THE MOUNTED RIFLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22099, 3 May 1935, Page 12

THE MOUNTED RIFLES

CORNWALL PARK CAMP WAR MEMORIES OF EPSOM FINE REGIMENTAL TRADITION "If anyone feels doubtful about tho future of New Zealand, they should go into camp with a country regiment," said a veteran officer, in paying a tribute to th-3 excellent bearing of all tho men in tho Auckland Mounted Rifles camp at Cornwall Park, lhc period of training in progress is being conducted with enthusiasm by all ranks and is one of the most successful since the war. The last Mounted Rifles camp to be held in Auckland was in 1925, 10 years ago. Since then camps have been held at country centres. This year the combined camp will give tho regiment an opportunity of parading as a whole, mounted, for the silver jubilee of their own Colonel-in-chief, His Majesty the King. This forms the main objective of tho camp, though all other forms of training are receiving every attention. The camp itself is in a setting that links it very much with tho history of the regiment. The olive trees with their twisted trunks, the stone walls and the green slopes with, hero and there, an outcrop of rock are all reminiscent of many a camp among tfie Judean foothills, where horse and man rested after the more strenuous work of fighting. Not far away, on the old Potter's Paddock, tho regiment camped at the beginning of the .war, and still further back, in 1901, another generation took part in tho review of 11,000 troops in honour of the jirescnt King, then Duke of Cornwall Long Journeys to Camp The neat tent lines of the camp are sot out in tho olive grove by the old Cornwall Park drive and the horses are stabled in the sheds of the Show Grounds. This has been a particular boon in tho recent squally weather, and has enabled the horses to he groomed in comfort and without that distressing sequel known to all old cavalrymen when tho sleek objects of their attentions for the past hour have immediately laid down in the mud. Yesterday, following the rains, although there was a certain amount of mud underfoot in the tent lines, the troopers had obviously learned the lesson of keeping everything comfortable inside.

The total strength in camp is something over 200, of which 22 are officers, tho horse strength being 190. Following the old English yeomanry tradition, each man has brought his own horse into camp, a system with obvious advantages to both horse and man. Some of the regiment made long journeys to reach the camp, several of C Squadron taking three days on their journey from their homes in tho far bays of the Coromandel peninsula. The party assembled at Wliitianga at tho end of the first day and reached Thames on the evening of tho second. From there the horses and men entrained for Auckland, Teaching camp late that night. The keenness of these men is demonstrated by the fact that they have won the points each day for tho smartest lines and the smartest tent. Veterans of Great War

Probably the most interesting feature of the camp is the presence of several of those who left for the war from the same spot. Then they were troopers and junior non-commissioned officers, while to-day, their history of military service recorded in their medal ribbons, they are acting as senior officers, maintaining the rich regimental traditions and acting as an inspiration to the younger generation. Both Lieutenant-Colonel J. C. E. Wyatt, the commanding officer, and Major F. G. Dill were corporals in tho regiment when it commenced its training for the Great War. Both saw service in Gulliuoli and Sinai, Major Dill being badly wounded at the battle of Rafa, in sight of tho Promised Land. A still longer connection with the present camp site is enjoyed by Major T. McCarroll, who was in the parade in ]9Ol, and who could look back over 30 years as he rode aloug Green Lane yesterday at the head of the unit. Another officer, who, as a trooper, received his war training in the original camp is Captain Sinclair Reid, M.C., one of tho few who looked down on the Narrows lrom the heights of Chunak Pair. With a long military service, Regimental Sergeant-Major J. G. Milne is also drilling troops to-day where he formerly worked to knock the eager recruits into fighting soldiers over 20 years ago. Trophies and Mementos A number of interesting objects associated with the traditions of tho regiment are housed in the "ante-room" to the officers' mess. Portraits of former commanding officers occupy a stand at one end, those included being Colonel Holgate, the first commanding officer. Regimental trophies form an inspiring array, with, in addition to the various cups and a shield for squadron efficiency, a trumpet presented 50 years ago to the Auckland Cavalry Troop "of Volunteers, the forerunner of the present regiment. There is also a memento of service in Egypt in tho form of a silk bannor presented to the regiment. '1 his banner is beautifully worked with the t;rests of the three component units and bordered with typical Egyptian scenes associated with the regiment. One of the chief events of the camp will take place to-morrow afternoon, when the regimental sports will be held in the paddock above the tent lines. Aucklanders have had few opportunities in recent years of enjoying the thrill of the spectacular events so popular with the last generation, and it is 10 years since a military gymkhana was held in Auckland. Such events as tent-pegging, section jumping and Victoria Cross races should prove extremely popular. Competition will bo very koen and, with trophies to bo won for inter-squadron events, every man is sure to be oil his mottle. War Honours of Regiment

The war honours of tho Auckland Mounted Rifles include service in South Africa. In the late war they landed nt Anzac within n fortnight ol the infantry, and played their part in holding Walker's Ridge. Later they were to earn famo for their lead in the August, attack, when, aided by searchlights from the ships, they took tho first objective on Chunnk Hair with the bayonet. Later, in Sinai, tliov played a conspicuous part in tho desert campaign and, after the battles of Gaza, they formed tho right (lank in the move that rolled back the Turkish line, the subsequent movement ending in the capture of Jerusalem. From then on much of their lighting was in the heatstricken Jordan Valley and the Moat) hills, and, having borne the unprecedented conditions on that dank, they were selected to clean up that part of the war zone during Allenbv's final victorious thrust.