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]
The roles, responsibilities and dress regulations pertaining to the NZAOC were detailed in the New Zealand Gazette of May 19, 1927. Excerpts of which are detailed here.[6]
SECTION II
27 (b) The Director of Ordnance Services, assisted by, the Chief Ordnance Officer, The Inspecting Ordnance Officer and the Ordnance Mechanical Engineer, is responsible to the Quartermaster-General for;
The provision, receipt, storage, distribution, repair, examination and maintenance of small-arms, machine guns, vehicles, clothing and necessaries, equipment and general stores (including medical and veterinary), and camp and barrack equipment,
The inspection and repair of armament and warlike stores, and the inspection of gun ammunition,
The provision, receipt, storage and distribution of small arms ammunition.
The receipt, storage, issue and repair of fixed armament, field armament and artillery vehicles,
The organisation and control of ordnance workshops,
The preparation and periodic revision of Equipment regulations and barrack and hospital schedules,
The organisation, administration and training of the NZ Army Ordnance Corps,
The maintenance of statistics of the Ordnance Department.
He is the Commanding Officer of the NZ Army Ordnance Corps and responsible for the interior economy, including enlistment, training, pay, promotion, postings, transfers, clothing, equipment and discharges within the unit.
He will issue Regimental Orders dealing with training, administration and personnel.
The promotion of Officers in the NZAOC will be the same conditions as those governing promotion in other branches of the NZ Permanent Forces, except that the necessary qualifying examinations will be one set specially for the NZAOC.
SECTION IV
Enlistment, Promotion, Transfer and Discharge, NZAOC
Applicants for enlistment must fulfil the following conditions;
Be between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five years,
Be unmarried
Have passed the Sixth Standard of education or its equivalent
Be physically fit for active service in any part of the world
In special cases with the approval of the General Officer Commanding, these conditions may be modified.
For the purpose of administration and promotion the corps will be organised into six sections;
A Section – Clerks and Ledger keepers
B Section – Armament artificers
C Section – Armourers
D Section – Tradesmen and specialists
E Section – Storeholders and storemen
F Section – Ammunition details
Personnel in Sections A, E and F will require to qualify for promotion by examination, while personnel in Sections B, C and D will require to pass both trade test and examination in order to qualify for promotion.
Promotion to Non-Commissioned and Warrant ranks in the various sections will, subject to the soldier being recommended by his immediate commanding officer as being in all respects fit for promotion and to passing the prescribed examination and trade test, be as set out in paras 229 to 236.
Section A – Clerks and Ledger keepers
Cadets on reaching the age of eighteen years will, if qualified and recommended by the OC Corps, be appointed privates. Subsequent promotion will be as under:
To Lance Corporal after one year’s service as private
To Corporal after three years’ service as a Lance Corporal
To Sergeant after five years’ service as a Corporal
Promotion above the rank of Sergeant within the establishment will be by selection.
Section B – Armament artificers
(1) Fitters, Turners and machinists
On completion of his term or probation (twelve months) a fitter, turner or machinist will if qualified and recommended, be promoted, Lance Corporal, Subsequent promotion will be as under:
To Corporal after three years’ service as a Lance Corporal
To Sergeant after five years’ service as a Corporal
To Staff Sergeant after four years as service as Sergeant
To Quartermaster Sergeant after three years’ service as Staff Sergeant
Subsequent promotion will be governed by establishment and by selection.
Promotion to Armament Sergeant Major will be made by the selection of the most highly qualified mechanic possessing the necessary experience and ability to control the Armament Section.
Boys will be apprenticed for five years on the conclusion of which they will receive their indenture-papers, and will be appointed fitters, turners or machinists on probation (twelve months). Conditions for future promotion and service will then be in accordance with para 230.
(2) Other Trades
When suitable candidates are available, vacancies in other trades of this section will be filled by the transfer of serving soldiers from the Royal NZ Artillery or from other sections of the NZAOC. A tradesman of this section will be appointed Lance Corporal on probation provided he has already had one years’ service in the Permanent Forces or has come direct from his trade. On completion of his term of probation (twelve months) a tradesman will, if qualified and recommended, be confirmed in the appointment, Subsequent promotion will be as under:
To Corporal after four years’ service as a Lance Corporal
To Sergeant after six years’ service as a Corporal
On the recommendation of the OC Corps, a tradesman showing exceptional ability and zeal may be promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant, and a blacksmith, if he is also efficiently carrying out the work of a moulder and welder, may be placed on the same footing for pay and promotion as fitters, turners and machinists.
Section C- Armourers
On completion of his term or probation a mechanic will, if qualified and recommended, be promoted, Armourer Lance Corporal, Subsequent promotion will be as under:
To Armourer Corporal after three years’ service as a Armourer Lance Corporal
To Armourer Sergeant after five years’ service as a Armourer Corporal
To Armourer Staff Sergeant after four years as service as Armourer Sergeant
To Armourer Staff Quartermaster-Sergeant after three years’ service as Armourer Staff Sergeant
Promotion to Armourer Sergeant Major will be made by the selection of the most highly qualified mechanic possessing the necessary experience and ability to control the Armourer Section.
Sections D and F Section – Tradesmen and specialists and Ammunition details
When suitable candidates are available, vacancies in other trades of this section will be filled by the transfer of serving soldiers from the Royal NZ Artillery. If qualified personnel are not obtainable from the Royal NZ Artillery or other units of the NZ Permanent Forces, special enlistment may be made.
A tradesman will be appointed Lance Corporal on probation, provided he has already had one years’ service in the Permanent Forces or has come direct from his trade. On completion of his term of probation (twelve months), a tradesman will, if qualified and recommended, be confirmed in the appointment. Subject to passing the necessary trade tests, Subsequent promotion will be as under:
(a) Carpenter: To Corporal after four years’ service as a Lance Corporal, To Sergeant after six years’ service as a Corporal. On the recommendation of the OC Corps a Carpenter showing exceptional ability and zeal may be promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant
(b) Saddlers: To Corporal after four years’ service as a Lance Corporal, To Sergeant after six years’ service as a Corporal.
(c) Tent Repairers, clothing- examiners, painters and other tradesmen not specified: To Corporal after six years’ service as a Lance Corporal. Promotion to Sergeant may be made under special circumstances e.e when tradesmen are controlling a staff or acting as store holders in addition to working at their trades.
(d) Ammunition Details. Non-Commissioned Officers in charge Ammunition Section, to Staff Sergeant after five years as service as Sergeant, and to Quartermaster Sergeant after seven years’ service as Staff Sergeant.
Section E – Storeholders and storemen
Promotion will be governed by establishment and will be subject to passing the necessary qualifying examination.
(ii) Those Warrant Officers, Non Commissioned Officer and men who during the year 1917 were transferred from the Civil Service to the NZAOC, may subject to the approval of the General Officer Commanding, be allowed to continue to serve until they reach the age of Sixty Five years, or until such earlier age when they will have completed forty years’ service towards a retiring allowance from the Public Service Superannuation Fund.
Precedence of Corps
766A. The position of Warrant Officer is inferior to that of all Commissioned Officers but superior to that of all Non-Commissioned Officers.
766B. The order of precedence or Warrant Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers will be as follows;
Dress Distinctions
Gorget Patches. As per Para 916. (b) (i) the Director of Ordnance Services wore Blue Gorget-Patches, Blue Cap Bands, lion and crown cap badge.
NZAOC Gorget patch pair (with post 1953 RNZAOC Button). Robert McKie Collection
918 Armlets. All Staff Officers holding Staff appointments at General Headquarters or Command Headquarters will, when o duty wear armlets in in-depth on the right arm above the elbow as follows;
General Headquarters – Red and Blue armlet
Command Head Quarters – Red and White armlet
To distinguish the branch which the officer represents armlets will bear the following letters:
Ordnance Officers attached to staff – “O”
Orders of Dress Other ranks
Khaki Service Dress only will be worn by Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned officers and men of the Permanent Forces, as under;
Full dress will be as above, with the following modifications;
(a) Decorations and medals will be worn
(C) NZ Army Ordnance Corps will wear felt hats with puggaree
Working dress. Drill Khaki and Trousers are authorised for “working Dress” for
Royal NZ Artillery
NZ Permanent Air Force
NZ Permanent Army Service Corps
NZ Army Ordnance Corps
Shoulder Titles. The shoulder titles of the unit or corps in brass letters will be worn by Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and men in the shoulder straps of jackets (service and blue) and greatcoats.
The approved shoulder titles for the NZAOC are illustrated below;
Ordnance Depots
Northern Command
The development of Ngaruawahia Camp was continuing satisfactorily.[7] The large Ordnance Store was nearing completion with the building walls up and two of the smaller bays roofed in. The Ordnace Store would consist of a large building 322 ft by 100 ft (98.14m x 30.48m) divided into seven bays;
Four 25ft by 100 ft. (7.62m x 30.48m)
Three 74ft by 100 ft, (22.55m x 30.48m)
Other buildings projected and to be constructed including;
The Ordnance workshop, 61ft by 50ft, (19m x 15.24m)
a vehicle shed, 520ft by 25ft. (156m x 7.62m)
The railway-siding serving the Ordnance buildings has been completed. The construction of the Ordnance Office and small-arms ammunition magazine has been commenced, and two high-explosive magazines and three married quarters will be put in hand immediately. [8][9]
Central and Southern Commands
Various small improvements have been effected at Trentham and Burnham Camps. At Trentham, the work of changing over from the present independent electrical installation to the Mangahao power was practically completed. This work would result in a very considerable saving in annual charges. At Burnham, a camp equipment building had been provided.[10]
Featherston Camp
Apart from some final administrative work, Featherson Camp was closed. The bulk of the stores previously held at Featherston Camp had been removed to Trentham Camp with a smaller quantity required to support Territorial training in the Northern Command, to the Mount Eden Ordnance Store. Several buildings were transferred to Fort Dorset to provide accommodation there, and, with the exception of six retained for possible similar transfer elsewhere, only two brick buildings retained on the site. the remainder of the buildings had been sold to the general public for removal. The land was retained and was leased for grazing purposes. [11]
Personnel Movements -June 1926 To May 1927
Promotions
Captain (Temporary Major) Thomas Joseph King to Major 18 October 1926. [12]
Enlistments into the Permanent Section of the NZAOC
[1] Relinquished appointment of Ordnance Officer, Northern Command 1 August 1926.”Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Staff Corps, Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery and Territorial Force,” New Zealand Gazette No 77, 18 November 1926, 3254.
[2] Relinquished appointment of Ordnance Officer Featherston Camp form 1 September 1926, appointed Ordnance Officer Northern Command. Ibid
[3] Relinquished appointment of Ordnance Officer, Ordnance Depot when appointed Officer In Charge Trentham Camp 2 November 1926. “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfers of Officers of the NZ Military Forces,” New Zealand Gazette, 23 December 1926.
[4] Captain Ivory was seconded to the RNZAOC as the IOO and Acting IOM on 12 January 1927 “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Staff Corps, Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery and Territorial Force,” New Zealand Gazette No 11, 3 March 1927.
