HOME GUARD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 258, 28 September 1940, Page 8

HOME GUARD.

DISTRICT COMMANDERS

FOUR APPOINTMENTS

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, Sept. 27. The Minister of National Service (Hon. It. Semple) to-day announced the appointment of four district commanders of the Home Guard. “In previous statements,” said Mr Semple, “it lias been indicated tha.t the organisation of the Home Guard, whilst not being a military establishment at this stage, would be developed very much along the lines of the Army so that the closest collaboration would be ensured in the training and disposition of the guard to render it an efficient supplementary body to the armed forces in time of need. It was decided, therefore, to divide the Dominion into district commands and those in turn into areas, as-is done with the Anny organisation. “For the purposes of the Home Guard, however, it has been found desirable to have four district commands, two in the North Island and two in the South Island, instead of three as m the Army. The division of the South Island into two districts will allow of much quicker organising because lees travelling by the district commander will be involved. . . “Great care has been exercised in the selection of the personnel to undertake the work of the district commanders, and after very wide consultation with Major-General R. Young, the R.S.A., local authorities, and others the Government lias been, fortunate in I securing the services of me.n with line records who have to give their time gratis to this work. Mr Semple said he had pleasure in announcing that the following appointments had been approved : Auckland District— Colonel M. Aldred, V.D., N.Z.E.F. 1915-17 Egypt and Palestine. Highest rank, tein--1 porary major. Territorial I orce 190834. Commanded Ist' Auckland. Mounted Rifles and Ist N.Z. Mounted Rifle Brigade. Highest rank, colonel. Wellington District.—Colonel R. at J. Beere, D.S.O. N.Z.E.I'. 1914-1 J Samoa, Egypt and France. Highest rank lieutenant-colonel. Commanded 4th Battalion N.Z. Rifle Brigade, D.S.O. dispatches. Territorial I'orce 1909-29. Commanded Ist Battalion Wellington Regiment and 2nd N.Z. Infantry Brigade. Highest rank, colonel. Christchurch District.— Major C. It. F. Kingscote, N.Z.E.F. 1916-D. Intelligence Officer 3rd N.Z. Rifle Brigade 19.17. British Army force Middle East G. 5.0.2 Intelh- ! ge.nce Caucasus Army. Highest rank, major. Dispatches. r , , Dunedin District.- Lieutenant-Col-onel A. S. B. Smith. E.D., N.Z.E.1 1 . 1915-18. Otago Mounted Rifles Egypt and France. 'Commissioned in the field i 1918. Territorial Force 1920-37. Com- ’ mantled Otago Mounted Rifles. Highest 'rank, lieutenant-colonel. I The Minister stated that immediatel]y the four district , commanders were 1 appointed they were /OQ lied to A\ el ling" ton for a conference with the Dominion i Commander, Major-General Young, land the Ministers. They had now. returned to their districts to institute the necessary action to bring the Home Guard into being at the earliest possible date.