N.Z. ARMY OFFICERS TO GO TO BRITAIN FOR SPECIAL COURSES

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 October 1947, Page 4

N.Z. ARMY OFFICERS TO GO TO BRITAIN FOR SPECIAL COURSES

(P.AJ Wellington, Oct. 3. The Minister of Defence (Mr Jones) announced today that several regular army officers will shortly leave New Zealand to attend courses ot instruction in England in pursuance of tha policy of sending officers to England to receive higher training which cannot be given in the Dominion —a policy which the Minister said was so valuable in standardising military thought throughout the forces of the Empire. The Minister said Brigadier W. G. Gentry, 0.8. E., D.S.O. and Bar, who had a distinguished war record, would attend the 1948 course of the Imperial Defence College, London, while Captain L. A. Pearce and Captain L. A. Kermoda will attend a course commencing in January, 1948, at the Staff College, Camberiy. Some 120 officers from all parts of the Empire attend the Staff College every year.

It is regarded as a first step 10 higher appointments in the army. Consequently the competition to obtain nomination is intense. Both officers passed an entrance examination conducted by the War Office, and there is no doubt they will be able to hold their own with other officers Irom the military, forces of the Empire. The Minister said he was confident all these officers who were going abroad would be a credit to their country, and on their return to New Zealand the forces here would benefit as the result of their training oversea.