COASTAL DEFENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1939, Page 6

COASTAL DEFENCE

USE OF ARTILLERY WELLINGTON, April 25. Having completed a course in the use of coastal artillery in defence, four young officers of the New Zealand military forces returned to Wellington by the Awatea on Monday from Sydney. They spent three months training at the School of Artillery, Sydney. . The senior officer was Captain B. Wicksteed, R.N.Z.A. (Wellington). .He was reticent concerning the latest ideas in the use of coastal artillery, but state that New Zealand and Australia were working in close conjunction in developing this branch of defennee and that an interchange,.of officers Entraining and experience w.as constantly taking place. The other three were graduates of, the Duntroon Military College—Lieutenants R. B'. Symon (Wellington), R.. De La Cour (Christchurch) and J. Burns (Wellington). They undertook the artillery course after passing out of Duntroon. , They will now be posted to their stations as members of the New Zealand staff Corps. Lieutenant Symon is a son of the former director of artillery, Colonel F:. Symon, now retired. At- Duntroon, Lieutenant Symon was awarded the King’s medal for exemplary conduct, and a sword of honour for being the best in his class. He was the first New Zealander to gain this double award.