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Greetings from Steve Clark, CWO, 7th Toronto Regt (Reserve), RSM, who reports that his men always sing 'Screw Guns' at their Christmas Dinner.
Don't forget the RASigs 110 Signal Squadron reunion in Canberra 15-16-17 March 2002 - further information from Bob Fellows, 10 Hampden Av, Frankston 3199. Phone Australia (03) 9789 2793. Email [email protected].
The Association notes with regret the death of Major General Geoff Carter, RAA, on Wednesday 1 August 2001. Geoff was Chief Instructor at the School of Artillery 1975-76.
Peter 'Doggo' Downs is compiling an oral history of the RNZEME in Vietnam. More details in his article in the 'Tales from the Trails' section. Contact Peter at [email protected]
Lindsay Skinner reports that there was an excellent turnout in Wellington for the unveiling of the Artillery Plaque at the National War Memorial by Lady Thornton. The Horowhenua Artillery Association took a busload down from Levin. The plaque includes 4,5,6,17, and 38th Field Regiments, 28 Heavy AA Regt, 14 and 29th Light AA Regt, 7 Anti Tank Regt and 33rd Heavy Regt. The address by the Col Comdt, Brig Ray Andrews, was well received and there were refreshments afterwards at HMS Olphert. Following this, Lindsay joined the Old Comrades Association for Gunners' Day lunch at the Hutt RSA where many old acquantances were renewed. A good representation at both venues of both past and present gunners. For more information on these WW2 artillery regiments, see their pages in the 'WW2 in the Pacific' section and the 'WW2 in Africa and Europe' section. Read about the role of the Colonel Commandant.
Greg Bradley is interested in contacting anyone who has had involvement with the New Zealand Mounted Rifles. He collects and restores saddles and other equipment from the NZMR and would like to put them on public display in a future museum. He can be contacted at [email protected] or phone 06 322 1227.
Capt Gary Ridley, QM of the Northern Region TF Unit, has located the Confidence Course Trophy in a display cabinet at the Arch Hill Army Offices in Auckland. (See original notice elsewhere on the Shrapnel pages.)
Images and commentary from the North African Campaign have been published in a book, Struan's War. Struan MacGibbon was a gunner with 4 Field Regiment, 14 Light Anti-aircraft Regiment, 7 Anti-tank Regiment and HQ 2 Div Arty. STRUAN'S WAR is a book about battlegrounds, recreation and sightseeing in North Africa and the Middle East, in the photographs and diaries of New Zealand Division gunner, the late Struan MacGibbon. Its 160 A4 pages include 168 finely reproduced photographs and the entire 65,000 of personal diaries kept by Struan during this period, against official orders. Plus an introduction that puts Struan's war experiences into a broader perspective, and a detailed map of the region. STRUAN'S WAR is also a photo exhibition by the New Zealand Centre for Photography. The Centre is exhibiting 55 enlargements of Struan's photos at the National Portrait Gallery, Wellington, during April and May. See the Books page for more information.
Derek Ward, from Arlington, Texas, would like to hear from any gunners who used 3.7-in AA. He is interested in the ammuntion used in early WW2 or North Africa. Contact him at [email protected]
106 Fd Bty Reunion. For details of the July 2001 reunion, check their website at http://artillery106.homestead.com/Reunion106.html .
Calling all gunners from South East Asia, 1974 - 1989. Mac is looking for photos for the SEAANZ website at www.seaanz.20.com from all of you who enjoyed your time in Singapore. Contact him at [email protected]
All ex RA gunners living anywhere in the world are invited to join the Friends List of the Royal Artillery. Contact ex WO2 Phil Large, 34 Morvenside Edinburgh EH14 2SJ Scotland.
Kerry Lee writes:
Congratulations to Don Donaldson who has just been elected President of the Palmerston North RSA, one of the largest Returned Services clubs in the country (friendly folk, too).
Peter-Ralph Downs (aka Doggo Downs), the gun tiffy, wants to know what happened to the artillery pieces in the Thames Drill Hall. Responses to [email protected]. We'd like to know, too, so if you can help, drop a line to the Webmaster as well.
