. Ross is acting as second in command, with Lieut. E. W. S. Williams, N.ZjS.C., as adjutant. The officers attending camp are: A Company, Captain C. O. Bryson, Lieut. C. N. Watson, Lieut. A. M. Everist and Lieut. G. A. Possin; B Company, Major C. D. A. George, Captain A. T. M. Scott, Lieut. G. A. Lindell, Second-Lieut. E. J. McAva; O Company, Major R. J. Wells, Captain B. N. Vickermen. Lieut. J. M. Elliott, ieut. M. J. Mason; D Company, Captain E. T. Love, Captain A. H. Maciver, Lieut. I. Duff, Lieut. J. GearWatson; Headquarters Company, Captain F. L. G. McKenzie, Lieut. R. L. Hutchens, SecondJLieut. D. W. Sinclair, Second-Lieut. J. H. Danderson, Second-Lieut. C. Follick, Second-Lieut. A. Fitchett. Lieut. T. Thornton is camp quartermaster and the padre is Chaplain-Captain Winhall.