The Pātaka of Ngāti Tumatauenga: NZ Ordnance Corps Locations 1840 to 1996

2 Comments Robert McKie

The New Zealand Army evolved out of the British troops deployed during the 19th-century New Zealand Wars into a unique iwi known as Ngāti Tumatauenga – ‘Tribe of the God of War’. While Ngāti Tumatauenga has an extensive and well-known Whakapapa,[1] less well known is the whakapapa of the New Zealand Army’s supply and warehousing services.

Leading up to 1996, the Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps (RNZAOC) was the New Zealand Army organisation with the responsibility in peace and war for the provision, storage and distribution of Arms, Ammunition, Rations and Military stores. As the army’s warehousing organisation, the RNZAOC adopted the Pātaka (The New Zealand Māori name for a storehouse) as an integral piece of its traditions and symbology. On 9 December 1996, the warehousing functions of the RNZAOC were assumed by the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (RNZALR).

Unpacked on this page and on the attached Web Application “the Pātaka of Ngati Tumatauenga” the evolution of New Zealand’s Army’s Ordnance services is examined. From a single storekeeper in 1840, the organisation grew through the New Zealand Wars, the World Wars and the Cold War into an organisation with global reach providing support to New Zealand Forces in New Zealand and across the globe.

Scan the QR code to view the Web App:

Pataka (1)

Description of Ordnance Units

In general terms, Ordnance units can be described as:

Main/Base Depots– A battalion-sized group, commanded by a lieutenant colonel. Usually a significant stock holding unit, responsible for the distribution of stock to other ordnance installations.
Central Ordnance Depots/Supply Company– Company-sized units, commanded by a major. Depending on the role of the unit, the following subunits could be included in the organisation:
- Provision, Control & Accounts
- Stores sub-depot/platoon
  - Traffic Centre
  - Camp Equipment
  - Technical Stores
  - Expendables
  - Clothing
  - Returned Stores & Disposals
    - Textile Repair
    - Tailors
    - Boot Repair
  - Ammunition Sub-Depot/Platoon
  - Vehicles Sub-Depot/Platoon
  - Services Sub-Depot/Platoon
    - Bath and Shower
    - Laundry
  - Rations Sub-Depot/Platoon (after 1979)
  - Fresh Rations
  - Combat Rations
  - Butchers
  - Petroleum Platoon (after 1979)
  - Vehicle Depots –
- Workshops Stores Sections – In 1962, RNZAOC Stores Sections carrying specialised spares, assemblies and workshops materials to suit the particular requirement of its parent RNZEME workshops were approved, and RNZEME Technical Stores personnel employed in these were transferred to the RNZAOC.[2] [3]
- Workshops. Before 1947, Equipment repair workshops were part of the Ordnance organisation. Types of Workshop included:
  - Main Workshop
  - Field/Mobile Workshop
  - Light Aid Detachments

Unit naming conventions

The naming of Ordnance units within New Zealand was generally based upon the unit locations or function or unit.

Supply Depots were initially named based on the district they belonged to:

Upper North Island – Northern District Ordnance Depot
Lower North Island – Central Districts Ordnance Depot
South Island – Southern Districts Ordnance Depot

In 1968, a regionally based numbering system was adopted

1 for Ngaruawahia
2 for Linton
3 for Burnham
4 for Waiouru

Some exceptions were:

1 Base Depot and 1st Base Supply Battalion, a single battalion-sized unit, the name was based on role, not location.
1 Composite Ordnance Company, a unique company-sized group, the name was based on function, not location

When the Royal New Zealand Army Service Corps (RNZASC) became the Royal New Zealand Corps of Transport (RNZCT) in 1979, the supply functions were transferred to the RNZAOC, with the 1st number signifying the location, with the 2nd number being 4 for all Supply Platoons:

14 Supply Platoon, Papakura
24 Supply Platoon, Linton
34 Supply Platoon, Burnham
44 Supply Platoon, Waiouru
54 Supply Platoon, Trentham

Not that command of these units was transferred to the RNZAOC on 16 October 1978, with the personnel transferred in 1979.

Exceptions were:

21 Supply Company – Retained its name as a historical link to the unit’s long history in the RNZASC.
47 Petroleum Platoon, originally 7 Petroleum Platoon RNZASC, when transferred to the RNZAOC, as it was based in Waiouru, it added the Waiouru unit designation ‘4’ and became 47 Petroleum Platoon RNZAOC

Unit locations New Zealand, 1907–1996

Alexandra

9 Magazines operated from 1943 to 1962.

Ardmore

20 Magazines operational from 1943

Auckland

There has been an Ordnance presence in Auckland since the 1840s, with the Colonial Storekeeper and Imperial forces. The Northern Districts Ordnance Depot was situated in Mount Eden in the early 1900s. In the 1940s, the centre for Ordnance Support for the Northern Districts moved to Ngaruawahia, with a Sub depot remaining at Narrow Neck to provide immediate support.

RNZAOC units that have been accommodated at Auckland have been:

Stores Depot

Defence Stores Department, District Stores – Albert Barracks 1961-1883
Defence Stores Department, District Stores – O’Rourke Street, 1883-1903
Defence Stores Department, District Stores – Goal Reserve, Mount Eden 1903 -1917
Northern District Ordnance Depot – Goal Reserve, Mount Eden 1917 -1929.[4]
Northern District Ordnance Depot, Narrow Neck, 1929 to? [5]
1 Supply Company, from 1989, Papakura
12 Supply Company
12 Field Supply Company
15 Combat Supplies Platoon, 1 Logistic Regiment
52 Supply Platoon, 5 Force Support Company

Vehicle Depot

Northern Districts Vehicle Depot, Sylvia Park, 1948-1961
Northern Districts Ordnance Depot, Vehicle Sub Depot, Sylvia Park, 1961 – 1968
1 Central Ordnance Depot (1 COD), Vehicle Sub Depot, Sylvia Park, 1968 to 1979
1 Supply Company, Vehicle Sub Depot, Sylvia Park, 1979 to 1989

Ammunition Depot

Mount Eden Magazines – 1873-1929
Northern Districts Ammunition Depot, Ardmore – 1942 – Present

Other Units

Bulk Stores Mangere, the 1940s (Part of MOD Trentham)
DSS Fort Cautley.

Workshops

Located at the Torpedo Yard, North Head

Ordnance Workshop Devonport, 1925-1941
No 12 Ordnance Workshop, Devonport, 1941–1946

Workshop Stores Section

1 Infantry Workshop, Stores Section, Papakura 1962–1986
1 Field Workshop Store Section, Papakura
1 Transport Company Workshop, Stores Section, Fort Cautley

Belmont

Operational from 1943

MOD Trentham, Ammunition Group, Ammunition Section

Burnham

Stores Depot

In 1921, a single Command Ordnance Depot was established to service all military units in the newly organised Southern Military Command. Before this, Ordnance stores had operated from Christchurch and Dunedin. The new Depot (later renamed the Third Central Ordnance Depot) was established in the buildings of the former Industrial School at Burnham. Re-structuring in 1979 brought a change of name to 3 Supply Company.[6] [7] [8]

Stores Depot titles 1921–1996
- Area Ordnance Department Burnham, 1920 to 1939,
- Southern Districts Ordnance Depot, 1939 to 1942,
- No 3 Sub Depot, 1942 to 1948,
- Southern Districts Ordnance Depot, 1948 to 1968,
- 3 Central Ordnance Depot (3 COD), 1968 to 1979, [9]
- 3 Supply Company, 1979 to 1993,
- Burnham Supply Center,1993 to 1994,
- 3 Field Supply Company, 1994 to 1996.

Vehicle Depot

Southern Districts Vehicle Depot, 1948-1961.

Ammunition Depot

Southern Districts Vehicle Ammunition 1954-1961.

Other Ordnance Units

Combat Supplies Platoon. 1979 to 19??,
Ready Reaction Force Ordnance Support Group (RRF OSG), 19?? To 1992, moved to Linton,
32 Field Supply Company (Territorial Force Unit).

Ordnance Field Parks

3 Infantry Brigade Group OFP Platoon, 21 October 1948 – 28 June 1955.
1 (NZ) Division OFP, Tech Stores Platoon, 28 June 1955 -,

Workshops

No 14 Ordnance Workshop, until 1946.

Workshop Stores Section

Southern Districts Workshop, Stores Section,
3 Field Workshop, Store Section.

Christchurch

Stores Depot

Canterbury and Nelson Military District Stores Depot, King Edwards Barracks, Christchurch, 1907 to 1921.

Workshop Stores Section

Southern Districts Workshop, Stores Section, Addington,
3 Infantry Brigade Workshop, Stores Section, Addington,
3 Transport Company Workshop, Stores Section, Addington.

Devonport

Ordnance Workshop – Located at the Torpedo Yard, North Head

Ordnance Workshop Devonport, 1925-1941
No 12 Ordnance Workshop, Devonport, 1941–1946

Dunedin

Stores Depot

Otago and Southland Military Districts Stores Depot, 1907 to 1921

Fairlie

Nine magazines Operational 1943.

