HOME GUARD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 January 1942, Page 2

HOME GUARD

NEW RECRUITS WANTED UNIFORMS NOW ON ORDER. INTERVIEW WITH COMMANDER

"Now that some form of national service is to be compulsory for all, it is to be hoped that those men who have so far held back will see the urgency of joining the Home Guard without delay,” said Major A. L. Hibbs, D.C.M., Commander of Masterton Battalion, in an interview today. “In the past many have scoffed at the possibility of New Zealand having to be defended, but a person who can read the new place names coming into the news from day to day, and still maintain that attitude, is indeed devoid of judgment,” said Major Hibbs. “Some men excuse themselves by the demands of their private or business engagements. It is hard to understand these men, considering the number of others who have had to sacrifice their whole businesses to take their places in' the armed forces. On the other hand' there are in the Home Guard some of the busiest men in the community, and some holding some of the most responsible positions. “It is admitted that during the year since the inception of the Home Guard, there have been some disappointments, chiefly owing to the deficiency of equipment,” said Major Hibbs. “However the men set themselves to see the thing through and they have kept on wonderfully well. The position is now changing. The Masterton Borough Council’s generosity has enabled us to procure uniforms at opce, and these are on order, the men having already been measured. Rifles have been issued to the individual men, and range practices are under way. Now is the time for recruits to join up, as a steady stream of recruits is required to take the places of those leaving to join the permanent forces. These men who go on to other services invariably acknowledge the great help derived from their training in the Home Guard and the cumulative effect of this training on a large body of men who would otherwise be raw recruits must be a very definite contribution to the country’s military preparedness. This aspect is, of course, quite apart from the value of the Home Guard as a standing body of men ready to take up arms.” MASTERTON BATTALION ROUTINE ORDERS. CLASSES, PARADES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES. Routine orders for the Masterton Battalion of the Home Guard, issued by Major A. L. Hibbs, D.C.M., officer commanding, are: — Classes: N.C.O. class, Tuesday, January 27, at 7.0 p.m., at Municipal Hall. Parades: H.Q., A and C Companies, parade at respective drill halls' on Thursday, January 29. at 7.0 p.m. Other centres will adhere to individual ar-| rangements. Capitation Grant: Company commanders are to forward the following particulars: (1) Number on roll as at December 31; (2) Number who have carried out 20 hours’ training during the quarter ending December 31. Returns must be signed bj r company commanders. This matter is now urgent. Thanks: The receipt of £l2 3s for the battalion funds from the efforts of certain men of the Specialists’ Platoon and No. 7 Platoon is acknowledged with thanks.

Transfers, Promotions and Appointments: H.Q. Company (Stretcher-Bear-ers), Sergeant Parsons to be SergeantMajor. A Company, H. Bell to be Corporal, No. 3 Platoon; G. Dallas transferred to Signallers' Platoon. F Company, Guardsman Christensen to be Armourer-Corporal. Marched in: 12 recruits.

Marched out: A Company, H. E. Pither (ill-health); S. G. Wyatt to Air Force. E Company, E. McMullen, W. J. Bubb (to camp). S. J. Bubb (to camp), A. H. Dalgliesh (to camp). H.Q. Company: Sergeant T. W. Marchbank (to Air Force).