MOUNTED HOME GUARDSMEN

Southland Times, Issue 24438, 19 May 1941, Page 6

MOUNTED HOME GUARDSMEN

Keenness Displayed At Birchwood

High praise for the efficiency and enthusiasm displayed by members of the Birchwood mounted Home Guard troop was given by the No. 12 Area Commander (Captain W. Bell) last night after his return to Invercargill after a visit of inspection during the week-end to the Birchwood and other Home Guard units. There are between 30 and 40 men in the troop and they ride an average distance of five miles to parades. The greatest distance ridden by any Birchwood Guardsman is 15 miles. Birchwood is the only mounted unit in the No. 12 Area.

In spite of the bad weather there was a good muster at the parade. Captain Bell said he was very pleased to see the splendid progress which had been made by the troop. He considered that some of the movements carried out would have done credit to a troop that had been in continuous training in camp for several months. The Guardsmen were mounted on horses that were generally of a fine stamp, many of them having been taken off stations and broken in for the purpose. He was also much impressed with the knowledge and efficiency of the officer in charge, Mr Colin Speight, and his second in command, Mr Noel McGregor. On Saturday Captain Bell also inspected a parade at Nightcaps which was attended also by a number of Wairio men. The weather was bad and the parade was not large, but much enthusiasm was shown. The men were keen for information about the Home Guard and there was an interesting discussion.

The Ohai unit, which Captain Bell also visited, had a particularly fine parade and although the weather was bad, about 125 men, representing 80 per cent, of the total strength of the unit, attended. A march past was organized, and the men then proceeded to the hall, where Captain Bell gave a talk. The Guardsmen showed great keenness and were eager for information about equipment and more particularly of the job they would be expected to do in the event of an emergency. Speaking generally of all the units he visited, Captain Bell said he was much impressed with the type of officer who had been selected. All were giving of their best and were doing a fine job. INVERCARGILL HOME GUARD The weekly parade of the Invercargill Home Guard was held at the Drill Hall on Saturday afternoon. The parade strength was 501. Because of the rain, the companies were able to carry out field exercises for limited periods only, but useful courses of instruction were given in the Drill Hall and the Show Ground buildings. The weekly talk for officers this evening will be given in the Automobile Association’s rooms at 7.30 o'clock.