Featherston

Featherston Camp was New Zealand’s largest training camp during the First World War, where around 60,000 young men trained for overseas service between 1916 – 1918. An Ordnance Detachment was maintained in Featherston until 1927 when it functions were transferred to Northern Districts Ordnance Depot, Ngaruawahia.[10]

Glen Tunnel

16 magazines Operational from 1943

Hamilton

Proof Office, Small Arms Ammunition Factory, 1943-1946

Kelms Road

55 Magazines Operational from 1943 to 1976

Linton Camp

RNZAOC units that have been accommodated at Linton have been;

Stores Depot

No 2 Ordnance Depot, 1 October 1946 to 1948,
Central Districts Ordnance Depot, 1948 to 1968,
2 Central Ordnance Depot (2 COD), 1968 to 16 Oct 1978,[11]
2 Supply Company, 16 October 1978 to 1985,
- Static Depot
  - Tech Stores Section
- Field Force
  - 22 Ordnance Field Park
    - General Stores
    - Bath Section
5 Composite Supply Company, 1985 to 1990.

21 Field Supply Company 1990 to 1996

Vehicle Depot

Central Districts Vehicle Depot, 1957-1961

Ammunition Depot

Ordnance Field Parks

2nd Infantry Brigade Ordnance Field Park Platoon 1948-48
22 Ordnance Field Park

Workshop Stores Section

1 General Troops Workshop, Stores Section
Linton Area Workshop, Stores Section
5 Engineer Workshop, Store Section

Other Ordnance Units

24 Supply Platoon
23 Combat Supplies Platoon
47 Petroleum Platoon 1984 to 1996
Ready Reaction Force Ordnance Support Group (RRF OSG), from Burnham in 1992 absorbed into 21 Field Supply Company. [12]

Lower Hutt

Ordnance Field Parks

1 (NZ) Division OFP, Tech Stores Platoon, 28 June 1955 –

Mangaroa

First used as a tented camp during the First World War and in the Second World War Mangaroa was the site of an RNZAF Stores Depot from 1943. The depot with a storage capacity of 25,000 sq ft in 8 ‘Adams-type Buildings was handed over to the NZ Army by 1949.[13] The units that have been accommodated at Mangaroa have been:

Supply Depot

Main Ordnance Depot,1949–1968,
1 Base Ordnance Depot, 1968–1979,
1st Base Supply Battalion,
- ACE(Artillery and Camp Equipment) Group
- 5 Composite Supply Company, 1978 – Dec 1979

Ordnance Field Parks

2nd Infantry Brigade Ordnance Field Park Platoon, 1950–1963,
1 Infantry Brigade Group, OFP, 1963–1968,
1st Composite Ordnance Company (1 Comp Ord Coy), 1964–1977,
1 Comp Ord Coy was the Ordnance Bulk Holding unit for the field force units supporting the Combat Brigade Group and the Logistic Support Group, and held 60–90 days’ war reserve stock. 1 Comp Ord Coy was made up of the following subunits: [14]
- Coy HQ
- 1 Platoon, General Stores
- 2 Platoon, Technical Stores
- 3 Platoon, Vehicles
- 4 Platoon, Ammo (located at Makomako)
- 5 Platoon, Laundry
- 6 Platoon, Bath

Mako Mako

39 magazines operational from 1943

MOD Trentham, Ammunition Group, Ammunition Section
2 COD Ammunition Section

Mount Eden

Defence Stores/Ordnance Depot, 1871-1927

Defence Stores Department Powder Magazines 1871
Defence Stores Department, District Stores – Goal Reserve, Mount Eden 1903 -1917
Northern District Ordnance Depot – Goal Reserve, Mount Eden 1917 -1929.[4]

Proof Office, Small Arms Ammunition Factory, 1898-1967

Mount Somers

10 Magazines operational from 1943, closed 1969

Ngaruawahia

Ngaruawahia also was known as Hopu Hopu was established in 1927, [15] and allowed the closure of Featherston Ordnance Depot and the Auckland Ordnance Depot and was intended to service the northern regions. During construction, Ngaruawahia was described by the Auckland Star as “Probably the greatest Ordnance Depot”[16] Ngaruawahia closed down in 1989, and its Ordnance functions moved to Papakura and Mount Wellington.
RNZAOC units that have been accommodated at Ngaruawahia have been:

Stores Depot

Area Ngaruawahia Ordnance Department 1927 to 1940,
Northern District Ordnance Depot, 1940 to 1942,
No 1 Ordnance Sub Depot, 1942 to 1948, In addition to the main stores at Ngaruawahia Camp, No 1 Ordnance Sub Depot also maintained Sub-Depots at the following locations:
- Bulk Store at Federal Street, Auckland
- Clothing and Boot Store at Mills Lane, Auckland
- Clothing Store at Glyde Rink, Kyber Pass/Park Rd, Auckland
- The Ray Boot Store, Frankton
- Area 4 Ordnance store, Hamilton.
- Pukekohe Show Grounds Buildings
Northern District Ordnance Depot, 1948 to 1968,
1 Central Ordnance Depot (1 COD), 1968 to 1979,
1 Supply Company, 1979 to 1989,
1 Field Supply Company, 1984, from 1989, Papakura. [17]

Ammunition Depot

25 Storehouses

Thirteen Constructed 1927-29
Twelve Constructed 1942-45

Ordnance Field Parks

1st Infantry Brigade Ordnance Field Park Platoon, 1948 to 1955
1 Infantry Brigade Group, Ordnance Field Park(OFP), 1968 to 1979, support to Combat Brigade Group

Workshop Stores Section

1 Infantry Brigade Group LAD, Stores Section

Other Ordnance Units

Northern Districts Ammunition Depot, Kelms Road

Palmerston North

Palmerston North Detachment, NZAOC, 1914 to 1921.[18] [19] [20]
Depot Closed and stocks moved to Trentham.
Ordnance Store, 327 Main Street Circa 1917-1921.[21]
No 2 Ordnance Sub Depot, Palmerston North showgrounds, 1942 to 1946 when depot moved to Linton.

Trentham

Stores Depot

Main Ordnance Depot (MOD), 1920 to 1968
Base Ordnance Depot (BOD), 1968 to 1979
1st Base Supply Battalion (1BSB), 1979 to 1993
5 Logistic Regiment (5LR), 1993 to 8 December 1996 when Transferred to the RNZALR.

Ordnance School

RNZAOC School, 1958 to 1994
Supply/Quartermaster Wing and Ammunition Wing, Trade Training School 1994 to 1996. [21]

Workshops

Main Ordnance Workshop, 1917 to 1946.[22]

Workshop Stores Section

1 Base Workshop, Stores Section

Ordnance Field Parks

4(NZ) Division Ordnance Field Park(OFP), 1950–1963

Vehicle Depot

Central Districts Vehicle Depot, 1948 – 1957

Ammunition Units

HQ Ammunition Group, sections at Belmont, Makomako, Kuku Valley, Waiouru
Ammunition Proof and Experimental Centre, Kuku Valley
Central Military District Ammunition Repair Depot, Kuku Valley

Waiouru

Ordnance Sub Depots were established at Waiouru in 1940, which eventually grew into a stand-alone Supply Company.[23]

RNZAOC units that have supported Waiouru have been;

Stores Depot

Main Ordnance Depot, Waiouru Sub-Depot, 1940–1946, Initially managed as a Sub-Depot of the Main Ordnance Depot in Trentham, Ordnance units in Waiouru consisted of:
- Artillery Sub Depot
- Bulk Stores Depot
- Ammunition Section
Central Districts Ordnance Depot, Waiouru Sub Depot (1946–1976).[24] In 1946 Waiouru became a Sub-Depot of the Central Districts Ordnance Depot in Linton, consisting of:
- Ammo Group
- Vehicle Group
- Camp Equipment Group.
4 Central Ordnance Deport, (1976–1979) On 1 April 1976 became a stand-alone Depot in its own right. [25]
4 Supply Company, (1979–1989)
when the RNZASC was disbanded in 1979 and its supply functions transferred to the RNZAOC, 4 Supply gained the following RNZASC units:[26]
- HQ 21 Supply Company,(TF element)(1979–1984)
  21 Supply Company was retained as a Territorial unit for training and exercise purposes and was capable of providing a Supply Company Headquarter capable of commanding up to five subunits.
- 47 Petroleum Platoon (1979–1984)
- 44 Supply Platoon

Central Q, (1989–1993)
4 Field Supply Company, (1993–1994)
Distribution Company, 4 Logistic Regiment, (1994–1996)

Workshop Stores Section

Waiouru Workshop, Stores Section
4 ATG Workshop, Stores Section
1 Armoured Workshop, Store Section
QAMR Workshop, Store Section

Wellington

The Board of Ordnance originally had a warehouse in Manners Street, but after the 1850 earthquake severely damaged this building, 13 acres of Mount Cook was granted to the Board of Ordnance, starting a long Ordnance association with the Wellington area.

