HOME GUARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24415, 28 September 1940, Page 17

HOME GUARD

DISTRICT COMMANDERS | APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED IMMEDIATE ORGANISATION ; (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Sept. 27. The Minister of National Service (Mr t.JR. Semple), in a statement to-day. | announced the appointment of the four district commanders of the Home Guard. .f “In previous statements,” Mr > Semple said, “it has been indicated i that the organisation of the Home - Guard, whilst not being a military establishment at this stage, would be developed very much along the lines of the army, so that the closest col- ; laboration would be assured in the j training and disposition of the guard to render it an efficient supplementary j body to the armed forces in time of i need. It was decided, therefore, to | divide the Dominion into district, \ commands, and those in turn into areas - as is done with the army organisation. For purposes of the Home Guard, however, it has been found desirable to have four district commands, two in s the North Island and two in the South » Island, instead of three as in the army The division of the South Island into 'two districts will allow of much quicker organising, because less travelling by the district commander will be "involved. . , . “Great care has been exercised in the selection of the personnel to undertake the work of district commanders, and after very wide consultation with Major-general R., Young, the Returned Soldiers’ Association, local authorities and others, the Government has been fortunate in securing the services of men with fine records, who have agreed their time gratis to ■ h Mr W Seixiple said he had pleasure in announcing that the following appointments had been approved:— Auckland District Commander Colonel M. Aldred.. V.D.—N.Z.E.F., -1915-17, Egypt and Palestine, highest rank temporary major; Territorial Force, 1908-34, commanded the Ist Auckland Mounted Rifles and the Ist , New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade, highest rank colonel. Wellington District Commander Colonel R. St. J. Beere, D.S.O.— N.Z.E.F., 1914-19,. Samoa.- Egypt, and France, highest rank lieutenant-colonel; commanded the 4th Battalion, New Zealand Rifle ..Brigade, D. 5.0., despatches; Territorial Force, 1909-29. commanded the Ist Battalion. Wellington .Regiment, and the 2nd New Zealand Infantry Brigade, highest rank colonel. Christchurch District Commander Major G. E. F. Kingscote.— N.Z.E.F.. 1916-17, intelligence officer. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 1917;. British Army, 1918-19, Dunster Force. Middle East; G. 5.0., Intelligence, Caucasus Army, highest rank major; despatches. Dunedin District Commander Lieutenant-colonel A. S. B. Smith, -VJD—N.Z.E.F., 1915-18, Otago Mounted Rifles, Egypt and France, commissioned in the field. 1918; Territorial Force. >1920-37, commanded the Otago Mounted Rifles; highest rank lieutenant-colonel. .The Minister stated that immediately the four district commanders were appointed they were called, to Wellington for a conference with the Dominion commander. Major-general Young, and Ministers. They had now returned to their districts to institute the necessary action to bring the Home Guard into being at the earliest possible date. .