VOLUNTARY TRAINING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 June 1939, Page 3

VOLUNTARY TRAINING

POSITION IN BLENHEIM. RETURNED SOLDIERS FORM COMPANY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) BLENHEIM, June 28. Over GO returned soldiers attended a meeting last evening and formed themselves into a company to be known as the Marlborough Returned Soldiers’ National Reserve Company. It undertakes a certain amount of voluntary training with the object of becoming efficient for the purpose of local defence. The meeting was convened by the Marlborough R.S.A. All present enrolled with the addition of several who were unable to attend. Mr F. B. Lyold, president of the association expressed the hope that the example of ex-servicemen would be followed by the younger men of the district. The parade was then handed over to the staff sergeant-major who immediately commenced squad drill, followed by an explanation and demonstration of the Bren machine gun. Two former war nurses also enrolled. As far as general recruiting is concerned since Mr Savage’s appeal .67 men have enlisted in the regiment which is now entirely mechanised. This is regarded as a satisfactory response for a town the size of Blenheim, but a disappointing feature is the lack of recruits from the country districts.