CAMP RAIDS FOR SOUVENIRS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27410, 24 July 1954, Page 3

CAMP RAIDS FOR SOUVENIRS

Troops Ordered To Desist

SEQUEL TO REMOVAL OF AIR FORCE GUN On orders from Southern Military District Headquarters a muster parade was held by officers at Burnham Military Camp on Thursday. Troops were tola that souvenir-hunting was at an end, and that the current outbreak had to be curbed. Orders for the parade were the sequel to the removal of a 15-pounder mountain gun from No. 3 Stores Depot, Roval New Zealand Air Force, at We‘edons by eight corporals from Burnham early on Thursday morning. The gun was removed after 13 cadet pilots under training at Wigram had attempted to take a 5.5 Howitzer from the gun park at Burnham on Tuesday night, as a trophy for their mess. Camp authorities at Burnham said that -in taking the gun from Weedons the men had disobeyed an order. It could be assumed that the offenders would be disciplined when the matter had been investigated. On Thursday morning the eight corporals returned the mountain gun, which is believed to have been used in the South African War. They pushed it six miles from Burnham to Weedons. The gun was presented to the Weedons station by the Burnham camp authorities during the Second World War. “Its value is purely sentimental but like Wigram with their tiger skin we are pleased to have it back,” said Wing Commander C. C. C. Manson commanding officer at Weedons. “We haven’t shot anybody with it yet, bu if these raids continue, we may loo) out a charge for it.” Wing Commander Mason said he con sidered the removal of the gun was a “fairly good bit of work.” would be an inquiry to determine how it was taken with such apparent ease The gun was removed from under a floodlight and from within 30ft of the station guardhouse. Its absence was soon noticed by the guard, but it was assumed that someone from Wigram had taken it, and the Burnham raiding party were unmolested while their pursuers went in the opposite direction.