DOWN TO WORK

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21208, 3 September 1940, Page 4

DOWN TO WORK

BATTERY TRAINING TERRITORIAL CAMP DRILLING AT CLAUDELANDS Claudelands showgrounds has taken on the appearance of a military camp. Tents have been erected, there are field guns on the parade ground, and nearly 200 territorial troops of the 7th Medium Battery today started on the serious business of their wartime training. A 24hour guard was mounted yesterday afternoon, and throughout the month’s training it will be maintained to prevent civilians from trespassing. Although all the tents are now erected the men are not yet sleeping under canvas. Wooden flooring has not yet arrived and the ground will be allowed to dry out before this is placed in position. In the meantime the men are sleeping on the seats of the main grandstand, where they spent their first night quite comfortably. The officers’ tents are being occupied. Learning Army Ways Many of the troops are raw recruits. Before long, however, they will be broken-in to the ways of Army life. The majority of the men have had previous territorial training, but a large number is experiencing camp routine for the first time. When the unit is brought up to war strength by the conscription of a number of recruits they also will have to receive the elementary training which the rest of the battery is undergoing. Today the training syllabus was begun. For the first half of the morning the men did foot drill before having a period of lectures by the officers, who outlined the organisation of a battery. Later gun drill was given to the men, while the drivers of the several motor vehicles attached to the unit devoted their time to vehicle drill and manoeuvres. Next Sunday the battery will parade at the special intercessory service being held in Hamilton. Leave for the first week-end, therefore, will probably not be given. No arrangements have yet been announced for the first visitors’ day at the camp. Officers of the Unit As the training of the battery is put under way, the men are able to appreciate the value of the numerous buildings at the showgrounds, which have been made available to the military authorities by the generosity of the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association and the Waikato Trotting Club. The battery was mobilised in three divisions—Headquarters Troop and B Troop from Hamilton and A Troop from Auckland. The officer commanding the battery is Captain F. M. Yendell, with Captain R. F. Spragg second-in-command. Lieutenant D. P. Dumbleton, N.Z.S.C., is battery adjutant. Officers attached to headquarters troop are SecondLieutenants J. H. Lawton and D. H. Steer. Second-Lieutenant F. Lintott commands A troop, with SecondLieutenants H. Foreman and I. J. Moir attached. Second-Lieutenant J. G. McLennan commands B. troop, to which Second-Lieutenant A. N. Hayes is also attached. The Battery Sergeant-Major is F. Packer, with Sergeant-Major M. V. West attached to A troop and Sergeant-Major D. Cave Troop Sergeant-Major of B troop. In addition to Lieutenant Dumbleton several staff members are attached to the battery as instructors. They are Staff-Sergeant T. Arthur, R.N.Z.A., Sergeants C. Baigent, R.N.Z.A., R. A. Harris, R.N.Z.A., J. Cummings, R.N.Z.A., H. Anderson, R.N.Z.A., and J. C Wilkie, N.Z.A.S.C.