Stores Depot

Defence Stores Department, Lower Mount Cook Barracks, 1869 – 1917
Central Districts Ordnance Depot, Mount Cook, 1917 to 1920.[27]

Workshops

Armament Workshop, Alexandra Military Depot.[29]

Ammunition Storage

Mount Cook, Powder Magazine, 1847 – 1879
Kaiwharrawharra Powder Magazines, 1879-1920
NZAOC Ammunition Section, Fort Ballance Magazine Area, 1920 -1943

Ammunition Inspection and Repair

New Zealand Ordnance Corps Section, RNZA, Fort Ballance, Wellington, 1915 to 1917.[28]

Unit locations overseas, 1914–1920

Few records trace with any accuracy New Zealand Ordnance units that served overseas in the First World War. Although the NZAOC was not officially created until 1917.[30] The New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps was constituted as part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) in 1914 for overseas service only and in 1919 its members demobilised, returned to their parent units or mustered into the New Zealand Army Ordnance Department (Officers) or New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps (other Ranks) on their return to New Zealand.

Egypt

Ordnance Depot, Zeitoun Camp, 1914-16
Ordnance Depot Alexandra, 1915-16
- 12 Rue de la, Porte Rosette, Alexandria. [31]
- New Zealand Ordnance Store, Shed 43, Alexandria Docks.[32]
NZ Ordnance Section, NZEF Headquarters in Egypt
- Qasr El Nil Barracks, Cairo.[33]

Fiji

NZAOC Detachment, Fiji Expeditionary Force, Suva – February- April 1920

Germany

Ordnance Depot, Mulheim, Cologne

Greece

Ordnance Depot, Sapri Camp, Lemnos Island, October – December 1915

Samoa

1 Base Depot

Turkey

Ordnance Depot, ANZAC Cove, Gallipoli, April – Dec 1915

United Kingdom

New Zealand Ordnance Base Depot Farringdon Street, London
Ordnance Depot, Cosford Camp

Unit locations overseas, 1939–1946

Egypt

Headquarters

Office of the DDOS 2NZEF, 22 Aig 1941 to Sept 1942
Office of the ADOS 2NZEF, Sept 1942 to 1 Sept 1945

Base Units

Supply

New Zealand Base Ordnance Depot, Maadi, 1940 to 19 Feb 1944
No 1 New Zealand Base Ordnance Depot, 16 Feb 1944 to 1946

Workshops (until Sept 1942 when transferred to NZEME)

NZ Base Ordnance Workshop

Laundry

NZ Base Laundry, 30 Sept 1942 – 30 Sept 1943

Training

Engineer and Ordnance Training Depot, Maadi Camp

Field Units

Supply

2 NZ Divisional Ordnance Field Park, 28 Jul 1941 – 29 Dec 1945
NZ Divisional Mobile Bath Unit, 6 Sept 1941 – 30 Sept 1942
NZ Divisional Mobile Laundry & Decontamination Unit, 22 Sept 1941 – 27 Mar 1942
NZ Divisional Mobile Laundry, 27 Mar 1942 – 30 Sept 1942
NZ Salvage Unit, 16 Aug 1941 – 20 Oct 1942

Workshops (until Sept 1942 when transferred to NZEME)

2 NZ Divisional Ordnance Workshops
1 NZ Field Workshop
2 NZ Field Workshop
3 NZ Field Workshop
14 NZ Anti-Aircraft Workshop Section
9 NZ Light Aid Detachment (attached 4 Fd Regt)
10 NZ LAD (attached 5 Fd Pk Coy)
11 NZ LAD (attached HQ 4 NZ Inf Bde)
12 NZ LAD (attached 27 NZ (MG) Bn) Disbanded 15 Oct 1942
13 NZ LAD (attached 2 NZ Div Cav)
14 NZ LAD (attached 2 NZ Div Sigs)
15 NZ LAD (attached 7 NZ A Tk Regt)
16 NZ LAD (attached HQ 5 Fd Regt)
17 NZ LAD (attached HQ 5 NZ Inf Bde)
18 NZ LAD (attached 6 NZ Fd Regt)
19 NZ LAD (attached HQ 6 NZ Inf Bde)

Greece

2 Independent (NZ) Brigade Group Workshop.[34]
5 Independent (NZ) Brigade Group Workshop. [35]
Light Aid Detachments x 11
1 Ordnance Field Park (British OFP attached to NZ Division).[36]

Italy

Headquarters

Office of the ADOS 2NZEF, 6 Jun 1945 to 1 Sept 1945

Base units

No 2 New Zealand Base Ordnance Depot, Bari, 16 Feb 1944 – 2 Feb 1946.[37]
- Advanced Section of Base Depot, Senegallia, Sept 44 – Feb 46.
NZ Advanced Ordnance Depot, 1943- 14 Feb 1944 (Absorbed into OFP)

Field units

NZ Division Ordnance Field Park OFP, – 29 Dec 1945
NZ Advanced Ordnance Depot, 27 Oct 1945- 1 Feb 1946
NZ Mobile Laundry Unit, 1 Oct 1943 – 16 Feb 1944
NZ Mobile Bath Unit, 18 Oct 1943 – 16 Feb 1944
MZ Mobile Laundry and Bath Unit, 16 Feb 1944 – 8 Dec 1945
NZ Vehicle and Stores Reception Depot, 27 Oct 1944 – 1 Feb 1946
- Vehicle Depot, Assisi, 27 Oct 1945 – Jan 1946.[38]
- Stores Depot, Perugia, 27 Oct 1945 – Feb 1946.[39]

Fiji

Divisional Ordnance Headquarters
Base Ordnance Depot
Division Ordnance Workshop
‘A’ Workshop Section
‘B Workshop Section
20th Light Aid Detachment
36th Light Aid Detachment
37th Light Aid Detachment

New Caledonia

Base Ordnance Depot
Division Ordnance Workshop
20th Light Aid Detachment
36th Light Aid Detachment
37th Light Aid Detachment
42 Light Aid Detachment
64 Light Aid Detachment
65 Light Aid Detachment
67 Light Aid Detachment

Solomon Islands

Advanced Ordnance Depot, Guadalcanal. Officer Commanding and Chief Ordnance Officer, Captain Noel McCarthy.

Tonga

16 Brigade Group Ordnance Field Park
16 Brigade Group Workshop

Unit locations overseas, 1945–1996

Japan

Base Ordnance Depot, Kure (RAOC unit, NZAOC personnel attached)
4 New Zealand Base Ordnance Depot, November 1945.
4 New Zealand Advanced Ordnance Depot, November 1946.
4 New Zealand Ordnance Field Park – August 1947 to July 1948 when closed.

ADO Gate

Korea

No Standalone units but individual RNZAOC personnel served in 4 Ordnance Composite Depot (4 OCD) RAOC.

Malaya

No standalone RNZAOC units, but individual RNZAOC personnel may have served in the following British and Commonwealth Ordnance units:

3 Base Ordnance Depot, RAOC, Singapore
28 Commonwealth Brigade Ordnance Field Park, Terendak, Malaysia.

Singapore

Stores Depot

5 Advanced Ordnance Depot, 1970–1971
5 Advanced Ordnance Depot (5 AOD) was a short-lived Bi-National Ordnance Depot operated by the RAAOC and RNZAOC in Singapore, 1970 to 1971.
ANZUK Ordnance Depot, 1971–1974
ANZUK Ordnance Depot was the Tri-National Ordnance Depot supporting the short-lived ANZUK Force. Staffed by service personnel from the RAOC, RAAOC and RNZAOC with locally Employed Civilians (LEC) performing the basic clerical, warehousing and driving tasks. It was part of the ANZUK Support Group supporting ANZUK Force in Singapore between 1971 to 1974. ANZUK Ordnance Depot was formed from the Australian/NZ 5 AOD and UK 3BOD and consisted of:
- Stores Sub Depot
- Vehicle Sub Depot
- Ammunition Sub Depot
- Barrack Services Unit
- Forward Ordnance Depot(FOD)
New Zealand Advanced Ordnance Depot, 1974–1989
From 1974 to 1989 the RNZAOC maintained the New Zealand Advanced Ordnance Depot(NZAOD) in Singapore as part of New Zealand Force South East Asia (NZFORSEA).

Workshops Stores Section

New Zealand Workshops, RNZAOC Stores Section
1RNZIR, Light Aid Detachment Stores Section

Somalia

The RNZAOC (with RNZCT, RNZEME, RNZSig, RNZMC specialist attachments) contributed to the New Zealand Governments commitment to the International and United Nations Operation in Somalia(UNOSOM) efforts in Somalia with:

Supply Detachment, Dec 1992 to June 1993
Supply Platoon x 2 rotations, July 1993 to July 1994 (reinforced with RNZIR Infantry Section)
RNZAOC officers to UNOSOM headquarters, 1992 to 1995.[40]

South Vietnam

During New Zealand’s commitment to the war in South Vietnam (29 June 1964 – 21 December 1972). The Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps did not contribute a standalone unit but provided individuals to serve in New Zealand Headquarters units, Composite Logistic units or as part of Australian Ordnance Units including:

Headquarters Vietnam Force (HQ V Force)
1st Australian Task Force (1 ATF)
1st Australian Logistic Support Group (1 ALSG)
161 Battery Attachments (161 Bty Attached)
New Zealand Rifle Companies
161st (Independent) Reconnaissance Flight

Notes

[1] Whakapapa is a taxonomic framework that links all animate and inanimate, known and unknown phenomena in the terrestrial and spiritual worlds. Whakapapa, therefore, binds all things. It maps relationships so that mythology, legend, history, knowledge, Tikanga (custom), philosophies and spiritualities are organised, preserved and transmitted from one generation to the next. “Rāwiri Taonui, ‘Whakapapa – Genealogy – What Is Whakapapa?’, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, Http://Www.Teara.Govt.Nz/En/Whakapapa-Genealogy/Page-1 (Accessed 3 June 2019).”

