4101 VOLUNTEERS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21176, 27 July 1940, Page 6

4101 VOLUNTEERS

No. 4 AREA SOLDIERS FINAL RETURNS DETAILED sth REINFORCEMENT NUCLEUS With the completion of returns from all districts in the No. 4 (Hamilton) military area, it is shown that the number of men wljo volunteered for military service with the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force was 4101 Europeans and 262 Maoris. The men enlisted between the opening of recruiting and the closing of voluntary enlistment on Monday last. The majority of the men who enlisted were single men, the number being 3067. Enlistments were also received from 101 officers, 238 married men without children, 297 married men with one child, 256 with two children, 78 with three children, 39 with four children, and 25 with five or more children. Married men with more than two children, however, are not eligible for mobilisation, and since the outbreak of war only six men in that class have been sent to camp for specialist tasks for which their qualifications fit them. During the final two days of recruiting on the voluntary basis there was a rush to enlist, and in the No. 4 area 227 men joined up. The majority of these were on the last day. Men For sth Reinforcements The No. 4 area has to send 492 men into camp for the Fourth Reinforcements of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. This quota is assured, as at the present time 523 men are available for immediate despatch to camp and 369 men who are not being held on important occupations are awaiting medical examination. The majority of these men will become available for mobilisation also, so that the area will have a strong nucleus, at least, for the Fifth Reinforcements.

In the area as many as 520 men are being held back from mobilisation because they are engaged in important occupations. This represents more than 12 per cent of the total enlistments in the area, which is considered to be one of the highest proportions in New Zealand. Despite that, however, the area has at all times been able to meet its quota of men for each draft called up under the voluntary system. The men who are awaiting mobilisation include 401 single men, 35 married men without children, 49 married men with one child, and 38 married men with two children. There are no officers included in the number.

Up to date 3645 men have been before the medical boards. Of this number 2820, or about 77 per cent, have been passed fit for active service in any part of the world. There are 236 men temporarily unfit and 589 have been rejected as permanently unfit.