[5] Relinquished the appointment of Acting IOO on 11 January 1927 ibid.
[6] “Regulations for the Military Forces of the Dominion of New Zealand,” New Zealand Gazette, May 19 1927.
[7] “Military Training,” New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19544, 25 January 1927.
[8] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces,” Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives (1927).
[9] “Asc in Camp,” Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 19, 24 January 1927.
[10] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces.”
[12] “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Military Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 17, 24 March 1927, 705.
At Ngaruawahia work commenced on the large Ordnance Store building, which when completed would absorb the stores located at Mount Eden and at Featherston Camp and enable the temporary buildings in those camps to be dismantled. Five magazines for gun-ammunition and high explosives and the earthwork for five others were also completed at Ngaruawahia Camp. Five additional magazines for gun-ammunition and one for small-arms ammunition were planned to be constructed in 1927. Additional building planned for the next year included;[4]
Four additional married quarters,
Ordnance Office, and
workshops.
Central and Southern Commands
These camps continued to be maintained, with no further development and improvement postponed till funds are available with the priority being the development of Ngaruawahia Camp. The small-arms ammunition magazines at Trentham and Burnham Camps were completed and taken into use.[5]
Ordnance Workshops
The Ordnance workshops were being gradually extended and improved by the introduction of modern machinery, enabling the repair and necessary alterations to equipment and armament.
During this period Staff Sergeant T.J Smith, RAOC an Instrument Artificer began an secondment to the New Zealand Army for a three year period.[6]
Vacancies
Vacancies for qualified Tent repairers and Store-men and were advertised for employment in Burnham Camp were advertised. Rates of pay were to commence at the rate of;[7]
Single £5 3s l0d per week;
Married £5 15s 6d per week.
Vacancies were also advertised for an experienced Sail-maker and Storeman for the Ordnance Depot at Mount Eden, Auckland. The requirements for the applicant were to be aged under 25 and able to pass a medical exam. The position was for a period of five years with contributions to the Superannuation fund. Daily rate of pay was to commence at the rate of ;[8]
Single 12s (seven-day week)
Married 13a 8d.
Vacancies were also advertised for experienced a Wheeler for appointment as Wheeler in the Ordnance Workshops, Wellington District. Commencing pay was at the rate of:[9]
Single, £5 3s 10d per week,
married, £5 15s 6d per week.
Accounting System
The Cost Accounting system of accounting for stores remained satisfactory, and losses had been reduced to a minimum. Periodical inspections by officials of the Audit Department have shown in every instance that the accounts were being well kept and the stores are properly safeguarded.[10]
Disposals
The sale of surplus stores by the Disposal Depot continued. The retention of the Disposal Depot enabled uniform clothing which each year becomes unsuitable for the issue to the Forces to be dry-cleaned, renovated, dyed, and sold at reasonable prices to the general public. Although the receipts were less than in previous years, the business carried out was still considerable, and, as stated in previous years, the prices realized were much higher than those obtainable by other methods of sale that the retention of the present method was warranted in the public interest. The further exhaustion of war-time stocks of clothing necessitates an increasing annual expenditure to provide requirements for the Territorial Force and Cadets, and the clothing item on the estimates shows a corresponding increase.[11]
Personnel Movements – June 1925 to May 1926
Transfers
Captain W. Ivory relinquished the appointment of Inspecting Ordnance Officer and acting Inspector of Ordnance Machinery and was appointed Officer in Charge Harbour Defence, and Officer Commanding Royal N.Z. Artillery Detachment Northern Command on 17 June 1925. Lieutenant A. de T. Nevill was appointed Acting Inspector Ordnance Officer on 18 June 1925.[12][13]
Enlistments into the Permanent Section of the NZAOC
[1] To be OC Harbour Defences and OC RNZA Detachment Northern Command 17 June 1925 “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Staff Corps, Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery and Territorial Force,” New Zealand Gazette 51, 9 June 1925.
[2] “New Zealand Naval Forces,” Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16781, 14 July 1925.
[3] Acting IOO from 18 June 1925″Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Staff Corps, Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery and Territorial Force.”
[4] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces from 1 June 1925 to 31 May 1926,” Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives (1926): 6.
[12] “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Staff Corps, Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery and Territorial Force.”
Inspecting Ordnance Officer and Acting Inspector of Ordnance Machinery
Captain William Ivory, RNZA
Proof Officer, Small Arms Ammunition
Captain E.H Sawle.
NZAOC appropriations year ending 31 March 1925
Reconstitution
The New Zealand Gazette of 3 July 1924 published regulations that revoked the regulations that established the NZAOD and NZAOC on the 7th of June 1917. Backdated to the 27th of June 1924 the New Zealand Army Ordnance Department was reconstituted as part of the New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps resulting in one Ordnance organisation for the New Zealand Permanent Forces.[4]
NZ Army Ordnance Corps badge 1917-1937. Robert McKie Collection
Ordnance Depots
Northern Command
At Ngaruawahia Camp, a railway-siding has been completed, and a branch line into the camp is under construction. and the provision of buildings for Ordnance stores was receiving consideration. Considerable progress was made in the construction of magazines for gun ammunition, two being practically completed, while several others were in the course of erection. Construction on a small-arms-ammunition magazine was due to commence.[5][6]
Central Command
Trentham Camp continued to be maintained, with the temporary buildings that housed the very valuable equipment at this depot requiring replacement in the near future with permanent fireproof buildings. Construction of a small-arms-ammunition magazine was practically completed.[7]
Southern Command
Burnham Camp continued to be maintained and improved. Additional Ordnance storehouses were necessary, and their provision effected as finances permit. Construction of a small-arms-ammunition magazine was practically completed.[8]
Fire Prevention
The question of fire-prevention at Featherston, Trentham, and Burnham had received attention. Up-to-date motor-engines were provided for Trentham and Featherston, and a powerful hand-drawn engine transferred from Featherston to Burnham, where the concentrated nature of the depot permitted it to be used to much greater advantage. At all depots, the staff were properly organized and trained to act as fire brigades, while trained fire-brigade men are in charge of the engines and fire-fighting equipment.[9]
New Fire Engine and Ambulance, Trentham Camp C1925. Norm Lamont Collection
Workshops
Improvements had been effected in Ordnance workshops, with improved and additional machinery installed, and a workshop established at Devonport in Auckland. Theses workshops shops would be kept fully employed in repair and maintenance work, and in keeping the equipment in New Zealand up to date in accordance with improvements and alterations decided on from time to time by the War Office.[10]
Stores Accounting
The system of accounting for stores was very satisfactory, with few losses occurring, particularly when the nature of the NZAOC transactions —issues to some forty thousand individuals and the erection and dismantling of numerous canvas training-camps, etc. The losses that did occur were confined almost entirely to;[11]
loss of equipment of untraceable trainees,
losses in transit,
minor shortages in some of the innumerable articles used at the various training camps.
Disposals
The sale of surplus stores was still proceeding, with business is slackening off, and the special staff employed on this work is being reduced from time to time. The prices realized, were so much higher than were obtainable by other methods of sale that the retention of the present method was warranted in the public interest. A method of conducting sales at various centres throughout the country was inaugurated.[12]
Clothing
The gradual exhaustion of war-time stocks of clothing necessitated fresh supplies being purchased to provide requirements for the Territorial Force and Cadets, with provision made in the estimates accordingly.[13]
Personnel Movements -June 1924 to May 1925
Promotions
Captain Thomas Joseph King to Temporary Major.[14]
[1] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces from 1 June 1924 to 30 June 1925,” Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives (1925).
[2] Appointed Quartermaster General 1 October 1924″Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Military Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 64 (1924): 6.
[3] Appointed DOS Vice Pilkington 1 October 1924, Ibid.
[4] “Nzaod and Nzaoc,” New Zealand Gazette, July 3 1924.
[5] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces from 1 June 1924 to 30 June 1925,” 6.
[6] “Great Military Camp,” Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 83, 8 April 1925.
[7] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces from 1 June 1924 to 30 June 1925.”
[14] Promoted Temp Major 12 August 1924 “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Military Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 57 (1924).
The strength of the NZAOC on the 31st of May 1924 was 108, consisting of:[1][2]
6 Officers
69 Permanent Other Rank
33 Temporary Other Ranks
Director of Ordnance Services
Lieutenant Colonel H. E. Pilkington, RNZA
Chief Ordnance Officer
Captain T.J King
Ordnance Accounting Officer
Lieutenant T.W Page
Northern Command Ordnance Officer
Lieutenant A. W. Baldwin
Central Command Ordnance Officer
Lieutenant H.H Whyte
Southern Command Ordnance Officer
Captain A.R.C White
Featherston Camp Ordnance Officer
Captain F. E. Ford
Ordnance Accounting Officer
Lieutenant T.W Page
Inspecting Ordnance Officer and Acting Inspector of Ordnance Machinery
Captain William Ivory, RNZA
Proof Officer, Small Arms Ammunition
Captain E.H Sawle
NZAOC appropriations year ending 31 March 1924
Ordnance Stores
The provision of proper Ordnance Depots in all three commands had become an urgent matter, for economic as well as strategic and tactical reasons. Valuable equipment was stored in temporary structures, which in most cases was quite unsuitable for the purpose. As a necessity, the bulk of the equipment was held at Trentham and Burnham in wooden buildings erected as temporary accommodation for troops, not as permanent storage for valuable equipment. The development of Burnham and Ngaruawahia as ordnance depots was a matter of some urgency and would be put in hand as soon as funds for the purpose are available.[3]
At Burnham and Ngaruawahia, high charges for maintenance of the temporary buildings were being incurred, the cost of transportation of stores and equipment was increasing, and proper supervision and control was becoming very difficult.[4]
Northern Command
The Northern Command was the worst off in this respect. The site at Ngaruawahia was suitable, but with no buildings there, equipment for Northern Command was held partly at Featherston and partly at Trentham.[5]
Southern Command
The Southern Command was in a better position. The buildings at Burnham, though inadequate for the storage of all the equipment for Southern Command, were more or less satisfactory.[6]
Central Command
The Central Command had ample accommodation, of a kind at Trentham and Featherston, but proper fireproof stores needed to be erected at Trentham, and the buildings at present in use for storage of equipment can then be taken into use for the purpose for which they were built, the accommodation of troops. Featherston will be dismantled when Ngaruawahia depot is built.[7]
Magazines
The magazine accommodation for both gun and small-arms ammunition was quite insufficient for the army’s requirements, and all sorts of temporary accommodation in unsuitable buildings was being utilized. In consequence, the usual safety precautions could not be adhered to, and there was the danger of accidents and deterioration of ammunition. Proposals had been submitted for the erection of up-to-date magazines at Ngaruawahia for gun ammunition, and for small-arms-ammunition magazines in each command at Ngaruawahia, Trentham, and Burnham.[8]
Stores and Equipment
Stores and equipment generally were in a satisfactory position, but as a consequence of the unsuitable accommodation, they were subjected to considerable deterioration. The capacity and efficiency of the Ordnance workshops were considerably increased by the installation of new machinery; and the arrears of work which were accumulating overhauled, and that the deterioration that was threatening material, vehicles through lack of attention as prevented.[9]
The Cost Accounting system of accounting for stores was proving successful, and everything in connection with this was satisfactory with few losses occurring.[10]
The sale of surplus stores was still proceeding, although the returns had fallen off, for various reasons. The total receipts for the year were approximately £52,000, making a grand total, to date of approximately £424,000. The present method of sale was considered more satisfactory in every way than a sale by auction; it enabled the general public throughout New Zealand to obtain the stores at low prices and provided an efficient organization to deal with surplus stores as they became available from time to time. The dyeing of surplus khaki uniforms for sale to the public was proving a successful venture and was the only satisfactory method of disposing of those large stocks.
