Personnel

The strength of the NZAOC between June 1932 and May 1933 was; [1]

• • 6 Officers
  • 18 Permanent Other Ranks
  • 51 Civilians

Key Appointments

Director of Ordnance Services

• Major Thomas Joseph King, New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps

Assistant Chief Ordnance Officer

• Captain W. R. Burge, M.C., New Zealand Staff Corps

Main Ordnance Depot

• Captain E.L.G Bown, NZSC.
• Captain H. E. Erridge NZAOC.[2]

Northern Command Ordnance Officer

• Lieutenant J. W. Barry, NZSC

Central Command Ordnance Officer

• Captain W.R Burge, MC, NZSC

Southern Command Ordnance Depot

• Lieutenant H. E. Erridge NZAOC

Inspecting Officer Ordnance and Ordnance Mechanical Engineer

• Major W Ivory, Royal New Zealand Artillery

Assistant Inspecting Ordnance Officer and Assistant Ordnance Mechanical Engineer

• Lieutenant I. R. Withell, RNZA

Proof Officer, Small Arms Ammunition, Auckland

• Honorary Lieutenant J.W Fletcher, New Zealand Permanent Staff

NZAOC appropriations year ending 31 March 1933

Improvised Explosive Device incident

The Inspecting Ordnance Officer Major W. Ivory, conducted a scene examination and provided evidence in court in relation to a IED incident that occurred at Marton on 2 June 1932.[3]

Retirements

Major W. Ivory. RNZA. Inspecting Ordnance Officer and Ordnance Mechanical Engineer retired on 6 April 1933. Major Ivory was responsible for the design, erection, and organisation of the new military workshops at Trentham, and for the scheme for the demolition of the Mount Cook Barracks. As the Inspecting Ordnance Officer and Ordnance Mechanical Engineer, Ivory had organised the whole of the military workshops throughout New Zealand for the repair and maintenance of equipment.[4] [5]

Overseas Courses

Captain’ I. R. Withell, RNZA proceeded to England for courses of instruction in Ordnance duties.[6] [7]

Copyright © Robert McKie 2018

Notes:

[1] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces June 1932 to May 1933,” Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives  (1933).

[2]  Promoted 1 December 1934 “Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 87, 29 November 1935.

[3] “Bus Blown Up,” Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20584, 28 June 1932, 28 June 1932.

[4] “Officers Low Pay,” Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 9, 12 January 1933.

[5] “New Zealand Army,” Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 8, 11 January 1933.

[6] Relinquished the appointments of Assistant Inspecting Ordnance Officer and Assistant Ordnance Mechanical Engineer 4 October 1932 “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Military Forces.,” New Zealand Gazette No 65, 13 October 1932, 2110.

[7] “Defence Services,” Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 91, 14 October 1932.