GUARD COMMANDER

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 283, 24 August 1940, Page 13

GUARD COMMANDER

Major-General Young’s

A former General Officer Command ing the New Zealand Military Forces, Major-General R. Young, C. 8., C.M.G., D. 5.0., has been appointed Dominion Commander of the Home Guard established under the Emergency Reserve Corps Regulations. This was announced yesterday by the Minister of National Service, Mr. Semple.

“I consider that we are extremely fortunate in obtaining the services of so distinguished a soldier and administrator for this responsible position,” said Mr. Semple. “Major-General Young’s military career began long before the World War, and he rose rapidly in the service. He left New Zealand with the Main Body, holding the rank of Major, and was promoted Colonel and Brigadier-General Commanding the New Zealand Rifle Brigade the following year. “Shortly after his return to New Zealand he was appointed Officer Commanding the Southern Command, and in 1925 he was appointed General Officer Commanding the New Zealand, Military Forces, a position he held till he retired in 1931.

“Major-General Young’s administrative ability will be of the greatest assistance in the setting up of the organization, and he will be commencing his new duties without delay,” continued the Minister. “Now that preliminaries have been completed, I propose to press ahead with the organization of the Home Guard in the various districts with the utmost expedition, aud Major-General Young’s co-operation on the military side of the organization will be of the greatest assistance in establishing the Home Guard on a firm aud successful footing.”