Dave Watt (son of Owen D Watt and nephew of Norman J Watt, both 6 Fd Regt) offers to help folk get online and tutorials. Contact him at [email protected].
John (Jack) Hay was one of the Rats of Tobruk. His family would like more information on this special group of people. If you know of any books, or have any information, you can email them on [email protected].
James Bertinshaw served with 36 Survey Battery and Div HQ during WW2. His family can be contacted at [email protected].
Message from George (Jocko) Hall:
The very best of regards to all gunners and all infanteers who served in Korea, the Middle East and particularly the lads who served in Crete and Italy.
Calling WW2 Gunners: Would anyone who knew Struan MacGibbon (ex 14 LAA Regt) in Nth Africa please contact John MacGibbon, 267 Cockayne Rd, Wellington, phone (NZ) 04 479 5545 or
. Struan was an avid photographer and keen cricketer. He played in the Maadi Artillery 1st XI in 1945 and with the NZ Services 1st XI in England.
Calling all Pacific Gunners: Would anyone who knew Gunner CWA Mc Donald, 203 Anti-Aircraft Battery, New Caledonia 1942-43, please contact his daughter, Doreen Mc Kerchar (email: [email protected]).
Geoff Maxwell is a novelist in search of material on snipers in WW2 - Europe rather than the Pacific. He would like any information, anecdotal or otherwise. Email him at [email protected]
Congratulations to Lieutenant Colonel John Charles DYER (P49877), Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery, who has received the New Zealand Gallantry Decoration in the Queen's Birthday Honours. The citation reads: The NZGD replaces the old decorations of DSC, DSM, MC, MM, DFC, DFM, AFC and AFM.
Fraternal congratulations to Chief Petty Officer Gunnery Instructor Ricky John Derksen, RNZN, of Auckland, for his award of Additional Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services in East Timor.
Jim Ross has a commentary on the dire state of New Zealand's defence policy. Defence - minus the 'Fence'
The 3rd Field Regiment Trust is encouraging all gunners in the South Island to register on a database held at their new premises, 70 Gloucester St Christchurch (directly opposite the two M2A2s). Phone/fax 03 366 8323. No charge.
Message from an American Korean War gunner, Charles D. Ricketts.
I served with the 936 F.A.Bn. U.S.Army, '52-'53-Korea. While on radio and telephone many days and nights helped you fellows with fire from our 155mm howitzers. I remember hill 355 very well and the report of your 25 pounders. My first time on the hill was Dec'52. 1st Commonwealth was up there then, next the US 2nd Infantry and then the 1st Commonwealth till "cease fire". I was invited to attend the Coronation Parade held by the 1st Commonwealth, I believe it was in June '53. The day before, a Major was killed, while crossing the airstrip where your air observers were stationed by an U.S. F86 that had gotten hit over the line and came into your airstrip with no power and hit him in his jeep while he was crossing the runway. I had been up on the hill as well as back to the airstrip compound. I remember well your air observer calling in fire missions and was very conservative on giving us a "target destroyed" to end a mission. He would usually give us a percentage destroyed, if it was equipment, and his estimate of the number of dead or wounded on troops.
The 50th Anniversaries of the CMT Act of 1949 and the First Intake going into camp in May 1950 will be celebrated in New Plymouth in June this year. More information.
The Rangiriri Battle Site Heritage Centre is for sale. This complex is situated immediately North of the Rangiriri Hotel on the old main road, opposite the graveyard, and comprises a flourishing cafeteria and souvenir shop business, plus a unique collection of memorabilia - weapons, artifacts, documents and pictures connected with the battle of Rangiriri and the Waikato War. An audio-visual show (3 projectors - automatic operation) on this subject is shown in the attached theatre. Internet buffs can catch it on http://teararoa.org.nz/walk26.html The centre is the concept and creation of Mr Pat Gaitley, who can be contacted on (07) 826 3663, Fax (07) 826 3744, and who wishes to sell it only to a buyer who will maintain the unique historical magic of the place. He has developed links with 94 (New Zealand) Battery Royal Artillery, which won that honour title at the battle, where Capt Mercer RA was killed.
