HOME GUARD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 October 1941, Page 4

HOME GUARD

PICKS AND SHOVELS BUSY TRENCHES DUG IN PARK AREA. YESTERDAY'S PARADE. Members of A and C companies of the Masterton Battalion of the Home Guard took picks and shovels with them to the area between the Waipoua River swing bridge and the hospital, when they paraded yesterday morning. Many types of trenches were dug, including weapon pits and ma-chine-gun posts, connecting with crawl trenches. The training was strenuous but of particular interest. Two sets of double apron barbed wire entanglements were erected. The usual morning service was conducted by the Ven. Archdeacon E. J. Rich. Morning tea was served by the ladies’ committee. The Intelligence Platoon, under the charge of Captain J. V. Dolan, D. 5.0., had a one hundred per cent attendance at a parade held at the Solway Showgrounds. Reconnoitering and scouting work, and distance judging was carried out. Captain Dolan states that the men showed great ability and initiative in their work. . The signallers and stretcher bearer companies worked in close proximity to the companies engaged in trenching work at the Park. WAIRARAPA TRAINING STAFF. NEW APPOINTMENTS MADE. Following the taking over of control of the Home Guard by the Army, the following members of the New Zealand Temporary Staff have been appointed to take charge of administration and training in Group 7B (Wairarapa): Captain Raymond Lee, N.Z.T.S., Adjutant-Quartermaster; Staff Sergeant Majors C. A. Burling, N.Z.T.S., and S. E. Stanton, N.Z.T.S., instructors. The above were members of the Masterton Home Guard Battalion and after a month’s intensive course at army school, Trentham, have been promoted to the above ranks pointed to the group, which covers wje Home Guard units from Pahiatua in the' north to Palliser Bay in the south, including the East Coast areas. Itineraries are now being worked out and an immediate start will be made to train the officers and n.c.o s. in the various centres.