NATIONAL RESERVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24178, 21 January 1942, Page 8

NATIONAL RESERVE

THE HAMILTON UNIT A FINE BODY OF MEN IMPROVEMENT IN CONDITION The members of what was formerly known as the 6th Hamilton Independent Company, National Military Reserve, and now designated a unit of the 9th Northern Battalion, N.M.R., have completed over a month's active service since they were mobilised on December 10. They are a particularly happy body of men, and a visitor received a thrill when he saw a platoon of them returning from a day's roadmaking. The men were attired in shorts and forage caps. Few of them had shirts. Their hair was close-clipped, and healthy moustaches of recent growth adorned the upper lips of most of them. What impressed the visitor was their lusty singing. A great deal of hard work has been accomplished during the last month, and the tasks are carried out in a spirit of goodwill, supported by common sense, practical experience, and a hearty willingness to do anything that is required of them. Elite ol the Reserve Esprit de corps, is the keynote, and a splendid feeling exists between officers, non-commissioned officers and men. The unit is probably unique m this respect, and a visiting officer, a member of another unit of the N.M.Iv., described the Hamilton Company as the elite of the organisation. During the first three weeks strong winds blew daily, and there was a good deal of rain. Work was carried on under the most trying conditions. The cooks prepare excellent meals, and the utmost satisfaction is felt by the men at the treatment meted out to them. The only disadvantage is the isolation of the locality in which they are stationed, the long periods that elapse between the arrival of mails and newspapers, and the difficulty in granting leave. Little Sickness Thanks to the generosity of Hamilton residents, radios have been installed at the main camps. There has been very little sickness among the men, the majority of whom are improving their condition daily as the result of the strenuous work, the outdoor life, regular meals, and favourable living conditions. The members of the company are a splendid bodv of men who are thoroughly happy in their 'new environment," in spite of the sacrifices they have made in leaving their homes and businesses to serve their country in a time of grave national crisis.