Mrs Averill Jones (Associate Member) has been made a life member of the New Zealand Red Cross. Her 72 years of service have taken the organisation by surprise - they make long-service clasps only up to 60 years! Averill's home has been a meeting place for gunners for many decades and her new, smaller, place is no less welcoming.
Jim Ross has written a paper on the Four Fallacies of Defence in which he discusses fundamental flaws in NZ defence policy.
To Vietnam gunners (circa 1970), a message from Richard Morrow: 724 Countyline Street New Castle, Pa 16101 [email protected] September 1999
Last Serving Guns Leave the South Island 32(E) Battery fired its guns for the last time on 7 June 1999 in Hagley Park, Christchurch, when it fired the customary 21 gun salute to mark the Queen's birthday. The battery is now disbanded, with the gunners absorbed into the Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Regiment. After being made inoperative, the M101A1 105-mm Howitzers will appear outside RSA clubs. When 31(B) Battery was disbanded on 12 June 1999, there ended the Dunedin artillery connection that started with the formation of the Dunedin Volunteer Artillery Corps in 1863. The gunners have been absorbed into the Otago and Southland Regiment. The 31(B) flag, a 25-pr and M101A1 Howitzer will be kept in Dunedin.
What happened to these pieces?
Rod Baldwin and Ron Turner have provided us with an account, complete with snapshots, of their return visit to Vietnam earlier this year after three decades. Among the highlights: Vung Tau, Nui Dat, the Horseshoe, the Long Tan Memorial, the Peter Badcoe Club, Luscombe Field and Saigon.
Central North Island reps met at Napier on April 22 for an OCA Conference when Angus Rivers (Wanganui/Manawatu) and Jim Gilberd (Napier) had morning tea together at Jim's place.
The Gun Emplacement on Motutapu Island is to be restored by the Motutapu Restoration Trust as part of their corporate hospitality facilities. The emplacement is made up of three pits, one of which is to be restored with a military theme. The Trust is looking for memorabilia including uniforms, equipment, photos, film and vehicles. If you can assist, contact the NZPFOCA Secretary, Jim Ross. The Navy is to provide 4" shells and the Army will supply labour.
16 Field Regiment, RNZA has just held Exercise HELLFIRE. Your intrepid rep, Angus Rivers, made the sacrifice and attended the live firing. Some of his snapshots are in the photo gallery.
Now is a good time to get your medals spruced up for Anzac Day. Jeff Waters can clean and re-ribbon them for next to nothing. Very competitive prices. He works all hours so call him anytime on (09) 296 2457.
Did you note the progress report on the NZ artillery history in Newsletter 101 provided by Brig Ray Andrews?
Graeme Black recalls some textbook instances of fire discipline heard over the radio from the OP: "31; We fired a shot into the air; it came to ground I know not where; drop 800, over." More is available on Graeme's page.
Lapel badges cost only $4. Buy them from the Secretary.
With the New Year, the NZPFOCA has a new Patron. MajGen Ron Hassett steps down and Brig Ray Andrews assumes the position of Patron. See Newsletter 100 for details; view the Patron's message.
A message from Canada: Remember to visit the RCHA site.
The image behind the perpetual gun on the Home Page has changed! Each time you click on the gun one of many possible images is displayed. Since the choice is random, some will be repeated before all have been shown. You can view another random image by returning to the page. Dec 31, 1998
![]() See the answer. Dedication of the L5 Pack Howitzer at the Titahi Bay RSA on 5 Dec 98. Did you click on the perpetual gun on the home page?
Ron Turner asks:
'We trained hard, but when it seemed we were beginning to work as a team, we would be reorganised. I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganising, and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency and demoralisation.'
The art is like unto a circle without end, or a labyrinth, where a man being well entered in, knoweth not how to get out again, and therefore it must be industry and practice which maketh a perfect Gunner.
A Gunner ought to be a sober, wakeful, lusty, patient, prudent and quick-spirited man, he ought also to have good eyesight, a judgement, and perfect knowledge to select a convenient place in the day of service to plant his ordnance where he may do most hurt unto the enemies, and be least annoyed by them, and where his ordnance may not be surprised by them. Home Members Books Gallery History Newsletters Shrapnel Tales from the Trails Links What's New Send suggestions or comments to the Webmaster
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