ANNUAL INSPECTION OF ARTILLERY UNITS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6918, 25 May 1929, Page 8

ANNUAL INSPECTION OF ARTILLERY UNITS

Presentation of Trophies

VALUE OF TRAINING STRESSED BY S.S.O

The annual inspection of artillery units with headquarters in Palmerston North was carried out last evening at the showgrounds, when in the absence of Brigadier Whyte, D. 5.0., D.G.M., O.C. Central Command, Lieut.-Colonel Standish, C.M.G., D. 5.0., R.N.Z.A., Chief Staff Officer, Central Command, inspected the units and presented trophies and badges won during the year Units on parade were the 7th. battery under Lieut. Ekstedt, Bth Battery under Capt. C. Woods and the Palmer ston North Boys’ High School artillery section, under Captain .T. Dash. The parade was at full strength, the steady bearing and well turned out appearance of the men earning the congratulations of the inspecting officer. Accompanying Lieut.-Colonel Standish on his inspection were Major Stevens, Officer Commanding R.N.Z.A. Central Command and Lieut. Joyce, D.C.M., adjutant, Second Field Brigade, R.N.Z.A. _ A small attendance of the public watched the proceedings while amongst the officers present were Major R. D. Hardie, D. 5.0.; Major J. Mounsey, 0.8. E., Major J. T. Bosworth M.8.E., and Major F. W. Garner. Presentation of Trophies.

Following the inspection of the parade, Lieut.-Colonel Standish presented tho following badges and trophies won during the year: — Eighth battery—Buchanan Cup, (section competition), left section (Lieutenant M. Osborne); sub-section shield, C sub-section (Sergeant AVthitc); Beale cup (area G b. rifle championship) Gunner Griggs; layers’ badges, LanceSergeant Cope, Bombardier Cole, Bombardier Stratton; drivers' badges, Lance-Sergeant Skilton, Bombardier Woodham; signallers’ badges, LanceSergeant Brownlie, Lunce-B'ombardier Smillio, Bombardier Had don, LancoBombardicr Cameron.

Seventh battery.—Section cup, right section (Lieutenant W. Philip), teams match trophy (area 6 b. rifle meeting), battery team under Lieutenant Lovelock; sub-section shield, C sub-section (Sergeant T. Gabriel); sports cup, C sub-section (Sergeant T. Gabriel); layers’ badges, Sergeant R. Page, Sergeant Johansen, Bombardier J. Danks, Gunner Morris; drivers ’badges, Driver Evans, Bombardier Altree, Gunner Daly; Signallers’ badges, Gunner Cederman, Gunner Mills, Lance-Bom-bardier McLaggan, Gunner Harvey. In addressing the parade, Lieut.-Col. Standish expressed his pleasure at the standard of efficiency shown by the three units. All ranks had worked hard during the year, and ho desired to congratulate the officers upon tho parade which he had inspected that evening. He referred to the high honours won by the N.Z. artillery territorial units during the Great War and appealed to the men to live up to tho standards sot them. Tho original battery formed in Palmerston North had now grown into two, which was perhaps a good thing, as it encouraged competition. That first battery had been a very good one and had set a high standard of efficiency. To a number of tho men ,that evening would be their last parade, as they had completed their service. They might not believe him at present, but he could assure them that in later years they would look back upon their training period as one of the happiest in their lives.

Tho training received by them would prove if the greatest value in outside life for in business and in everything else, discipline, loyalty and esprit dc corps learned by military service, were invaluable.

On the call of the inspecting officer, three cheers were given for the winners of trophies ami badges. Supper was then served to the visitors, officers and men.