REGIMENTAL NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 22732, 7 November 1935, Page 8

REGIMENTAL NOTES

(By

“Khaki.”)

Promotions. Lieut. I. A. H. Logan, Ist Battalion, to be Captain. Dated, July 19, 1935. Second Lieut. A. J. Neil, Ist Battalion, to be Lieutenant. Dated, August 25, 1935. Headquarters Wing (Transport): Pvt. A. G. MacGregor, to be Lance Corporal. Dated, November 1, 1935. Pvt. L. Dunson to be Lance-Corporal. Dated November 1, 1935. C Company (Mataura): Lance-Corporal T. Kitson to be corporal. Dated September 1, 1935. Lance-Corporal J. P. Curtin to be corporal. Dated September 1, 1935. Lance-Corporal J. P. Quilter to be corporal. Dated September 1, 1935. A Company (Riverton): Lance-Corporal K. R. Williams to be corporal. Dated November 1, 1935. Lance-Corporal J. D. L. Dean to be corporal. Dated, November 1, 1935. E Company (Milton): Lance-Corporal S. Kennedy to be corporal. Dated November 1, 1935. Night Operation. The Vickers Machine-Gun Company will carry out a night shoot. on the Otatara rifle range from the vicinity of the magazine near the Otatara road on Monday, November 11, from 8 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. The whole range area will be in the danger zone and all persons are warned to keefj clear of the range during those hours. Pay.

All ranks are reminded that the out-of-camp pay for the first neriod of this training year will be issued at 7.30 p.m. on Monday, November 11. Half-day Parade. The Machine-Gun Company is reminded of the shoot at the rifle range on Saturday, November 16, this being the last half-day parade for 1935. Presentation of Trophy. Lieut. J. K. Robbie has presented a fine ash tray for competition in judging distance. Lieut. Robbie’s action is much appreciated by the Regiment. Refresher Course.

Members of the Permanent Staff are attending a refresher course at Burnham for the two weeks, November 29 to December 13. The officers also go to a bivouac at Sheffield for two days. Queenstown Bivouac. No. 7 Platoon, B Company (Queenstown), Ist Battalion, Southland Regiment, held a week-end bivouac at Queenstown on November 2 and 3 on the motorists’ camping ground. On Saturday afternoon rifle and Lewis guns classification practices were fired. Pte. C. L. Veint returned the highest score for the rifle, 123 points, and the highest Lewis gun score. A night operation was carried out on Saturday night. Each section under the section leader was given three compass bearings directed to two companies and one battalion, Headquarters. The whole distance totalled 1200 yards. Each section covered the distance in approximately 45 minutes and arrived within 30 yards of the correct spot. The whole operation was most successful and the section leaders are to be congratulated. On November 3 section leading was carried out during the morning and at I. p.m. the platoon embarked on Mr J. Edgar’s launch and landed on the Queenstown peninsula, where tactical operations were carried out during the afternoon. The platoon returned to camp at 5 p.m. and Corporal J. Moore, N.Z.S.C., expressed the thanks of No. 7 Platoon to Mr Edgar for providing the use of his motor launch. Three hearty cheers were given for Mr Edgar. Intelligence Section.

During the week-end bivouac the Intelligence Section made good progress in the building of the model sandtable. This table measures 12ft by 6ft and represents an area of ground approximately two and a-half by five miles. When completed the model will be very useful to officers and N.C.O’s. for instruction in tactics. The intelligence officer owing to his knowledge of the mud-flats (having played on them since early youth) was able to give valuable advice to the mortar platoon commander as to the recovery of a mortar practice bomb which was lost in the estuary during the course of a practice shoot. The bomb is still lost. Bearer Section. The attendance of the bearer section at the week-end bivouac was very poor. Those who were able to be present did good work and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Part of the time was devoted to lectures on first aid and the working out of technical problems and the rest of the time to infantry training.

Signal Section. The Signal Section held its usual evening parade prior to the week-end bivouac. It is regretted that attendance was poor, both at this parade and at the bivouac. Signalmen are warned that at the next parade tests will be made prior to- the general efficiency tests. A full muster is requested.

A Company. The company commander, Captain T; H. Ham, was very pleased with the attendance and the results obtained in training at the week-end bivouac. Saturday afternoon’s programme consisted of indication and recognition of targets and anti-aircraft training. On Sunday bayonet training and section battle work was carried out successfully, the N.C.O’s. and men entering into the spirit of the work. The section stalk was particularly well done despite the fact that two members suddenly developed cold feet per medium o fa well-filled ditch. At night a defensive position was taken up and a reconnoitring patrol sent out. On Monday the company successively carried out an advanced guard movement, came under imaginary fire, formed into a defensive position and then retired with a rearguard action. The whole system of movements was done in a very creditable manner.

No. 2 Platoon, Winton, is now being instructed by Lieut. C. Pomeroy, who on the parade on Tuesday, October 22, supervised bayonet fighting and Lewis gun drill with field signals. One new recruit was enrolled and it is hoped to bring this platoon up to full strength shortly. The Invercargill A Company N.C.O’s. class on Thursday, October 30, consisted of a night march by compass, the result being quite satisfactory. Machine-gun Platoons. Although the attendance was poor enthusiasm and keenness largely helped to make up the deficiency of numbers and make the week-end bivouac a fair success. The weather, though rough on Sunday morning, cleared sufficiently to allow the major portion of the tactical programme to be done in the field. The O.C. Support Company, Major Leckie, complimented the N.C.O’s. on their good work throughout the bivouac. The following syllabus was carried out: Saturday afternoon, training in the use of a range-finder, visual training and reconnaissance for night firing positions; Sunday morning, lectures on the sand table on N.G’s. in advanced guard, rearguard, attack and defence. On Sunday afternoon, with the aid of transport and under active service conditions as far as possible, tactical movements in the field illustrating forward support and reserve guns, emplacements and cover were carried out. These last two developed into a competition between gun crews as to which crew could go to ground first and erect the most effective emplacement. After dark previously reconnoitred gun positions were occupied and working in cooperation with A Company a success-

ful defence scheme carried out. On Monday a rearguard action entirely under the N.C.O’s. was carried out with smoothness and efficiency, the transport again co-operating. The company was also privileged to witness an exhibition of equitation by one of its sergeants, which was well appreciated by all with one possible exception, who said he had to learn to sit on the darned things sometime so it might as well be “now,” only he hoped the horse would not decide to do anything but walk.

