D BATTERY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9417, 2 August 1916, Page 3

D BATTERY

RE-UNION HELD MAJOR PETTIERICK HONOURED. A very large gathering of military men was held last evening in the Burlington rooms, Willis street, on the occasion ot the re-union in honour of Major A. J. Retherick, T.D., who has completed thirty years' service as a member of D Battery (Wellington), New Zealand Field Artillery. Lieutenant J. Duggan presided, and read apologies from the Minister tor Delenoe (lion. J. Allen), Captain Bradley, and a number of others. Among those present wore—Colonel W. cl. Sefton iioorhouse. Colonel Campbell, Colonel F. J. Courtenay, Major A. E. Eislop, T.D., Colonel J, E. Hume, Major Hollis, Major Sevan, Captain McEvcdy, Captain Shelly, Major Corrigan, and several old members, including Messrs Bock and Nicliolte.

Major Petherick, in proposing the toast of the ‘'Central Stat," said, that General Sir Alfred Robin had, like himself. joined the battery as a private, and had risen to be Commandant of the New Zealand Forces. Another member who had risen hi"h in the service was Colonel J. E. Hume, now Omcer Commanding the Wellington District. Colonel Hume, in responding to the toast, said he was proud to have been a member of the battery. Colonel Moorhouse proposed the toast of the evening, "Major Petherick." He said his heart was with the battery, which he first joined in 18J8- At that time the battery had a brass howitzer and a 12 and a 6-pounder. Eater an Armstrong weapon was supplied, and as much tire came out of the side of it as at the end. Major Petherick joined the battery in 1886, and two years afterwards was appointed bombardier, and in 1890 he was appointed eergoaut. He worked hard and during all the changes he,had stuck to his guns. Major Petherick was the most efficient gunner in the Territorial Forces. (Applause.) He knew his work thoroughly, Tuici he had a happy way of enforcing discipline. When the Soudan Contingent went away the battery volunteered as a whole for service, and again for the suppression of the Maoris at Parihoka, end also to go to South Africa. The - battery had a great history. It was pleasing to know that Major Petherick was not going to leave the battery,‘and that the gathering was not a valedictory one as was at first thought by many. (Applause.) . , The toast was very enthusiastically received, and after the applause had ■died away. Lieutenant Lu?gan. on behalf of- the officers, n.c.o's, and men of the battery, presented Major Petherick with a silver model of an. X&-pounder, As * memento of his rapid rise from a gunner to officer commanding the batte Major Petherick, who was received with acclamation, thanked the officers, n.c.o.'s and men of the battery for their handsome trophy.. There had been hard times in the battery, and at one period the membership was down to 14 or Ip men, but it hod gradually gone ahead. The drill in the old days was practically dismounting of the gun, and this was the routine until a sergeant-major arrived from England who taught firedrill and it had (been fire-drill ever since'. He spoke of the gun-wheel raciniz and the good shooting that used to take place across Evans Bay with the old six-pounder Armstrong gun. Even in those days the artillery used to consider itself the best branch of the service. Sergeant-Major Rifthardson (bow Brigadier-General Richardson) was the cause of the drill being changed, a^d that officer deserved the credit for the progress of the batteries in • New Zealand. The Shield competed for by the batteries was won every time by the D Battery. It was a sad day when the system was changed and the battery became a unit of the territorials. OW hands left and new n.c.o.’s had to, be trained. If the shield and cup had to be competed for to-day he would-not be afraid of the battery. The members were younger, but they were enthusiastic, and did their best to become efficient. When he joined the battery it cost 80s to join and the subscription was 2* a month. The battery had been the hobby of his life, and he had/done his best for it. If the men backed the officers up there was no reason why tee battery should tak e a second place. He exhorted the younger members of tee battery to keep up its records. At present the battery is known as D (Mountain) Battery, and he was dohghted to hear it was • to become a field battery. (Applause.) , , Several other toasts were honoured. The programme for the evening was contributed to by Messrs J.Bovce, W- Crawford,. Tj J. Chapman, M. 'G. C. McCaul. J. A. G. McGregor, C. W. Moore, F. S. Pope, 3. O’Shea, E. Servers. C. H. Young, F. Thomas (at the niano).