HUTT HOME GUARD ON PARADE

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 9, 6 October 1941, Page 5

HUTT HOME GUARD ON PARADE

Bearing Commended INSPECTION BY BRIGADIER N. W. McD. WEIR Marking the end of its first year of training, the Hutt Battalion, Home Guard, parading 450 strong under the commanding officer, Captain J. IV. Andrews, was reviewed at the Lower Hutt Recreation Ground yesterday morning by the officer commanding the Central Military District, Brigadier N. W. McD. Weir, N.Z.S.C. Brigadiei Weir commended the battalion on its bearing and appearance and the standard it had reached in a comparatively short period of training. He commended the men’s ability in improvising training materials and said that as equipment became available it would be issued to guard units. The grandstand was packed for the occasion and there was also a good muster of the public on the ground proper. The men were dressed in denim overal uniforms provided at their own expense with the assistance of a Lower Hutt City Council -subsidy ami they were equipped with rilles, most of which have been impressed under the scheme brought in some months ago. The battalion was drawn up in formation of six companies, plus a mounted rifles troop which was not able to parade with its mounts, because of the soft stale of the ground Brigadier Weir was received with a general salute and the breaking of the appropriate pennant. After the brigadier’s review, the battalion marched past, advancing in review order in slow time. The crowd gave the men a great round of applause for this movement, whielr was splendidly carried out. A smart feature of the parade was the battalion’s Home Guard Band, drawn up six abreast with the six drummers bearing new guards' drums, printed with the battalion colours and red and white rims. The drummers wore long white gauntlets which gave the parade a touch of colour. The band was led by Drum-Major B. Croft, and was conducted by Mr. T. Gray. It consists mainly of members ot the Lower Hutt Civic Baud, who are in the battalion, augmented by other guardsmen. The Adjutant-General, Colonel Conway, N.Z.S.C., and Lieutenant-Colonel .Johnston, area director of the Home Guard, were among a large number of military officers who showed their interest in the battalion by attending. The Minister of Finance and M.P. for Hutt. Mr. Nash, the M.P. for Wellington Suburbs, Mr. Combs, and Dr. W. A. Riddell, Canadian High Commissioner, were aiso present. It was Hie first occasion in the Central Military District that a Home Guard unit had been reviewed by an officer of the rank of brigadier, and the parade bearing was worthy of the occasion. Afterward a committee of women uutier the mayoress of Lower Hint. Mrs. .1. W. Andrews, entertained 3<HI guests at morning tea. Later the whole battalion was served with tea. The quartermasteriug staff of the battalion prepared tlie tea and the women's committee members provided Hie food ami arranged the tables.