HOME GUARD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 August 1941, Page 4

HOME GUARD

MASTERTON UNIT ACTIVITIES

RANGE PRACTICE. COMMANDER VISITS COUNTRY AREAS. The usual fortnightly half day parade of "A” and “C” Companies of the Masterton Home Guard Battalion was held yesterday morning. Unfortunately the weather did not favour usual outdoor activities, but the companies continued their policy of carrying on in all weathers, and a route march was undertaken which was voted a considerable success by the men. The remainder of the morning was confined to indoor work when the opportunity was taken to revise squad drill, rifle exercises and physical training, and the pipe band also obtained some good practice. “D” Company (Country Company) also held a parade yesterday from 9.30 a.m. till 3 p.m. at the Opaki Racecourse. In spite of the inclement weather a very full programme was carried out including range drill, bayonet fighting, musketry tests, arms drill and bombing with Mills 1 bombs and hand grenades. It is a considerable tribute to those in charge of this company that, in spite of the bad weather, the day’s parade was considered by many of the men to bo the most interesting yet held.

Range practice is now being held at the Masterton Miniature Rifle Club’s range in Malmo’s Garage and last week two platoons were put through.

The Battalion Commander, Lieut. A. L. Hibbs, visited country units during the past week. In most cases the work was found to be satisfactory and in others some helpful criticism was given. At the N.C.O.’s class in the Municipal Hall tomorrow night at 7 o’clock Captain Selby, a member of the Second Echelon who has returned from Egypt will give a lecture. Last week he addressed the officers of the battalion.

Other parades tomorrow night are: P.T. at College Assembly Hall at 7 o’clock; Officers at Municipal Hall at 7.30 p.m.

Signallers will parade as arranged by the signal officer. In future training for signallers will be at Fagan Motors’ Garage. The ambulance units will parade as follow: Country details, tomorrow, at the St. John Ambulance Room at 7 o'clock; town details, same place and time on Thursday.

A Company will parade at the Drill Hall on Thursday at 7.0 p.m. and C Company at the Municipal Hall at the same hour.

In future country units will furnish to their respective company sergeant majors the details necessary for compiling parade states immediately after each parade. The company sergeant major will then compile therefrom a parade state for his whole company and. forward to Battalion Headquarters. Week night parades will concentrate on musketry and bayonet fighting. Rifle exercises and physical drill will be held as usual and other training as arranged by company commanders. Sunday parades will comprise digging and wiring, demolitions, patrols and observations and other training as arranged by company commanders.