DEFENCE NOTES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19374, 24 December 1932, Page 20

DEFENCE NOTES

ACTIVITIES IN TIMARU. The inspection of D (Machine-gun) company was conducted at Alexanda Square by Colonel L. M. Inglis M.C., V.D., Officer Commanding third New Zealand Infantry Brigade, accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel S. D. Mason Commanding Officer, Canterbury Regiment. All ranks were present on parade at 7 p.m. when equipment and rifles were looked over finally and platoon-commanders received their instructions. The guns, etc., required by each platoon were moved to the Square, and laid out ready for inspection. The inspecting officer made a careful examination of the equipment of each man, showing the importance attached to the correct fitting of the Mills web equipment, so that the men may march distances with the utmost comfort available. The command, “Platoon commanders carry on," was followed by the rapid division of the company into platoons and sections. Each group drew the necessary guns and was prompt at work. No. 13 platoon proceeded with limber drill; No 14 with arms and gun drill; No 15 with aligument of guns on parallel lines, and No. 16 with stripping and names of parts.

Colonel Inglis took the opportunity to see the work of each platoon and later, when the company assembled for Company drill, he inspected the N.C.O’s. for fifteen minutes to ascertain the value of their training. The parade concluded with a few words to the men by the Officer Commanding the Brigade, who stressed the value and importance of the public service of the men in the ranks. The necessity for regarding the Force as part of an army, and not as a sports club was carefully stressed, and the men were reminded that their training would be worse than useless, if they do not realise that discipline and military rules must be observed to the fullest extent, even if their service is voluntary. The Colonel pointed out in conclusion that regular attendance at parades will go a long way towards making the unit efficient. A new training syllabus and timetable will be issued on the first parade in the new year. It is intended that the work so far carried out, will be brushed up and the training necessary for camp will be provided for. Special N.C.O. classes will be held before each parade and the organisation of the N.C.O.’s will be completed after the first two classes when examinations will be held.

The recruiting department will be very active during the next few weeks, as those boys who have left the secondary schools, are to be approached regarding joining the unit. Lists have been received, totalling some 70 names, and it is expected that a good proportion of these boys who are all of age, will join up. There should be a number of advantages to be derived from membership of the Territorial Force by a boy just leaving school, not the least of which must be the making of new friends and the widening of outlook. Many of the boys will possibly spend some time seeking employment, and in the meantime they could not do better than join an institution that imposes discipline, provides instruction, and teaches him how to mix with all classes of his fellows and eventually how to command men. Ex-volunteers roll-call: — W. J. Taylor, L. Battery N.Z.R.A., G. Allen, Lyttelton Navals, I. J. Bradley, S. C. Battalion, W. Bain, Timaru Navals, G. E. Burrell, Timaru Port Guards, W. H. Cowles, Timaru Port Guards, C. Johnson, Christchurch Engineers, F. Clarke, Timaru Garrison Band, F. H. Buckley, Otago Hussars, Owen Howell, McKenzie Mounted Rifles, D. A. Morgan, Otago Hussars, T. Rhodes, King Edward’s Horse, W. Smith, South Canterbury Mounted Rifles, W. Anderson, G. Battery N.Z.R.A. T. Anderson, C. Battery N.Z.R.A., J. R. Bruce, C. Battery N.Z.R.A., W. S. Blaikie, B. Battery N.Z.R.A., A. Boys, C. Battery N.Z.R.A., G. W. Cordell, Ist Bn. 57. Middlesex Regt., H. H. Webb, Hastings Rifles. It is almost certain that the father of Timaru's ex-volunteers is Mr. Peter Sinclair, who is now aged eighty seven. Mr. Sinclair served in the Dundee Rifles. His chief hobby now consists of reading the newspaper, and we hope that this weekly account of the training of the present day soldier assists Mr. Sinclair to live over again those days when he was a member of a premier Scottish Regiment.

The Defence Department’s staff at Timaru is being strengthened by the addition of a corporal of the Permanent Staff. This appointment will be of the greatest value to D Company and all N.C.O.s’ should lose no time in the new year in taking advantage of the extra training available. Parade list—January 10—All N.C.Os’ and men who wish to be trained as N.C.O.s. Dress —Mufti. January 18 —Company parade. Dress —Drill order.