[2] Major J.S Bolton, A History of the Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps (Trentham: RNZAOC, 1992).

[3] A.J. Polaschek and Medals Research Christchurch, The Complete New Zealand Distinguished Conduct Medal: Being an Account of the New Zealand Recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal from the Earliest Times of the South African War to the Present Time, Together with Brief Biographical Notes and Details of Their Entitlement to Other Medals, Orders and Decorations (Medals Research Christchurch, 1983).

[4] “Dismantling of Buildings at Mt Eden and Reassembling at Narrow Neck,” New Zealand Herald, vol. LXVI, p. 5, 2 February 1929.

[5] “The Narrow Neck Camp,” New Zealand Herald, vol. LVIII, no. 17815, p. 6, 23 June 1921.

[6] John J. Storey and J. Halket Millar, March Past: A Review of the First Fifty Years of Burnham Camp (Christchurch, N.Z.: Pegasus Press, 1973, 1974 printing, 1973), Non-fiction.

[7] “Camp at Burnham,” Star, no. 16298, p. 8, 13 December 1920.

[8] “RNZAOC Triennial Conference,” in Handbook – RNZAOC Triennial Conference, Wellington,” (1981).

[9][9] “NZ P106 Dos Procedure Instructions, Part 1 Static Support Force. Annex F to Chapter 1, Rnzaoc Director of Ordnance Services,” (1978).

[10] ” Featherston Military Training Camp and the First World War, 1915–27,” https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/featherston-camp.

[11] “NZ P106 Dos Procedure Instructions, Part 1 Static Support Force. Annex F to Chapter 1, Rnzaoc Director of Ordnance Services.”

[12] “Stockholding for Operationally Deployable Stockholding Units,” NZ Army General Staff, Wellington (1993.).

[13] L Clifton, Aerodrome Services, ed. Aerodrome Services Branch of the Public Works Department War History (Wellington1947).

[14] “1 Comp Ord Coy,” Pataka Magazine, February 1979.

[15] “D-01 Public Works Statement by the Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works,” Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1 January,” (1925).

[16] “Great Military Camp,” The Auckland Star, vol. LVI, no. 83, p. 5, 8 April 1925.

[17] “1st Field Supply Company Standing Operating Procedures, 1st Supply Company Training Wing, Dec “, (1984).

[18] W.H. Cunningham and C.A.L. Treadwell, Wellington Regiment: N. Z. E. F 1914-1918 (Naval & Military Press, 2003).

[19] “Defence Re-Organisation,” Manawatu Times, vol. XLII, no. 1808, p. 5, 5 May 1921.

[20] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces from 25th June 1914 to 26th June, 1915.,” “, Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives (1915).

[21] “NZ Army Ordnance Stores, ,” https://manawatuheritage.pncc.govt.nz/item/c7681d2d-c440-4d58-81ad-227fc31efebf.

[22] “Pataka Magazine. RNZAOC, P. 52,,” (1994).

[23] “Waiouru Camp “, Ellesmere Guardian, vol. LXI, no. 90, p. 2, 12 November 1940

[24] Bolton, A History of the Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps.

[25] Ibid.

[26] Ibid.

[27] “Ordnance Stores,” Evening Post, vol. c, no. 95, p. 8, 19 October 1920.

[28] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces from 25th June 1914 to 26th June 1915.”

“, Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives (1915).

[29] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces, from 1st June 1916 to 31st May 1917,” Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives (1917).

[30] “Colonel Rhodes,” Dominion, vol. 9, no. 2718, p. 9, 13 March 1916. .

[31] Ibid.

[32] Ibid.

[33] Glyn Harper, Johnny Enzed: The New Zealand Soldier in the First World War 1914-1918, First World War Centenary History (Titirangi, Auckland, New Zealand: Exisle Publishing, 2015

[Limited Leather Bound Edition], 2015), Bibliographies, Non-fiction.

[34] A.H. Fernyhough, History of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps 1920-1945 (Royal Army Ordnance Corps, 1958).

[35] Ibid.

[36] Ibid.

[37] New Zealand War Histories – Italy Volume Ii : From Cassino to Trieste, (Victoria University of Wellington, 1967).

[38] Ibid.

[39] Ibid.

[40] “Somalia: 1992 – 1995,” NZ Army,” http://www.army.mil.nz/about-us/what-we-do/deployments/previous-deployments/somalia/default.htm.

Officers of the NZAOC 1917-1939

1 Comment Robert McKie

Established under the auspice of the 1914 Defence regulations,[1] the New Zealand Army Ordnance Department (NZAOD) and the New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps (NZAOC) were established as a branch under the Quartermaster-General in 1917. Assuming responsibility for the functions of Director of Equipment and Stores and the Director of Ordnance and Artillery, the officers of the NZAOD would be organised into three functional areas;

The Directing Staff
The Executive Staff and
The Inspectorate Staff

The initial officers of the NZAOD were drawn from the staff of the Defence Stores, Royal New Zealand Artillery, New Zealand Staff Corps (NZSC) and New Zealand Permanent Staff (NZPS) provided a bedrock of experience in which to build upon.

In 1920 the appointment of Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores was renamed Director of Ordnance Services (DOS) and the post of Chief Ordnance Officer (COO) created with the intent that the DOS would provide the overall management of the New Zealand Ordnance Services and the COO acting as the Commanding Officer of the NZAOC. In 1922 the DOS assumed the role of Commanding Officer of the NZAOC from the COO, with the COO taking charge of the Trentham Ordnance Depot. Major King was appointed DOS in 1924 and for the duration of his tenure would retain the appointment of COO.

1924 saw the NZAOD amalgamate into the NZAOC and the original structure dispensed with. Many of the original officers had retired, replaced by new officers with war service in Ordnance or Quartermaster roles including some with Ordnance training at Woolwich. Due to a lack of qualified personnel, the appointments of Inspecting Ordnance Officer (IOO) and Inspector of Ordnance Machinery (IOM) was carried by one officer with responsibility for the appointment split between the Director of Ordnance and the Director of Artillery.

The Defence Regulation of 1927 clarified the status of the NZAOC and details its responsibilities as follows;[2]

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, machineguns, 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 organization and control of ordnance workshops,

The preparation and periodic revision of Equipment Regulations and barrack and hospital schedules,

The organization, administration, and training of the N.Z Army Ordnance Corps,

The maintenance of statistics of the Ordnance Department.

Despite the challenges of the depression, the NZAOC would struggle through the 1930s and by the beginning of 1939 the officers of the NZAOC were employed as follows;[3]

Branch of the Adjutant and Quarter-Master General

Director of Ordnance Services- Lieutenant Colonel T.J King.

Main Ordnance Depot

Chief Ordnance Officer – Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Joseph King.
Assistant Chief Ordnance Officer, Major W.R Burge, MC, NZSC.
Ordnance Officer (Provision), Captain Henry Ernest Erridge.
Ordnance Officer, Captain E.L.G Bown, NZSC.
Assistant Ordnance Officer, Lieutenant A.H Andrews, BE.
Inspecting Ordnance Officer, Captain I. R. Withell, B.Sc., RNZA.
Ordnance Mechanical Engineer, Lieutenant Sinclair Banks Wallace, BE.

Northern Military District

District Ordnance Officer – Lieutenant David Llewellyn Lewis.
- Northern Command Ordnance Depot, Ngaruawahia.
Proof Officer, Small Arms Ammunition, Honorary Lieutenant J.W Fletcher, NZPS.

Central Military District

District Ordnance Officer – Major W.R Burge, MC, NZSC.
- Main Ordnance Depot, Trentham.

Southern Military District

District Ordnance Officer – Lieutenant D. Nicol.
- Southern Command Ordnance Depot, Burnham.

