FREEDOM OF TWO CITIES

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30961, 18 January 1966, Page 1

FREEDOM OF TWO CITIES

The freedom of the cities of Christchurch and Timaru was conferred on the 2nd Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, in a ceremony at Burnham Military Camp yesterday.

The honorary colonel of the battalion (Brigadier J. T. Burrows) was presented with the charters of the cities by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr G. Manning) and the Mayor of Timaru (Mr D. K. Dowell). The 2nd Battalion came into being when the Ist Battalion, Canterbury Regiment, and the Ist Battalion, Nelson, Marlborough, and West Coast Regiment, were merged. CHARTER RIGHTS The charters confer on the battalion the right to march through the cities with drums beating, band playing, colours flying, bayonets fixed and swords drawn. The mayors accept the honour of having the battalion or a detachment of the battalion on parade for their inspection on important official occasions, of having two officers in uniform in attendance on such occasions, of taking part in official regimental functions, and of visiting the battalion or its detachments during training.

In accepting the charters, Brigadier Burrows said that many infantrymen and former infantrymen throughout the South Island would be very conscious of the honour that was being conferred on the unit. The unit belonged to the provinces concerned, and the cl* er the association between tre unit and the people of the provinces, the better. On behalf of the officers and men he thanked the. mayors, councillors, and citizens of

the two cities for granting the charters. FOUR COLLAPSE

The ceremony started soon after 2 p.m. when the battalion, led by the battalion band, marched on to Burrows Field at the camp. The weather was slightly overcast and very warm, with a light breeze.

The heat caused about four soldiers to collapse during the parade. One recovered and stood up again, and three were removed by other men. The four companies were fully equipped with packs and other accoutrements, and paraded with bayonets fixed. After the colours had been marched on the battalion presented arms, first for the arrival of the Colonel of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (Major-General Sir William Gentry) and Brigadier Burrows, and then for Brigadier H. A. Purcell, representing the Army Board.

and the officer commanding the Southern Military District (Brigadier T. C. Campbell). Arms were again presented for the arrival of Mr Manning, who was accompanied by the Town Clerk (Mr C. S. Bowie) and Mr Dowell, who was accompanied by Timaru’s Town Clerk (Mr J. A. Goodwin). Both mayors were in full regalia. After the mayors had inspected the parade, the band playing during the inspection, the charters were presented. Christchurch’s charter was read out by Mr Bowie before it was presented and Timaru’s by Mr Goodwin. “POSSIBLY UNIQUE” Mr Dowell said that he was a former member of one of the units which now comprised the 2nd Battalion, and thus was in the possibly unique position of presenting the freedom of his city to his own regiment

It was seven years since the freedom of Timaru was presented to the Ist Canterbury Regiment, and it was only right that the honour should be perpetuated in the new unit, he said. The units which comprised the 2nd Battalion had a record of serving with honour and valour, and he was sure that if they were again called on to serve the Queen and country, and he hoped they would not be, they would again distinguish themselves. Mr Manning said that Christchurch was proud to honour the 2nd Battalion. He spoke of the fine record of the Canterbury Regiment, and said the support of the people had always been a major factor in the efficiency of the armed forces.

After the presentation, of the charters and Brigadier Burrows’s reply, the battalion marched past the official dais. The parade was led by the commanding officer (Lieuten-ant-Colonel R. W. K. Ainge), the second in command (Major C. G. Latter), the adjutant (Lieutenant K. H. Fraser), and the regimental sergeant-major (Warrant Officer First Class T. W. Heketa). No. 1 Company was led by Captain R. G. I. Cairney, No. 2 Company by Major M. J. Blair, No. 3 Comany by Cap-

tain A. Ford, and No. 4 Company by Major R. C. Dodson. The vehicle echelon, which comprised radio vehicles, piortar vehicles, and vehicles carrying anti-tank guns, was led by Lieutenant D. F. Mitchell. COLOUR PARTIES The party carrying the colours of the Ist Battalion, Canterbury Regiment, comprised 2nd Lieutenant P. C. Wilkins bearing the Queen’s Colour, and Seeond-Lienten-ant P. E. Burrell bearing the regimental colour. The colours of the Ist Battalion. Nelson, Marlborough, and West Coast Regiment, were carried by Lieutenant R. E. Hippolite bearing the Queen’s Colour and Second-Lieutenant J. W. Baldie bearing the regimental colour.

The parade marshal was Major E. H. Poole. The bandmaster, Warrant Officer W. J. Eddy, the drum major, Staff Sergeant A. H. Blackler, and the honorary conductor, Captain T. J. KirkBurnnand. The photograph shows Mr Manning presenting Christchurch’s charter to Brigadier Burrows. On the right is Mr Dowell, and seated next to him is Major-General Sir William Gentry. At the back is Brigadier Campbell.