SPLENDID RESPONSE

Evening Star, Issue 23368, 11 September 1939, Page 6

SPLENDID RESPONSE

OFFERS OF SERVICE IH ARMY AHD RED GROSS Offers to serve their country in some form or another have been received from botli men and women by the local Army Office and the Red Cross Society in largo numbers. Every day there has been a steady stream of applications, and both organisations have been hard put to cope with all the offers. This response has been roost gratifying and is a reflection of the splendid spirit of service prevailing. The ranks of the Otago Regiment have been considerably strengthened and latterly the dames only of the applicants have been taken and they have not been treated as enlistments. During the last week there were more than 200 applicatiopns for enlistment in this unit, while 45 recruits were taken on the strengths of the two artillery batteries. There was also a rapid response to the appeal for 6,600 recruits, and even on Friday night, shortly after the appeal was made. Army Department officials were communicated with by telephone by men anxious to be in the draft. In tnis connection the officers of the department ask intending applicants for enlistments in this special force not to apply before 9 o clock to-morrow morning as there is a considerable amount of detailed work to be carried out beforehand. Applications for service with the Red Cross continue to be received, and three further classes of 60 each have been formed to undergo a course of training in home nursing. All those who recently passed an examination tost are shortly to attend the Public Hospital for special training., There are a large number of members available to take training in air raid precautions, classes for which purpose will be held at an early date. St. John Ambulance Brigade is also active, and it is recruiting an ambulance transport division of 50 to take over the ambulance transport work at present being performed bv young men of the various divisions. Thus, should the latter enter military service there will be someone to take their places. The brigade is appealing to physically fit young women with driver’s licenses and who, for preference, have some knowledge of first aid. These will be trained to take over the duties of the volunteer drivers and to act as orderlies should the occasion arise.

RETURNED MEN TO MEET AT CENTRAL BATTERY.

Captain Chapman, officer in charge of the artillery section of Class 11. of the National Reserve (returned soldiers), has arranged for the next parade to be held at the Central Battery, St. Kilda, at 7.30 on Thursday evening. Last Thursday this section was put through a little temporary drill on a trench mortar at the Kensington Drill Hall, but at the Central Battery it will be possible to train on a 4.5 howitzer which Captain Pollard, of the Staff Corps, has kindly placed at the disposal of these volunteers.