Vacancies
Applications were requested to fill Vacancies for Armourers in the NZAOC. The call was for Qualified Armourers and Gunsmiths who had previous experience in the repair of small-arms and machine guns. Mechanics would be considered if they had had training in armourer s duties.
Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 114, 15 May 1924. Papers Past
Gallant Conduct
On 11 March 1924 Corporal Artificer John William Dalton, NZAOC was instrumental in saving the lives of four non-swimmers during extreme flash flooding which destroyed the encampment of the 6th Battery, NZA during their camp at Eskdale.[11][12][13]
General Order 164
Corporal Artificer Dalton supervising the recovery of guns after the Eskdale flood 1924. Norm Lamont Collection
Corporal Artificer Dalton supervising the recovery of guns after the Eskdale flood 1924. Norm Lamont Collection
Corporal Artificer Dalton supervising the recovery of guns after the Eskdale flood 1924. Norm Lamont Collection
Corporal Artificer Dalton supervising the recovery of guns after the Eskdale flood 1924. Norm Lamont Collection
Corporal Artificer Dalton supervising the recovery of guns after the Eskdale flood 1924. Norm Lamont Collection
Corporal Artificer Dalton supervising the recovery of guns after the Eskdale flood 1924. Norm Lamont Collection
Corporal Artificer Dalton supervising the recovery of guns after the Eskdale flood 1924. Norm Lamont Collection
Corporal Articifer Dalton supervising the recovery of guns after the Eskdale flood 1924. Norm Lamont Collection
Corporal Articifer Dalton supervising the recovery of guns after the Eskdale flood 1924. Norm Lamont Collection
New Zealand Rifle Team
Sergeant Ching a member of NZAOC, was invited to join the New Zealand Rifle Team for the shooting competition to be held at Bisley in the United Kingdom in September.[14]
NZ Army Dress Regulations 1923
The following extracts are from the 1923 NZ Army Dress Regulations that relate to the NZOC. The 1823 Dress Regulations were the first update to the Dress Regulations since 1912.[15]
Director of Ordnance Services
The Director or Ordnance Services was authorized to wear the following dress distinctions
Blue Gorget Patches
Blue Cap Band on the Khaki Service Dress Cap
Lion and Crown Cap Badge
Overalls (Trousers)
Ordnance Corps – Two 1/4 in stripes, maroon cloth 1/2 in apart
Mess Kit Jacket
Blue Cloth with Scarlet cloth roll collar and pointed scarlet cloth cuffs. Cuffs 6in deep at the points and 23/4in behind, a 1in slit at the seams. Shoulder straps of blue cloth 11/2 wide at the base, tapering to about 1in at the points, rounder points fastened with a small button, the shoulder straps to be sewn at the shoulder. Badges of rank in metal. No buttons on the front of the jacket and no gold braid or piping. Collar Badges as on service Jacket.
Mess Kit Waist Coat
Blue cloth, open in front, no collar, fastened with four ½ in mounted buttons
Forage Cap Band
Scarlet.
Shoulder Titles
Brass letters, worn by officers, warrant officers, Non-commissioned officers and men on the shoulder straps of jacks (service and blue) and greatcoats. The will not be worn on mess-jackets.
NZAOC Shoulder Titles. Robert McKie Collection
Puggaree
Ordnance Corps – Red-Blue-Red
NZAOC Puggaree. Robert McKie Collection
Obituary
Corporal Peter Gow Scrimgeour passed away at his residence at William Street, Upper Hutt, on Wednesday 24 October 1923. Joining the NZEF with the Eighth Contingent, Scrimgeour saw considerable service in France and at the time of his death was employed with the Trentham Detachment of the NZAOC.[16] Scrimgeour was provided with a military funeral on 26 October 1923.[17]
Personnel Movements -July 1923 to June 1924
Releases
176 Armorer Private Reginald Albert Percival Johns
[1] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces from 1 June 1923 to 30 June 1924,” Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives (1924).
[2] “B-01-Part02 Public Accounts for the Financial Year 1923-1924,” Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives (1924).
[11] “Caught by the Flood “, New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18659, 15 March 1924.
[12] “Gallant Conduct,” New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18725, 3 June 1924.
[13] “Courageous Conduct,” in New Zealand Army General Order 164 (Wellington1924).
[14] “Personal Matters – Ching,” Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 113, 14 May 1924.
[15] Malcolm Thomas and Cliff Lord, New Zealand Army Distinguishing Patches, 1911-1991 (Wellington, N.Z.: M. Thomas and C. Lord, 1995, 1995), Bibliographies, Non-fiction, 34.
[16] “Scrimgeour, Peter Gow “, Personal File, Archives New Zealand (1914-1918).
The Establishment of the New Zealand Army Ordnance Department (Officers) and New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps (Other ranks) on the 30th of June 1923 was 109, consisting of.[1]
7 Officers, and
102 Other Ranks
Key Appointments
Director of Ordnance Services
Lieutenant Colonel H. E. Pilkington, CBE, RNZA.[2]
Inspecting Ordnance Officer and Acting Inspector of Ordnance Machinery
Captain William Ivory, RNZA.
Proof Officer, Small Arms Ammunition
Captain E.H Sawle.
Change of Command
The Director of Ordnance Services assumed command of the NZAOC from the Chief Ordnance Officer on 30 September 1922.[8]
Ordnance Depots
Northern Command
Due to financial constraints, work on the construction of the Ordnance Depot for the Northern Command had not commenced. The plans for the Ngaruawahia Ordnance Depot also provided for magazines which were urgently required to relieve the present congested magazines located at Fort Ballance, and to enable a number of the existing magazines at Auckland to be utilised for naval purposes[9].[10]
Central Command
Work that was proposed to be carried out at the Trentham depot had also been delayed due to financial constraints. [11]
Work that was proposed to be carried out at the Burnham depot had also been delayed due to financial constraints. [12]
These delays had made the provision of proper Ordnance Depots at all three locations an urgent matter. Apart from the strategic and tactical considerations, which would be important in the event of mobilisation. The completion of new depots was essential to avoid the high cost of maintenance of the temporary buildings in which the equipment was stored, and the higher freight charges involved the distribution of stores for peace requirements from unduly distant Ordnance Depots. The lack of substantial weatherproof and fireproof depot storehouses was causing the stocks of clothing and stores to be subject to a higher degree of deterioration that would generally be the case, and also exposes them to the risk of total loss by fire. [13]
Ordnance Workshops
Armament Sergeant Major (WO1) Joseph Warren appointed as Warrant Officer In Charge of the Ordnance Workshop Wellington 0n 8 May 1922.[14][15]
The overhaul and assembling of the 6-inch 26cwt howitzers were completed satisfactorily at the Ordnance workshop, Alexandra Barracks. Twelve howitzers were overhauled and issued to the Territorial Artillery on completion. [16]
Accounting Systems
The cost accounting system introduced in 1921 by Lieutenant C.I. Gossage had proved very successful, and losses had become comparatively negligible. The inauguration of the new system, combined with the changes of staff consequent upon reorganisation, involved very considerable work, and the disposal of outstanding deficiencies in stores caused mainly through unrecorded issues to the Expeditionary Force or faulty book-keeping by the ever-changing temporary staff was a work of some magnitude.[17]
The sale of surplus stores through a central depot in Wellington had been continuous since the establishment of the depot and had proved successful in every way. The sales average approximately £1,000 per week, and the prices obtained are much higher than could be achieved by any other method. To enable a considerable surplus of khaki service uniform jackets to be sold, a dying contract had been arranged, and supplies of those garments, dyed dark blue, were on the market. Khaki trousers were being, similarly stained to provide complete suits. The contract is very advantageous to the NZAOC since faded garments of little sale value were restored to excellent condition and are saleable at very satisfactory prices. On completion of each training-year large quantities of uniform, clothing was withdrawn from Territorials who have completed their service. To enable this clothing to be reissued it was thoroughly cleaned and renovated under a contract dry-cleaning process. The resultant savings were very considerable. For the six months ended 31st March 1923, the figures were as follows[18];
Number of garments dry-cleaned, 43,263
the number of garments renovated, 16,598
The total cost of dry-cleaning and renovation, £3,510
Before the present system, clothing was laundered and renovated for £8,423
so that the current system resulted in a saving of £4,913 for six months
Ordnance Veteran Petitions Parliament
Mr William Thomas Beck DSO MID, who served with the New Zealanders in Egypt and Gallipoli, and who suffered from shell-shock and defective eyesight, petitioned Parliament for redress on the 20th of June 1920. An Ordnance Corps member who served on Gallipoli as the New Zealand and Australian Division, DADOS at ANZAC. On being invalided back to New Zealand, he was declared medically unfit for service with the Defence Department, and so lost, the benefits and emoluments of his employment, while on the other hand the Superannuation Board declared him fit, and refused to extend to him the benefits of the fund to which for so long he had contributed. It is unknown how successful his Petition was.[19]
Presentation on Ordnance, Otago Officers’ Club 19 July 1922
Very few civilians, and even soldiers, during the war were aware of the work of the Ordnance Corps behind the lines and at the base depots. This subject was dealt with in an interesting lecture at the Otago Officers’ Club last evening by Captain Edward Fletcher Roberts, who was with the Ordnance Corps both in France and Mesopotamia. Captain Roberts gave an instructive and entertaining address on “Ordnance Work During the Great War.” Colonel E. R, Smith presided over a fairly numerous attendance. Captain Roberts dealt with the various phases of ordnance work, and by means of diagrams lucidly explained its many activities. The public generally had no idea of the enormous expense and vast amount of labour which is utilised in repairing artillery, gun limbers, machinery, etc., for an army in the field. Captain Roberts detailed the duties of Inspectors of Ordnance Machinery—more commonly known as I.0.M. These officers received a three months’ “oram” course at Woolwich before going on active service, where they received very full instruction on the mechanism, of gun carriages and the examination of ordnance. The speaker explained the various causes of gun trouble and the methods employed in effecting the necessary repairs. In dealing with ordnance workshops. Captain Roberts said there were several classes of workshops—the ordnance mobile workshops (light), commonly called travelling workshops, and the ordnance mobile workshops (heavy), which were stationed further back on the lines of communication than the light shops, and were a much slower moving unit, being hauled by traction engines. The heavy shop acted as a feeder to several light shops, there being at one time one heavy mobile workshop to each army. There were also base workshops which were capable of doing almost any repair. There were immense base workshops at Havre and Calais. As the speaker’s experience of base workshops was limited to Mesopotamia he dealt fully with their organisation and work in that country. He described the different repair work done and said that a large number of Arabs and Indians were employed by the British authorities. The captain concluded his remarks by giving instances of the various repairs effected to artillery of all types, to wheels for different vehicles, and all that a campaign makes necessary. At the conclusion of his address, Captain Roberts was accorded a hearty vote of thanks by acclamation.[20]
Chanak crisis
During September–October 1922 Turkish nationalist forces who had expelled the Greeks from Smyrna by force in August 1922, threatened to cross into the British occupied Dardanelles. Fearing for the security of the Dardanelles neutral zone, the British reinforced their positions in Chanak, the neutral region on the Asiatic shore of the Dardanelles, thus blocking the Turkish Forces. As the possibility of war grew, the British Government reached out to the Dominions, asking for support if hostilities broke out. New Zealand responded positively and despite it only been 4 years since the 1914-1918 New Zealand’s attitudes to war had not been affected, and the New Zealand Defence establishment embarked into an intense period of planning for the contribution of Expeditionary Force consisting of an Infantry Brigade. The Director of Ordnance Services was asked to provide the following personnel as part of the Infantry Brigade headquarters;[21]
One Warrant Officer
One Clerk
One Storeman
Four Armourer Staff Sergeants
Thousands of men volunteered, but luckily the potential conflict was resolved peacefully, and the New Zealand contribution was not required.
