VOLUNTEER UNITS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20952, 3 November 1939, Page 4

VOLUNTEER UNITS

BATTERY’S RECORD WORK IN PEACE-TIME TROPHIES PRESENTED There was a danger of forgetting the work cone by voluntary units in peace-time when there was no immediate threat of war, said Colonel N. W. McD. Weir, Officer Commanding the Northern Military District, when speaking at the annual presentation of prizes ceremony of the 2nd Medium Battery held in Hamilton last night. Colonel Weir was accompanied by Major W. H. Allen and Lieutenant H. H. MacDonald, New Zealand Staff Corps, and there was a large number of visitors present, including members of the Hamilton Borough Council. Colonel Weir added that the part the battery and similar units had played in the past was largely responsible for the fact that the Special Force was possible today It was easy to join the forces when there was an immediate demand for service, but it was not so easy to work conscientiously year in and year out, knowing that their services might De required. “You have done that and done it well,” he continued. “It is my personal view that the war may come closer home and you are the army which would have to fight in New Zealand. From the work I have seen you carry out in camp you would have no difficulty in giving a good account of yourselves. You are New Zealand’s only army and the country has every reason to be proud of the work you have done and are continuing to do,” he concluded. New Commanding Officer Major E. F. Clayton-Greene, Officer Commanding the Battery, said it would be the last similar parade he would be attending, and he appealed to all ranks to give Captain F. M. Yendell, who was taking over from him, the same measure of co-opera-tion which he had had in the past. Prior to addressing the men, Colonel Weir inspected the battery and following the addresses, presented the trophies. These were won as follows: Best Sub-section: C Sub-Section (Sergeant I. A. Johnston). Most improved gunners for year: Gunners D. H. Steer, R. J. Goodison, V. C. Harris, N. L. Jones; Battery Staff, Lance-Bombadier D. Carey. Best turned-out gunners: LanceBombadier R. J. Gilmore, Gunner G. D. Stuart, Bombadier D. Cave, Bombadier L. J. Rockell, Bombadier I. A. Clarke. Highest average attendance for year: Gunner M. P. Skinner. Most willing worker in battery for year: Gunner W. P. MaxwelL Best gun-layer: Bombadier D. W. Cave. Best score at musketry: Gunner T W. Upton, 94 points. Shield for sub-section shooting: D Sub-section. Sports trophies: 100 yards championship, Gunner T. W. Upton; potato race, Sergeant J. Steele; wheelbarrow race, Sergeant J. Steele and Gunner M. Skinner; 220 yards flat race, Gunner T. W. Upton; obstacle race, Sergeant J. Steele; putting the shot, Ccrgeant J. Steele; three-legged race, Lance-Sergeant L. F. Raven and Bombadier T. Moir; 75 yards hurdle race, Bombadier T. Moir; tug-o’-war, C Sub-section; battery relay, A Subsection. History of Unit The 2nd Medium Battery has fulfilled its part in the training of men for military service in the event of war, and when hostilities broke out it had a large number of men fitted to train other volunteers. Not only has the battery won the Efficiency Trophy for New Zealand on two occasions, but nearly all the officers and senior N.C.O.’s have been accepted in the New Zealand Special Force and all have retained their ranks. Major Clayton-Greene was approached early in 1936 about the establishment of a battery in Hamilton, and was asked to take command He sought men suitable to train as N.C.O.’s and prospective officers and classes were held regularly until there were sufficient trained men to form the nucleus of the 2nd Medium Battery, which was established officially on June 1, 1936. Major Clay-ton-Greene then held the rank of captain. Captain J. Tait and Lieutenant D. E. D. Malins joined the battery to fill the positions as officers until such time as the N.C.O.’s qualified for the positions of officers, the following eventually gaining commissions: L. G. Williams, S. T. Nolan, J. A. Pountney, L. Radford and F. T. Nolan. Later Lieutenant G. Nicholls Joined the battery. Training was carried out so successfully that the unit gained recognition throughout New Zealand. The battery has a fine record for the men it has trained, Lieutenant J. A. Pountney being selected for the New Zealand Permanent Forces as a lieutenant and going to the military training school at Duntroon, Australia. On the outbreak of war three of the remaining five officers were selected for the Artillery Regiment of the first echelon, and nearly all the senior N.C.O.’s were accepted for the special force. Two further officers have been accepted for the Artillery Regiment of the second echelon, and Major Clay-ton-Greene has been posted to take command of the North Head fort in Auckland. Captain Yendell, who has had considerable experience which sixty pound guns in Auckland, is now sec-ond-in-command of the battery and will be O.C. when Major ClaytonGreene relinquishes the position.