VISIT BY TROOPS FROM BURNHAM

Southland Times, Issue 24104, 18 April 1940, Page 6

VISIT BY TROOPS FROM BURNHAM

PARTY TO MARCH IN CITY TODAY MEN IN FULL BATTLE ORDER RECRUITING RALLY TO BE HELD Two hundred and fifty trained troops from Burnham mobilization camp marching through the city streets this afternoon and tonight will give Invercargill citizens their first opportunity of seeing volunteers of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force on parade. The visit of the troops has been arranged by the Army Department at the request of the Southland Recruiting Committee and their presence in the city will afford opportunity for an elaborate recruiting rally which it is hoped will stimulate enlistments. The Southland area is still considerably short of its quota of enlistments for the 3rd Echelon and a substantial number of recruits is still required. The troop train will arrive from Dunedin at 3.10 p.m. today, a halt being made at Gore so that the men may parade in that town. The railway station and also a section outside the station where the troops will form up for the parade will be closed to the public. Led by the Burnham military band, the parade will include representatives of the Rifle Battalion, the Army Service Corps and the Field Ambulance. Lieutenant-Colonel A. S. Falconer, D. 5.0., M.C., will be in command of the parade and Major D. F. Leckie will be second in command. The parade will move off from the station at 3.30 p.m. and will proceed along the Crescent and Tay street to the Civic Theatre and back to Dee street, up which the troops will march to Yarrow street. They will return to the station via Esk street. A salute will be given at the South African War Memorial. The troops will wear battle-order dress, including tin hats, and will be equipped with respirators, rifles, bayonets and light packs. LEAVE FOR EMPLOYEES A request has been made for business houses to display bunting at the time of the parade and also in the evening. The Deputy-Mayor (Mr J. R. Martin) has requested all employers to grant leave to the members of their staffs to see the parade, especially those of military age. More than half the troops have their homes in Invercargill or will be staying with friends and billeting has been arranged for about 112. Those persons who are accommodating troops are requested to be at the railway station at 4.15 p.m., when the men will be assigned to them. Before the recruiting rally and community sing which will be held in the evening, another parade will be held. The Burnham party will leave the Drill Hall at 7 p.m. and march via Victoria avenue, Dee street and Tay street to the Civic Theatre. Salutes will be given at both war memorials en route. At the recruiting rally, which is scheduled to begin at 7.30 o’clock, introductory remarks will be made by the Deputy-Mayor and other speakers will include Lieutenant-Colonel Falconer, Major Leckie, the Mayor (Mr J. R. Hanan) and Mr W. M. C. Denham, M.P. No admission fee will be charged at the theatre and no booking will be arranged for seats. The troops will be accommodated in the front stalls. Items will be given by the Burnham military band, the Southland School of Highland Dancing, sketches by Mr and Mrs B. Hammonds and Mr C. Paine, and songs by Mr P. Linton Hodge. The community sing leaders will be Messrs C. Trim and B. Hammonds. Mr S. Cunningham will be the pianist. The community sing will be under the direction of Messrs D. K. Torrance and E. Boyd. Mr Alex Sutherland will be stage manager. The parade in the afternoon and the rally will be broadcast from station 4YZ. After the rally the troops will be entertained at supper by the Women’s Patriotic Purposes Association. They will leave Invercargill by special train early tomorrow morning. BURNHAM TROOPS PARADE IN DUNEDIN (United Press Association) DUNEDIN, April 17. A detachment of 250 officers and men of the 2nd Echelon from the Burnham Camp paraded through the streets of the city this afternoon and this evening under arms and participated in a recruiting rally, which was addressed by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) and Colonel J. Hargest, Officer Commanding the 2nd Echelon. Tomorrow the troops will visit Invercargill. A special feature was the fine marching of the men, who made an inspiring spectacle. SUCCESSFUL RALLY IN AUCKLAND ROUSING MARCH THROUGH THE CITY (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 17. Heralded by a rousing march through the city by battle-dressed men of the Forestry Company from the Papakura Camp and by long lines of territorials and bemedalled veterans of the National Military Reserve, a recruiting rally, which evoked immediate enthusiasm, was held tonight in the Town Hall. In addition to addresses by the Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) and Mr S. G. Holland, National member for Christchurch North, both of whom were welcomed by the Mayor (Sir Ernest Davis), a concert programme was provided and the speakers commented upon what they described as the “rally’s stirring atmosphere.” Many thousands of people watched the march and clapping was general at the Town Hall, where the Auckland Girls’ Band had played outside until the arrival of the parade. About 3000 soldiers and civilians crowded into the main floor and galleries. All the bands were seated on the stage, which was also occupied by the civic authorities and military representatives. While congratulating Auckland on its good recruiting returns, both speakers called attention to the necessity for such a rally by emphasizing that New Zealand’s safety depended on the success of the Allied arms. Both stated that there was a need, not only for a steady stream of enlistments, but also for general sacrifice.