Northland Home Guard Receives Equipment

Northern Advocate, 17 November 1941, Page 4

Northland Home Guard Receives Equipment

Quantities of equipment for the Home Guard in Northland have recently come to hand and are being distributed to the various units, according to advice received from the Area Officer (Lieutenant-Colonel H. F. Chandler) at Whangarei. A good number of sets of web were on issue 10 some battalions, and further supplies were expected to be forthcoming in the near future. Thompson sub-machine-guns, and Lewis and Vickers machine-guns, had arrived. A greater number than were at first expected of the latter two types were received. J Whangarei Reorganisation At Saturday’s parade details of the amalgamation of A. and C. Companies and reorganisation- into Headquarters Company were finalised. The Battalion Commander (Major R. Feaver)

attended to explain the reasons for the amalgamation, which was mainly conceived with the purpose of strengthening the personnel and widening the scope of training. Major Feaver complimented the men who continued to attend regularly and emphasised the need for preparedness. “You, who continue to do your bit, have not forgotten the oath which you took upon becoming members of the Home Guard,” he said. Captain B. P. Hopkins, who commands the composite company, and Major Feaver, explained details of the establishment and discussed matters of importance with the men. Rifle, mortar, machine-gun and signalling platoons were formed and Head- j quarters Company will also probably | assume responsibility for guarding j petrol pumps. j With the arrival of new equipment, the belief was expressed that many | who have not been attending parades : regularly, would return to active ! membership.