FIRST PARADE NEXT TUESDAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 9, 11 January 1941, Page 4

FIRST PARADE NEXT TUESDAY

NUMBER TWO COMPANY OF NATIONAL RESERVE

NOW UNDER HOME GUARD

Having accepted an offer by the Home Guard authorities in Wanganui to allow it to remain as a definite unit, the No. 2 Company of the National Military Reserve, which is commanded by Captain H. M. Keesing, M.C., is to hold its first parade tn the new year next Tuesday, At. this parade the duties allocated to the company as pait of the Home ounru, will be explained. The success of the company as pari of the Guard will depend upon the keenness shown by the rank and file in attending parades. So keen have been the officers, non-commissioned officers and men up to the present, that this company has been maintained purely on a voluntary basis since the formation of the National Reserve, more than a year ago. Disappointed at not being included in the permanent company of the Preserve, established last July under the command of Captain D. W. Curham, M.C., the No. 2 Company carried on by itself. When the Home Guard was stimulated by the appointment of Major R. D. Hardie, D. 5.0., as area commander, a suggestion was made that the No. 2 Company pl the Reserve be absorbed, and the Guard command agreed to that. Captain Keesing and other officers in the company have undertaken to parade with the company and not take other positions in the Guard, and the aim will be to have a definite returned sol diers’ unit in the Guard. Asked last night if the company was full, Captain Keesing said that I’ could still take a few more men, and any returned soldiers who desired m join and thus help maintain interest in the company and the guard, should make application immediately. He stressed that the parades of the company should be kepi up as fully as possible, and if that ; done there was no reason why tne company should not attain the same high reputation in its sphere of activity as the permanent special reserve company had done, a reputation at least equal to the best in New Zealand. The first parade, of the new year for the special company of the Reserve, commanded by Captain Curham, is to be held next Thursday night.