DEFENCE NOTES

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 258, 29 July 1939, Page 8 (Supplement)

DEFENCE NOTES

Wellington Regiment In Training RECRUIT PLATOONS (By Liaison.) A visit to the recruit platoons of the Wellington Regiment confirms previous impressions that the regiment is fortunate both in the type of recruit that is offering and iu the N.C.U. who is responsible for 'their training. Though ouly hall' their time in the depot has been served, the "York” aud "Lancs.” platoous display a finish ami a keenness that speak volumes both for their own spirit and for the way iu which they are handled. Of the two, the "York" platoou is so far the more, finished, having older recruits with wome previous experience, but both groups are remarkable for their enthusiasm. Remembering that their training .to date has beeu simply squad drill aud rifle exercises (subjects of least interest to the average civilian), it will be realized that Drill-Sergeant McCurdy’s accomplishment is no small one. Marching is steady aud well-controlled, and rifle exercises, though lacking the final polish, are fully equal, if not superior, to the general standard in the regiment. Demonstrating the value of sport in co-ordinating mind and muscle, of the seven recruits who have shown greatest promise to date,, six are members of the Star Boating .Club. These men are Privates Lawson, Thody, Andrews, Broad Cook, Jack, aud Hollis. Two recruits, Iloby and Hughes, put up musketry scores recently of 95 and 90 out. of a possible IDO. The platoons parade ou alternate Tuesdays, but many men are present at every parade, and the average attendance is 95 per cent, which is close to a record. The present recruits will be draftee into companies toward the end of the year, and 50 fresh recruits will start training early next mouth, parading on Thursdays. To give the men some idea of their future work, demonstrations have beeu given them lately with the Lewis, Vickers aud rifle-grenade. Talks have been held on the history of both the regiment and the allied York and Lancs, and ou Army Regulations as they affect the recruit. In short, every possible means has beeu used by Lieutenant Everist and Drill-Sergeant McCurdy to give the men a solid grounding and an intelligent interest in the rudiments of. their job. It remains for officers and N.C.O.'s in the companies to which they go to utilize to the full the undoubtedly splendid material that is produced from the depot. Suburban Platoons.

The Karori platoon ou Monday night was busy with pick and shovel drill for the display at tile Town Hall on August 10. Performed with smartness and poise, this drill can be made quite a ballet movement. Anti-aircraft training occupied the remainder of the evening, aud imaginary aircraft met with a hot reception. The local Platoon Association has promised another dance for August 26, and taken all round the morale of the Karori platoon is high. . The Johnsonville platoon is engaged on rifle and squad drill, subjects which it is tackling with an energetic determination: to master, and pass on to tactical training. Their drill hall was recently assailed by a local gang who hailed stones on the roof, but the emergence of a fighting patrol at the double disposed of the enemy immediately. A meeting of senior officers of the Post and Telegraph Department was held recently in the General Post Office, Wellington, to discuss the feasibility of forming a regimental association for the Central District Signal Company. Colonel J. G. Young presided. An interesting address on the objects and functions of regimental associations was given by Major F. L. Hunt. Area Staff Officer.

As the result of the meeting a provisional committee consisting of Messrs. Newall (convener). Hills. Mason, Ogilvie, Pike and Elwin (secretary), was set up to further the formtiOß of the proposed association,