THE OTAGO MOUNTED RIFLES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22831, 16 March 1936, Page 13

THE OTAGO MOUNTED RIFLES

TO THE EDITOR Sir, —As many of your readers arc probably aware, the sth Otago Hussars (along with the 7th and 12th) were absorbed' into the Otago Mounted Rifles Regiment It is a regiment with a wonderful record and history, and efforts are now being made to perpetuate in a tangible form this record for the benefit of the present and future members of the regiment. The officers of the regiment have at all times endeavoured to instil into all ranks the wonderful “esprit do corpswhich has always existed, and last year a small committee was set up to endeavour to raise funds for the purchase of a regimental guidon. It was thought that if the regiment possessed a guidon, emblazoned with its crest and battle honours, the men would always have something in which they could take pride, and it would always bold before all members of the regiment the glorious traditions of their forbears. If this feeling of “esprit de corps” can only be developed, none of us need have any fear but what this comradeship wifi be for the good of all. The regiment is only about 71 years old (November 4. 18041 and so we cannot look back to regimental histories siHi as regiments in the Homeland have. Those of vour readers who know their Homeland will remember with what reverence the old colours and standards of many regi ments are cherished in (fie cathedrals. A moth-eaten rag on a worm-eaten pole. It does not look likely to stir a man’s soul; Tis the deeds that were done, ’neath that moth-eaten rag. When (ho pole was a staff, and the rag was a flag.

Bnt what a glorious tradition we our selves have developed in so short a time! What a vital cause for pride is this " esprit of the regiment! ” Thinking your regiment is the finest in the world! Surely we thought our troops wore that during the Great War! It was so few years ago, too! But then it was national pride and national pride nearly swamped the pride of the regiment. Their battle honours even before the last war were: —South Africa. 1809-1902. The Great War, .1914-1018. The actions thev fought in are names to conjure with:—Somme, 1910-1918, Gnilleinont, Ginchy. Flors-Conrcclotte. Morval, Lo Transloy, Messincs, 1917, Ypres, 1917, Uroodscinde, Passchendaelc, Arras, 1918, Lys, Baillenl. Keminel, Scherpcnberg, Maine. 1918, Tardc Nois, Franc and Flanders, 1910-18, Anzae. Defence of Anzac, Hill’ 00 (Anzac). Sari Bair. Gallipoli, 1915, Egypt. 1915-10; and out of these permission was granted by his late Majesty King George V to carry the following honours on the regimental guidon:— Messincs, 1917. Arras. 1918, Kemmel, Maine. 1918. Anzac. Defence of Anzae, Hill 00 (Anzae), Sari Bair. Gallipoli, 1915. Egypt, 1915-1910, Of course, it is realised that in our own little country we have people and panel's whose writings tend to kill the “ esprit de corps ” of a nation, let alone

a regiment. They snivel —one can read it everv day—“ at militarism ” endangering the morals of our territorials. One could almost imagine that our country was a nation of nincompoops, instead of the cradle of matchless warriors, who have written one of the most glorious pages of military history. The “ esprit do corps of the New Zealand troops was so well developed that it scorned to fail. Its lustre "’as never tarnished—crushed, almost annihilated, at times—but it never was conquered. If tradition counts for anything, surely our local mounted regiment should be one of the finest in New Zealand. The glorious traditions of the past, the feeling, the knowledge of serving ns the representatives of such a regiment, should pervade all ranks and stimulate them to emulate the glorious records of the past. > We ask the people of Otago and .southland to help us in our object? We appeal to all of them, whatever their rank or station. There must be many in Otago and Southland who have served in the regiment at various times. To the womenfolk we would especially look for help. Many members of- the regiment, past and present, have mothers, sisters, or. as the old navy puts it, “sweethearts and wives,” all living in this territory. Will thev not all try to help ns? Wo shall need at least £2OO. and if our response is met in n_ generous way we hope to purchase white head ropes and saddle cloths. It is hoped to procure the guidon in time for the next camp. The regiment rovers all the district from the Waitaki River in the north to Stewart Island in the south. We feel that if a few interested persons in each district would get busy, the amount could soon be raised. Wo ask you. Sir. through vour paper, to make our ambition more widely known. The undersigned would be pleased to give any further information to anvono interested, or to anyone who would care to help ’in any way. Either would _ho uleased to acknowledge any donations, however small, towards the obinet. We thank you. Sir. on behalf of the Otago 'Mounted Rifles Regiment— We .Vo. ete.. _ , . O. L. Ferexs. Major. Caro P.O. Box 2fi2. Dunedin. C.l. L. A. Joseph. Captain. Care Automatic Exchange. Dowliiv si reel. Dunedin. C.l.