TO MOBILISE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21210, 5 September 1940, Page 6

TO MOBILISE

MILITARY RESERVE HAMILTON CLASS 11. COMPANY TO BE ARMED Within a day or two, it is expected, the Hamilton Company of the National Military Reserve, Class 11., will be mobilised, bring-ingr the unit on a like basis with companies of the reserve in the main centres who are training for coastal patrol. The probability of early mobilisation of the Hamilton company was announced last night by the Officer Commanding the company. Major L. E. Haines, D. 5.0., at the first anniversary celebrations, after reading telegrams from the Chief of the General Staff, Major-General Sir John Duigan, K.8.E., C. 8., D. 5.0., and Mr C. A. Barrell, M.P. for Hamilton. Mr Barrell stated that the date of the unit’s mobilisation was now only a matter of a few days. All arrangements had been completed and awaited only the return to Wellington on Friday of the Minister of Defence. Mr Barrell said he would communicate with Major Haines as soon as Ministerial confirmation was given.

Territorial Rates of Pay Major-General Duigan stated in a telegram that the War Cabinet would consider a recommendation for the establishment of the Class 11. reserve company, probably today. He added that Class 11. was setting a wonderful example to the territorial forces.

Both communications extended best wishes to the Hamilton company.

Major Haines said the Hamilton company would now enter upon the second phase of its existence. The unit would be placed in a state of semi-mobilisation almost immediately, and would be clothed, equipped and armed. Every year 40 days’ training would have to be completed so that the company would be fitted for tasks that might lie ahead.

Members would be paid for training on territorial rates, but mobilisation would mean that members of the company would have to give up a great deal in order to do the work. He was sure that every man would respond to the call. He spoke of the assistance given to the company in the past by the Hamilton area staff officers. Major Haines added that the war was entering upon a decisive stage.

People would not be thinking so much of enemy aeroplanes bombing England but of the 150 divisions on the Continent striking at the heart of Germany.

The National Military Reserve would have to train to be prepared to protect the homes of the young men who were going to give Germany the knock-out blow. Furthermore, the reservists would have to be prepared to follow in the steps of the younger generation as far as they could.

Congratulations to the company on its well-merited promotion to a mobilised unit were expressed by

Major W. H. Allen, area officer, No. 4 (Hamilton) military area. He said it was an elegant tribute to the fine work put in during the past year.