CAMPS AND THE MEN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2698, 18 February 1916, Page 6

CAMPS AND THE MEN

THE MARCH OF THE TENTH REGIMENTAL NICKNAMES The giving of nicknames to regiments of Boldiors is a practice as old as war itself. In the Britisli Army almost every regiment lias a nickname, some earned by prowess in battle, others by prowess as trenchermen in eating and drinking, and a few from misadventures by which they have become the butts of soldier-wags. The New Zealand Expeditionary Forces have not escaped being given synonyms, more or less appropriate. 'Jliose given below are the nicknames won by the various reinforcements, the additional ones in parentheses being the less complimentary ones which are added by soldiei's of other bodies of troops. The Furious Firsts (The Kaiser Killers) start the list. Then come the Serious Seconds, the Thirsty Thirds, the Feeding Fourths (Cookhouse-Door-Boys), the FightinoFifth (Hell-for-LeatherrLads), the Sil° cut Sixth (Noisy Boys), the Sturdy Seventh (Alpine Climbers—they were the first troops to cross'the Rimutakas) the' Happy Eighths (Sad Dogs), the Sober Ninth (Mother's Own). The Terrible Tenth have no,colloquial name as yet, nor have the lltli, 12th,'or 13th been nicknamed. Tho. New Zealand Rifle Brigade are the E.L.O.'s (Ladv Killers).-

Soldiers' Titles, The brass initials which soldiers wear on their shoulder straps are known as titles, and they are issued from the stores when the men receive their uniforms. The popularity of these brass adornments among the sweethearts and wives of the soldiers often makes it necessary for the men to apply for fresh supplies to fill the place of those they have "lost." After the first issue the soldier has to buy all subsequent titles. Few. among them realise how large a quantity of titles are used, and what amount of brass is used in their making. The chief manufacturer of soldiers' titles is a Wellington firm, and several men spend all their time stamping and cutting at the heavv block initials, N.Z.M.R., N.Z.R., ' N.Z.E., N.Z.M.C., N.Z.A., and N.Z.A.S.C. In another department two men aro kept busy making tho brass - pins to fasten tho titles on with, and yet another worker gives the bronze and copper effects of officers' and other titles which are of that finish. . . Tenth Route-Marching, The' Tenth Reinforcements, 1600 strong, set out from Featherston Camp yesterday morning to march to Kaitoke, across the hills. Reveille awoke them to a clear, fresh morning, and after dressing and breakfasting the tropps were on tho road by 4 o'clock. Owing to the' camp being nearly two miles nearer Featherston than the old camp at: Tauherenikau, the men were fresher when they came to the hill than' were their coinrados of the Seventh, Eighth; and Ninth Reinforcements, who preceded them over the famous road. It was expected that the summit would be reached at 8 o'clock, but the troops marched so blithely that, they, were there at a quarter, to eight; and an hour afterwards they were off again, on_ the down grade to Kaitoke, after having light refreshments during the halt. Kaitoke was reached shortly before noon, and a bathe ig the river was the first item to be indulged in. Then carao lunch. and after that a lazy time in the shade, resting and sleeping. Only one man fell out during the march, so that the performance of the -Tenth ,was quite equal to that of earlier reinforcements.' Featherston Camp Notes. The following temporary appointments have been approved by the C-amp Commandant- at Featherston:—Pt-e. G. Kemp, to be corporal; .Pt-e. H. E. Farthing, F, Company, 10th, to be corporal in charge of Infantry Signallers; Corpl. Pv. Telford, E Company, lltli, to be sergeant; Lce.-Corpls. Hall, A. F. Cates, E. Davies, H. Job, C. B. Shine, D. Green, and R. E. K. Hodge, E Company, 11th, to be corporals;

Ptes. C. 0. Sawyer, J F. White, G. Blake, C. M'Kenzie, and R. S. Haunsell, E Company, 11th, to -be lancecorporals.

Capt. Isaacson, Church of England Chaplain, has reported for duty at Featherston.

Lieut. H. C. Edwards, Dental Corps, has also reported for duty at Featherston.