PROCESSION AND DISPLAY SATURDAY MORNING FEATURE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 1 July 1943, Page 2

PROCESSION AND DISPLAY

SATURDAY MORNING FEATURE

MECHANISED DETACHMENTS TO STAGE ATTACK The Army, Air Force and Home Guard will combine forces on Saturday morning in a procession through the city, followed by a display by Army vehicles in Trafalgar street. The procession will leave the Post Office at 10.30 o’clock. The salute will be taken by the Mayor (Mr E. R. Neale), who will be accompanied by Lieut.-Colonel C. E. Butcher, acting-Area Commander, Squadron Leader Manhire, R.N.Z.A.F., representatives of the Navy, the Town Clerk, and Mr C. Milner, chairman of the Nelson Liberty Loan Committee. The undermentioned units will assemble at the following points at 10.15 a.m.:— First Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Regiment Band, northern end of Trafalgar street bridge; Nelson Battalion Home Guard, Tiafalgar street north, western side of the road; First Cadet Battalion Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Regiment, Trafalgar street north, eastern side of road; Nelson City Pipe Band, junction of Trafalgar street north and Grove street; R.N.Z.A.F., Grove street on northern side of road; W.A.A.F., Grove street on southern side of road. All units will fall in in line, preparatory to moving off in column of route. Mechanised detachments will assemble in Halifax street, west of the Post Office, facing east in the following order: Dingos (2), scout cars (2), Bren carriers (2), Stuart tanks (2), 25 pounders and quads (2), 18 pounders and scout cars (2), Bofor A.A. gun and tractor (1), battery slave (1). mobile workshop (1). The mechanised detachments will lead the procession, and continue at a steady pace past tl e saluting base, wheel right, and proceed down Hardy street, via Waimea street, to their original starting point in Halifax street, where the convoy will halt and be in readiness for a repeat. The dismounted section of the parade, led by the First Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Regiment Band, and consisting of the Nelson Battalion Home Guard, First Cadet Battalion Nelson. Marlborough and West Coast Regiment. Nelson Pipe Band, R.N.Z.A.F., W.A.A.F.. in that order, will proceed up Trafal gar street, saluting at the saluting base, wheel left up Hardy street, down Collingwood street, and return to the Posi Office, where the head of the procession will halt for a short period, until the order is given to repeat the march The First Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Regiment Band on arrival at the saluting base, will wheel lefl opposite the base, counter march, and halt facing the dais and continue play ing until the last unit has marched past At this stage members of the Liberty Loan Committee will address the public and the Regiment Band will move off to the Post Office and take up a position at the junction of Trafalgar and Halifax streets on the eastern side. At approximately 11.15 a.m. the march will be repeated in the same order as before. The repeat march will differ only in the following respects: There will be no saluting when re-passing the dais. The mechanised section will follow original route until reaching Waimea street, when they will wheel left up Waimea street, wheel left into Nile street east, wheel left into Church street, and the head of the convoy will halt short of the Church Steps. The dismounted section will follow the original route to Hardy street (Masonic Hotel corner) where the assistant Staff Officer will halt the parade and allow all ranks to have an opportunity of returning to Trafalgar street to witness the demonstration by the tanks, guns, etc. At approximately 11.40 a.m. the mechanised section, less the battery slave and mobile workshop, will proceed down Trafalgar street as a force in attack, advancing at a safe speed, in the following order, and each section demonstrating to the best of ability the manner in which each would function in action: Dingos, White scout cars, Bren carriers, Stuart tanks, 25 pounders and quads; each group of vehicles will advance in line abroast, with intervals of 100 yards between groups. The 18 pounder gun will take up its “halt action front” opposite Buxtons and the Bofor A.A. gun its “aircraft action” opposite the Ritz. The cease fire will be at approximately 11.55. The 18 pounder and Bofor guns will “limber up” and move off to occupy positions in the centre of Trafalgar street, between the Church Steps and Hardy street. The remainder of the mechanised section will move from Halifax street and occupy positions in the centre of Trafalgar street, between Bridge street and Hardy street, where the public will be given full opportunity of inspecting more closely both the guns and vehicles. No unauthorised person will be permitted to see within the Stuart tanks. The St. John Ambulance personnel will not march, but will be on duty. Auxiliary police, under Sergeant Matthews, will assist in the control of traffic and in keeping the route clear.