HOME GUARD

Evening Post, Volume c, Issue 82, 3 October 1940, Page 6

HOME GUARD

AREA COMMANDERS

MAJOR D. G. JOHNSTON AT

WELLINGTON

The appointment of area commanders of the Home Guard, at Auckland, Wellington,, and Christchurch, have been announced by the Minister of National Service, (the Hon. R. Semple). "It will be .remembered," said Mr. Semple, "that four district commanders were recently"'appointed, as a first subdivision of the Dominion into district commands for the' Home Guard. These district commanders are now selecting area commanders, who will in turn command subdivisions of the four main districts. "I have pleasure in announcing that' I have approved of the following appointments as the result of recommendations received from district commanders, after consultation with-Major-General B. Young, the commander:— \ '■• ■' V. \ No/ 1 ■ AreaV-Au'clclarid City (H.Q.), Lieutenant-Colonel R. H. Marryatt, D.S.O. In 1914 Lieutenant-Colonel Marryatt was in England, and joined up with the British forces. He served throughout the last war, rose to the command of a battalion, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, and was mentioned in dispatches. No. 1 area will consist of Auckland city, together with twelve neighbouring boroughs, the counties of Rodney, Waitemata, Manukau, Franklin, and Great Barrier, - and eleven town, districts ranging from'- Helensville in the north to Waiuku in the south. No. 5 Area.—Wellington. City (H.Q.), Major D. G. Johnston. This officer served in the N.Z.E.F. from 1916 to 1919. He was employed in the artillery trench mortars and in the Divisional Ammunition Column. He rose to the rank of major. No. 5 area will consist of Wellington city, together with the boroughs of Petone, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt. and Eastbourne, the counties of Hutt and Makara, arid the town district of Johnsonville. No. 10 Area.—Christchurch City (H.Q.), Major D. S. Murchison, D.S.O. This officer served in the N.Z.E.F. from 1914 to 1918 with the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry. He took part in campaigns in Egypt and Palestine, was awarded the Distinguished Service (Order, and was mentioned in dispatches. No. 10 area will consist of Christchurch city, the boroughs of Riccarton, New Brighton. Sumner, Lyttelton, and Akaroa, together with twelve neighbouring counties and the town district of Leeston. "I feel that the Government has been fortunate," added Mr. Semple, "in securing the services of gentlemen with such fine records. As is the case with district commanders, these area commanders will, give their time gratis to the work of organising the Home Guard. The finalisation of these appointments will enable the organisation of local Home Guard units in Auckiland. Wellington, and Christchurch to ibe proceeded ■■ with imniediately. The I question of, the aopqintxrjeht of-:an area • commander m::Duri^di#%; at present under considerat'iqii,/and' 'J';:rhope1 to make -a.--.f.urfoer-a'iiSk)fin/cernerit--W''this connection in the near future."