HOME GUARD

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21822, 27 November 1940, Page 6

HOME GUARD

First Timaru Parade Nearly 400 Recruits The first parade of the Timaru Group of the Home Guard held at the Drill Hall last night was attended by about 350 men, ranging from youths to men who had served in the Great War and older men, who, in spite of their advancing years, showed that they were willing to give their services in response to the appeal made by the Government for the adoption of an auxiliary defence system. The parade was divided into two sections, those w'ho had previously enlisted in the Home Guard and those willing to join up. The parade was addressed by Mr D. Barnes, South Canterbury Area Commander. Mr E. D. Mcßae, Timaru Group Commander, was in charge of the parade which was principally of an organising nature. Including men who were absent last night there are now nearly 400 recruits in the Timaru Group of the Home Guard. Mr Barnes was introduced by Mr Mcßae. “I am very pleased to see the large muster present,” said Mr Barnes. "When we started a few weeks ago some people did not think that the Home Guard would be a success. The muster definitely belies those words. Some of you are grocers, clerks and tradesmen, and others are lawyers and accountants; you come from every walk of life. You will forget all that. You have mustered for one purpose and one purpose only—the defence of the country!” Mr Barnes said that the guardsmen, as they would be known, would be divided into three groups. The first class, those from 16 to 19, would carry out work comprising physical and recreational training so as to fit them ultimately to take their place in the Territorials. The second class, men over 20, would comprise the main group of those who were reasonably fit and who could not go overseas for family or other reasons. This group would be the main defence of the Dominion. Their work would comprise various phases and a general refresher course, as many of the men were returned soldiers or members of rifle clubs. The third group would comprise the older men who could not take part in hard physical work, but suitable jobs would be found for them. “Go To It!” Some of the guardsmen did not know him and he did not know them, Mr Barnes continued, but he was sure that they would work together as a team. "Some may find the drill and discipline irksome,” he added, “but, personally, I think that the drill will be the least interesting of the work. Some drill is necessary as you have got to remember that the public will judge you when they see you on parade. It is necessary to bear in mind that in marching you have got to carry yourselves as New Zealand soldiers would. “In London I believe there is a slogan which is exhibited everywhere,” he continued. “It comprise.-, but three words —‘Go To It!’ Go to it, I say, and you will find that South Canterbury will be proud of the Home Guard! Mr Mcßae said that the guardsmen could not do better than adopt the slogan quoted by Mr Barnes. They had met that evening first and foremost for organisation, and he explained that those who wished to enrol could do so and they would be attested. Mr Mcßae added that he would like to second Mr Barnes’s remarks in regard to the spirit of the Home Guard. They would have to foster a spirit of co-operation not only among themselves but with other organisations, such as the National Military Reserve, whose support the Home Guard was expected to be. He would expect that spirit right through, but the fact that they had enrolled showed that they had the right spirit in the first place. Mr Barnes said he wished publicly to acknowledge his thanks to the National Military Reserve. Some of the Home Guard might find it irksome to attend a parade on one evening a week. Some of the non-commissioned officers of the National Military Reserve attended parades two evenings a week, and they had offered to give up a third evening in training the guardsmen until the Home Guard appointed its own platoon commanders. The filling in of enlistment forms and the attestment of the recruits was then proceeded with, each company of men as they were dealt with then carrying out a parade under a National Military Reserve non-commissioned officer at Alexandra Park. Before the parade dismissed Captain W. M. Hocking, officer commanding the Timaru Company of the National Military Reserve, congratulated the guardsmen on their spirit in enrolling and complimented them on the physical standard shown. As there was only one company of the Military Reserve in the event of an emergency they would look to the Home Guard for assistance, and he was sure that it would be forthcoming. It was decided that the Home Guard should parade at the Drill Hall on Monday evenings. Later, when the various companies are formed, the parades will be held at the Timaru schoolgrounds nearest to the residences of the guardsmen in each locality.