REGIMENTAL NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 23342, 28 October 1937, Page 12

REGIMENTAL NOTES

DEATH OF GENERAL BRAITHWAITE (By KHAKI) Lieutenant G. D. A. Anderson, Ist Cadet Battalion resigns his commission. Dated September 13, 1937. The undermentioned second lieutenants are to become lieutenants:—A. W. Cooper, dated August 29, 1937; S. T. Cooke, dated August 30, 1937; E. W. Davenport, dated August 31, 1937. ■ Bandmaster (honorary lieutenant) R. J. Simpson. Ist Battalion, is transferred to the Canterbury Regiment. Dated, September 17, 1937. Sergeant G. A. Murray, who sat the examination for first appointment to a commission in the territorial forces, has now received word of his having qualified. Lieutenant-Colonel P. H. Bell, D. 5.0., N.Z.S.C., Commanding Officer, Southern Military District arrived at Gore on Tuesday, October 12, and inspected the Gore High School cadets. Later in the day Colonel Bell, accompanied by Lieutenant A. R. Cockerill, D. 5.0., N.Z.S.C., Area Officer of Area 12A proceeded to Invercargill and on Wednesday paid a visit to the Southland Boys’ High School and the Southland Technical College to discuss the new training laid down for cadet units. Colonel Bell returned to Christchurch on Thursday morning. It is with extreme regret that we learn of the death of Brigadier-General W. G. Braithwaite D. 5.0., who commanded the 2nd New Zealand Infantry Brigade during the Great War. General Braithwaite was well known by every., “digger,” and greatly respected and loved by every member of his brigade. He was always intensely interested in the welfare and comfort of his men, had a great heart and was a real father to them all. Many an “ex-digger” will recall “Old Bill” and no doubt will remember many humorous incidents connected with him. The writer can recall how deeply distressed our late general was as he gazed on the remnants of his brigade when they marched out of Ypres after the tragic battle of Passchendaele, October. 12, 1917. Many of the old Brigade will shed a silent tear when they learn of the passing of their late beloved general. TRAINING NOTES The half-day parade at the range at Otatara on Saturday, October 16, was very well attended 1 . Rifle scores were very good and the Lewis gun practices fired showed good results of the training given at evening parades. Top scorers off the rifle were:—Lieutenant A. W. Cooper 106, Lieutenant H. S. D. Yates 101. At the evening parade on Monday, October 18, the machine-gun platoon paraded in full strength. In the absence of the platoon commander, Lieutenant J. K. Robbie, Sergeant Munro was in charge and carried out the instruction excellently. Some of the senior privates earned commendation for the manner in which they handled gun crews for gun drill. The motor-cycle platoon had a good muster. The whole evening was spent in Lewis gun drill. The men are now handling this weapon like veterans and their shooting at the last half-day parade was excellent. Recruits are still coming forward. Corporal Johnston was in charge of the mortar platoon and carried out the instruction in elementary gun drill well. This platoon together with the machine-gun platoon, will in all probability be attending a week-end bivouac about the middle of November. Official notice will be sent out as soon as the date has been fixed definitely and .he place where it is to be held has been decided on. It is hoped that a second bivouac will be held early in December, this time in conjunction with the motor-cycle platoon. Interesting and instructive programmes have been prepared and these bivouacs will be a welcome diversion from the weekly grind. The following (Officers of the regiment left for the district school of instruction at Burnham to attend a tactical course:—Captain C. J. Pomeroy, Lieutenant J. K. Robbie and Lieutenant A. D. Smillie, while two other members left on October 23 to attend a machinegun course. Lieutenants H. S. D. Yates, A. J. Neil and A. W Cooper leave for Bumham on October 30, together with S. J. Little D.C.M., N.Z.P.S., and 20 other ranks to receive a week's training in Lewis gun work. FAREWELLS On Wednesday, October 13, about 25 officers of the Southland Regiment, territorial and cadet battalions, gathered in the officers’ room at the drill hall, Invercargill, to say farewell to Lieutenant-Colonel E. F. Selby M.C. v.d. and Captain A. J. Moore N.Z.S.C. Lieutenant-Colonel Selby has been posted to the reserve of officers and so passes one of our best commanding officers. He has served in the regiment for 25 years, including four and a-half years of war. When at the Great War he had the reputation of being a most courageous officer, a reputation somewhat hard to gain in the Otago Regiment, a regiment which' contained so many brave men. When peace came, he did not sever his connection with us, but served as well and conscientiously in peace as in war and so gained another reputation, that of being one of the best tacticians in New Zealand. Colonel Selby has gone through all ranks from private to colonel, and this probably explains that way he had of being liked, almost loved, and respected. • He knew the men and knew

what they could do and the men were proud to work hard for such an officer. He won the M.C., at Messines, earned the Volunteer Decoration for his peace time service, and this year was deservedly given the Coronation Medal. We hope we will not lose touch. Captain A. J. Moore, recently transferred to Burnham, has left a big gap in our staff. Not always in the best of health, he was always a most cheerful and helpful staff officer. All of the junior officers and, it has been admitted, some of the seniors owe him a debt of gratitude. He piloted us through our examinations and was always a sure shield in time of trouble. Captain Moore has had for many years the reputation of being an excellent instructor. That, combined with his kindly personality, the example he set by being simply an officer and a gentleman, has immeasurably assisted in the moulding of the Southland Regiment into one of the best in New Zealand. Our best wishes go to him in his i. jw job and to Mrs Moore and their family when finally they leave.