Kings Medal Shooting Competition
Corporal F. W. Ching, of the Ordnance Staff at Trentham, finished at 2nd place at the championship at the National Rifle Association meeting held in March 1923, earning an N.Z.A.R.A. Gold Jewel and £8. [22]
Personnel Movements -July 1922 to June 1923
Enlistments
977 Private William Charles Hastings
Transfers from Royal New Zealand Artillery
807 WO1 (Hon Lieutenant) Thomas Webster Page. [23]
954 Company Sergeant Major Joseph Arthur Head, from Wellington Detachment
956 Staff Sergeant Saddler George Alexander Carter, from Auckland Detachment
960 Sergeant Frank William Ching, from Wellington Detachment
961 Corporal Edgar Charles Boult, from Dunedin Detachment
965 Bombardier Philip Alexander MacKay, from Featherston Detachment
967 Bombardier Robert John Gamble, from Dunedin Detachment
968 Bombardier Thomas Alexander Hunter, from Auckland Detachment
974 Gunner Henry William Le Comte, from Wellington Detachment
Releases
12 Staff Sergeant James Brown
43 Staff Quartermaster Sergeant William James Frost
[1] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces from 1 July 1922 to 30 June 1923,” Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives (1923): 2.
[2] “Pilkington, Herbert Edward,” Personal File, Archives New Zealand (1896 – 1930).
[3] “King, Thomas Joseph,” Personal File, Archives New Zealand 1914-1946.
[4] Relinquished commission due to retirement 31 December 1922.”Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Military Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 2 (1923).
[6] Howard E. Chamberlain, Service Lives Remembered : The Meritorious Service Medal in New Zealand and Its Recipients, 1895-1994 ([Wellington, N.Z.]: H. Chamberlain, 1995), 350-51.
[7] “Lyons, Michael Joseph,” Personal File, Archives New Zealand (1914-1919).
[8] “Change of Command,” NZAOC Corps Orders No 51 (1922): Part 2, Para 1.
[9] Major General E Chaytor, “Report on the Defence Forces of New Zealand,” AJHR H-19 (1923).
[10] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces from 1 July 1922 to 30 June 1923.”
Inspecting Ordnance Officer and Acting Inspector of Ordnance Machinery
Captain William Ivory, RNZA.
Proof Officer, Small Arms Ammunition
Captain E.H Sawle.
NZAOC appropriations year ending 31 March 1922
Ordnance Activities July 1921 – June 22
The handing-over of the military hospitals to the Health Department, the closing of the Ordnance Depot at Dunedin, the merging of the Palmerston North Depot with the Main Ordnance Depot at Trentham, and the disposal of large stocks of surplus and obsolete stores made a considerable reduction in the NZAOC, the financial situation necessitated a far larger reduction than was warranted by the above economies. In addition to the routine duties connected with the stores, equipment, and clothing for the Territorial Force and Senior Cadets and the management of mobilization equipment, the NZAOC was also dealing with;
the examination of stores received from the United Kingdom,
the marking and issuing of new guns, stores, and rifles,
the disposal of surplus stores, and
the pricing of all issues and receipts in accordance with the implementation of a new system of cost accounting.
It was recognised that once these extra duties had been completed, and when proper accommodation was provided at each command depot, it would be possible to make a further reduction in personnel, but it was considered at the time that any reduction would lead to neglect and a consequent depreciation of stores. Against the possibility of reduction, it was recognised that the present system of stores audit would almost certainly necessitate an increase in the clerical stall.[8]
In 1919, the NZAOC 532, and by March 1922 had been reduced to 100. The civil staff of the NZAOC .which stood at 520 in 1919, had been reduced to 95. [9] On 4 May 1922, a further 25 N.C.O.’s and men of the NZAOC received notice of their dismissal.
Ordnance Depots
With Ordnance Depots established at Burnham for the Southern Command, and at Trentham for the Central Command. The site for the Northern Command Depot at Ngaruawahia had been obtained with the exchange with the Railway Department for land at Frankton Junction. [10]The mobilization stores for the Northern Command were held at Trentham and Featherston so it became a priority to incur some expenditure for the erection of buildings at Ngaruawahia. Plans were also on the table for the provision of suitable fireproof buildings to replace the present temporary accommodation at Trentham and Burnham. At Trentham all available buildings, including the gymnasium used by the School of Instruction, were utilised for storage; many of the older hutments were not suitable for storing the very valuable, equipment on charge, and the risk of fire is a very grave one.
Disposal Depots
The Ordnance Depot in each command was to hold the stores and equipment required by the Territorial units in that command; additionally, Trentham will hold, the general reserve of stores and equipment. All stores surplus to mobilization requirements were in the process of being disposed of. Disposal-depots were continued in the four centres, after which a series of country sales were held in various towns. Owing to reduced staff it was eventually found necessary to restrict activities to a central depot in Wellington, which commenced operation on February 1922. The Wellington Disposal Depot conducted over the counter sales which were restricted to one day weekly, with postal orders being dealt with on other days. The total sales of clothing and miscellaneous stores during the period 1st April 1921 to 31st March 1922, amounted to £177,346.[11]
Discipline
Civil Court
The Magistrates Court hear a case on 24 November 1921 resulting from the theft of items from Trentham Camp. Civilian labourer Phillip Frederick Deihert pleaded guilty to the theft of Military stores a portion of which included; two tents, an anvil, a forge and eight military overcoats. Deihert was committed to the Supreme Court for sentencing at a later date.[12]
Corporal John Wilson Robertson, Head packer in the Receipt and Issue store, was also charged with the theft of one of the tents, but the case against him was dismissed, as the evidence that he was knowingly involved was not sufficient to warrant prosecution.[13] Despite the dismissal of the case against Robertson, his character and suitability for further employment in the NZAOC was under question and he was demobilised as part of the compulsory reductions that the NZAOC was forced to carry out. [14]
Personnel Movements -July 1921 to June 1922
Releases
Private Charles Edward Barry
Private Daniel Clarke
Private Joseph Graydon Crawford
Private Clarke Daniel
Private James Nathaniel Grindrod
Private John Edward Hedderwick
Private Arthur Hollings
Private James King
Private Hector Finch McKay
Private John Miller Miller
Private Hugh Lawton Owen
Private William Perigan Potter
Private Albert George Richardson
Private Alfred Searle
Private Henry Steele
Private Richard Teehan
Private William Thornton
Private Edwin Percy Chappel
Corporal John Wilson Robertson
Staff Sergeant Bernard Terence Leydon
Staff Quartermaster Sergeant William James Frost
Staff Quartermaster Sergeant Thomas Reid Inch
Sergeant Major Artificer James Edward Nesbitt
Staff Quartermaster-Sergeant W.J.F Ross
[1] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces from 1 July 1921 to 30 June 1922,” Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives (1922): 2.
[2] 1 April 1922 Relinquished the rank of lieutenant and appointed rank of Conductor, WO Class with the honorary rank of Lieutenant. 1 “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations Amd Transfers,” new Zealand Gazette 29 (1922): 1046.
[4] Captain F. E. Ford, who was in command of the Ordnance section attached to the Central Command in Palmerston North, proceeded to Featherston Military Camp on the 1st of December to take charge of the Featherston Ordnance Depot. “Untitled – Ford,” Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 386, 2 December 1921.
[6] Posted to the retired list 15 October 1922 “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Military Forces,” New Zealand Gazette 71 (1922): 2667.
Honorary Lieutenant Frederick W. Kibblewhite, NZAOD.[10]
Honorary Lieutenant William E. Luckman, NZAOD.[11]
NZAOC appropriations year ending 31 March 1921
Ordnance Activities July 20 – June 21
During this period the NZAOC had been considerably reduced but was still considered in excess of the strength required for its normal peace duties which consisted of the accounting, storage, issue, receipt, and care of all Ordnance stores for the N.Z. Military Forces. The following are some of the principal activities in excess of ordinary routine duties which the NZAOC had been engaged in during the 1920/21 period which had mitigated against further retrenchment being carried out;[12]
Receipt, accounting, and storage of large supplies of military equipment from the United Kingdom,
Ordnance issues and accounting in connection with military hospitals and sanatoria,
Sale of surplus stores
Marking of new rifles and equipment and reissuing to Territorial Force and Cadets. Nearly all of the new military equipment had arrived, and distributed as under;
Training equipment to units,
Mobilization equipment to depots in each command,
Reserve equipment at the main Ordnance depot.
The retention of military hospitals and sanatoria under the Defence Department entailed a considerable amount of work for the NZAOC, and until these institutions were handed over to the Department which was ultimately to be entirely responsible for the after-care of disabled soldiers the NZAOC could not be further reduced in number without impairing its efficiency.[13]
From the 20th of November 1920 NZAOC personnel employed in the maintenance sections at Trentham and Featherston Camps, were reorganised by transferring those that were required to the works section, New Zealand Engineers, The surplus personnel were demobilised.
Losses
The Auditor-General reported on the 4th of September that the NZAOC had been unable to allocate responsibility for losses of certain stores, clothing and equipment in military districts, and the following sums have been written off:[22]
Wellington Military District, £14,787
Auckland Military District, £9006
Canterbury Military District, £2532
The loss of stores and clothing to the value of £274 at the Trentham and Featherston military camps is attributed to the disorganisation brought about by the influenza epidemic.
