"B" BATTERY

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 56, 4 September 1923, Page 4

"B" BATTERY

DIAMOND JUBILEE

RECORD OF GOOD SERVICE.

On the 9th September, the "B" Battery, or'the 12th Battery, as it is now known, which has been an institution in the life of Dunedin ever since its inauguration in 1865, will complete its sixtieth year of its existence. In artillery work the corps has done well, in 1907 winning both the shield for all-round efficiency and the: Rhodes Cup for big gun shooting, while on several other occasions it was runner-up. In the older days in dismounting competitions with other batteries its detachment always put up a good performance, and was' not infrequently returned the winner. In the South African War fifteen members volunteered for active service, and many former members also served. The battery has the honour of claiming as former members such well-known military men as Major-General A. W. Robin, Colonel J. C. Nicholls, and IdentenantColonel T. Chalmer, and has also had in its ranks many, men well known in the civil Jife of the community who have gained honours, political and professional, as well as many "who havo made names for themselves in the realm of commerce.

The history of the Battery is interesting. The corps was first known as the Dunedin Volunteer Artillery, the designation of "B" Battery not-being given to it until 3rd December, 1878, at which date the various batteries then existing were formed into the New Zealand Regiment of Volunteers, and designated by letters. In March, 1921, the designation was again changed, the "B" Battery becoming the 12th Battery, which name it bears at the present day. Tho first commander was Captain Charles Gordon Ross. He resigned the command in May, 1866, and was succeeded by Captain Andrew M'Farland; who had been the first subaltern officer. Captain M'Farland held the command till June, 1872, being succeeded by Captain Archibald Hill-Jack, who gave it up in July, 1879, on being promoted to tho rank oi major in the then recently formed New Zealand Regiment o£ Artillery Volunteers. Captain Sidney Nimmo Muir commanded till 1881; then followed Captain William Lambert, who : resigned in 1885, and was succeeded by Captain George Charles Pioudfoot, who' resigned in 1894. Captain William Thomas Moril? man then took over, ,aud retained, the command,, heing followed by Major Chalmer. In 1902 lib was transferred to the Reservej and Captain Harold Livingstone Tapley was appointed, to command, holding the position till 1905, when he also was transferred to the Reserve, and Major George RdtJert Ritchie took charge. On Major Ritchie being posted to the Reserve in 1918, Captain I. W. Cowie took over command, but almost immediately he left on active Bervice, and the command was taken over by Lieutenant'A. J. Chrystall. 'He held the position till 1920, when, owing to the pressure of business, he relinquished it in favour of Major. J. G. Jeffery, ..who is the commanding officer at the present time.. . :' : ■ v

The members of the VB" Battery did splendjd_^service in' the late-.-war, and their 'trairung.ii'ibod-iliemiin'^gooa stead. Lieutenant-Colonel N.""S.' Falta"," Major Jeffery, Lieutenant Smeaton, Lieutenant Cowie, Lieutenants,-A. S., Milne, J. H. M'D.ougall, W. Ibbotson, A. O. Wilkinson, P. 6. MAuley, R. M'Pherson, B. H. De.Beer, J. D.vHutchison, D. Eckhoff, W. M'Leniian, G. P. Chapman, B. A. Todd, and.R, D. Todd, with the Imperial'Forceß, all received their artillery experience with the battery, and were able to profit accordingly.