FIRST COMMAND OF REGIMENT

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 154, 25 March 1939, Page 10

FIRST COMMAND OF REGIMENT

New Zealand Scottish

APPOINTMENT OF MAJOR ALLAN ROSS Major Allan Ross has been appointed to the first command of the New Zealand Scottish Regiment. Major Ross, who is Assistant Secretary of the Department of External Affairs and Cook Islands, has been associated with the Wellington Regiment for 10 years, and commanded A Company (suburban platoons). His earliest service was with the Post and Telegraph units in Wellington, in which he gained his commission. In 1919 he went to Samoa, where from 1925 to 1928 he was A.D.C. to the Administrator, Sir George Richardson. On his return to Wellington he joined the Wellington Regiment, in which he rose to the rank of major, the promotion being gazetted in February, 1937. He did not see active service in the Great War, being in camp with the New Zealand Reinforcements when the Armistice was signed. Officers Recommended. In an interview Major Ross said that a number of officers had been recommended to form a nucleus for the companies in the four main centres, and their appointment was awaiting the approval of the Army Department. This establishment of officers would be of minimum strength, so as to provide for the maximum vacancies to be filled from the ranks, the aim being to encourage the recruits to seek promotion. In the same way, not more than three non-commissioned officers would be appointed to each company.

Referring to the method of selection of recruits', Major Ross said this was designed to create four companies of a high standard. In Wellington a branch of the New Zealand Scottish Regimental Association had been formed, and had appointed a recruiting committee. Every applicant would be interviewed, and would not be accepted unless he was able to prove Scottish descent to the satisfaction of the committee. The effect would be to safeguard the unit and enrol a very good type of recruit who was definitely Scottish. Camps Tins Year. The intention was to get the four companies into camp at some time during the present year, said Major Ross. No date had yet been fixed for the Wellington unit, as the whole project depended on the raising of money for equipment. “The suggestion by the mayor of Wellington, Mr. Hislop, of a gathering of Scottish units in Wellington during centennial year, appeals to us very strongly.” Major Ross said. “The Sydney Scottish hope to be represented here next year, and it might be possible to arrange a gathering while they are in Wellington. It is one of our aims, but will depend on the approval of the Army Department.”