Stores Credits
The NZAOC credits for the year ended 30th June 1921, for the sale of stores amounted to approximately £70,000.[23]
Inspecting Ordnance Officer and Acting Inspector of Ordnance Machinery
On 1 May 1921 Captain William Ivory, RNZA was appointed Inspection Ordnance Officer(IOO) and Acting Inspector of Ordnance Machinery(IOM). A 1916 Graduate of the Royal Military College, Duntroon, Ivory would spend a short time with the 2nd NZEF before been sent to the Woolwich Arsenal to undergo Ordnance training. Passing the Inspecting Ordnance Officers course, Ivory was then placed onto the 36th Advanced Ordnance course. On the successful completion of the Advanced Ordnance course, Ivory was granted a six-month attachment to the Woolwich Arsenal to gain practical experience in guns, carriages and explosives and to oversee the purchase of modern equipment for New Zealand’s Ordnance Workshops. Ivory would return to New Zealand in February 1921.[14]
The IOO was initially envisaged as part of the Ordnance Staff but unwilling to break with the military organisational conventions of the time the IOO would be attached to the Branch of the Director of Artillery, with the understanding that Ivory would also be responsible to the DOS for Ordnance matters as the acting IOM. Ivory’s duties would be;[15]
Technical inspection of Artillery material, Ammunition and Magazines, whether held on charge by RNZA or Ordnance.
Member of the SAA Committee.
The Inspection of Small Arms and Machine Guns as required by DOS
Questions re List of Changes in War Material and questions generally as to Artillery Material.
Questions re Calibration, Sound Ranging and Metrology as required by D of A.
Instructional Duties as may be arranged by D of A.
Regimental duty as a relieving Officer when available
Inspection of Telephones, Electrical Light Stores, Signalling Stores, Dynamos and Electrical Instruments as required by DOS
New personnel regulations
From 3 July 1920, all temporary appointments to the NZAOC would be made by the temporary employment board at General Headquarters on the recommendation of unit Officers Commanding. General Headquarters instruction laid down that should a unit OC be required to engage additional personnel for temporary employment, an application to the Temporary Employment Board (TEB) would have to be made. The TEB would then arrange the selection of suitable individuals from applicants on the waiting list, giving preference to returned soldiers. At the time the rank of NCO’s in the NZAOC was only temporary and would be relinquished as soon as the permanent establishments had been authorised. Permanent appointments of NCO’s would be filled only by men who qualified by examination and are in all respects the most suitable for the position, irrespective of whether they were serving in a temporary capacity as private or NCO. Where qualifications were equal, preference would be given to returned soldiers.[16]
Ordnance Depots
Northern Command
The current facilities at the Mount Eden Depot were and not fit for purpose with suitable storage accommodation was urgently needed. Until suitable storage accommodation was provided, mobilization stores for Auckland command were to be housed at Featherston Camp.
Central Command
Suitable requirements for mobilisation stores were also required for the Central Command. The NZAOC Palmerston North Detachment had closed during this period and had transferred its stores to Featherston and Trentham Camp.[17]
The NZAOC Stores located in Buckle Street in Wellington had been relocated to Trentham.[18]
The complete demolition of Featherston Camp was therefore delayed pending suitable accommodation being made available in the Auckland District.
Southern Command
Agreement between the Education and Defence Departments had been reached on 11 September 1920 for the handover of the Burnham Industrial School to the Defence Department for use as a Military training camp and Ordnance Depot. On 15 November 1920, the Defence Department formally took over the buildings for use as an Ordnance Depot. During November 1920 an expenditure of £500 was approved for the purchase and erection of shelving in various buildings as preparation for the new Ordnance Depot.[19]
As the necessary alterations and certain additions were gradually made and buildings became available, Ordnance stores located at King Edward Barracks and the Dunedin Ordnance Depot located in St Andrews Street Dunedin were relocated to Burnham Camp as the Southern Command Ordnance Depot began to take shape.[20] Burnham Camp would ultimately provide sufficient accommodation for all the necessary military stores for the South Island.[21]
Due to a reorganisation in 1921 both the Canterbury and Nelson Military District and the Otago and Southland Military Districts were combined into the Southern Military Command
Ordnance Corps Picnic
The annual picnic of the NZAOC was held at Day s Bay on 4 February 1921 in ideal weather. A most enjoyable time was spent. A large programme o£ children’s events were also put through. [24]
Corps Alliance
Approved by His Majesty the King at the end of 1920, General Order No 95 of 1 March 1921 granted formal approval of an alliance between the RAOC and the Ordnance Corps of;[25][26]
Australia
Canada
New Zealand
South Africa
Motto
The RAOC motto ” SUA TELA TONANTI” formally adopted as the motto of the NZAOC.
Obituary
The Ordnance Officer, Northern Command Captain Ernest Charles Dovey, NZSC passed away at his residence on 11 July 1921. Captain Dovey was a popular staff officer and was well known throughout New Zealand military circles. An old Imperial Army man, he came to New Zealand in the early days of the defence movement and held positions as an instructor in the mounted service. He took a leading part in organising the Dominion military tournaments before the war, and on the reorganisation of the force in “Sir Alexander Godley’s, time entered the Staff Corps as a lieutenant. In the early days of the European war, he was engaged in preparing troops for the front and in 1916 was adjutant at Trentham Camp. He went to the front as captain of the Staff Corps, and for some, time was commandant at Etaples. On his return, he was appointed to the Ordnance staff, first as an Ordnance Officer in Palmerston North on a Probationary period then as the Ordnance Officer for the Auckland district.
Personnel Movements -July 1920 to June 1921
Releases
Articifer G Bridge
Articifer E.V Evans
Articifer F Howe
Articifer W Philips
Articifer M Scollard
Articifer F.J Sygrove
Private William Ernest Aston
Private W.S Barr
Private D Cameron
Private Phillip Frederick Deibert
Private Frederick Vaugha Evans
Private George Henry Gedson
Private Gray Gray
Private McKenzie Denis Horneman
Private Petersen Julius
Private Robert James Kennedy
Private Benjamin Edward Lambert
Private H Lander
Private William Alexander Larkin
Private W.H Launder
Private p McIlroy
Private Wilfred John Mitchinson
Private David Morgan
Private Charles Joseph Phillips
Private Arthur Pidduck
Private D.A Russell
Private John James Thomas
Private Henry Samuel Wilkie
Lance Corporal Edward Beardmore
Lance Corporal Joseph Fitzgerald
Lance Corporal Leonard Hancox
Lance Corporal Henry Edward Augustus Jones
Lance Corporal Edwin Mitchell
Lance Corporal John Wingate Nicholson
Lance Corporal William Kingston O’Connell
Lance Corporal G.E.D Robertson
Lance Corporal A.E Robinson
Lance Corporal Arthur Herbert Ross
Lance Corporal E Sharpe
Lance Corporal Robert George Smith
Corporal Theodore Anderson
Corporal Robert Brown
Corporal Arthur Thomas Burnette
Corporal Walter Bentham Clark
Corporal J Duffy
Corporal Frederick William Green
Corporal F.L McKenzie
corporal Edward McManus
Corporal H.A Rodgers
Corporal William Watt
Corporal Henry James Willis
Sergeant John Murray
Sergeant Francis Renshaw
Staff Sergeant J.R Hopkinson
Staff Sergeant J.W Kirby
Staff Sergeant J Nolan
Staff Sergeant G Quayle
Staff Quartermaster Sergeant John Leslie Jackson
Sergeant Major Artificer William Edward Moore
Armanmet Sergeant Major (WO) Thomas Edward Bryce
lieutenant Frederick W. Kibblcwhite
Captain Livingston Forsythe McNair
Honorary Lieutenant (NZAOD) Armourer Quartermaster Sergeant W.E Luckman, RAOC.[27]
[1] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces,” Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives (1921).
[2] Relinquished appointment on retirement on 12 July 1920. “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Staff Corps, Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery and Territorial Force,” New Zealand Gazette 55 (1920): 1866.
[3] Previously DADOS NZEF, after demobilisation Gossage joined the NZAOD as a Lieutenant on 16 August 1920. “Gossage, Charles Ingram “, Personal File, Archives New Zealand 1914.
[4]Ordnance Officer Auckland Mar 1920 to Sept 1920. “Lyons, Michael Joseph “, Personal File, Archives New Zealand (1914-1931).
[5] “Mcnair, Livingston Forsyth,” Personal File, Archives New Zealand (1914-1921).
[6] Ordnance Officer Auckland October 1920 to 11 July 1921. Passed away at his residence on 11 July 1921 “Personel Matter Dovey,” Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 11, 13 July 1921.
[7] Relinquished position due to retirement on1 14 July 1921 “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfers of Officers of the Nzsc, Nzaod and Territorial Force,” New Zealand Gazette No 72 (1921): 2046.
[8] “Ivory, William “, Personal File, Archives New Zealand (1916-1933).
[9] Held appointment from1 July 1919 to 14 June 1921 “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the NZ Staff Corps, Nzaod and Territorial Force,” New Zealand Gazette No 16 (1922): 588.
[10] 19 October 1920, Relinquished position on retirement. “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Staff Corps, Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery and Territorial Force,” New Zealand Gazette No 95 (1920).
[11] 13 September 1920, Relinquished position on retirement. “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Staff Corps, Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery and Territorial Force,” New Zealand Gazette No 83 (1920).
[12] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces.”
[24] “Ordnance Corps Picnic,” Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 32, 7 February 1921.
[25] Major J.S Bolton, A History of the Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps (Trentham: RNZAOC, 1992), 37.
[26] “Territorials,” Evening Star, Issue 17619, 26 March 1921.
[27] After having served as the Chief Armourer for the New Zealand Forces from 3 July 1903 to 9 September 1920 returned to the United Kingdom “Personal Luckman,” Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 292, 3 September 1920.
Gazetted by regulations published on 1 February 1917, the New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps was established as part of the permanent staff of the Defence Forces of New Zealand. Organised with Ordnance Stores under four District Ordnance Officers in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin and detachments at Palmerston North and Featherston.[1]
For this article as the activities of the New Zealand Army Ordnance Department and Corps were intertwined during the period 1918-1923 they will be referred to as the NZAOC.
The routine the work of the four District Ordnance Officers was considerably increased with the cessation of hostilities in November 1918. The return of troops necessitated the opening and equipping of hospitals, vocational and educational training schemes. This opened up new and important work to be handled by the Ordnance Corps.
Organisation
During the 1918-1919 period, the strength of the NZAOC has increased markedly. This was due to the taking over of the camps and the rush of work because of demobilization. In recruiting for the NZAOC preference was given to returned soldiers. The total strength of the NZAOC on 1st June 1919 was 486, consisting of;[2]
18 Officers, and
475 Other ranks.
Key Appointments
Directing Staff and Executive Staff
Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores
Major T. McCristell, NZAOD.
Assistant Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores
Honorary Lieutenant Frederick W. Kibblewhite, NZAOD.
