GOOD, SOUND MEN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19999, 26 July 1939, Page 7

GOOD, SOUND MEN

DISTRICT RECRUITS ARMY ESTABLISHMENT ALL UNITS FILLING FAST SIGNALLERS IN DEMAND The first substantial number of men -enrolled in district territorial units will be medically examined in Gisborne this week, 50 of the recent recruits having been calied upon to, present themselves for examination. "IU is believed that the percentage’ failing to meet the physical standards laid down by the Army Department will be small —certainly not as large as the proportion which had to be rejected in Hawke’s Bay, according to recent reports. By the end of next week, 150 recruits will have passed before the medical officers, and the great majority, it is hoped, will be ready then to commence their training in their respective units. The response to the appeal for greater territorial strength has not been' as rapid in thi-s district as in some others, but the deliberation with which the recruits have made up their minds to undertake training for military purposes indicates a stable type of newcomer to the units, rather than an emotional type whose enthusiasm might quickly switch to some other and later appeal for support.

Few Vacancies in Mounteds

Actually, there are only a few vacancies to be filled in the district units, and these units promise to approach for keenness and general efficiency the pre-war companies and squadrons and troops which bore the same insignia.

There are at present enrolled a sufficient number of men to complete the strength of. the Gisborne troop of the Wellington East Coast Mounted Rifles. The Tolaga Bay troop is also complete, as to the number of recruits, and a few vacancies only arc still apparent in-the ranks of the Wairoa troop, a newly-established unit. The squadron headquarters troop, to be stationed at Gisborne, has its full complement of two officers and eight men; and only in the signallers’ troop which will have a full strength of 29, is there room for more than a handful of men. If 13 more signallers can be secured for this troop, and the half-dozen men needed for the Wairoa troop are found, the Wellington East -Coast Mounted Rifle Regiment will have its full establishment. Tolaga Bay and Wairoa Troops

Of these mounted mem, one rifle troop of 35, one signal troop of 29, and .the headquarters troop of 10 will be at Gisborne. One rifle troop of 35 will be” at Tolaga Bay, and another similar unit at Wairoa. The Hawke’s Bay Infantry Regiment also needs' eight or nine men to bring its signal platoon strength up to the required number of 39. Its motor-cycle platoon, of 29 is full, and the company strength of six officers and 124 other ranks is also complete, so far” as recruitment goes.

It may .be necessary to enrol a surplus to allow for rejections when the men, go before the medical officers', but no difficulty is anticipated in regard to, the bayonet company., or the motor-cycle unit. Signallers are trained at some expense of time and concentration, and the percentage ct men who are willing to qualify themselves in this way is not large, this despite the fadt that in active service conditions the signallers become intensely important to the general welfare of the forces, and receive recognition accordingly.