Personnel

The Strength of the NZAOC on the 31st of May 1928 was 118, consisting of;

• 8 Officers
• 103 Permanent Other Ranks
• 7 Temporary Other Ranks

Key Appointments

Director of Ordnance Services

• Major Thomas Joseph King, NZAOC

Ordnance Accounting Officer

• Lieutenant T.W Page, NZAOC

Ordnance Officer (Provision)

• Lieutenant H. E. Erridge, NZAOC

Northern Command Ordnance Officer

• Captain F. E. Ford, NZAOC

Central Command Ordnance Officer

• Captain H. H. Whyte, M.C, NZAOC.

Southern Command Ordnance Officer

• Captain A.R.C White, NZAOC

Inspecting Ordnance Officer and Acting Inspector of Ordnance Machinery

• Captain W. Ivory, RNZA,

Proof Officer, Small Arms Ammunition

• Captain E.H Sawle.
• Lieutenant M.J Lyons

Enlistments

To make good wastage due to retirements, Six Other Ranks were enlisted into the NZAOC during this year.

NZAOC appropriations year ending 31 March 1928

Ordnance Depots

Northern Command

The development of Ngaruawahia Camp was now in its final stages. During the year the large Ordnance Store building had been completed, and the stores from the Ordnance Depot at Mount Eden were being transferred to it. Two additional short railway-sidings: one off the main siding, and one off the Ordnance Depot siding, to facilitate sorting of trucks and disposal of empties had also been completed. The Ordnance Office was in use, while the Ordnance workshop and small-arms-ammunition magazine areas were approaching completion. Four married quarters for Ordnance personnel were erected and completed during the year. Two high-explosive magazines were completed with an additional three high-explosive magazines and laboratory, and the provision of mains and equipment for fire-prevention nearing completion.[1] [2]

Central Command

At Trentham Camp, minor improvements had been undertaken, and the electrical change-over enabling the independent-power plant to be dispensed with was completed. Roads in the camp were receiving attention, while the numerous wooden buildings had been painted and otherwise maintained in good order.

Southern Command

Burnham Camp had been maintained, and the water-supply system completed.

Personnel Movements -June 1927 to May 1928

Transfers into the NZAOC

• 1018 Sergeant Major James Oliver Pringle Southgate.[3]

Enlistments

• 1014 Wheeler Artificer R.S.V Rowe.[4]
• 1016 Private E.W Hughes.[5]

• 1017 Private L.H Stroud. [6]
• 1019 Private E.G Lake.[7]

Releases

• Captain E. H. Sawle,
• Captain A. J. Cheater

Copyright © Robert McKie 2018

Notes:

[1] “Land Defence,” Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 181, 3 August 1927.

[2] “Camp at Hopuhopu,” New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19875,, 20 February 1928.

[3] Transferred into NZAOC from RNZA 1 January 1928. “Southgate,James Oliver Pringle,” Personal File, Archives New Zealand  (1914-1918).

[4] Enlisted 14 June 1927

[5] Enlisted 8 September 1927

[6] Enlisted 25 October 1927

[7] Enlisted 13 September 1927