Honorary Lieutenant William H Manning, NZAOD.
Honorary Lieutenant William Ramsey, NZAOD.
NZAOC appropriations year ending 31 March 1919
Alexandra Barracks, Buckle Street, Wellington
The home of the NZAOC, the Defence complex of Alexandra Barracks included the Central Districts Ordnance Depot, located on the corner of Taranaki and Buckle Street and the Armament Workshop, which was located on the site where the current museum is.
The New Zealand Ordnance Corps 1918, Buckle Street Wellington. RNZAOC School
Central Districts Ordnance Depot
The Ordnance Depot for the Central Districts, it maintained a number of sections including Clerical, Store and Maintenance, with specialist subsections such as Boot (new and repair), Sailmaker (Textile repair) and clothing.[3]
Boot Section
The total quantity of boots received from manufacturers during the 1918/19 period was;
51,693 pairs shoes (deck),
6,552 pairs.
When drawing up specifications for the supply of boots for 1918 it was recognized that several alterations were necessary to render the boots more comfortable, and durable than those of the 1917 pattern. Special fittings were placed on the toes of all military lasts used by manufacturers to render that portion of the boots roomier, and also short stout puffs were introduced, with the result that no complaints whatever were received regarding undue pressure on the toes of the wearer. A special tannage of sole leather suitable for military work was also obtained, and by a test of wear gave every satisfaction. The total number of boots rejected during this period was 95 pairs. The majority of boots rejected were discarded for minor faults only, no case being observed where manufacturers had deliberately attempted to depart from specifications, the deliveries as a whole being, both in workmanship and material, well up to the standard required.[4]
On account of the shortage of military footwear in England, during the 1918/19 period shipments to England for the purpose of equipping returning members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force before leaving for New Zealand was;
boots (ankle) 42,900 pairs,
shoes (deck), 14,000 pairs,
To satisfy demands made in New Zealand, the following issues were made
Boots (ankle, regulation), 29,886 pairs,
boots (light and special), 68 pairs;
shoes (deck), 9,845 pairs.
The stock of in store as of June 1919 comprised;
boots (ankle, regulation) 5,092 pairs,
shoes (deck) 7,684 pairs,
The Central Districts Ordnance Depot also maintained a Boot-repair Factory. During the 1918/19 period, the output of the boot-repair factory had been equal to all demands made on it, with all repairs required for Trentham and Featherston Camps and districts being satisfied. The total quantity of boots repaired from the 1st June 1918 to the 31st May 1919, was
12,709 pairs, at an average cost of 5s. Id. per pair.
13 pairs of shoes (deck) at an average cost of Is. 7d. per pair.
All material used in repairing boots and shoes was of the highest quality obtainable, and the results given in wear proved to be highly satisfactory. The repair process was as follows;
Before repairing, all boots are thoroughly disinfected by immersion in a solution of kerol (disinfectant) and water.
They were then pulled onto perfect-fitting lasts,
necessary repairs are carried out,
and the sizes stamped on the soles.
The next process is cleaning and blocking. This is done in the following manner
The boots are pulled on perfect-fitting followers,
the uppers thoroughly washed in a mixture of soap and lukewarm water.
While the leather is in a mellow state all creases and wrinkles in the uppers are rubbed out,
the boots are then put aside for twenty-four hours’ drying.
After this period the uppers are thoroughly treated with dubbin, which not only penetrates the pores of the leather (thus rendering them watertight) but also has a mellowing effect upon the uppers, making them equal in pliability to those of new boots.
The boots are then taken off the followers and placed in storage-bins ready for use.
After this treatment, the boots were in excellent condition, both from a serviceable and sanitary point of view. As of 30 June 1919, 4,600 pairs of boots had been treated in this manner, and these figures were added to (approximately) at the rate of forty pairs daily until the present stock of boots in store for repairs (estimated, after allowing for rejections, at 4,000 pairs) was exhausted. From 1918 two disabled returned soldiers were trained in boot-repairing and successfully transitioned into civil life. Three more disabled returned soldiers were sent up by the Repatriation Department for similar training.
Miscellaneous stores
With the cessation of hostilities supplies of miscellaneous stores had been reduced to a minimum consistent with estimated requirements. Due to the Influenza, all tentage was placed at the disposal of the Public Health Department.
Clothing
The deliveries of all clothing into the Central Districts Ordnance Depot during the period had been most satisfactory, with practically nil complaints on the various manufacturers for the good work that was delivered. The condition of stock in the Department was good, with no sign of moth damage visible. Hospital clothing and linen issued to the various hospitals was of a very good quality. The practice of obtaining supplies of linen, shirting, pillow-cotton, and Turkey twill towels from New Zealand manufacturers the NZAOC to supply a good hard-wearing article and saved a great deal in cost as against local purchase. The installation of the power plant in the Sail-makers’ Section was beneficial and allowed a vast quantity of goods, such as sheets, slips (pillow), neckerchiefs, cloths (table) to be made up.
The NZAOC stock of cholera belts on the cessation of hostilities totalled 19,850, this was essentially dead stock which was re manufactures into shirts (flannel, hospital) and drawers (flannel). The cost of this work is 2s. 6d. per garment. This innovation has proved a success and has enabled the NZAOC to put to good use articles which were considered as useless. Three belts are required to make each flannel shirt, and two belts are required to make each pair flannel drawers. New flannel shirts cost 10s. 6d. each, and drawers 8s. 6d. each.
It was considered advisable to take steps to protect the kapok mattresses from damage owing to the wires on beds rusting from perspiration, and to this end, some 1,500 blankets made from cotton, and which were, not considered suitable for issue, were converted into mattress-protectors by the Sailmakers’ Section.
The renovation of Hats (felt) has also been undertaken been put to good use, the cost of renovation being 3s., which included new leather chin-straps, restocking and cleaning of the hood, with work been most satisfactorily performed with some 1,500 hats subjected to renovation, enabling the NZAOC to reissue hats which in the past were not considered suitable.
The work on the renovation of garments was a complete success during the year. This scheme put to good use articles which formerly would not have been used again. All garments were thoroughly disinfected when being laundered, and all fear of contagion is done away with.
During this period the New Zealand Expeditionary Force was in in the United Kingdom were supplied from NZAOC stocks with;
Jackets, 25,000
trousers, 15,040
shirts work, 42,952
shirts, under, 18,056
drawers, pairs, 18,015
jerseys, 24,760;
socks, pairs, 39,068
putties, pairs, 15,096
boots, pairs, 42,900
shoes, pairs, 14,000.
The Forces in Egypt were supplied with:
Jackets, 2,000.
The total value of these articles was £153,600.
Armament Workshop
During the war years, components for the repairs of small arms had been hampered by difficulties in obtaining spares from England. As a wartime expedient, obsolete MLE rifles once converted by the Armament Workshops to charger loading and sighted for modern ammunition were issued to the Trentham and Featherston camps. On the cessation of hostilities, these rifles were refurbished and redistributed to the four districts in accordance with the requirements of the Training Branch as follows:[5]
Auckland, 753
Wellington, 2,163
Canterbury, 2,126
Otago, 958.
Produce
The NZAOC earned good revenue from the sale of waste products. During the 1918/19 period, the sum of £3,520 was paid into the Public Account in respect of sales of produce.[6]
Featherston Camp
On the cessation of hostilities control of the greater part of the administrative work of Featherston Camp came under the jurisdiction of the NZAOC, the satellite camps were closed, and many of the buildings of the Canvas Camp were dismantled and removed to Trentham. Stores on issue to the various schools at Featherston were either transferred to the Schools of Instruction at Trentham, with the balance distributed among the four districts, Outstanding accounts to local vendors were settled and matters placed on a sound commercial basis. Rented areas were cleared and rendered fit for return to the lessors.[7]
Trentham Camp
As with Featherston administrative control of parts of this camp were placed under the jurisdiction of the NZAOC with general cleaning up on similar lines as that carried out at Featherston carried out. A large staff of artisans was employed on the construction of hospital buildings and general alterations to existing buildings.
In both camps, the demobilization of troops and the subsequent cleaning up, stocktaking, and balancing of ledgers were carried out.
Trentham Ordnance Workshops
During 1918 the Trentham workshops had been working at full capacity with 16,000 articles such as coffins and tables manufactured or repaired. This work was carried out in addition to that relating to new hospitals and entailed the use of 344,207 square feet of timber and 25,278 square feet of three-ply. A large quantity of musketry equipment and office furniture was also manufactured in the Trentham workshop, saving the need to purchase from the commercial market at inflated prices. Machinery for a second-class Ordnance workshop has been ordered through the High Commissioner, London.
Hospital and Vocational training infrastructure
On the 9th January 1919, the NZAOC took the Railways and Works Department responsibilities for Trentham Camp. This responsibility included the maintenance of Trentham. Camp and alterations to several hutments into hospital accommodation. The hospital alterations were as follows;[8]
Ten hutments, 22 ft. by 140 ft lined and converted into hospital wards, with necessary kitchen, Duty Sister’s room, and lavatory accommodation
Four and a half hutments into cubicle accommodation for Sisters, Nurses, and V.A.D.s dining and sitting rooms for Sisters and V.A.D.s also a self-contained kitchen for the female staff employed in Trentham Military Hospital.
In addition to the above, provision was made for X-ray plant and a plaster-room. Alterations were also affected in the operating-theatre. A new septic tank capable of dealing with the sewerage of 1,000 persons was constructed. Owing to the difficulty of obtaining skilled carpenters and plumbers the progress of the work was somewhat slow. Further works have been carried out for educational and vocational training.
As part of the vocational training scheme for returning servicemen, Huts were fitted out for training in:
carpentry,
tailoring,
boot making,
commercial training,
book-keeping,
basket making,
leather-work,
surgical boots and splint making, and
acetone welding.
The provision was also made to install a hot-water system for the new hospital quarters.
