COAST DEFENCE GUNNERS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 115, 13 February 1928, Page 11

COAST DEFENCE GUNNERS

15TH BATTERY AT FORT DORSET WINNERS OF HUDSON CUP A remarkable demonstration of their efficiency was given by the officers, n.c.o.’s, and men of the 15th Coast Battery, N.Z.A., at Fort Dorset, Seatoun, on Saturday afternoon, when to mark the conclusion of their annual training camp they were “at home” to their relatives and friends and other wellwishers of the battery. About 600 were present, including the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. G. A. Troup), Colonel N. S. Falla, C.M.G., D. 5.0., A.D.C., commanding the Coast Artillery Group, and many other well-known citizens. Spectacular Shooting. lifter inspecting the engine-rooms, electric generators, and searchlights, which were in operation in charge of the electric light and engine-drivers' section of the battery, the visitors assembled at the top of the hill overlooking Breaker Bay to watch" the work of the gunners. The 6-inch guns were manned by their detachments, and a shoot was carried out. Ten rounds were fired at ranges decreasing from 5000 yards at Hong-Kong targets towed from Island Bay to Barrett’s Beef by the Janie Seddon. The targets represented the bow and stern of a ship, the object of the gun-layers being to hit between them. As a ship has also height and breadth the shells falling up to 100 yards over or very little short of the line of the targets counted as hits. The range-find-ing and gun-laying was excellent, and of the ten rounds fired only one was a "miss.” The targets were then towed up the harbour, and as they came abreast of the fort the Dewis machine-gunners opened fire and made splendid shooting. After the towing steamer had rounded the light off Worser Bay the two 12-pounders had their turn, and secured 13 hits out of 20 rounds fired at u tange of about 11000 yards. The whole of the shooting, which was highly spectacular, was extremely good, and the work of all concerned showed evidence of careful training, the steadiness of the gunners being very apparent. The visitors were then entertained at afternoon tea, after which a programme of tabloid athletic sports was gone through, the competition being very keen. This system of athletics fosters the team spirit, points being awarded to each man of the teams who reaches a certain standard. The events were: Putting the shot, long jump, high jump, 100 yards, and relay race, and the championship points awarded were: 6-inch Details, i 16; 12-pounder Details, 16; E.L. and E.L’. Details, 15; Headquarters, 13. Presentation of Trophies. When the battery paraded after the sports the smartness of the drill and the soldierly appearance of the men evoked the admiration of the spectators. The trophies were presented by Colonel Falla, each officer, n.c.0., or man being loudly cheered as he moved to and from the ranks. The prize list , was as follows:— Most Efficient Section. —Electric Light and Engine Drivers (Lieut. Hall- ■ Kenney), 1; Headquarters (Lieut. Thomas), runners-up. Best 6in. Detachment.—Al (Sergeant Hickson). Best 12-pounder Gun Detachment.— Bl (Sergeant Webb). Best Squad in Battery.—Electric Light (Lance-Sergt. Mills). Tabloid /Athletics.—6-inch and 12pounder teams (equal), 1. Rifle Championship Belt.—Gunner Marchment; 1; Gunner Shepard, 2; Lance-Sergt. Morgan, 3. Best Range Finder.—Gunner Armstrong. Best Signaller.—Gunner .Read. Best Lewis Gunner.—Gunner Phillips. Best 6-inch Gunner.—Gunner Johanson. Best 12-pounder Gunner.—Gunner White, K.C. Best Electrician.—Gunner Best Engine-driver—Gunner McLeod. Most Improved N.C.O.—Lance-Sergt. Mills (Electric Light). Many of the cups and other trophies were of historic value. The rifle championship belt, for example, was originally presented in 1881 by Captain Charles Johnson to the old Wellington Naval Brigade for competition, and was handed over to the 15th Battery by the Wellington Navals. It is probably the most valuable military trophy in the Dominion, and lias been held by several King’s riflemen in past years. ’ 15th Battery Gain Hudson Cup. 'Addressing the parade, Colonel Falla stated that the 15th Battery was- the winner of the coveted Hudson Cup, an announcement which was received with loud and prolonged cheering. He extended his very hearty congratulations to the battery on their success. They had, he said, won by a margin of 21 points out of a total of 900 points from the 13th Coast Battery (Auckland), which showed how keen the competition had been. He 'felt sure they would do everything possible to retain the trophy. The Hudson Cup is an old and much coveted trophy awarded for general efficiency in all branches of coast defence battery work throughout the year, including attendance at pqrades, discipline, and shooting, etc.' The competition was revived this year for the first time since the war. In returning thanks,- Major J. Abel, officer commanding the batterv, said they were very proud to be the winners. The present was the best camp they had ever had. All the men had shown the greatest keenness and had greatly benefited by their training. Special credit was due to the non-com-missioned officers, most of whom had been so promoted the day before the battery went into camp. Their excellent work was reflected in the efficiency of the squads and sub-sections. He thanked all the mothers and fathers for their presence, this being the one chance of the year to show what their boys were doing. He was sure they would find their lads more amenable to discipline after the camp. During the camp there were 180 of all ranks in training under Major J. Abel, O.C. Battery; Captain Park, R.N.Z.A., Adjutant and Chief Instructor; Lieuts. C. H. Gallagher, R.N.Z.A.' Assistant Instructor; Captain Cartv and Lieuts. Williamson, Blakeney, P. Lew, and Hall-Kenney, and Major Eaton’ Chaplain to the Forces. A full programme of work was gone through, the men showing themselves keen to become efficient, and there was no sickness. The battery broke camp yesterday.