Veterans’ Guard of Ex-Servicemen in Northland Centres

Northern Advocate, 28 July 1939, Page 8

Veterans’ Guard of Ex-Servicemen in Northland Centres

J>RQPOSED ESTABLISHMENT AND DUTIES IN TIME OF EMERGENCY ... OF THE NORTHLAND VETERANS’ GUARD OF EX-SERVICEMEN ARE THE SUBJECT OF A CIRCULAR FORWARDED TO PRESIDENTS OF DISTRICT BRANCHES OF THE R.S.A.

The ch’cular has been issued by Lieutenant-Colonel H. C. Hemphill, appointed by Headquarters Northern Military Command to command the North Auckland Veterans’ Guard of Ex-Servicemen.

It reads: “At the request of the Government and through headquarters, Northern Military Command, Auckland, ex-servicemen have been invited to provide battalion headquarters and fa ur companies in the North of Auckland, to serve in case of national emergency in the protection of various coastal sectors and areas.

“Returned soldier” has the same interpretation as that laid down by the N.Z.R.S.A. and includes all ex-ser-vicemen of the British Empire. It is important that only those who are physically fit and who have been accepted by registration into Class 2 of the National Military Reserve should be accepted for service in the Veteran Guard of Ex-Servicemen; also that those enlisted should be so resident as to be readily available for muster parades, drill, and in the case of national emergency. The units should be as centrally compact as possible.

As, the Regular New Zealand Defence Staff is fully occupied, each unit will arrange for its own instruction. In this connection it is desired that two n.c.o.’s in each platoon be selected for a “brush-up,” so that they, in turn, may instruct their respective units. The regular staff will, however, assist whenever possible. Generally, the command will require to look after itself.

It is proposed that if the number of ex-servicemen offering is greater than the establishment, and provided such men are capable physically of performing a useful service in case of a national emergency, they be listed in a "reserve unit. Diggers from such a unit would also be capable of filling vacancies in the active unit.

Appointment of Officers Ex-service officers and n.c.o’s shall be chosen by men of the units in process of formation. All appointments of officers are to be submitted to the commanding officer for confirmation and by him submitted to headquarters, Northern Military Command for final approval. Proposed Establishment The proposed establishment will be: Headquarters: Lieutenant-Colonel, Second in Command, Adjutant, Regimental Sergeant Major, Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant. . Each of four companies: Commanding Officer, Second in Command, Company Sergeant Major, Company Quarter Master Sergeant. Four platoon officers and 116 other ranks. (Total per company, six officers and 118 other ranks). Organisation Distribution Battalion Headquarters: Whangarei.

Finally, I would be glad if your association will proceed immediately to form the unit allotted by Command Headquarters to your particular area.

“A'.' company, with headquarters at Kaitaia; one platoon, Kaitaia; one platoon, Dargaville; two platoons, Bay of Islands area. “B” company, with headquarters at Whangarei.—Four platoons from Whangarei. “C” company, with headquarters at WarkWorth.—Two platoons at Warkworth, Matakana and Wellsford area; two platoons, Albany area. “D” company, with headquarters at Helensville. —Two platoons, Helensvillejv two platoons, MaungaturotoPapafoa area. Whangarei Company A muster parade of all local exservicemen who have enrolled in the National Military Reserve will be held in the Drill Hall, Whangarei, to-mor-row evening, vvhen a local company in the Northland Veterans’ Guard will be officially formed. In addition to the company headquarters of officers, four platoon commanders will be appointed. N.C.O’s will be selected from the 29 other ranks selected for each platoon. Two n.c.o’s from each platoon will be nominated for a “brush up.” Duties In Emergency “A”' Company.—-Kaitaia platoon: protection of cable at Doubtless Bay; Bay of Islands platoon: local protection; Dargaville platoon: local protection.

“B” Company.—Local protection of Whangarei and district. “C” Company.—Protection of coast, Castor Bay-Long Bay, and, if necessary, local protection of Warkworth-Matakana-Leigh area. “D” Company.—Helensville platoons: support to “C” Company and local protection; Maungaturoto-Paparoa platoons: general reserve and local protection. General Informatian. Medical examination is not necessary and any pension will not be affected as a result of enrolling. The minimum number of muster parades is four, but units to carry out such voluntary training under their own officers and n.c.o.’s as their C.O. deems necessary The matter of arms to be supplied will be the subject of a later communication. District headquarters has been requested to give definite assurance that all ranks serving are covered against accident when going to, on, and returning from parades. No uniform will be worn, but each man serving will be supplied with an armlet. Denims will be supplied free of charge when and where required.