List of NZAOC Officers 1917-1939

Head of Corps

Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores, Major T. McCristell, NZAOD. 1 Apr 1917 to 30 Jan 1920. [4]
Director of Ordnance Services, Lieutenant Colonel H. E. Pilkington, CBE, RNZA. 30 Jan 1920 to 1 Oct 1924. [5] [6] [7]
Director of Ordnance Services, Lieutenant Colonel T.J King. 1 Oct 1924 – incumbent.[8] [9] [10]

Chief Ordnance Officer

Chief Ordnance Officer, Lieutenant Colonel T McCristell. 30 Jan 1920 to 30 Apr 1920.[11]
Chief Ordnance Officer, Captain T.J King. 30 Apr 1920 – incumbent 1939. [12]

Assistant Chief Ordnance Officer

Assistant Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores, Temporary Captain T. J. King. 1 Apr 1917 to Jan 1920.
Assistant Chief Ordnance Officer, Captain Alfred William Baldwin. 3 July 1921 to 1922.
Assistant Chief Ordnance Officer, Lieutenant H. E. Erridge. 31 July 1926 to 19 May 1929
Assistant Chief Ordnance Officer, Captain W.R Burge, MC, NZSC. 18 Apr 1929 – incumbent 1939. [13] [14]

Ordnance Accounting Officer

Ordnance Accounting Officer, Lieutenant J.M. Miller. 3 Jul 1918 to 12 Jul 1920.[15] [16]
Ordnance Accounting Officer, Lieutenant C.I. Gossage, OBE. 16 Aug 1920 to Dec 22.[17] [18] [19]
Ordnance Accounting Officer, Lieutenant Thomas Webster Page. 1 Jan 23 to 27 Jul 29.[20] [21]

Northern Command Ordnance Officers

Ordnance Officer Auckland, Captain W.T Beck, DSO. 3 Apr 17 to Mar 1918.
Ordnance Officer Auckland, Captain Livingston Forsyth McNair. 16 Jan 1918 to23 Apr 21.[22]
Ordnance Officer Auckland, Lieutenant M.J Lyons. 1 Mar 1920 to Sept 1920.[23] [24] [25] [26]
Ordnance Officer Auckland, Captain E.C Dovey, NZSC. Oct 20 to11 Jul 21.[27]
Ordnance Officer Northern Command, Captain A.W Baldwin. 1922 to1 Aug 26.[28]
Ordnance Officer Northern Command, Captain Frank Edwin Ford. 1 Sept 1926 to 30 Jan 1931.[29] [30]
Ordnance Officer Northern Command, Lieutenant J.W Barry, NZSC. 31 Jan 1931 to12 Oct 1934.[31] [32] [33] [34]
Ordnance Officer Northern Command, Lieutenant D.L Lewis. 13 Oct 1934 – incumbent 1939. [35] [36] [37] [38]

Central Command Ordnance Officers

Central Districts Ordnance Officer, Captain F. E. Ford. 1 Apr 1917 to 1 Dec 1921.[39] [40]
Ordnance Officer, Central Military Command, Captain Herbert Henry Whyte, M.C. 2 Dec 1921 to 2 April 1929.[41] [42]

Whyte

Ordnance Officer, Central Military Command, Lieutenant H. E. Erridge. 19 May 1929 to 20 Dec 1930.[43] [44][45]
Ordnance Officer, Central Military Command, Captain W.R Burge, MC, NZSC. 21 Dec 1930 – incumbent 1939. [46]

Southern Command Ordnance Officers

Ordnance Officer Southern Command, Captain Arthur Rumbold Carter White. 1 Apr 1917 to 13 Dec 1930.[47] [48]
Ordnance Officer, Burnham, Captain Owen Paul McGuigan. 1921 to15 Oct 1922.[49] [50]
Ordnance Officer Southern Command, Lieutenant H. E. Erridge. 20 Dec 1930 to 31 Jan 1934.[51] [52] [53] [54] [55]
Ordnance Officer Southern Command, Lieutenant D.L Lewis. 1 Feb 1934 to 16 Apr 1934.[56]
Ordnance Officer Southern Command, Lieutenant D. Nicol. 19 May 1934 – incumbent 1939. [57] [58] [59] [60]

Dunedin Ordnance Officers

Ordnance Officer Dunedin, Captain O.P. McGuigan. 1 Apr 1917 to 1921.

Trentham Ordnance Officers

Ordnance Officer Trentham Camp, Honorary Lieutenant L.F McNair, NZSC. 19 Mar 1917 to16 Jan 1918. [61]
Ordnance Officer Main Depot, Lieutenant H.H Whyte. 13 May 1920 to 4 Apr 1929. [62] [63]
Ordnance Officer Main Depot, Captain William Moody Bell. 15 Mar 1929 to15 Dec 1930. [64] [65] [66]
Ordnance Officer Main Depot, Lieutenant H. E. Erridge. 19 May 1929 to20 Dec 1930.[67] [68]
Ordnance Officer Main Depot, Captain A. W. Baldwin. 1 Aug 1926 to 31 Mar 31.
Ordnance Officer Main Depot, Captain E.L.G Bown, NZSC. 22 Apr 31- incumbent 1939. [69]
Ordnance Officer Main Depot, Lieutenant D.L Lewis, 16 Apr 34 to 1 June 34.[70]
Ordnance Officer (Provision), Captain H. E. Erridge. 29 Jun 1934.[71] [72]
Officer in Charge, Ordnance Workshop, Trentham Lieutenant A.H Andrews, BE. 17 Jun 1936 to 21 Sep 1937.[102]
Assistant Ordnance Officer Main Depot, Lieutenant A.H Andrews, BE, 17 Jun 1938- incumbent 1939. [73]

Palmerston North Ordnance Officers

Ordnance Officer, Palmerston North NZAOC Detachment, Captain F. E. Ford. 3 Apr 1917 to1 Dec 21. Assumed the role on 21 June 1915.

Featherston Camp Ordnance Officers

Ordnance Officer Featherston Camp, Captain A. W. Baldwin. 19 Mar 1917 to 3 July 1921.[74] [75]
Ordnance Officer Featherston Camp, Lieutenant L.A Clement. 4 July 1921 to 31 Nov 21. [76]
Ordnance Officer Featherston Camp, Captain F. E. Ford. 1 Dec 21 to 1 Sep 26. [77] [78] [79] [80]

Executive Staff Ordnance Officers

Executive Staff Ordinance Officer, Lieutenant Eugene Key. 16 Jan 1918 to 12 Nov 1919. [81]
Executive Staff Ordinance Officer, Lieutenant Albert Austin. 3 Jul 1918 to 14 Jul 1921. [82]
Executive Staff Ordinance Officer, Lieutenant Walter N. Bates. 3 Jul 1918 to 20 Jun 1920.[83]

The Inspector of Ordnance Machinery

The Inspector of Ordnance Machinery, Captain Robert George Vinning Parker. 1 Apr 1917 to 30 Sep 1919.

Inspector of Engineers, Electric Light and Defence Vessels Stores

Inspector of Engineers, Electric Light and Defence Vessels Stores, Captain George John Parrell. 1 Apr 1917 to 30 Sep 1919[84]
Inspector of Engineers, Electric Light and Defence Vessels Stores, Captain Albert Ernest Neilson. 1 Jul 1919 to 14 Jun 1921.[85] [86]

Inspecting Ordnance Officer and Acting Inspector of Ordnance Machinery

Inspecting Ordnance Officer and Acting Inspector of Ordnance, Machinery Captain William Ivory, RNZA. 1 Jan 1921 to 17 Jun 1925. [87] [88] [89] [90]
Acting Inspecting Ordnance Officer, Lieutenant A de T Nevill, RNZA. 18 Jun 1925 to 11 Jan 1927.[91] [92]
Inspecting Ordnance Officer and Inspector Mechanical Engineer, Captain William Ivory, RNZA. 2 Jan 1927 to 6 Apr 1933.
Inspecting Ordnance Officer and Assistant Ordnance Mechanical Engineer, Lieutenant I.R Withell, RNZA. 18 Dec 1933 to 21 Sep 37. [93] [94]

Assistant IOO and OEM

Assistant Inspecting Ordnance Officer and Assistant Ordnance Mechanical Engineer, Lieutenant I.R Withell, RNZA. 16 May 1929 to 4 Oct 1932.[95] [96] [97] [98]
Assistant Inspecting Ordnance Officer and Ordnance Mechanical Engineer, Lieutenant S. B. Wallace, BE 18 Dec 1933 to 15 Feb 1936.[99] [100] [101]

Inspecting Ordnance Officer

Inspecting Ordnance Officer, Captain I. R. Withell, B.Sc., RNZA. 21 Sep 1937 – incumbent 1939.[103]

Ordnance Mechanical Engineer

Ordnance Mechanical Engineer (Temp), Lieutenant A.H Andrews, BE. 21 Sep 1937 to17 Jun 1938.[104] [105]
Ordnance Mechanical Engineer, Lieutenant S. B. Wallace, BE. 18 Jun 1938 – incumbent 1939. [106]

Proof Officer, Small Arms Ammunition, Mount Eden

Proof Officer, Small Arms Ammunition, A, Duvall. 10 Jan 1918 to 3 Jul 1919[107] [108]
Proof Officer, Small Arms Ammunition, Captain Egbert Henry Sawle. 1920 to 25 Nov 1927
Proof Officer, Small Arms Ammunition, Lieutenant M.J Lyons. 26 Nov 1927 to 1931 Mar 1931.
Proof Officer, Small Arms Ammunition, (Temporary), Captain I. R. Withell, RNZA, 1 Apr 1931 to 31 Sept 1931.
Proof Officer, Small Arms Ammunition, Honorary Lieutenant J.W Fletcher, NZPS. 1 Sept 1931 – incumbent 1939.[109]

Inspectorial Staff Ordnance Officers

Lieutenant William E. Luckman. 1 Apr 1917 to 12 Sep 1920.[110]
Lieutenant Frederick W. Kibblewhite. N 1 Apr 1917 to 19 Oct 1920.[111]
Lieutenant William H Manning. 1 Apr 1917 to 4 Apr 1920.[112]
Lieutenant William Ramsey. 1 Apr 1917 to 4 Apr 1920.[113]

IC Ordnance Workshops Devonport

Armament Quartermaster Sergeant George Bush. 15 Mar 1917 to 21 Aug 1924.
Armament Staff Sergeant Samuel Thompson. 30 Sep 1924 to incumbent 1939.

