POSTHUMOUS DECORATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16034, 28 September 1915, Page 8

POSTHUMOUS DECORATION.

AUSTRALIAN HONOURED. Melbourne, September 27.

The Commonwealth Gazette notifies that the late Major James Macmanamey has been awarded the colonial forces officers' decoration.

CHANGING CAMPS.

SEVENTH REINFORCEMENTS.

MARCH OVER THE RANGES.

TEST OF ENDURANCE. The vigorous physique and efficient train- ; ing of the infantry of the seventh reinforcements was demonstrated last week by , the manner in which the force acquitted , itself when it was ordered to proceed from Tauherenikau to Trentham by road. The journey involved the crossing of the Rimutaka range, about 1200 ft high, and was made in full marching order, every man carrying a heavy pack and trenching tools. The force had already changed quarters twice. When it was decided that Trentham was temporarily unsuitable for the training of troops, the infantry of the seventh reinforcements was transferred to Waikanae. A comfortable camp was established and a useful course of training was carried out. As there were no facij lities for musketry practice, the force was moved about a month ago to Tauherenikau, and the necessary practice was obtained at a rifle range several miles from the camp. Last week, the force returned to Trentham to complete its training. Reveille was sounded at 5 a.m. on Thursday and during the next hour every member of the force was busy in packing his kit and assisting to clear up the camp, ■ which was to be occupied immediately by the eighth reinforcements. Breakfast was . ready at six o'clock and soon after 7 a.m. the force was ready to move off. Headed by the band, with the Auckland Company leading, the column passed the . main guard at 8 a.m. and started on their , march to Trentham. A cordial greeting was given by the people of ' Featherston, when the column, 1200 strong, marched through the borough . shortly after nine o'clock. The morning was fairly warm as the men marched along the Lower Valley. Following the main road the sevenths reached the foothills at about a-quarter past ten o'clock, and then commenced their climb over the Rimutaka Range. The weather being beautifully fine, and a light breez* springing up, the men's task was mado rather a pleasant than an arduous one. and they went up the incline at a good pace, halting five minutes at the end of each half-hour, and ten minutes at the end of each hour. The summit was reached at half-past twelve o'clock, and of the whole contingent very few showed any signs of stress. Altogether, only about half-a-dozen men fell out during the march ■up the hill, and all, except two, were fit enough to resume the march. These were taken in the motor-ambulance which accompanied the column. On arrival at the beautiful piece of bush iust below the crest, the men lunched from their haversack rations, and generally were very cheerful. At 1.30 p.m., much refreshed as a result of the spell, the column commenced the march down hill, and the men showed their good spirits by singing chorus songs. The journey was also enlivened by the playing of bagpipes. Altogether, the men made the march a iolly one. The air alio became cooler. The paddock in which the men were to snend the night was made about three o'clock. This was on the banks of the Upper Hutt River, about two miles on the Rimutaka side of Kaitoki. By this time the force had marched about 18 miles. The whole force was dismissed, and most of the men indulged in the luxury of a bathe in the beautiful river. The cooks were ready with the dinners shortly after five o'clock, and as it became dark the men settled into bivouac in the open field for the night. Having already spent a night out during the previous week, they were able by the experience gained to make the best of it, and most of them had little difficulty in getting off to sleep. On Friday morning the column left bivouac at nine o'clock and marched to Maidstone Park, where they lunched. They then set out on all-night"work, with outposts, including an attack at dawn on the following morning. After completing these operations and breakfasting in the field the men proceeded to Trentham, after having spent a little over two days and nights continuously in the open.