THE DEFENCE FORCES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16668, 13 April 1916, Page 6

THE DEFENCE FORCES

Bt'Skntbx. Writing from England to a friorid in Duneclin, Major Fordham advised that lie iiad just boon the subject ot u medical board, as the outcome oi which ho had been given two additional montiis' leavo. Tho 10th (Worth Otago) Regiment went into camp at the Ooiuaru dhow Grounds on April 11, and will continue training until the 19th. By 11 p.m. on Wednesday, when a special tram brought about 200 men Irom Otago Central, the troops in camp numbered about 460. As many as possible are in tents, the balance occupying the buildings. The 12th Mounted Rifles will be in camp at the Gore Racecourse from April 13 to:20. From Zeitoun (Jamp Sergeant J. C. Cameron, vice-president of tho Otago Football Association, forwards the programme and somo particulars of an interesting Soccer football match, "New Zealand v. the British Army," rilayed in Cairo in aid of tho British Red Cross Society. The New Zealand eleven included, on the left wing. George Campbell (captain of the Northern Association Football Club and Otago rep.), and, as right back, Fullarton (a Canterbury rep. well known io Otago). " Our boys," writes Sergeant Cameron, "won by two goals to one, after a hard game. Most of our boys tired badly, but played a grand game, notwithstanding that they had never played together before. Both Campbell and Fullartcn, who arrived here only a week ago, came out of isolation (measles) to play. I'ullarton, in my opinion, played the best back 1 game in the field—he is just as keen as over, and was tireless, placing tho ball beautifully. The whole side played well, and, with practice together, would give a hard game to the best here. I am in the best of health and spirits, and doing well. Kindest regards to all pals." Tho programme, illustrated, and decorated with the New Zealand .fern, is quite impressive. In the evening, from 7 to 9 o'clock, a concert was given by the staff and patients of the New Zealand General Hospital, and' this was followed by a dance until midnight. Soldiers contributed the whole of the programme, and even provided tho dance

music. Some months ago reference was made in these columns to the record which had been established by the local Engineers in the matter of officers holding commissions in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. It was then stated that no-fewer than 13 members and ex-members of the Dunedin Engineers had been serving, as in the force, their names being Colonel Will, Lieu-tenant-colonel . Barclay, Majors Ross and Waite, Captains Smith and Beekman, Lieutenants Statham, May, Ferguson, M'Crorie, Black, Davidson, and Waite. This list may now be supplemented by tho following:— Lieutenant Gordon Denniston (New Zealand Mounted Rifles), Lieutenant J. T. Moore (New Zealand Engineers), Lieutenant W. T. Dollimore (New Zealand Engineers), Lieutenant W. S. Rae (New Zealand Engineers). The first-named was at, one time in charge of the Engineer Cadets. Lieutenants Dollimore and Moore were staff instructors a different periods attached to the Engineers, and have been promoted for service in the field; while Lieutenant Rae was a corporal in the Dunedin Company. He left as a N.C.O. in the Second Field Company, and has recently received his promotion in Egypt. Of the' 17 officers who can thus claim, association with the Dunedin Engineers, three have gone to their last rest and three have had to return to New Zealand in consequence of illness contracted while on active service. Ideal weather and a zealous desire on the part of young troopers to justify their inclusion in a mounted regiment with traditions made the camp of the sth Mounted Rifles (Otago Hussars)—the regiment whoso blue uniforms and smart mounts in the days of Volunteer companies used- to divert attention of spectators from governors and other' high personages to their escorts—an institution both pleasant and profit-bearing. At the early parades it • needed not the practised <-ye to discern a heavy percentage of raw material. After a week's moulding at the hands of an instructional staff, at once sufficient and efficient, the regiment could have" faced the ordeal of a severe inspection without disclosing much evidence of the " awkward squad " period of a week back. This instructional staff, by the way, included no fewer than nine sergeantsmajor, and it /was .tho plenitude of this genus that, on tho occasion when the Y.M.C.A.'s acetylene gasometer exploded with a loud report, provoked from a wag down the horse lines the remark that he hoped they were shooting off., some'of the sergeants-major. Such capable instructors were, however, reserved for a better fate. Reveille at 6.20, stables 6.30, breakfast 7, parade 9 till 12, parade 1.30 till 4.so—that was the routine. Evenings were mostly free for the men. A lecture for all noncommissioned officers in camp was given by the O.C. The rolls showed a total of 262 of all ranks, who were accommodated in 40 tents. Lieutenant-colonel G. W. O. Macdonald was camp commandant, with Major D. B. Shand as adjutant and instructor in musketry, and Lieutenant Anderson assisting the adjutant. The squadrons—A, B. C, and 'D —were commanded by Major J. Black, Major J. Swindley, Captain S. Greer, and Lieutenant A. Slinger respectively. Capjain A. S. Moody looked after the health of the camp, the cases requiring his attention being of minor significance. Captain W. A. Kmmont, attached to the regiment as chaplain, was also in camp. Lieutenant Aitcheson commanded the Army Service Corps detachment, and Sergeant Benson had charg_o of the Mounted Signallers. These signallers had as instructo/ Corporal Powelr (from Central Battery), and accomplished good work in their special branch, the opinion commonly expressed being that the camp was tho most profitable in their experience.

