BANDS IN MILITARY CAMPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24418, 2 October 1940, Page 9

BANDS IN MILITARY CAMPS

TO THE EDITOR Sir, —Dr E. N. ■ Herrington’s letter which appeared in your issue to-day certainly needs support. As he is. a chaplain of the forces, he knows the value of regimental bands and the effect they have on the morale of the troops. What a miserable place a camp will be without a band! As the training is going to be very hard, T trust that the Minister of Defence will rectify the matter without delay and give our boys in the camps their bands to cheer them on the way.—l am. etc., Dunedin, Oct. 1. Old Soldier., TO THE EDITOR Sir, —I write in support of the letter signed by Dr E. N. Herrington which appeared in your issue of to-day. Dr Herrington evidently knows what |s necessary to'make a success of a military camp, but apparently our supposed military authorities have no idea at all on the subject. lam writing as a returned soldier, with three years’ overseas service, and as one who has been in very many camps in England and France. Sling Camp in England was a very hard one; and it was only the very fit man who survived the very intensive training to which he was there subjected. This training, however, was made bearable to a very great extent by the playing- of the very fine military bands we had in the camp. Music is absolutely necessary to the well-being of a soldier, both on parade and off. and so I make a very strong plea for the immediate establishment of bands under their respective bandmasters in all military camps.—l am, etc., 34848, ■ Dunedin, Oct. 1. TO THE EDITOR Sir.—May I correct your report with regard to the Otago Regiment proceeding to camp. Your report stated that the Regimental Band and the Trumpet and Bugle Band entrained with the regiment for Burnham. I wish tp point out that bands are. not on the strength of the regiments for the duration of the war. The bandmaster did not go to camp, but the bandsmen who have gone are in the ranks. They took their instruments into camp in the hope that the Minister of Defence will authorise the re-establishment of regimental bands and include them on the strength of the regiment, as has been done in the British Army. The officers and men of the regiment are very greatly disappointed about the matter. A camp without a band will be very dull, and it is to be .hoped that the Minister of Defence will give instructions that regimental bands arc to be reinstated. —I am, etc,. Kiwi. -