Ordnance Ammunition Section at Fort Ballance
The Ammunition Section at Fort Balance destroyed a large number of B.L. cordite cartridges owing to deterioration but were replaced from stocks of material held by the Ammunition Section. About 3,000 rounds of Q.F. ammunition was made up during the year, and 1,000 rounds altered to conform with later specifications. The annual proof of percussion fuzes, friction tubes, etc was also successfully carried out.[9]
NZAOC as Quartermasters
The accounting, care, and custody of stores by units had in the main, been unsatisfactory with units not carrying out their responsibilities as detailed by the Regulations of New Zealand Military Forces. To address the situation Eleven NZAOC Staff Sergeants were seconded for duty as Quartermaster-Sergeants with units. They were appointed to units to make the necessary adjustments and get the units stores accounts onto a working basis. This was a successful arrangement with further audits disclosing few if any deficiencies. It was however evident that the storage accommodation for units was inadequate, with many units having no accommodation where stores could be secured, resulting in the backloading of many items to the regional Stores Depots.[10][11]
Due to the success of the emergency measures of NZAOC Staff Sergeants into units as Quartermaster-Sergeants, an amendment to Army regulations was published on 3 October 1918 to make the management of Quartermaster Sergeants a NZAOC responsibility. The amendments were as follows;[12]
83. Group and Unit Quartermaster-Sergeants will belong to and be trained by the New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps, and when posted for duty in districts will be borne as supernumeraries on the establishment of that corps. They will be included in the effective strength of the group or unit in which they are actually serving and will be so accounted for in periodical returns for those groups or units. In so far as the questions of efficiency, leave, and duty are concerned, Quartermaster-Sergeants will be under the direct supervision of the A.Q.M.G. of the district, and will be directly responsible to the Group or Unit Commander, as the case may be, for the performance of their respective duties as Group or Unit Accountants. They will devote the whole of their time to the accounting, care, and custody of public property on issue
Influenza Epidemic
Under the management of the Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores, Major Thomas McCristell, the 123 men of the Ordnance Corps equipped the various emergency hospitals with over 300 beds, supplied the stores and supervised the hospital arrangements and general machinery of each establishment in and about Wellington, so that by 20 November the following hospitals and convalescent hospitals had been established:[13]
Hospitals
Normal School, 91 women,
Sydney street Schoolroom, 41 men.
Missions to Seamen, 65 men.
St. John’s Schoolroom, 67 men and women.
Alexandra Hall, 20 men.
Wellington College, 105 men and women.
St. Patrick’s College, 48 men.
Brooklyn Hall, 32 men and women.
Johnsonville, 23 men and women.
Seatoun, 10 men and women.
Convalescent Hospitals
St. Thomas’s Hall, 35 men.
Wellington Convalescent Home, 24 women.
Salvation Army Training College, 16 women.
St. Anne’s Hall, 30 men.
Untended Children’s Home
Miramar Golf Club, 56 children
The 1916 census listed the population of Wellington as 95235, deaths in Wellington attributed to the influenza were 795 which gave Wellington a death rate of 7.9 per 1000. This rate was slightly higher than Auckland but well below the death rate found in other North Island Locations which was as high as 43 per 1000.[14] It would be optimistic to believe that the work carried out by the Ordnance Corps in establishing emergency hospitals contributed to Wellingtons low death rate.
The Ordnance men were not immune to the effects of the Influenza, and at one stage 7O men were laid up with influenza, placing extraordinary demands onto the very much reduced staff.[15] Private F.W Maynard, a 35-year-old Ordnance Soldier, died as a result of the complications caused by Influenza on the 28 November.[16]
By December 1918 the influenza epidemic was under control, and the crisis has passed with the emergency hospitals progressively shut down. Much of the credit to the success of the setting up and management of the emergency hospitals were placed directly on Major McCristell and his team from the Ordnance Corps.
Sport
On the 23rd September 1918 a Rugby team from the NZAOC met and defeated a team from Base Records by 12 to 5. In the evening the teams and other members of the staffs combined to hold a smoke concert. Major T. M’Cristell, Director of Army Ordnance and Supplies, presided, and a very pleasant evening was spent with musical items and speeches.
A football match was played on Saturday 12 October between the NZAOC and Base Records. Resulting in an 11 to 3 win for the NZAOC. For the winners, tries were scored by Captain King and Private Batchelor. Quartermaster-Sergeant Maclntyre converted one try. Both teams showed good form, but the NZAOC forwards proved too good for Records. Lieutenant Valentine kicked a penalty goal for the losers. Mr R Fordyce was the referee.
Ordnance Branch Picnic
The annual picnic of the Ordnance Branch was held at Day’s Bay on 12 February 1919 under altogether favourable conditions. There was an attendance of between three and four hundred, and the presence of so many children prompted General Sir Alfred Robin to remark during the presentation of the sports prizes that such a happy gathering of young folks augured very well for the Ordnance Branch of the future. The picnickers left town by the Duchess at 1015 a.m., picking up the Rarotongan contingent from Somes Island on the way, and engaged in a day’s sport and pleasure. Lieutenants Austin and Miller, with Corporals Flynn and Barnett as judges, supervised the sports arrangements, and Corporal J. Brown was an efficient secretary. A cold luncheon was provided in the pavilion, and later afternoon tea was served on the grass.[17]
Farwell
One of the largest gatherings of members of the Ordnance Staff took place on 19 May 1919, at the Buckle-street depot to bid farewell to Staff Sergeant Major Donald McIntyre, who, after 17 years’ service is severing his connection with the Defence Department to take up duties with the firm of E Morris. Sergeant Major McIntyre joined the service after his return from the Boer War. Major McCristell in making the presentation on behalf of the staff, regretted the loss. of such a loyal and well-respected member. The presentation took the form of a substantial cheque, a silver tea service, a silver rail oak tray, and a silver cake stand. Sergeant-Major McIntyre led last season in the- batting and bowling averages of the cricket, team, and Captain King, on behalf of the members of the team presented him with a bat for his batting record, and a silver hot water jug for his bowling average. He also expressed regret at losing the services of such an excellent member of the team and trusted that Sergeant-Major McIntyre would always keep in touch with them, and become, an honuary member of the sports committee.[18]
Lance Corporal Edward McManus Sharpe from Trentham to be Range Warden at Redcliff’s Range, Christchurch.[19][20]
Quartermaster Sergeant Major Quayle to Hawera Defence Office as Group Quartermaster. [21]
Lieutenant Albert Austin from the N.Z. Permanent Staff, July 3, 1918.[22]
Lieutenant Walter N. Bates, from the N.Z. Permanent Staff, July 3 1918[23]
Promotions
Conductor James M. Miller, NZAOC to lieutenant NZAOD 3 July 1918.[24]
Conductor William H Manning, NZAOC to be honorary lieutenant. 4 July 1918.[25]
Conductor William Ramsey, NZAOC to be honorary lieutenant 4 July 1918.[26]
Staff Sergeant-Major William E. Luckman, NZAOC to be honorary lieutenant 4 July 1918.[27]
Lieutenant Alfred W. Baldwin, NZAOD appointed camp quartermaster, Featherston Military Camp and is granted the temporary rank of-captain whilst so employed (November 18 1918).[28]
Enlistments
198 Private Daniel Brett
200 Private Alfred Healy de Vere
201 Private Christopher Greeshaw
203 Private Richard Rowe
204 Private Benjamin Studley
206 Private John Sheehan
207 Private Orecchio Natale
209 Private A.K Simpson
211 Cadet John Lines
213 Private William Saul Keegan
215 Private Samuel Victor Forsythe
220 Cadet Frederick Stephen Forster Shell
221 Cadet Harry William Miller
228 Private Thomas Graham Niven
239 Private Edward John Treweek
241 Private Theodore Norris
246 Private Thomas Bowman
253 Private Charles James Gardiner
254 Private James Gorman
263 Private McKenzie Denis Horneman
268 Private James Alexander Kenning
269 Private George Kermode
273 Private Thomas Ellwood Lyle
293 Artificer Michael Scollard
294 Private Richard Brady Simpson
297 Private George Steventon Thompson
299 Private Peter Tulloch
318 Private Frank Joseph Shacklock
329 Private Harold Fraser White
332 Private Hugh Patrick Duffin
343 Private Tom John McGrath
348 Private Leonard Robertshaw
354 Private William Varian Wilson
361 Private Josiah Phethean
366 Private William Henry Murdoch
368 Private James King
381 Private Henry Steele
382 Private George Priestley Smith
392 Private Robert O’Brien
393 Private John Naylor
395 Private Orlando Max Adams
407 Private James Crone
409 Private John de Rungs
414 Private Allen Gibbs
418 Private William Henry McCarthy
424 Private Phillip Thomas Labatt
431 Private John McVean Walker
432 Private Reginald Andrew Ross
436 Private John Raymond Johnson
438 Private Leonard Alexander Tall
441 Private Montagu Spotswood
446 Private Cecil Balcombe Langridge
453 Private Harold Rigby
462 Private William Ernest George
477 Private Lawritz Christopher Jansen
478 Private Andrew Robert Murphy
480 Private James Herbert Turner
493 Private William Parry Mortimore
515 Private Thomas Edward Mills
518 James McEntee
553 Private Martin Joseph Power
555 Private Gray
562 Private Herbert Edward Rogers
563 Artificer Gerald Bridge
574 Artificer Henry James Day
580 Private Robert James Kennedy
589 Private James O’Malley
590 Private Petersen Julius
594 Private James Gordon Sievwright
595 Private Albert Sydney Smith
601 Private James Pritchard
605 Private Walter Edward Cook
617 Private Horace James Richards
634 Private John Morrison
654 Private Lewis Freeman Keys
669 Lance Corporal Thomas William Cooper
675 Private Benjamin Smith
680 Private Egbert Edwin White
687 Private George Quayle
690 Private John Miller
695 Private William Cyril McGill
697 Private William Gibbons
714 Private Kennith Hoare
718 Private Peter Douglas Adamson
948 Lieutenant Michael Joseph Lyons
1001 Private Arthur James Kelly
Releases
211 Cadet John Lines
220 Cadet Frederick Stephen Forster Shell
28 Private Robert James Kennedy
66 Private Harry Stephens Jupp
70 Private Walter Ernest Hamilton Knowles
101 Private Michael Joseph Rees
115 Private Alfred William Sparkes
131 Private George Yates
161 Private Herbert Clarence Martin
170 Private Benjamin Disraeli Wigton
179 Private Paul Ernest Morris
184 Private Frederick Charles Valentine Martinson
188 Private Robert Park
189 Private Percy Deaker Owen
190 Private John Joseph Lynch
191 Private James Laurence Lord
198 Private Daniel Brett
201 Private Christopher Greeshaw
203 Private Richard Rowe
204 Private Benjamin Studley
206 Private John Sheehan
207 Private Orecchio Natale
215 Private Samuel Victor Forsythe
239 Private Edward John Treweek
297 Private George Steventon Thompson
332 Private Hugh Patrick Duffin
361 Private Josiah Phethean
381 Private Henry Steele
382 Private George Priestley Smith
395 Private Orlando Max Adams
414 Private Allen Gibbs
432 Private Reginald Andrew Ross
438 Private Leonard Alexander Tall
562 Private Herbert Edward Rogers
589 Private James O’Malley
594 Private James Gordon Sievwright
595 Private Albert Sydney Smith
654 Private Lewis Freeman Keys
695 Private William Cyril McGill
811 Private Henry Edward Franklin
64728 Private Frederick Maynard
34 Lance Corporal Cecil Martin Ellison
149 Lance Corporal Lionel Bust Foster
37 Corporal James Flynn
67 Corporal Martin Henri Kearney
48 Conductor Mark Leonard Hathaway
137 Sergeant Horace Eugene Waller
Captain Robert Vinning Parker
Lt. (Hon Capt Temp.) W. T. Beck, DSO posted to the Retired List, with the hon. rank of Capt., and permission to retain his rank and wear the prescribed uniform.[29]
Deaths
Frederick William Maynard, Influenza 28 November 1918[30]
[1] “New Zealand Army Ordnance Department and New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps Regulations,” New Zealand Gazette, No 95, June 7 1917.
