Army farewells Governor General

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 21, 15 October 1985, Page 1

Army farewells Governor General

The retiring Governor General, Sir David Beattie, was given an official army farewell on Friday at an impressive parade at Waiouru Military Camp. Accompanied by Lady Beattie, Sir David inspected soldiers of the Army Training Group by Landrover, and reviewed the march past in slow and quick time. Later in the parade the Feu-de-Joie, a rarely seen military ceremony, resounded acrossthe parade ground. The ceremony, which originated as a display of new weapons before the time of Queen Elizabeth 1, consisted of three series of seven rounds fired from 105mm Pack Howitzers, and several rifle volleys. After three cheers by the more than 800 soldiers on parade, his Excellency said how much he enjoyed visiting Waiouru Military Camp,

and thanked the soldiers for the parade. Earlier in the day Sir David and Lady Beattie visited HMNZS Irirangi. At Irirangi Sir David and Lady Beattie were given a 10-man sea-going royal guard. Irirangi was given special dispensation for this as it is not a sea-going ship. A large crowd of locals and visitors watched the parade, which took place in ideal conditions. The Governor General and Lady Beattie also enjoyed a number of social events before they left Waiouru on Saturday morning. At a formal dinner on Friday evening many of the Army General Staff were present.