A FAMOUS BATTERY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2839, 2 August 1916, Page 6

A FAMOUS BATTERY

BIG REUNION COMPLIMENT TO MAJOR PETHERICK One of the greatest gatherings of the famous D Battery was held in the Burlington last evening, when a complimentary reunion was tendered Major A. J. Petherick, T.D., Officer Commanding -D Company, N.Z.F.A., on the completion of thirty years' service in the Battery. Lieut. John Duggan presided. Major Petherick proposed the toast of Ihe General Staff.''' He mentioned that Genoral Sir Alfred Robin was once a gunner in tho Field Artillery. He also mentioned the name of Colonel Hume, I Responding to the toast, Colonel Hume said that he practically started his soldiering in the D Battery. Ho was very proud of that fact, and grow prouder of' it as the years rolled by. Colonel Moorhouse proposed the toast of Major Petherick. He said that he joined the Battery in 1878, and he saw present eight of those who were members in that year. They were then armed with wonderful weapons, some of which used to issue as much smoke from tho Bide as from anywhere else. On August 5, 1881!, an important event in the history \of tho Battery occurred—tho election of Major Petherick to be a gunnor. In 1888 he was made a bombardier, in 188!) a corporal, and in 1890 a sergeant, in which capacity he worked diligently, and was a credit to the Battery. Major Petherick stuck to his guno through thick and thin, even through the mule battery stage. (Laughter.) It was' pleasing to know that in the near future tho arming was to bo first-clasa, and that thero would he more than one battery, which would bring very necessary competition. Major Petherick knew his work well, and was tho most efficient gunner in the' Territorial Forco in Now Zealand. He was a splendid man at onforcing discipline in a way which did not get backs up. Tho men knew that Major' Petherick knew his work thoroughly, and that was very important. 'There was no doubt tho Battery's history was a proud one. He would not refer to its part in the present war, but .on three occasions in the past they had volunteered for service as a complete body— for the Soudan campaign, for Parihaka, and for South Africa. On every occasion, however, the artillery was not reijuired. Major Petherick was then presented with a model IS-pounder gun, "as a small token of the Battery's esteem and affection, and with tho hope that he would still continue to rule it." Three ringing cheers greeted Major Petherick when he rose to reply. He thanked, tho Battery for the handsome trophy. A gunner' had always something to learn, and the lessons of tho present war would work many changes. The Battery had had hard times, and sometimes the musters numbered only fourteen or fifteen, but those few 6tucfc to things, and kept, the battery going. Somo of their early'shooting was itone' at Kilbirnie, across tho bay, and the only trouble was that every now and then the .target used to get a shot under it, and an hour was needed to put it up again. However, even 'in those days, D Battery was always a bit in front of the others. Master-Gunner Richardson (now Brigadier-General Richardson) commenced instructing the Battery, and competitions wero instituted. Only once had the shield left Wellington, and that was when D Battery, Dunedin, tied with with D Battery, and. as D Battery had held the shield so long, they allowed it to go to Dunedin for a year. The Battery bad kept up its training, and had kept up to date, and if the shield were to be competed for to-day he would have no fear of losing .it. The stamp of man they had to-day was excellent, though younger than the men they got in other days. They had had somo splendid fellows through the Battery, and tie was satisfied that, if the present gunners would back up their officers, there was no reason why D Battery should ever take a second place, in.New Zealand. He was sure the gathering that ovening would do good, for it would imprint on the minds of all that tho Hattery had a great .record. , Lieutenant Duggan proposed the health' of the Battery instructors, to whom he paid a tribute, particularly to Lieutenant Peterson. Lieutenant Peterson responded. Quartermaster-Sergeant Gibson proposed tho toast of tho "Old Brigade," and related amusing reminiscences. Colonel Q. F. C. Campbell then presented Quartermaster-Sergeant Gibson with his warrant of appointment as a warrant officer, which has just been issued, i Captain MTDvedy referred to the great number of old Battery men who were at the front. He mentioned tho following officers:—Lieut:-Col. C. Freeth, Majors H. Avery, F. Hulme, A.' Hume, W. Johnston, W. H. Fletcher, Captains W. Jansen, C. Harcourf Turner, R. S. M'Quarrie, H. Glendenning, H. Hill, Lieuts. S. Bridge, T. Brewer, G: Howe, F. Turner, W. Turner, W. Reed, G. Forsythe, J. Gcndall, C. N. Mitchell, H. Petersen, J. G. M'Kenzie, B. D. Smith, L. S. Carmichael, C. H. Nelson, H. Clark. Colonel Campbell mentioned a letter he had got from General Godley, saying our artillery was now as good as any in. the field, and New Zealand might send a few more' artillerymen. Voices: They won't let us go. During tho evening Colonel CouTtney, Major Hislop, Lieutenant J. Gauntlett, and Sergeant-Major Bock also spoke. A good programme of music, eto., was provided.