OFF TO CAMP

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20921, 28 September 1939, Page 9

OFF TO CAMP

ADVANCE PARTY LEAVES SEVENTY OFFICERS AND MEN FAREWELLS IN HAMILTON To the strains of “Boomps-a-Daisy,” the modern counterpart of the popular Great War songs, the first detachment of the troops to go into training at Hopu Hopu camp entrained at the Hamilton station yesterday and as they moved off, soldiers and friends who had come to farewell them joined in the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” Cheers rang out on all sides as the train left the platform. Prior to their departure the troops, consisting of an advance party of 7C officers, non-commissioned officers and men, formed up at the Drill Hall, j.nd led by Major W. H. Allen, officer in charge of the No. 4 Area, and Lieutenant H. H. McDonald, assistant area officer, marched to the station via Victoria Street and Ward Street. Captain L. I. Day was in charge of the party. Both sides of the main street were lined with spectators as the troops swung along but, though friends waved here and there in the crowd there was a noticeable absence of demonstration. To all, the scene brought home with perhaps the most striking realisation since the hostilities broke out, the full meaning of war. While, no doubt, the onlookers were deeply appreciative of the gesture which the men who left yesterday were making, they remained silent, thoughtful but somehow determined-looking, as if mindful of all the sacrifices entailed, yet conscious that they were seeing the beginning of a phase which they were resolved should end successfully and honourably. Business at Standstill Business was at a standstill while the detachment, with steady tramp and heads high, marched down the unbroken line of bystanders. The routine of work was momentarily forgotten as employees crowded in doorways or looked down from upstairs windows and balconies. Several hundred people followed the detachment to the station where the troops were given the order “break 0f7.” Handshakes and farewells of a more intimate nature were exchanged in the interval and bright selections, among them the ever-popular “Tipperary,” were played by trie band. As the train drew up last-minute remarks were made and the troops clambered aboard. A few were forced to make a jump for carriage platforms when the train steamed out and singing and cheers came from the large crowd of friends and relatives on the platform. Though, with the men stationed within comparatively easy reach of Hamilton, the sense of separation could not have been so acute as on similar occasions 20 years ago, they were not all dry-eyed who left the station yesterday. The babble of conversation so obvious before the train moved off had also died away and most faces were solemn and a little strained.

MORE TROOPS

ARRIVAL AT FRANKTON PARTY FROM THE NORTH AT HOPU HOPU CAMP TODAY Military activity dominated the scene at Frankton Junction again last night when the southbound limited express drew into the station from Auckland. Travelling to Frankton were 46 officers, noncommissioned officers, and men of other ranks from the No. 3 military area (North Auckland). The men were of the finest type, a fact that impressed the onlooker immediately. They ..were met by Major W. H. Allen, area officer in the No. 4 area and adjutant of the Waikato Mounted Rifles, and Lieutenant H. H. McDonald, N.Z.S.C., of Hamilton. Later the party travelled by special bus to Hopu Hopu, where they encamped last night with the remainder of the advance party, which arrived at the barracks yesterday. Today at Hopu Hopu the advance party of trainees for New Zealand’s, first overseas force experienced wet weather. However, the day had been set aside mainly for the issuing of uniforms and other necessary preparatory work. Yesterday, with the men arriving, the scene at Hopu Hopu was particularly busy. Hundreds of tents are now in position and other material is being constantly unloaded from the railway. Light field artillery is dotted over the parade ground and men in uniforms hurrying about their many tasks enhance the military atmosphere.

Hamilton Enrolments

The rate of recruiting in the Hamilton district has slowed down considerably now and only 16 registrations were made yesterday. The total number of enrolments since the war for the special military force is now 1236. Additional enrolments are:—

Hamilton.—Captain George James Howcroft, Captain John Christopher Lyne, and Kenneth Penn Leslie MacGregor, Robert Alfred Marsh, Cecil James Nash, Ivan Stevens, Aperahama Waaka, Gordon Stanley Young.

Te Kuiti.-—Francis Andrew Armstrong, Colin Sutherland Brook.

DRAFT FOR TRENTIIAM

MARCH THROUGH WELLINGTON AGE LIMIT INCREASED (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Wednesday The officers and non-commissioned officers of the special military force are reporting to-day to whichever of the three training camps they have been posted to and the movements of the various drafts have given the general public an opportunity to see on the march some of the men who may go overseas. The draft for Trentham paraded at headquarters, Buckle Street at 9

aun. and headed by pipes and drums of the First Battalion, Wellington Regiment, marched through the main street to the railway station. A draft for Burnham went south last night, parading at the ferry wharf to go aboard. An increase of five years in the age limit has been made and applies to all ranks. The special force enlistments last night totalled 13,681 of whom 10,677 have been medically examined, 6470 being classed fit and 2908 temporarily unfit.

ALMOST AT STANDSTILL

CHRISTCHURCH RECRUITING SOUTHERN AREAS LAG (By Telegraph.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday Recruiting for the special force slowed almost to a stop in Christchurch to-day, and in the first three hours of registration there were only three enrolments. It is emphasised that although the actual Canterbury quota is filled, men are still required, as some areas, particularly Otago and Southland, are slow in completing their quotas, and it might be necessary to complete the total by extra enrolments in Canterbury, Nelson and West Coast.

CHURCH PARADE

TERRITORIALS AND RESERVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUNDAY One of the biggest military church parades in Hamilton for some time will be held on Sunday at the Cathedral. A big muster of territorials and members of the National Military Reserve is expected to attend the service. Through the Archbishop of Canterbury, the British Government has requested that Sunday should be a day of special service and prayer, and the parade is being held in conformity with that wish. Members of the National Military Reserve, classes I. and 11., have been requested by the officer commanding, Major L. E. Haines, to parade in full numbers. They will assemble in Ward Street at 10.15 a.m., on Sunday. Details of the Ist Battalion Waikato Regiment, and the Second Medium Battery, New Zealand Artillery, will also parade in Ward Street. The march to the Cathedral will be accompanied by the Waikato Regimental and the Hamilton Municipal Band and the Hamilton Citizens’ Band. Boy Scouts will parade also. The Mayor of Hamilton, Mr H. D. Caro, and members of the Hamilton Borough Council, will attend the service.

The Dean of Hamilton, the Very Rev. T. P. Weatherhog. will conduct the service. In the evening the nursing staff of the Waikato Hospital will parade at the Cathedral.