Notes:

[1] “Regulations for the Military Forces of the Dominion of New Zealand,” New Zealand Gazette No 6, 23 January 1914, Page 237 Para 62.

[2] “Regulations for the Military Forces of the Dominion of New Zealand,” New Zealand Gazette, May 19 1927.

[3] The War Office, The Monthly Army List, February 1939 (London: His Majestys Stationary Office, 1939).

[4] Relinquished position to Director of Ordnance Services on 30 January 1920. “Appointment of Director of Ordnance Services and Chief Ordnance Officer,” New Zealand Gazette No 15, 19 February 1920, 547.

[5] Assumed position from Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores on 30 January 1920.Ibid.

[6] “Pilkington, Herbert Edward,” Personal File, Archives New Zealand (1896 – 1930).

[7] Appointed Quartermaster General 1 October 1924″Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Military Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 64, 6 October 1924, 6.

[8] Appointed DOS Vice Pilkington 1 October 1924 Ibid.

[9] Appointed DOS Vice Pilkington 1 October 1924 Ibid.

[10] Major J.S Bolton, A History of the Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps (Trentham: RNZAOC, 1992).

[11] Assumed position 30 January 1920, relinquished it to Captain T.J King on 30 April 1920 when seconded to Audit Department. “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Staff and Territorial Force,” New Zealand Gazette No 55, 4 June 1920, 1865.

[12] “King, Thomas Joseph,” Personal File, Archives New Zealand 1914-1946.

[13] Appointed Assistant COO 18 April 1929 “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Military Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 48, 27 June 1929, 1761.

[14] “New Zealand Army,” Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 150, 29 June 1929.

[15] “Whyte, Herbert Henry,” Personal File, Archives New Zealand (1914): 117.

[16] 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 No 55, 4 June 1920, 1866.

[17] 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.

[18] 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, 11 January 1923.

[19] “Personal – Gossage,” New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18332,, 23 February 1923.

[20] 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.

[21] Retired 29 July 1929 “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Military Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 58, August 1930.

[22] “Appointments, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers of the NZ Forces “, New Zealand Gazette No 12 (1918).

[23] Appointed 1 March 1920″Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Staff and Territorial Force,” New Zealand Gazette No 41, April 22 1920, 1257.

[24]Ordnance Officer Auckland Mar 1920 to Sept 1920. “Lyons, Michael Joseph “, Personal File, Archives New Zealand (1914-1931).

[25] 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 And Transfers,” New Zealand Gazette No 29, 13 April 1922, 1046.

[26] “Lyons, Michael Joseph,” Personal File, Archives New Zealand (1914-1919).

[27] 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.

[28] 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.

[29] Relinquished appointment of OO Northern Command 30 Jan 1931 “Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 27, 9 April 1931, 969.

[30] Released 30 January 1931 “Defence Cuts,” Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 84, 10 April 1931.

[31] Seconded for Service with NZAOC as Ordnance Officer Northern Command 31 January 1931. “Appointments, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers of the NZ Forces “, New Zealand Gazette No 16, 5 March 1931.

[32] Appointed Officer in Charge Waikato Camp, Ngaruawahia in addition to appointment of OO Northern Command. “Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 73, 24 November 1931, 2154.

[33] “Personal Barry,” Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 282, 28 November 1932.

[34] Relinquished appointment of Ordnance Officer Northern Command 12 Oct 1934.”Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 83, 15 Nov 1934, 3611.

[35] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces June 1933 to May 1934,” Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives (1934): 1.

[36] Lewis had formally been a NZAOC Soldier who was transferred to the Civil Services in 1931 and employed in the Main Ordnance Depot, appointed to a commission in the NZAOC with the rank of Lieutenant, on 1 February 1934 “Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces.”

[37] “Personal Lewis,” Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21175, 28 May 1934.

[38] Appointed Ordnance Officer Northern Command 13 October 1934. “Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces,” 3611.

[39] “Untitled – Ford,” Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 81 1921.

[40] 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.

[41] “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Military Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 25, 11 April 1929.

[42] “Personal Items,” New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19840, 10 January 1928.

[43] Appointed 14 May 1929.”Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Military Forces,” 1761.

[44] “New Zealand Army.”

[45] Relinquished appointment of OO Main Ordnance Depot and OO Central Military Command 20 Dec 1930.”Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 16, 5 March 1931, 515.

[46] Appointed Command Ordnance Officer 18 April 1929. The War Office, The Monthly Army List, February 1939.

[47] Relinquished appointment of OO Southern Command 19 December 1930. “Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces,” 969.

[48] Released 19 December 1930 “Defence Cuts.”

[49] “Personal – Mcguigan,” Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 351,, 20 March 1922.

[50] Posted to the retired list 15 October 1922 “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Military Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 71, 22nSept 1922, 2667.

[51] Appointed Ordnance Officer Southern Command 31 January 1931 “Appointments, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers of the NZ Forces “.

[52] Appointed Officer in Charge Burnham Camp in addition to Ordnance Officer Appointment 20 December 1930. “Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 70, 10 November 1931.

[53],from December 20 1930 John J. Storey and J. Halket Millar, March Past : A Review of the First Fifty Years of Burnham Camp (Christchurch, N.Z. : Pegasus Press, 1973, 1974 printing, 1973), Non-fiction, 118.

[54] Ibid.

[55] Ibid.

[56] David Llewellyn Lewis to be Lieutenant and appointed Ordnance Officer (Temp) Southern Command 1 February 1934. “Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces, New Zealand Gazette No 6, 8 Feb 1934, 201.

[57] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces June 1933 to May 1934,” 1.

[58] David Nicol to be Lieutenant and appointed Assistant Ordnance Officer, Southern Command 19 May 1934.”Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 42, 7 June 1934, 1715.

[59] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces June 1933 to May 1934,” 1.

[60] Employed in a civil capacity at the Main Ordnance Depot, Trentham, was appointed to a commission NZAOC with the rank of Lieutenant on 9 May 1934

[61] “Appointments, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers of the NZ Forces “, New Zealand Gazette No 60 (1917).

[62] “Whyte, Herbert Henry.”

[63] 13 May 1920 “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfers of Officers of the Nzsc, Nzaod and Territorial Force,” New Zealand Gazette No 46, 12 May 1921.

[64]Appointed 15 March 1929 was also Officer in Charge Trentham Military Camp. “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Military Forces,” 1761.

[65] “New Zealand Army.”

[66]relinquished appointment of OO Main Depot 15 December 1930 “Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces,” 969.

[67] Appointed 14 May 1929.”Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Military Forces,” 1761.

[68] “New Zealand Army.”

[69] Appointed Ordnance Officer Main Ordnance Depot 22 April 1931. “Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 40, 21 May 1931, 1549.

[70] Relinquishes appointment of Ordnance Officer (Temp) Southern Military Command for duty at the Main Ordnance Depot, Trentham 16 April 1934. “Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 38, 24 May 1934.

[71] Promoted to Captain 1 December 1934 “Appointments, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers of the NZ Forces “, New Zealand Gazette No 87, 29 November 1934.

[72] Appointed Ordnance Office (Provision) Main Ordnance Depot July 1934.”Personal Items Nicol, Erridge,” New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21862, 26 July 1934.

[73] Relinquished the appointment of OME(Temp) appointed Assistant Ordnance Officer Main Ordnance Depot 17 June 1938. “Appointments, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers of the NZ Forces “, New Zealand Gazette No 53, 14 July 1938, 1659.

[74] “Appointments, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers of the NZ Forces,

[75] Relinquished appointment as OO Featherston Camp to become Assistant COO 3 July 1919. Replaced by Lt L.A Clements.

[76] Minute from DOS to General Officer In Charge Administration 5 May 1920 “Whyte, Herbert Henry,” 117.

[77] “Untitled – Ford.”

[78] Captain F. E. Ford in command of the Ordnance section attached to the Central Command in Palmerston North to proceed to Featherston Military Camp on the 1st of December to take charge of the Featherston Ordnance Depot. “Untitled – Ford.”

[79] Ibid.

[80] Relinquished appointment of Ordnance Officer Featherston Camp from 1 September 1926, appointed Ordnance Officer Northern Command. Ibid

[81] Relinquished position due to retirement on12 November 1919 “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 145, 11 December 1919.

[82] Relinquished position due to retirement on 14 July 1921 “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfers of Officers of the Nzsc, Nzaod and Territorial Force,” New Zealand Gazette No 72, 4 August 1921, 2046.

[83] Relinquished position due to retirement on 20 June 1920. “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ, NZ Army Ordnance Department and Territorial Force,” New Zealand Gazette No 36, 8 April 1920, 1072.

[84] Relinquished position due to retirement on 30 September 1919.”Captain George John Parrell,” New Zealand Gazette No 76, 30 September 1919, 2016.

[85] “Neilson,Albert Ernest,” Personal File, Archives New Zealand (1902-1921).

[86] 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, 27 February 1922, 588.

[87] “Ivory, William “, Personal File, Archives New Zealand (1916-1933).

[88] 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 No 51, 9 June 1925.

