LINK BETWEEN REGIMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1933, Page 7

LINK BETWEEN REGIMENTS

TARANAKI UNIT’S HISTORY COMPILATION BY TWO OFFICERS. DISPATCH TO 57TH REGIMENT. Another link between the Taranaki Regiment and the 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment, to which the Taranaki Regiment is allied, has been forged by the dispatch to the English unit of a re-cently-compiled history of the Taranaki Regiment. The survey was compiled by two officers of the Ist Battalion Taranaki Regiment following a request by the officer in command. Lieutenant-Colonel G. F. Bertrand. Alliances exist between the majority of New- Zealand regiments and English units, and the bonds between the 57th and the Taranaki go back to the early days of the province, when the 57th was quartered in the district and fought side by side with the volunteer, forces that eventually were succeeded by the regiment. < Together with the historical matter there has been enclosed a map of Taranaki, with the locality of various engagements marked. A fine collection of photographs also accompanies the written record. It shows many views of Mount Egmont and Taranaki, pictures of St. Mary’s Church and graves in the churchyard, and a number of photographs taken at the last regimental camp at Waverley. A copy of Miss Devenish’s history of St. Mary’s Church is enclosed. An appendix gives an account of the arrival of the 57th Regiment at New Plymouth in 1861 and its subsequent movements. Facts are also given about early surgeons. Another appendix provides all particulars of the present strength and organisation of the regiment. A list is given of the regimental battle honours, the following of which are to appear on the new regimental colours: South Africa 1902, Somme 191618, Bapaume 1918, Hindenburg Line, Messines 1917, Ypres 1917, France and Flanders 1916-18, Anzac Landing, Sari Bair, Gallipoli 1915, Egypt . 1915-16. Commencing with the arrival of some of the earliest ships, the history goes on to deal with the beginning of hostilities with the Maoris and the raising of the Volunteers in 1858. A copy is given of Governor Gore Brown’s proclamation of 1859 establishing the Taranaki Volunteer Rifle Company. The names on the original roll are appended. Shortly afterwards came the battle of Waireka, in which the regiment gained the distinction of being the first British volunteer units to come under fire. Details are given of the battle, also other operations in which the Volunteers took part, such as the expeditions to Katikara and Kaihihi Pas, the fight at Mahoetahi and the destruction of other pas. Mention is also made of the splendid work of Captain Atkinson and his band of guerilla fighters. Prior to this the presentation of regimental colours had taken place on June 25, 1861, and the last time the volunteers took the field against the Maoris was at the taking of Parihaka 20 years later.