TERRITORIAL FORCE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2682, 31 January 1916, Page 8

TERRITORIAL FORCE

ANNUAL CAMPS

EXEMPTIONS PROVIDED FOR A special memorandum has been drawn up by District Headquarters, Palmerston Worth, regarding the holding of the coming Territorial camps in tlio AVeLlington military district-. The memorandum points out that in arranging the camp dates a spccial endeavour has been made to meet tbe convenience of employers, tho infantry camps, for instance, being spread over four months, and providing six periods, during any of which employers can seud their employees into training. Provision for Exemptions. Provision has been made for exemptions in certain cases from attendance at annual and casual camps. In other cases —for example, when men liave had four years' Territorial training, and whose employers cannot spare them—they should be advised to apply at once to a Magistrate for tlie necessary exemption on account of undue hardship. It must, however, bo made clear that such exemption shall apply only to a man's obligation under General Itegulations. On this understanding adjutants of units or other permanent officers dealing with the cases have been instructed to appear at tho hearing, and facilitate in every way the granting of such exemptions, always provided the men applying for such exemptions produce evidence to support their application that attendance at annual or casual camps would seriously interfere with the work or business of their employer. A statement to this effcfcfc from their employer may bo accepted as sufficient evidence. While affording every facility in genuine cases, care will be taken to see that this concession is not abused. All officers are requested to make a special' effort to attend the camps of their unit for as long as possible.

Classes of Men for Training. ] _ Headquarters having issued instructions that n.c.o.'s and men shall only attend camps for a period of nine days (including days of arrival and departure) they have, for the purposes of training, been classified, roughly, into ] three classes. The following shows the classes and dates, of arrival and depart- ' ure from cainp of each class. . ; Alternate dates are also shown which the men of each class may select as 1 the period during which they may at- , tend camp. The classes dealt with hereunder comprise:— 1 Class A: All n.c.o.'s and men ivno , havo performed the whole of their home training (i.e., evening drills and daylight parades) for the year 1915-16. Class C: All n.c.o.'s. and men who havo only partially completed their home training (i.e., have done less than 25 evening drills during the past training year). Class D: All n.c.o.'s and men who have not dono any training during the year 1915-IG. Tho dates during which these three classes of n.c.o.'s and men of each unit may attend camps are as follow.' It should be noted' -that men of an infantry regiment may, if more convenient, attend the camp of any other infantry regiment. They are not to bo tied down to tho annual camp dates of their own regiment and tho succeeding casual camp dates: — Infantry. Class (a):' February 21-29, February 2S-March 7, March 17-25, April 10-18, May 4-12, or May 22-30. Class (c): February 18-26, February 25-Ma rch 4, March 14-22, April i-15, May 1-9, or May 19-17. Class (d): February 14-22, February 21-29, March 10-18, April 3-11, April 27-May 5, or May .15-23. Mounted Rifles. Class (a)-. May 4-12 or May 22-30. Class (c): May 1-9 or May 19-27.. Class (d): April 27-May 5 or May 15-23. " Dates of Arrival in Camp. The following shows tho dates' now decided on for the arrival of each of the three above classes at the annual camp for each unit, the three dates given being for Class (d), Class (c.), and Class (a) respectively :— 2nd Mounted Rifles—April 27, May 1, May 4. • 6th .Mounted Rifles—April 27, May 1, May 4, 9th Mo'-antcd Rifles—April 27, May 1, May 4, _ Mounted Signal Troop—April 27, Mayl, May 4, D Battery—April 27, February 21, February 24. Field Artillery Brigade—April 27, March 6, March "J. sth .Regiment—February 14, February 18, February 21. 7th Regiment—February 21, February 25, February 28. 9th Regiment—March 10, March 14, March 17. 11th Regiment—February 21, February 25, February 28. 17tli Regiment—April 3, April 7, April 10 - Divisional Signalling Company—February 14, February 18,. February 21. A Section No. 4 Field Artillery—February 14, February 18, February 21. !s B Scction, No. 4 Field Artillery— March 10, March 14, March 17. B Section, No. 4 Fiejd ArtilleryApril 3, April 7, April 10. C Section, No. 4 Field Artillery—February 21, February 25, February 28. A and B Sections, No. 8 Mounted Field Artillery—April 27, May 1, May 4. No. 4 Company, Field Engineers—February 14, February 18, February 21. Further information as to dates, ctc., for casual camps, training, etc., is contained in the Special District Order now being printed. It is hoped to issue copies in pamphlet form to all concern- ■ cd during tho course of next week.