A night shoot will be carried out on the range with ball ammunition on November 11. This will be an interesting and instructive parade. All machinegunners are requested to turn out. All present will fire the guns. Mortar Section.

There was a somewhat disappointing attendance at the Labour Day weekend bivouac, but good work was done and the powers that be are satisfied that the section is doing its job. Overzealousness and a high wind resulted in the loss of a practice bomb which now has a permanent lodging in about ten feet of river mud. This same wind had the effect of making the C.O. and his second in command think they were back in war-time, as on their tour of inspection their approach to the mortar position coincided with an order for rapid fire and although the line of fire was at about 90 degrees to the line of their advance the wind carried the gun reports straight to them and from later remarks it was gathered that the breeze then changed its course and proceeded vertically. The work covered during the bivouac included field signals, recognition of targets, judging distances, making out range cards, use of compasses, fire practices, tactics on sand table and with M.G’s. in the field. A night march was also proposed and commenced, but had to be abandoned owing to the late hour at which the section was able to start. Members of the section are asked to make a special effort to attend the annual camp to be held at Garston early in 1936. A full attendance is required as camp is the test of the year’s training and the mortar officer wishes the section to be shown in its true standard of efficiency. Information recently received from the Defence Office to the effect that the mortar platoon holds the highest average attendance, and also the first three highest in individual attendance, is particularly gratifying, showing the section’s keenness and interest in the work. Transport.

During the week-end bivouac much useful work was carried out in conjunction with the machine-gun and mortar sections. Instruction was given as follows: Duties during stables, field signals, driving and points to watch when on the march. Three new drivers Skeoch, Uren and McDonald, who were in a camp for the first time, are to be congratulated for the splendid showing they put up.

Thanks are due to the Borstal Institution, Messrs Oughton and Shaw, G. Thomson and J. Hannon, who lent horses for the occasion and so allowed the section to get through so much practical work.

Battalion Band. The band continues to make excellent progress under the new conductor, Mr R. J. Simpson. It will be competing at the Otago and Southland provincial contest to be held at Oamaru on Saturday, November 16, at which sixteen bands have signified their intention to compete. A welcome addition to the band is Mr W. R. Thomas, who comes from the Oamaru Mounted Rifles Band. The junior band, which totals 28, with several on the waiting list, is composed of boys who show great keenness and. under the capable instruction of Mr Simpson, remarkable progress. The following is an extract from “The Cyclopaedia of New Zealand, Vol. IV., Otago and .Southland, 1905”: The Southland Battalion Band dates from May 5, 1902, when the amalgamation of the Invercargill Garrison and City Bands took place. The original band was first organized- in 1865. It experienced many ups and downs and was reorganized in 1876 by the late Captain Heywood, who took a great interest in it to the time of his death. It was the first Garrison Band in New Zealand and, under Captain Heywood’s direction, gave a great impetus to band music in the colony. It was the most popular institution in Invercargill and had a fine record; it was the first to take a prize at a competition, the first to win on a test selection and the first to win on two test selections. The records of the band were: At Oamaru, 1881, first; Invercargill, 1883, second; Oamaru, 1886, first; Dunedin, 1890, second; Dunedin, 1891, fourth; Christchurch, 1893, first; Invercargill, 1894, two firsts; Dunedin, 1896, second and fourth; Melbourne, 1897, fourth. The officers for 1903 were: Lieutenant P. H. Mohr; conductor and bandmaster, Sergeants J. Cox and R. Galbraith; Mr J. W. Glennie. leader; corporal, H. Anthony; Mr T. W. Walker, secretary; and Mr J. Strang, treasurer. The band had about 38 members.

The annual inter-platoon competitions for the Ladies’ Challenge Cup was held at the Southland Boys’ High School by the A Company cadets last week. The following are the results:—

Result: First, No. 1 Platoon; second, No. 3 Platoon; third, No. G Platoon. Winner of Sergeants’ Cup, Sergeant E. McCurdy; second, Sergeant L. Jones.

A New Use For the Regiment. A local officer has been asked by a Dunedin resident the truth of the rumour current in that city that the Southland Regiment is to be called out to shoot at the clouds in an attempt to bring rain. All future applications for the use of the Regiment in this manner are expected to be accompanied by an undertaking to provide transport, refreshments, ammunition and more refreshments. Success is not guaranteed, but no effort will be spared in attending to the said refreshments. Please state whether a light or heavy shower is desired so that the troops may be turned out suitably dressed.

Platoon. A. I. P. T’l. No. 1 (Sergt Hassed) 73 81 801 2341 No. 2 (Sergt. L. Jones) 75 79 701 2241 No. 3 (Sergt. E. McCurdy) 77 76 761 2291 No. 4 (Sergt. Bisset) 67 73 68 208 No. 5 (Sergt. Bamford) 67 77 721 216 No. 6 (Sergt. C. Baird) 75 74 78 227