TWELFTH FIELD BATTERY

Evening Star, Issue 20496, 29 May 1930, Page 15

TWELFTH FIELD BATTERY

PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES There was a good muster of members of the 12tn Field Battery, -Now Zealand Artillery, ati the Central Battery, last night on the occasion of the special parade called for the presentation ot the various trophies won during'the year Captain L. A. Rhodes, N.Z.A., was in command of the parade, and there was a good attendance of' civilians and others interested in the battery. The Artillery Band was also present, and rendered several selections during the evening. Lieutenant-colonel J. G. Jeffery, M.C., V.D. (Officer Commanding the Southern Artillery Group), addressed the battery prior to the presentation of the prizes. It was very gratifying, he said, to seo so many young men on parade who had every appearance of • being trained soldiers. Since the introduction of the Territorial system there had not been a period when the battery was as efficient as it was today. The Territorial movement had come in for a good deal of attention of late, and there was a possibility oi the forces being curtailed to a certain extent, and if a change was broughi about such as had been proposed, ,*t would ‘ make it a burden to maintain the efficiency of the various units. When ho looked at the fine body ol men on'parade ho felt sure that no ex-member of the battery would be ashamed of the unit if he could but see it. It had been contended that the training the men received was ot no use, and it bad also been said that there was little chance of any more wars occurring, but such a statement could not be taken seriously, as there was so much unrest amongst the nations of the world, and were not altogether as they should be. There was always the possibility of a war breaking out, and it was the duty of the British Army to go on training tlie' young men to be able to take their place in the field. That the knew Zealand Territorial system had had a good effect was proved by the high state of efficiency shown bv those who had fought overseas durihg the Great War. To some men Territorial training might appear irksome, but the training undergone undoubtedly helped to make the brain' and faculties of the trainees more alert and efficient, and he felt sure that the Territorial system of New Zealand had proved successful. It was pleasing also to note the high efficiency of the Artillery Band, and the new uniforms had been purchased by the efforts of the men themselves, no assistance having been received from the Government. ' Before the trophies were presented. Liutenant-colonel Jeffery presented Second-lieutenant A. J. Green with his King’s Commission. The prizes were presented by Lieu-tenant-colonel Jeffrey, Major O. Mead. D.S.O. (staff officer in command of No.' ll Regimental District), Major S. G. Secular (officer commanding 14th Medium Battery), and Lieutenantcolonel A. R. Falconer, D. 5.0., M.C. (officer commanding Ist Battalion. Otago Regiment). Following,is the prize list:-Sub-section Competition. —• “D” sub-section*. Sergeant A. G. Foley (shield and Rhodes Cup), Bombardier J. G. Warrington, L.-bombardier W. A. Turner, L.-bombardier A. C. Winton, Gunner C. J. Plank, Gunner A. T. Stobie, Gunner E. L. Sinclair, Gunner T. A. Woodliouse. Gunner J. Watson. Layers’ Competition. Bombardier J. G. Warrington (belt and Fahey and Hislop Cups and Small Cup), L.-bom-bardier P. T. Breese (badge), L.-bom-bardier St W- Ritchie (badge), L.-bom-bardier T. M. Baxter (badge). Driving Competition. Bombardier D; Fraser (badge, de Labour and Quennell Cups), Bombardier A. J. Harris (badge and Small Cup), , L,-bom-bardier R. L. Clark (badge). Gunner I. T. Driscoll (badge). i'. Signallers’ Competition. L.-bom-bardier F. D. Robinson (special prize, Allan Gup and Small Cup), Signaller L.-bombardier A. N. Jones (badge), Signaller Gunner G. K. Aitken (cup), Bombardier M'Tigue (badge), L.-bom-bardier Naismith (badge). Tent Competition. L.-bombardier F. D. Robertson Imp). L.-bombardier J. F. Duthie (shell case), Gunner A. R. Burt (shell case), Gunner W. S. Johnson (shell case), Gunner W. B. H. Statliani (shell rase).