ARTILLERY PARADE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 105, 4 May 1926, Page 9

ARTILLERY PARADE

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES

REVIEW AT GARRISON HALL.

Last evening, the sth (18 pr.) and 19th (60 pr.) Batteries of the Wellington Garrison paraded at the Garrison Hall, Buckle street, for inspection and presentation of prizes won during the training year by members of the two units. Despite the adverse weather conditions there was an excellent muster, the parade strengths being as follows: —O.C. parade, Lieutenant-Colonel N. S. Falla, C.M.G., D.5.0., A.D.C., commander 2nd Field Brigade New Zealand Artillery; staff-officer to brigade commander, Captain T. Farr, D.5.0., M.C., R.N.Z.A. ; sth Battery (Major J. Lyons, M.C.), 7 officers, 190 other ranks; 19th Battery (Major V. P. Haughton), 7 officers, 192 other ranks, j Tho parade was drawn up in column of sections, and presented an imposing sight, tho steadiness, general turnout, and bearing of the troops being very good. The parade was inspected by the O.C. Central Command (Colonol-Corn-mandant C. G. Powles, C.M.G., D.5.0., A.D.C., to H.M. tho King, N.Z.S.C.). accompanied by Major O. H. Mead, D.5.0., N.Z.S.C., Staff-Officer in char.je of No. 5 Regimental District (Wellington). On entering tho Garrison Hall Colonel Powles was received by a guard drawn from both Batteries, and given the appropriate salute by the parade. During the inspection which followed the Artillery Band (Lieutenant Herd) played several selections. On conclusion of his inspection Colonel Powles complimented all ranks on their good work during the past training year, on the excellent attendance at the annual camps, and on the present state of efficiency of the Batteries. The G.O.C. New Zealand Military Forces (Major-General R. Young, C.8., C.M.G., D.5.0., N.Z.S.C.), accompanied by the Chief of the General Staff (Colonel W. L. 11. Burgess, C.8., C.M.G., D.5.0., N.Z.S.C.), and the Director of Artillery (Lieutenant-Colonel F. Symon, C.M.G., D.5.0., A.D.C., R.N.Z.A.), was received by the O.C. Central Command, and on entering the hall was accorded suitable honours by the parade, the general salute being played by the Artillery Band. After a brief inspection General Young addressed the parade, expressing his pleasure at seeing such a splendid muster, good turnout, and marked steadiness of the units. Both the General Officer Commanding and the O.C. Central Military Command thanked all those members of the Batteries, who, having completed the required number of years' efficient military service, are now being transferred to the Reserve, for their keenness and co-operation in the training of their units, and the good work they had performed. Both officers expressed to all those who are able to do so the wish that they would remain with their units for at least another year, and so assist in maintaining the esprit de corps and efficiency of the Batteries. The following prizes were presented by the General Officer Commanding, who congratulated the winners, and called for threo hearty cheers, which were given in their honour:— sth Field . Battery, .. N.Z.A.: Best section, right section,' Second-Lieuten-ant F. E. Reeves; best sub-section, "A" sub-section, Sergeant L. Turner; most improved N.C.0., Sergeant A. H. Ivory; best gunner, L.-Bombadier K. Unstead; best driver, Driver J. E. Dahl; best gun-layer, Gunner H. Meachen; best battery'staff,. Gunner T. J. Paul; meritorious work in camp, I Bombadier N. P. D. Whyte. 19th (Med.) Battery N.Z.A.: best section, right section, Lieutenant A. D.'-Morris; best sub-section, "A" sub-section, Sergeant G. E. Powles; b,est gunner, Gunner J.. Bowles; best gun-layer, Gunner'H.'.Reed; best driver, Driver 8. M. Collins.;'best battery staff, Sergeant A. A. Forbes; most improved N.C.0., L.-Sergeant G. Clark; best turned out gunner or driver, Gunner J. C. Uphatn; meritorious work in camp, Driver S. Wonnocott; most improved recruit for tho year, Gunner F. C. Priest; special' duty in camp, Bombadier J. R. Sullivan.