[2] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces,” Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives (1919).
[11] “H-19d Conference of Defence Department Officers (Notes by) on Criticisms, Suggestions and Recommendations as Contained in the Report of the Defence Expenditure Commission,” Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives (1918).
[12] “Amending the Regulations for the Military Forces of New New Zealand,” New Zealand Gazette No 135 (1918): 3429.
[13] “Revelations,” New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10133, 22 November 1918.
When it comes to Trade embellishments, The RNZAOC and its predecessors had very few.
Quartermaster Sergeants
Although not technically an Ordnance embellishment, many of the original members of the NZAOC in the NZEF spent time as Regimental or Company Quartermaster Sergeants.
Quartermaster Rank Insignia
Warrant Officer
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant-Major, 1895-1915. Robert McKie CollectionRegimental Quartermaster Sergeant-Major, 1915-1918. Robert McKie CollectionRegimental Quartermaster Sergeant-Major, From 1918. Robert McKie Collection
Non-Commissioned Officers
Company Quartermaster Sergeant, 1895-1915. Robert McKie CollectionRegimental Quartermaster Sergeant-Major, From 1917. Robert McKie CollectionQuartermaster Sergeant (Other than Company of Squadron) From 1917. Robert McKie Collection
Armourers
Traditionally considered part of the Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, New Zealand Army Armourers had their roots as part of the NZAOC until 1946 when they became part of the New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps.
Armourers Rank Insignia
Armourer Sergeant Major, From 1917. Robert McKie CollectionArmourer Quartermaster Sergeant, 1914-1917. Robert McKie CollectionArmourer Quartermaster Sergeant, From 1917. Robert McKie CollectionArmourer Staff Sergeant, From 1914. Robert McKie CollectionArmourer Sergeant, From 1914. Robert McKie Collection
Wheelers
Before the introduction and wide use of motorised vehicles and pneumatic wheels, wagons, carts and artillery with wooden and iron wheels were the main means of battlefield transportation. The repair of wheels was carried out by Wheelwrights, who, due to their specialisation in working with wheels made of wood and iron, were classed as specialist artificers called “Wheeler Articifers”. The New Zealand Expeditionary Force initially deployed in 1914 with:
2 Wheeler/Fitters with each Artillery Battery,
2 Wheeler/Fitters with the Artillery Ammunition Column,
4 Wheelers with the Army Service Corps Divisional Train, and
1 Wheeler with the Mounted Rifles Field Ambulance.
As the war progressed, the growth of the Wheeler trade was commensurate with the development of the NZEF. As the war shifted into a war of attrition with little movement, unit tradesmen, including Wheelers, were brigaded at the Divisional Ordnance and ASC workshops.
After the war, army tradesmen were progressively placed under the control of the New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps (NZAOC). In 1924 all Artificers. (Armament, Saddlers and Wheelers) were reclassified as Artificers and all adopted the Tong and Hammer trade identifier. With no delineation between Artificers, tracing the status of Wheelwrights in the interwar period is difficult. Still, in 1938 there was one civilian Wheelwright on the strength of the Main Ordnance Workshop in Trentham. In 1946 the workshop functions separated from the NZAOC and amalgamated into the Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RNZEME).
Wheeler Quartermaster Sergeant. Robert McKie CollectionWheeler Staff Sergeant. Robert McKie CollectionWheeler Staff Sergeant. Robert McKie CollectionWheeler Corporal. Robert McKie CollectionWheeler Lance Corporal. Robert McKie CollectionWheeler. Robert McKie Collection
Ammunition Technicians
In 1961 the New Zealand Army Ammunition appointments of Inspecting Ordnance Officer and Ammunition Examiner were renamed as follows;
‘Ammunition Technical Officer’ (ATO) replaced that of “Inspecting Ordnance Officer’ (IOO) and
‘Ammunition Technician’ (AT) that of ‘Ammunition Examiner’ (AE).
ATOs and ATs at this time were still not permitted to wear any trade badges.
On 16 June 1971, the RNZAOC Chief Ammunition Technical Officer Major Bob Duggan oversaw the adoption of the RAOC Ammunition Technician’ Flaming A’ as the qualification badge for New Zealand Army ATOs and ATs. The “A” in the New Zealand badge had little to do with Ammunition but a carryover from the British Army AT badge where the “A” represented the ammunition trades position as one of the army “A” Class trades, and that was identified by the “A” on the qualification badge.
Qualification for the badge was;
Ammunition Technical Officers: Completion of one year’s practical experience after graduating from the ATO course in either Australia or the United Kingdom
Ammunition Technicians: Qualified in all aspects of the trade (on average 5 to 6 years of service),
1st pattern Ammunition Technician Badge Mess Kit Badge. Robert McKie Collection 1st pattern Ammunition Technician Badge. Robert McKie Collection
As the badge was identical to the RAOC AT badge, it was decided in 1988 to include fern fonds to give it a significant New Zealand Character.
When the RNZAOC was disestablished in 1996, the use of this badge was carried over to the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment.
Conductors
The Honourable and Ancient Appointment of Conductor has origins dating back to 1327. They are mentioned in the Statute of Westminster as the men whose job was to conduct soldiers to places of assembly. The “Conductor of Ordnance” is also mentioned in the records of the siege of Boulogne in 1544. Surviving as an appointment directly related to the handling of stores in the British army until the late 19th century, the appointment was formalised by Royal Warrant on 11 January 1879. This established conductor of supplies (in the Army Service Corps) and conductors of stores (in the Ordnance Store Branch) as warrant officers, ranking above all non-commissioned officers.
The first New Zealand Conductor was appointed in 1916, and the appointment remained in use until 1930 and again from 1977 to 1996.
Conductor Badges 1916 – 1930
During this period, Ordnance Warrant Officers, Class One, could be granted the appointment of either.
Conductor, or
Sub-Conductor
Conductors wore the Crown in Laurel Wreath (Now worn by the Warrant Officer Class II) while the Sub-Conductor wore the Royal Arms.
In 1918, British Army Order 309 of 1918 changed the Conductor’s badges to the Royal Arms in a Laurel Wreath for Conductors, and the Royal Arms continued to be worn by Sub-Conductors. Although the regulations to change badges were issued in 1918, NZEF Conductors were still wearing the original pattern badge in 1919.
The appointment of Conductor remained extant in New Zealand Ordnance until 1930, when due to the mass civilianisation of the NZ Ordnance Corps, the appointment of Conductor fell into abeyance.
Conductor Badges 1977 – 1996
The Honourable and Ancient Appointment of Conductor was approved for selected RNZAOC Warrant Officers Class Ones in 1977. The Modern Conductor badge was the Royal Arms (updated with the Queen’s crown), with either a red backing for metal badges or surrounded by a red border on cloth badges.
The RNZAOC Conductor appointment was discontinued in 1996 following the formation of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (RNZALR). In 1993 when the United Kingdom Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC) was disestablished, the appointment of Conductor was carried over to the new Royal Logistic Corps. The RNZAOC did not follow the lead of the RAOC and carried the appointment over to the new Logistic Regiment. RNZAOC Warrant Officers who held the appointment of Conductor in 1996 retained the appointment until they were either commissioned or left the service.
Director of Ordnance Services
Dress regulations promulgated in the New Zealand Gazette of 19 May 1927 (Para 916. (b) (i) ) detailed that the Director of Ordnance Services was to wear the following dress embellishments.
Blue Gorget-Patches,
Blue Cap Band with lion and crown cap badge.
The use of these items was discontinued in the early 1940s.
RNZAOC School Instructors
Established at Trentham in 1958 and formalised by charter on 5 September 1960, the RNZAOC school’s initial function was to.”
“Conduct courses as directed by Army HQ, to recommend personnel for re-employment within the Corps, to assess and test personnel for star classification (later called Band courses) and to recommend improvements in methods and procedures affecting the Corps.”
Over the years, the school developed into one of the most important units of the Corps, with responsibility for
RNZAOC Supply Training,
RNZAOC Ammunition Training,
Tri-Service IED/EOD Training,
Hosting of major Corps Conferences,
The development and maintenance of the Corps technical publications,
The development and conduct of training in all aspects of Corps activities,
The maintenance of the Corp’s history and heritage.
During the school’s existence, it is known that the following two armlets were worn by School Staff.
The first RNZAOC Instructor armlet was approved for wear on 6 November 1985 and worn until 1994 when the RNZAOC School became the Supply and Ammunition wings of the Army Logistic Center.
The armlet was a 100mm high red band with a 32mm blue stripe sewn centrally around it, mounted with a centrally mounted Ordnance Shield facing outwards.
RNZAOC School Instructors armlet (First Pattern). Malcolm Thomas Collection
With the reorganisation of the RNZAOC School into the Army Logistic Center in 1994, a new armlet was introduced. Worn by instructors of the Supply and Ammunition wings of the Army Logistic Center, this armlet was the exact dimensions as the original armlet but with the Crest of the Earl of Liverpool in place of the Ordnance Shield. This armet remained in use until RNZAOC was disestablished and the Trade Training School was established as part of the RNZALR.
RNZAOC School Instructors armlet (Second Pattern). Malcolm Thomas Collection
Proposed Trade Badges
In 1960 the New Zealand army conducted a comprehensive review of uniform dress embellishments, including trade appointment badges. Comparing the range of trade and Skill at Arms badges authorised in the British and Canadian armies, it was acknowledged that the New Zealand Army was poorly served in compassion, and there was no good reason for the New Zealand Army not to have a comparable range of trade and skill at arms badges.
To close the gap in trade badges, it was recommended that the New Zealand Army approve that new trade badges be approved across many all the army trades. Proposed badged for the RNZAOC were
The Flaming “A” Badge for Ammunition Examiners
A Crossed Needle and Awl badge for Leather and Textile trades
A Crossed Keys badge for Storemen
However, despite the report’s recommendations, the army remained conservative and final approval was not granted.
Canadian Army Badge for Leather and Textile trades. Robert McKie Collection
Canadian Army Storeman’s Badge 1958 to late 1960s. Robert McKie Collection
The sale of surplus stores through a central depot in Wellington had been continuous since the establishment of the depot and had proved successful in every way. The sales average approximately £1,000 per week, and the prices obtained are much higher than could be achieved by any other method. To enable a considerable surplus of khaki service uniform jackets to be sold, a dying contract had been arranged, and supplies of those garments, dyed dark blue, were on the market. Khaki trousers were being, similarly stained to provide complete suits. The contract is very advantageous to the NZAOC since faded garments of little sale value were restored to excellent condition and are saleable at very satisfactory prices. On completion of each training-year large quantities of uniform, clothing was withdrawn from Territorials who have completed their service. To enable this clothing to be reissued it was thoroughly cleaned and renovated under a contract dry-cleaning process. The resultant savings were very considerable. For the six months ended 31st March 1923, the figures were as follows
"To the Warrior His Arms" 