SUTTON CAMP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23437, 28 February 1938, Page 5

SUTTON CAMP

NEW ZEALAND MEDICAL CORPS The annual camp of the Otago University Medical Corps concluded on Friday and the unit returned to Dunedin by the afternoon train the same day. The campers commenced on Wednesday, February 16, when some 77 officers and other ranks went under canvas at the Sutton training site. Favoured by brilliantly sunny weather all the time, during which semi-tropi-cal kit was often warn by the men, a comprehensive programme of training was carried out, including routine exercises in infantry drill, stretcher work, Thomas splint drill, bandaging, first aid, topography, water testing and purification and sanitation, while two half days were spent organising systems of evacuation of casualties in the field. Lieutenant-colonel.. R. A. H, Fulton, N.Z.M.C., was in command, and associated with him were the following officers:—Major J. A. D. Iverach, M.C. (second in command), Major R. B. Dodds, N.Z.D.C., Captain N. C. Speight, N.Z.M.C., Captain O. E. L. Rout, N. (quartermaster), and Lieutenants J. Fulton, S. L. Wilson, T. D. Harrison and J. S. McVeigh. Lieutenant F. L. Davis, N.Z.S.C., was the adjutant. . . .. The daily routine was as follows: Reveille, 6 a.m.; breakfast, 7.15 a.m.; first parade for tent inspection at 8.30 a.m., after which periods were spent at infantry training and then technical training until 4.15 p.m. Lunch was at 12.15 p.m., and dinner at 6 p.m., all meals being partaken of in the large mess huts. Physical training conducted daily by Sergeant-major D. McCurrie, N.Z.P.S., was very enjoyable, and a riding school for senior n.c.o.’s,- taken by Sergeant-major M'Clanaghan, N.Z.P.S., after march past every afternoon, proved a popular innovation. On Sunday, February 20, there was a church parade, and in the afternoon a cross-country run of approximately two miles was held. Lance-corporal Thodey being the winner with Private Bryant and Corporal E. O. Dawson next. After this the whole unit was taken by motor transport to Sutton Stream for a bathe. The dental section, under Major R. B. Dodds, N.Z.D.C., carried out specialised training, a well-organised and fully-equipped dental tent being available for the treatment of dental cases. A complete field hospital was similarly established for instruction purposes and for medical cases. Items of interest during the camp included a visit from Lieutenantcolonel C. E. Hercus, D. 5.0., previous O. unit, who conducted a comprehensive and thorough study in field sanitation and hygiene: an evening lecture by Mr Gordon Bell on the evolution of the casualty clearing station and its ultimate organisation at the end of the Great War; and a lecture by Major Bougard, M.C., N.Z.S.C., area staff officer, on the maintenance system of a division on active service. ‘ On Tuesday last a visit of inspection was made by Lieutenant-colonel I. H. Bell. D. 5.0., N.Z.S.C., officer commanding southern military district who inspected the camp and later spent some time watching the company conducting a field exercise which included the establishment of several regimental aid posts and an advanced dressing station.

Silver cups for various competitiqns were keenly contested, the following being the results: — Tent Competition.—No. 5 lent (Lance-corporal D. Lough, Lance-cor-poral P. Thodey, Private T. K. Williams, Private Walton). Stretcher Competition.—Nos. 1 and 3 teams 1 equal (No. 1 team —Lancecorporal Thodey, Lance-corporal Lough, Private T. K. Williams, Private J. Steven: No. 3 team—Corpora] S, Wood. Private P. Dunn Private S Cook, Private Bryant). Cup for Most Improveu N.C.O.—Corporal S. Wood. Tabloid Sports—Headquarters Platoon.

On Wednesday evening the lighter side of camp life was well to the fore, when an excellent concert, organised by Sergeant E. Brebner, was given, sketches, musical items, and topicalities being presented. Mr and Mrs Downes Roberts, of Gladbrook Station, as on previous occasions, extended to the officers hospitality which was much appreciated.