[89] “New Zealand Naval Forces,” Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16781, 14 July 1925.

[90] 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.

[91] 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.”

[92] Relinquished the appointment of Acting IOO on 11 January 1927 “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Staff Corps, Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery and Territorial Force.”

[93] After completion of a course in England, appointed Inspection Ordnance Officer and Ordnance Mechanical Engineer, 18 December 1933.”Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 3, 25 January 1934, 83.

[94] . From January 1934 “Personal Items Whitell,” Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21075, 29 January 1934.

[95] Appointed 16 May 1929 “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfer of Officers of the New Zealand Military Forces,” 1761.

[96] “New Zealand Army.”

[97] Relinquished appointment of Assistant IOO and Assistant OME on proceeding to England for course 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.

[98] To be Lieutenant and appointed Assistant IOO and Assistant OME 12 December 1933.”Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces,” 83.

[99] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces June 1933 to May 1934,” 2338.

[100]Appointed and granted the rank of Lieutenant in the NZAOC dated 12th December 1933 “South Canterbury Wallace,” Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21171, 23 May 1934.

[101] Relinquished the appointment of Assistant IOO and OEM to attend course in England 15 February 1936. “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfers of Officers of the NZ Military Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 19 5 May 1936.

[102] Alan Huia Andrews, BE to be Lieutenant, 17 June 1936. “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations and Transfers of Officers of the NZ Military Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 44, 5 May 1936.

[103] Relinquished the appointment of OME and retains the appointment of IOO 21 Sept 1937. “Appointments, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers of the NZ Forces “, New Zealand Gazette No 70, 14 October 1937, 2338.

[104] Appointed OME (Temp) 21 September 1937. Ibid.

[105] Relinquished the appointment of OME(Temp) appointed Assistant Ordnance Officer Main Ordnance Depot 17 June 1938. “Appointments, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers of the NZ Forces “, 1659.

[106] Having completed a course of instruction at the Military School of Science, Woolwich, appointed OME 18 June 1938. Ibid.

[107] “Appointments, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers of the NZ Forces “.

[108] “Death of an Officer,” New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17205, 5 July 1919.

[109] Appointed 1 Sept 1931 NZ General Order 353/1931

[110] 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, 16 September 1920.

[111] 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, 25 November 1920.

[112] Relinquished position due to retirement on 4 April 1920. “Appointments, Promotions, Resignations, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ, NZ Army Ordnance Department and Territorial Force,” 1071.

[113] Relinquished position due to retirement on 4 April 1920. Ibid.

NZAOC July 1933 to June 1934

1 Comment Robert McKie

Personnel

The strength of the NZAOC between June 1933 and May 1934 was;[1]

5 Officers
21 Permanent Other Ranks

Key Appointments

Director of Ordnance Services

Major Thomas Joseph King, NZAOC

Assistant Chief Ordnance Officer Trentham Camp

Captain W. R. Burge, M.C., NZSC

Main Ordnance Depot

Captain E.L.G Bown, NZSC.
Lieutenant D.L Lewis, NZAOC. [2]

Northern Command Ordnance Officer

Lieutenant J. W. Barry, N.Z. Staff Corps.[3]
Lieutenant L. Lewis, NZAOC.[4] [5] [6]

Central Command Ordnance Officer

Lieutenant H. E. Erridge NZAOC

Southern Command Ordnance Depot

Lieutenant H. E. Erridge NZAOC.[7]
Lieutenant D.L Lewis, NZAOC.[8]
Lieutenant D. Nicol, NZAOC.[9] [10] [11]

Inspecting Ordnance Officer and Ordnance Mechanical Engineer

Lieutenant I. R. Withell, RNZA.[12] [13]

Assistant Inspecting Ordnance Officer Ordnance and Ordnance Mechanical Engineer

Lieutenant S. B. Wallace, NZAOC.[14] [15] [16]

Proof Officer, Small Arms Ammunition, Auckland

Honorary Lieutenant J.W Fletcher, NZPS.

NZAOC appropriations year ending 31 March 1934

Warrant Officer Armourers

Two armourers who had completed their time with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps had been engaged for service with the NZAOC, they were;[17]

Armourer Staff Sergeant-Major E. J. Hay, and
Armourer Quarter-master-Sergeant E. J. Trappitt

Annual Inspection of Small Arms

During this period NZAOC artificers conducted annual inspections rifles, machine guns, and other arms of the Defence Department. All parts of the weapons were examined to find any faults that may have developed since the last inspection. The inspection took about two months with some 9OOO weapons inspected.[18] [19]

Waipukurau 1934a — Armament Staff Sergeant John William(Bill) Dalton and Armament Staff Sergeant Arthur Stewart Richardson, Artillery camp, Waipukurau March 1934. Photo courtesy Norm Lamont

Notes:

[1] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces June 1933 to May 1934,” Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives (1934).

[2] Relinquishes appointment of Ordnance Officer (Temp) Southern Military Command for duty at the Main Ordnance Depot, Trentham 16 April 1934. “Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 38, 24 May 1934.

[3] “Personal Barry,” Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 282, 28 November 1932.

[4] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces June 1933 to May 1934,” 1.

[5] Lewis had formally been a NZAOC Soldier who was transferred to the Civil Services in 1931 and employed in the Main Ordnance Depot, appointed to a commission in the NZAOC with the rank of Lieutenant, on 1 February 1934 “Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 83, 15 Nov 1934.

[6] “Personal Lewis,” Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21175, 28 May 1934.

[7] John J. Storey and J. Halket Millar, March Past : A Review of the First Fifty Years of Burnham Camp (Christchurch, N.Z. : Pegasus Press, 1973, 1974 printing, 1973), Non-fiction, 118.

[8] David Llewellyn Lewis to be Lieutenant and appointed Ordnance Officer (Temp) Southern Command 1 February 1934. “Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces, New Zealand Gazette No 6, 8 Feb 1934, 201.

[9] David Nicol to be Lieutenant and appointed Assistant Ordnance Officer, Southern Command 19 May 1934.”Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 42, 7 June 1934, 1715.

[10] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces June 1933 to May 1934,” 1.

[11] Employed in a civil capacity at the Main Ordnance Depot, Trentham, was appointed to a commission NZAOC with the rank of Lieutenant on 9 May 1934

[12] After completion of a course in England, appointed Inspection Ordnance Officer and Ordnance Mechanical Engineer, 18 December 1933.”Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces,” New Zealand Gazette No 3, 25 January 1934, 83.

[13] . From January 1934 “Personal Items Whitell,” Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21075, 29 January 1934.

[14] To be Lieutenant and appointed Assistant IOO and Assistant OME 12 December 1933.”Appointment, Promotions, Transfers and Retirements of Officers from the NZ Forces,” 83.

[15] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces June 1933 to May 1934,” 1.

[16]Appointed and granted the rank of Lieutenant in the NZAOC dated 12th December 1933 “South Canterbury Wallace,” Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21171, 23 May 1934.

[17] “Defence Armourers,” New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21788, 1 May 1934.

[18] “Annual Inspetions,” Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21097, 23 February 1934.

[19] “Inspection of Arms,” Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21097, 23 February 1934.

NZAOC June 1932 to May 1933

1 Comment Robert McKie

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]

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.

The evolution of NZAOC ammunition responsibilities 1939-1945

Pre War Situation

Fort Ballance

Upon its establishment in 1917, the NZAOC assumed control of the Royal New Zealand Artillery (RNZA) Ordnance Section at Fort Ballance. Renamed the NZAOC Ammunition Section, it continued storing, inspecting, repairing, and refurbishing ammunition as part of the NZAOC. Situated on Watts Peninsula at the northern tip of Wellington’s Miramar Peninsula, the ammunition facilities spanned several locations, including Shelly Bay, Kau Point, Mahanga Bay, Fort Ballance, and Fort Gordon. These sites were not just former submarine mining and coastal artillery fortifications from the 1880s but now crucial ammunition magazines. However, their conversion was makeshift; former gun pits at Kau Point and Forts Ballance and Gordon had their roofs added after removing large 6 and 8-inch disappearing guns in the early 1920s. This setup lacked adequate temperature and moisture control, posing risks to the stored ammunition.[1][2][3]

watts map — Fort Ballance Ammunition Area

HopuHopu Camp

In the 1920s, Auckland hosted a smaller Ammunition section, with some personnel from the Fort Ballance Ammunition Section transferring to the newly completed magazines at Hopuhopu Camp by 1929. [4] Designed as New Zealand’s principal ammunition depot, Hopuhopu featured eleven magazines and a laboratory built between 1925 and 1927. These magazines were ingeniously constructed into the hillside using concrete with double walls, creating an inspecting chamber. The chamber allowed sentries to monitor temperatures with thermometers and adjust ventilation accordingly using a chart to maintain optimal conditions for stored stock. Positioned within the hillside and shielded by an embankment, the design of the Hopuhopu magazines ensured that any blast from an explosion would be safely contained.[6]

In 1931, the NZAOC Munitions sections were disbanded due to government budgetary constraints. Nearly all NZAOC military personnel were either transferred to the Public Service as civilian staff at reduced pay rates or placed on superannuation. [7]

When New Zealand entered the war in September 1939, responsibility for ammunition was divided between the RNZA and the NZAOC.[8]

The Director of Artillery, reporting to the General Officer Commanding, oversaw:
- Provision and allocation of gun ammunition,
- Receipt, storage, and distribution of gun ammunition and explosives, excluding small-arms ammunition.

