BATTALION IN BIVOUAC

Southland Times, Issue 23647, 24 October 1938, Page 2

BATTALION IN BIVOUAC

LABOUR WEEK-END MANOEUVRES

CHURCH PARADE AT SHOW GROUNDS YESTERDAY

The effect of the recent territorial recruiting campaign is illustrated by the strength of the Southland Battalions Labour week-end bivouac at the show grounds, where the officer commanding, Major T. Mathews, has 20 officers and 150 other ranks under him. Many of the recruits have come from Milton, Gore, Mataura and Riverton. The battalion went into camp on Saturday, when instruction was given in wiring, in going into action with machine guns and mortars, and mechanical transport driving, for which 10 lorries and six cars have been hired from Government departments, companies and private individuals. Signalling work was also done and the motor-cycle platoon carried out a rapid move to Fortrose, where it went into action on the beach. , Yesterday the battalion held a church parade which, was also attended by Messrs H. C. McKenzie (president of the Invercargill Returned Soldiers’ Association), L. A. Blackmore (Territorial Force Association), W. Grieve (Invercargill Chamber of Commerce) and I. O. Manson (Reserve of Officers). There was also a fair attendance of the public. The service, which was held in the Drill Hall, was conducted by ChaplainCaptain McFarlane. This was followed by the. Trooping of' the Colour and ceremonial marching in the Drill Hall, and more marching outside, where the officer commanding, accompanied by visiting representatives, took the salute. The territorials were led in their marching by the Battalion Band. . For the first time in Invercargill some of the new blue serge uniforms were seen, although the “fore and aft’’ caps which go with them have not yet come to hand. The uniform carries a broad scarlet band down the seams of the trousers, and there is also a splash of scarlet in the caps. At two o’clock this morning the battalion will go into action io repel an invading party from Fortrose which will endeavour to capture bridges at Wyndham, Menzies Feiry and Titiroa. Major Mathews has as his second in command, Major T. Fyfe, E.D., Lieutenant A. R. Cockerill, D. 5.0., N.Z.S.C., is adjutant and the camp quartermaster is Captain J. T. Newell.