THE OLD VOLUNTEERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19959, 30 May 1928, Page 13

THE OLD VOLUNTEERS.

ENTHUSIASTIC SOLDIERING. IMPRESSIONS OF MAJOR DOW. BENEFITS OF PRESENT CAMPS. The days when it was a social duty to [ serve in the volunteers and attend two j military camps in the year, drilling each night and working in the city office each morning and afternoon, arc recalled by the relinquishing of the active command of the Northern Depot Field Engineers by Major A. T. Dow after 28 years' continuous service. The Auckland Engineer Volunteer Corps was formed about 1875 and, after a period of useful service, was disbanded, to be reformed in 1898 by a number of enthusiastic officers, including the late Lieuten-ant-Colonel Abbott. Major Dow joined the body by ballot of the members in 1900 when only 16 years of age, and served under Captain R. C. Walker, who then commanded the unit. The name of the corps was later changed to No. 3 Company Field Engineers and of recent date to Northern Depot Field Engineers. "A great spirit of service was manifest in the force in those days," said Major Dow yesterday. "The age of the men averaged 30 and all were wonderfully enthusiastic. It was almost impossible to dodge a drill. The men took it upon themselves to examine every excuse and condemn it. Two camps were held each year. The summer camp lasted 16 days and we used to rise at 5 a.m. to put in an hour or an hour and a-half's drill, travel to the city to attend our place of business, go back to the camp after work and drill until 9.30 p.m. or 10 p.m. There was also the Easter camp, which lasted three or four days, when the forces came together for general manoeuvres. They were recruited from every walk of life, and many of them occupy leading places in the city to-day. The force was a field for forming many life long friendships, a training ground in the spirit of comradeship and goodwill which remains to this day." With the experience of 50 military camps, Major Dow finds nothing to condemn in the mutual training of boys for the defence of their country. "It is good for young men to be with young men, guided along the right physical and mental lines by officers trained for the purpose," he said, "and we can have nothing but admiration for the men who voluntarily devote their spare time to the training of the Dominion's youth simply because they regard it as their duty to the State. Such training is of lasting value to tha nation and the young men who are trained." Major Dow commanded the Divisional Signal Company, formerly the College Rifles, and now the 4th Howitzer Battery, on home service during the war, in addition to the Field Engineers. He has all the service medals, and received, three years ago, the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' decoration. He is a member of the board of directors of the Y.M.C.A. and was for some timo deputy-commis-sioner of Boy Scouts in Auckland and president of the board of examiners for the Auckland scout district.