REGIMENTAL NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21576, 14 December 1931, Page 5

REGIMENTAL NOTES

(By

“Kai-Mate-Toa”)

On December 7 the last parade of the regiment for this calendar year took the form of a march through the main streets of the city. The regiment is to be congratulated on the fine soldierly bearing of all ranks who attended. The marching and dressing throughout the line of route was good and the general appearance and smart turn-out of all shows that esprit-de-corps in the regiment is not lacking. The following transfers have been effected in the regiment: Lieutenant H. B. Macdonald (Ist Battalion) is transferred to the Corps of Engineers, dated May 22, 1931. The undermentioned cease to be posted to the Ist Battalion and are posted to the Ist (cadet) Battalion dated August 11, 1931. Captain T. Fyfe, Lieut R. P. K. Kania, Lieut. C. Clark (Ist Battalion) is transferred to the Otago Regiment dated August 24. The undermentioned are transferred to the Regimental Supernumerary List, dated August 29, 1931: Ist Battalion, Captains H. M. Poppelwell, E. Hargest, D. F. Leckie, D. Malcolm, N. W. McGorlick, Lieuts J. D. Cameron, R. D. Cox, J. M. Young, C. L. King, M. C. Rice, A. R. C. Smart, 2nd Lieuts R. D. McEwan, J. K. Robbie; Ist (Cadet) Battalion, Captains A. St. C. Macgregor, T. H. M. Ham, Lieut I. O. Manson, 2nd Lieuts E. A. G. Hannah, P. W. J. Cockerill, C. J. Pomeroy, S. R. Rice; 2nd (Cadet) Battalion, Captain R. Robertson, Lieuts A. H. H. Webster, C. C. Werry, W. Light. 2nd Lieuts A. A. Burrows, H. W. Hay, J. G. Gray; 2nd Lieut Creeser, W.R., ceases to be posted to the Ist (Cadet) Battalion and is posted to the Ist Battalion, dated August 29, 1931. 2nd Lieut H. J. 11. Horrell ceases to be posted to the 2nd (Cadet) Battalion and is posted to the Ist Battalion dated August 29, 1931. “Kai-Mate-Toa” wishes to congratulate the old Colonel of the Regiment, Colonel J. Hargest, D. 5.0., M.C., V.D., on liis election to the House of Representatives as member for Invercargill. The annual musketry course for Senior Cadets of 17 years of age and over was fired at Otatara Range last month by the Boys’ High School and Technical College. This course comprises five rounds application, five rounds snapshooting, 10 rounds rapid, the highest possible score being 100. As this was the first opportunity some of the boys had of firing with a .303 rifle on a full sized range, the results were quite satisfactory. The highest scores were: Technical College: G. Weeds 87, O. Wares 78, D. Martin 75, R. McKerchar 72 and J. Walker 70. Boys’ High School C. A. Milne 61, G. Hughes 61, G. Dryden 60, J. Aitchison 58 and C. Barham 58.

Half day parades for members of D (M.G.) Company Ist Battalion were held at Otatara range on Saturday, November 28, and December 5, when Part 1 of the annual machine gun course was fired. There was a good attendance on both parades and great interest was taken in the various practices by all concerned. The Part 1 of the M.G. course is elementary and consists of practices in holding, aiming, traversing and stoppage remedying. This course is fired previous to the classification course which will be carried out early in the New Year.

The following is a copy of the new regulations in connection with the issues of Long Service Decorations and Medals:— By Royal Warrants dated September 23, 1930, there were instituted a new decoration and medal for award to officers and other ranks respectively of the British Territorial Army and all other Auxiliary Military Forces throughout the Empire in which the service rendered is of a voluntary or part-time character. (2). The new decoration and medal will be in substitution throughout the Empire for all other decorations and medals for long and efficient service in Auxiliary Forces, with standardized conditions of award, the Imperial character of such service thus being recognized.

(3) far as New Zealand is concerned the change will be effected as from September 22, 1931, service after which date will not count towards the following: Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration; Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long service Medal; N.Z. Long and Efficient Service Medal; N.Z. Service Medal. (4) The new decoration and medal are to be styled “The Efficiency Decoration’’ and “The Efficiency Medal.” (5) The design of the “Efficiency Decoration” consists of an oak wreath in silver tied with gold, having in the - centre the Royal Cipher and Crown in gold; the riband is green with a yellow stripe down the centre. The decoration will bear a subsidiary title to denote the force in which the recipient qualified for the award of the decoration, and this subsidiary title will be inscribed on the bar-brooch from which the decoration is suspended. The service required to qualify for the decoration Is 20 years’ commissioned service on the active list of the forces mentioned, but half-time in the ranks may count, and war service, as defined in the regulations, from time to time may reckon two fold. Officers on whom the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration, the Volunteer Officers' Decoration, or the Territorial Decoration has already been conferred,, may not count any service in the force in which they qualified for any of these decorations as qualifying service for the Efficiency Decoration. Officers of the British Territorial Army who are awarded the decoration will be entitled to the letters “T.D.” after their names, and officers of other Auxiliary Military Forces throughout the Empire will be entitled to the letters “E.D.”

(6) The Efficiency Medal is of silver, oval in shape, with Royal and Imperial Effigy on the obverse and the inscription “For Efficient Service’’ on the reverse. The ribbon Is green with yellow stripes down the edges. The subsidiary title denoting the force in which the recipient qualified for the award will be inscribed on the mount of the medal. The medal will be awarded as far as New Zealand is concerned to W.O’s, N.C.O.’s and men of the N.Z. Territorial Force who complete twelve years’ efficient service and clasps will be awarded on completion of eighteen years’ and twenty-four years' service. The service qualifying for the medals and clasps must be continuous, except in special cases as may be defined in tlie regulations. The award of the medal or clasps will not entitle recipients to the addition of any letters after their names.

As this is the last issue of Regimental notes for this calendar year, I extend to all ranks of the Regiment, the very best wishes for Christmas and many recruits and happy days for 1932.