“THE SIXTHS.”

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 88, 13 August 1915, Page 6

“THE SIXTHS.”

THE GOVERNOR’S REVIEW.

Per Press Assoout.'W

Wellington, August 13

The Governor inspected the Sixth Reinforcements at I rentham to-day. and afterwards addressed the officers. The men parade the streets of Wellington to-morrow afternoon.

COLONEL GIBBON’S ADDRESS.

Wellington, August 13

Colonel Gibbon, Cbiel of Staff, addressing the Sixth Reinforcements, said they had not had the same change as the men of the Filth to do a thorough preparation thrpugh sickness and the bad weather. “The Mounted Rifles,” he proceeded, “have suffered more severely than the infantry. The “A,” “B,” “C” and “D” squadrons had delays in getting their horses, but they have pulled through, and 1 do not think thosb four squadrons are far behind what we have sent before. “E,” “F,” “G,” “H,” “I” and “J” squadrons we are sending away only partially trained, and their training will be completed in Egypt. This is the first time since the main body went that we have asked for our reinforcements training to be completed there, but there is a reason for that. We were asked urgently for men, and those squadrons will take over the horses now in Egypt for their own training, and at the same time set free other men fit for service for the front. Hie Engineers and Artillery ; I am satisfied, are up to what we have sent before, but they have had a better opportunity than the Mounted Rifles’. They have remained here inTrenthahi Camp, and stuck to tl\Uir work. The Infaptry have done well, and I do not consider they are far behind if they arc behind at all, the Fifth Reinforcements, except in musketry. This has not been tbe fault of tbb men. But 1 see you going forward lull of confidence that you will uphold our traditions.”

After warning the men against drink and other temptations t which unfit men for duty as soldiers, Colonel* Gibbon's pointed out that our troops, together with the;Australians,' had won a very high reputation, and urged the Sixth to make it i their business-to keep that reputation up. He hoped to read an acknowledgement, that fact not merely in the newspapers, but in tire history of the war, when it came to be written. Colonel Gibbon also intimated that the Six til,..after- landing in Egypt, would probably not liaVe long to wait bfefore being sent .i.hto.,.aytj ( on. Many of the Second Reinforcements upon making Egypt had been , dpspatejicd with tire main body, ami the Fourths had been, sent on to the Dardanelles afterspending only three days in Egypt. He concluded by urging them to “play the game.”