SUPPLEMENTARY DRAFT

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 October 1939, Page 5

SUPPLEMENTARY DRAFT

FAREWELLED AT GREYMOUTH Approximately 2,000 citizens assembled at the Greymouth Railway Station, this morning, to farewell the first supplementary draft from the West. Coast for the Special Military Force. To the number of 39 (comprising 22 from the Grey district and 17 from Buller) the draft left by the express for Burnham Camp, in charge of Captain E. Caldwell, of Greymouth. They were enthusiastically cheered, and the train drew out to the strains of Auld Lang Syne, played by the Municipal Band, while the whistles of locomotives in the station yard added their farewells. Prior to the departure of the train the Municipal Band gave a programme of patriotic music at the station. The Grey district men were farewelled at the Drill Hall, where thej 7 paraded at 9.30 a.m., brief addresses being given by the Mayor, Mr. F. A. Kitchingham, and Mr. J. O’Brien, M.P. Each volunteer was presented with a “housewife,” from the Red Cross Society, the presentations being made individually by Mrs. F. W. Shallcrass. The Mayor, on behalf of the citizens of Greymouth, wished .the men the best of luck, and a safe return. All knew that they would worthily represent their country, at home or overseas, and though in the adventure they were undertaking they would find much that was not palatable, they would also find many compensations. He congratulated the men on volunteering, and wished them well.. , Mr. O’ Brien said he had come to bid bon voyage to the men, on behalf of the people of Westland. It was sincerely hoped that the men would not get as far as France, but whereever they went, he knew they would do honour to the West Coast and New Zealand. He added that the Empire War or Peace Council would be sitting in England in about a week’s time —the New Zealand representative was already on his way—and they would decide whether there was to be peace or war. He trusted that there would be an honourable peace at an early stage. He wished the men good health, good luck and a safe reutrn. Mr. G. Clark-Roberts replied on behalf of the men. The men marched to the station, under Captain Caldwell, and headed by the Municipal Band.

GREYMOUTH ENLISTMENTS After two successive days on which no enlistments were made at Greymouth, seven volunteers were enrolled, this morning, raising the total to 273. Additional enrolments were as follow: — 1 Moka, Joseph, Waiuta. Last, Eric Sydney, Bruce Bay. McGregor, Hector, Greymouth. Tikey, Alexander John, Taylorville. Favel, Albert George, Brunnerton. Nyberg, James Carl, Nelson Creek. Mills, George Edward, AVaiuta. OFFICERS’ TRAINING CORPS. AUCKLAND, October 13. To ensure provision of. an adequate numbei* of junior officers for the third echelon of the special military force 1 , a certain number of men already in camp have been chosen to form an officers’ training corps at Trentham. Suitable men have been selected at Ngaruawahia, Trentham, and Burnham, and will be given two months’ training before decision is : made whether commissions should be granted. Thirty-nine men went from Ngaruawahia by train to-night for Trentham. They included 21 non-commissioned officers from the rifle battalion, 15 from the artillery, and three from the engineers. At Trentham they will be joined by selected men from the other camps. Among them are several of the rank of corporal, although most of them are sergeants. In addition to the officers’ training corps, which was also, a feature of New Zealand’s organisation in the Great AA 7 ar, there is to be a special cooks’ training course at Trentham. Selected men are to be given intensive training in army cooking in all its

phases, including active service requirements. To this school the Ngaruawahia camp has contributed 10 men, who also left for Trentham tonight.