The syllabus of work, based upon that submitted from Headquarters, , provided principally for elementary instruction in musketry and mounted work, the training being progressive, but stopping- short of tactical schemes. There was no time for sports, but at the evening rallying point, the Y.M.C.A.'s tent, there was penty of entertainment, in the shape of boxing and indoor games. A visit from a Mosgiel concert party was greatly appreciated. iSome of the boys in camp contributed acceptably to the programme. The guard , tent was spasmodically inhabited, and the occasional sojoumer there -was observed to present an offering at the shrine of discipline on pay day. Tho food, judging by the absence of complaint, was satisfactory, tho extra "luxuries" made possible by the allowance of 2d per head per day contributing to this desirable state of affairs. The horses, a good average lot, gave very little trouble this year, in comparison with last year. Colonel

Niohols and Captain Ooopor paid a visit of inspection'to the camp. In the striking of camp at "Wingatui the sth Mounted Rifles put up a good performance. Reveille was sounded at 4.30. By 7 a.m. all the tents were on the truck, and C and B Squadrons had entrained for home. By 10 a.m. the last man had left, and the racecourse presented by scant evidence that it had for a week been dignified as a military camp. Last year the sth Mounted Rifles had the honour of .winning the Robin Cup. In this year's contest the regiment has slumped badly.- The record this year is 7.35, as against 22.03 last year. To the erratic Canadian rifle and a certain lack of luck in the random section of the team, the regiment attributes the failure. "Dear Sentry,— JL-'lease afford space for a few thoughts upon a certain aspect of military service. Amongst those of military age and physically fit are a fair number of Territorial and Senior Cadet officers, and an occasional Staff man, who have not volunteered. When compulsion is adopted, are these men going to be conscripted lor the ranks, or ai-e they going to be given preference as officers in the Expeditionary Forces? Of course, I know the answer to tho question lies with the authorities, but I raise the question in order that it may be ventilated. There are, no doubt, officers who can furnish excellent reasons why they have not so far volunteered, but there are others for whom there is only one name. It seems to me that the man who is an officer in peace time is merely fulfilling his destiny by taking up arms when the Empire needs men for active service. Else, where is the justification of spending- money on the training of officers who do not go to war when needed. I hold strongly that the officer who waits for compulsion should take his place in tho ranks, and that the commissions should bo given to capable volunteers who have been on active service long enough to qualify for commissioned rank.—l am, etc., Skbvice. A correspondent writes:—"Dear Sentry, Could you kindly tell mo if tho new regulations regarding wearing stripes upon greatcoats are the samo hero as in the Old Country. While on service I saw the "Tommies" wearing them on their greatcoats above the elbow, and on both arms, similar to the tunic. Thanking you in antieipation.—l am, etc., Z. X. X." New dress regulations laid down for the British Army provide for the wearing of stripes on greatcoats and tunics above tho

elbows of ;both arms, as noted by my correspondent. These new dress regulations have not been adopted for Now Zealand, where tho rule is to wear tho stripes below the elbow of the right arm of greatcoat and tunic.

Arrangements aro inado for providing meals for drafts of mon travelling to join reinforcements; but in cases of odd details. , where it is necessary for a man to purchase his own meals, a refund of such actual expenses only may bo paid. As N.C.O.'s of the reinforcements are liable to revert to the ranks upon absorption into tho Main Body, no allotments (except from officers) may bo accepted at a rate higher than the pay of a private will carry. The incident for which tho D.C.M. was awarded to Gunner J. Rankin, 4th (Howitzer) Battery, Now Zealand Field Artillery, is thus officially recorded:—For; conspicuous gallantry on August 6, 1915, noar Lone Pino (Dardanelles). While his battery was bombarding the position, the telephone lino was cut. Gunner Rankin went out voluntarily, under heavy arid continuous fire, and laid another wire over tho broken section, enabling tho battery commander to resume control within half an hour of tho communications being broken, ''thus materially assisting our fire effect. His bravery and good work have been consistently shown since tho landing on April 25.