HOME FORCES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24417, 1 October 1940, Page 8

HOME FORCES

TERRITORIAL TROOPS DEPARTURES AND ARRIVALS f MOBILISATION OF MEN A substantial mobilisation of the territorial army resources of Otago and Southland yesterday was witnessed by interested, and, in some cases, cheeringly enthusiastic crowds. Troops lext Dunedin for Burnham, a large detacnment arrived from Southland to encamp at Forbury Park, and in exchange for the local men who journeyed to Canterbury, the sth . Battery (Christchurch) of the New . Zealand Artillery armed in Dunedin to join the 6th Battery (Dunedin) in camp at Wingatui. It was a day of comings and goings, prefacing more widespread movements of men in the near future, and including Dunedin in the training centres for the New Zealand, Military Forces. From now on khaki will mingle more freely with the familiar blue of the habiliments affected by the trainees at the R.N.Z.A.F. station at the Taien. and it is probable—and not undesirable—that Dunedin will become even more military-minded. £tnd more conscious of the crisis, that threatens the country and the Empire', Burnham Bound Travelling by two special troop trains. Otago territorials left for Burnham at 9.5 a.m. and 10.50 a.m. yesterday to encamp under canvas alongside the overseas forces at the Canterbury training centre. As the men go into camp on a full war footing, like those who arrived from the south, they were all fully equipped. Many friends and relatives gathered on the station to give the men a cheery au revoir. A feature of their departure, which was noticeable also on the arrival of the Southlanders. was their orderliness. Discipline and training have welded them into units. The impression was given of seriousness ana purposefulness. While they sre training for the home territorial army, the men realise they have a job on hand and are tackling it seriously. The Regimental Band, Otago Regiment, and the Trumpet and Bugle Band entrained with the men for Burnham, and will remain in camp during the period of training. rForbury Camp The green swart fronting the .stands: at the Forbury Park trotting course presented an unusual appearance yesterday when the Ist Battalion of the Southland Regiment marched in from the troop “ special.” which arrived at Caversham from the south at 11.15 a.m. An advance guard had got the cdmp in readiness beforehand, and when the Southland men occupied the new quarters everything was in readiness Headed by the Artillery Band of the Southern Command the troops left the Caversham railway station for Forbury Park. The men all looked very fit and enthusiastic and confirmed the expectation that the territorial forces will achieve a very high standard of physique and efficiency. Six hundred strong, they were very steady on parade, and well deserved the vociferous and spontaneous welcome, of the guard of honour of Caversham School children through which they passed on their way down Surrey street, en route to the camp. These men will spend two months at Forbury Park prior to proceeding north for final training with other battalions and their brigade, which in-, eludes thfe Ist- Otago Battalion and the Ist Nelson-Marlborough-West Coast Battalion. The train drew in yesterday to the inspiring strains of the “ Invercargill March.” which was written specially for the Southland Regiment. Camp Amenities At Forbury Park conveniences and accommodation are of the best. The men will sleep under canvas, but meals , and ablutions will all be enjoyed under' cover, the luxurie,. of the appointments including thermostatically controlled showers and ideal modern cookhouses, as well as Y.M.C.A. recreation rooms and canteen. Dotted .in orderly rows along the lawns are the regulation military bell tents which the troops will occupy, but the greatest transformation has taken place inside the buildings themselves. Spaces which were once occupied by bars and tea rooms, etc., are now mess rooms for the troops. Row upon row of tables and forms fill the great open spaces under the stands. In one section which has been turned into washing quarters innumerable basins and lines of taps meet the eye, while along one wall are the hot showers. Cook shops have sprung up overnight,- and the huge ovens, electrically heated, were busy cooking the noon-

day meal. Cooks and cooks’ assistants early were busy peeling potatoes, huge cauldrons of which were ready for the cooking. In another stand there are the officers’ mess room, offices and hospital, all equipped and ready for the arrival of the men. The camp speaks well for the efficiency of those responsible for the transformation of the park quarters and for the Public Worjcs Department, which carried out the work. At Wingatui Yesterday morning, by the 8.30 train, the 6th Battery (Dunedin) went into camp at Wingatui racecourse, and the sth Battery (Christchurch) joined them after the arrival of the first express’ from the north, at which they were met by the Artillery Band (Southern Command) and escorted to the quarters they will occupy at Wingatui for the next two months. Each of the field’ batteries encamped at Wingatui consists of three troops, each being four-gun units, and they constitute • the 3rd Field Regiment of the New Zealand Artillery/ The commanding officer is Lieutenant-colonel S. G. Scoular. Here again amenities for the men are all that could be desired in both accommodation and facilities. The preparations made by advance parties make it possible for an immediate start to be made with training operations. Fourth Reinforcements A few vacancies have occurred in the drafts due to leave this week in the Fourth Reinforcements, and any volunteer who has been passed as fit and is anxious to enter camp should apply to the Army Office as soon as possible. There are vacancies for men to go to Papakura, Trentham, and Burnham Camps, but immediate application will be necessary.