The Director of Ordnance Services, supported by the Inspecting Ordnance Officer and the SAA Proof Officer, reported to the Quartermaster-General and was responsible for:
- Inspection and repair of gun ammunition,
- Provision, receipt, storage, and distribution of small arms ammunition

Ammunition facilities shared between the RNZA and NZAOC included:

Key personnel in the NZAOC Ammunition unit included:[9]

Inspecting Ordnance Officer (IOO)
- Captain I.R. Withell, R.N.Z.A.
Proof Officer, Small Arms Ammunition (SAA), Mount Eden Auckland,
- Honorary Lieutenant J.W. Fletcher, N.Z.P.S.
Waikato Camp, HopuHopu- 11 magazines and an Ammunition Laboratory
- RNZA WO1 seconded to the NZAOC
- Mr Clifford Vernion Little
- Mr Edward Ashton Waters
Fort Ballance – 19 magazines, one store, and an Ammunition Laboratory
- RNZA WO1 seconded to the NZAOC
- Mr Harry Harper Ekins
- Mr John Dennis Anderson
- Mr Earnest Fenton
- Mr Frederick Eastgate
- Mr Eric Baguley
Trentham Camp – Single SAA Magazine
Burnham Camps – Single SAA Magazine.

1940-41

As the New Zealand Army transitioned from peacetime to wartime footing, responsibilities for Ammunition were divided between the Assistant Quartermaster General (2) (AQMG(2)) and Assistant Quartermaster General (5) (AQMG(5)).[10]

AQMS(2)

Lieutenant Colonel T.J. King, Director of Ordnance Services (DOS), was transferred to the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF). Consequently, the position of DOS remained vacant for the duration of the war, and his responsibilities were redistributed as follows:

The Chief Ordnance Officer took over the DOS’s supply functions, including overseeing NZAOC Munitions Sections, primarily responsible for Small Arms Ammunition (SAA).
The Ordnance Mechanical Engineer (OEM) assumed responsibility for Ordnance Workshops.
The Inspecting Ordnance Officer and the Proof Officer SAA were placed under the Chief Munitions Officer within the Army Inspection Department. They were tasked with the technical management and inspection of ammunition.

AQMS(5)

The AQMS(5) was responsible for the Army Headquarters Gun Ammunition and Equipment Section.

Due to the significant influx of overseas ammunition, there was an urgent need to expand the NZAOC Ammunition section and build additional magazine storage facilities. Immediate action was taken by constructing eight magazines at Burnham Camp, acquiring six Magazines, and a Store at the Ohakea Royal New Zealand Air Force Base. These facilities were originally part of a pre-war expansion initiative. At Ohakea, ten magazines were completed by 1940, while construction of eight magazines north of Burnham Camp began in 1940 and finished by May 1941. [11]

The stock of Artillery Ammunition on hand in New Zealand on 30-Jun-41 consisted of the following natures;

Field Artillery
- 60 pr -. 2,704 Rounds
- 6″ How – 6268 Rounds
- 4.5″ How – 14,074 Rounds
- 3.7″ How – 2,589 Rounds
- 18 pr – 45,285 Rounds
Coast Artillery
- 6″ – 5,529 Rounds
- 6″ EOC – 310 Rounds
- 4″ – 4,531 Rounds
- 12 Pdr – 2,595 Rounds
- 6 Pdr Hotch – 1,775 Rounds
Anti Aircraft
- 3″ 20 cwt – 22,639 Rounds

By October 1941, the NZAOC Ammunition Section establishment and Magazine situation was[12]

NZAOC Staff at Army Headquarters

1 Captain
1 Lieutenant
1 Other Rank

Fort Ballance

NZAOC Strength:
- 4 Military Staff
  - Lieutenant Edkins
  - Staff Sergeant Eastgate
  - Sergeant Anderson
  - Corporal Bagley
- 10 Civilian Staff
Buildings: 19 Magazines, 1 Store, 1 Laboratory
Ammunition held: Grenades, Bombs, Pyrotechnics and explosives
Work Carried out: Receipt and Issue of Ammunition, preservation of ammunition held, major repair to Gun Ammunition, Manufacture of Blank Gun Ammunition

Fort Balance continued to be utilised as an Ammunition Depot throughout the war and, in October 1942, held the following stocks as part of the Wellington Fortress area: [13]

2″ Mortar – 288
3″ Mortar – 280
2″ Smoke Thrower – 1566
Grenades 36M – 312
18-Pdr – 15839
12-Pdr – 1035
6″ – 403
5″ How – 20035
7″ How – 172
7″ AA – 198
40mm AA – 4091
3″ AA – 5775
2-Pdr AT – 3459

Hopuhopu (including Mount Eden SAA Magazines)

NZAOC Strength:
2 Military Staff
- Warrant Officer Class One Little
- Sergeant Waters0
2 Civilian Staff
Buildings: 13 Magazines, 1 Laboratory
Ammunition held: Gun Ammunition, Grenades, Bombs, Pyrotechnics and explosives
Work Carried out: Receipt and Issue of all Ammunition, preservation of ammunition held, minor repair to ammunition,

Burnham

NZAOC Strength: 1 Sergeant employed as part of the New Zealand Temporary Staff
Buildings: 7 Magazines, 1 laboratory (on magazine converted to a lab, the purpose-built laboratory was not construed until 1945)
Ammunition held: Gun Ammunition, Grenades, Bombs, Pyrotechnics and explosives
Work Carried out: Receipt and Issue of Ammunition, preservation of ammunition held, major repair to Gun Ammunition,

Ohakea

NZAOC Strength: 1 Sergeant employed as part of the New Zealand Temporary Staff
Buildings: 6 magazines, 1 Store
Ammunition held: Gun Ammunition only
Work Carried out: Receipt and Issue of Ammunition, preservation of ammunition held, major repair to Gun Ammunition

Further construction of magazines was planned with the War Cabinet granting expenditure in September 1941 for an extensive magazine building programme at the following locations;

Papakura (Ardmore)- 8 Magazines
Hopuhopu – 11 Magazines, 1 Laboratory, 3 Stores
Waiouru – 13 Magazines, 1 laboratory and 1 Store
Manawatu – 10 Magazines, 1 laboratory and 1 Store
South Island – 8 Magazines, 1 laboratory and 1 Store

1941 Magazine Design

Designed by the Public Works Department in consultation with Army Headquarters, six designs were utilised, known as types A to F:[14]

Type A – 12.19m x 6.70m, double brick walls with a corrugated asbestos roof, and an entrance porch.
Type B – 12.19m x 6.70m, Double brick walls with a corrugated asbestos roof, no entrance porch.
Type C – 6.70m x 57m, Brick cavity walls with a corrugated asbestos roof.
Type D – 15.24m x 9.75m, Brick cavity walls with a corrugated asbestos roof, with an entrance porch
Type E – 15.24m x 9.75m, Single timber walls with exterior cement fibre boards and corrugated asbestos roof.
Type F – 15.24m x 9.75m, Double timber walls with exterior cement fibre boards and corrugated asbestos roof.

Significant establishment changes were also proposed, with an increase of the NZAOC establishment to 3 Officers and 62 other ranks, including all civilian ammunition staff not being placed into uniform retired.

1942

In December 1941, New Zealand had been involved in the war in Europe for over two years, but it had not yet required full mobilisation. However, Japan’s almost simultaneous attacks on Malaya and the Philippines, followed by their rapid advance southward, forced New Zealand to transition to a total war footing. This meant mobilising the territorial army and creating additional divisions for home defence and service in the Pacific.[15]

In response to the urgent need for ammunition storage at Waiouru, the construction of 16 temporary ammunition stores was authorised in April 1942. Completed by 18 July 1942, these temporary wooden stores, each measuring 9m x 6m, were situated south of the main camp..[16]

1942 Magazine Design

With Japan entering the war, new magazines were approved. Due to the increased threat posed by Japan, the latest magazines were designed with the intent of providing additional protection and were known as types M, PS, PD, R1, R2 and R3;[17]

Type M – 7.18m wide of variable length, precast concrete walls and roof supported by interior pillars.
Type PS – 7m wide of variable length, precast concrete walls and roof supported by interior pillars
Type PD – 14m wide of variable length, precast concrete walls and roof supported by interior pillars
Type R1 – 7.62m wide of variable length. Concrete walls and roof supported by interior pillars.
Type R2 – 7.62m wide of variable length, Brick walls with a Concrete roof supported by interior pillars.
Type R3 – 7m wide of variable length, Concrete outer wall with an inner brick wall with a concrete roof supported by interior pillars.

In addition to the 295 magazines that were constructed, numerous non-explosive stores, guard accommodations, garages and cookhouses, and external and internal roads were also built. The non-explosive stores were typically 6m x 9m, constructed of unlined timber walls with an asbestos roof. The laboratory was 13m x 6m with cavity walls with an asbestos roof.

With construction started in early 1942, wartime conditions, competition for material and manpower priorities and the challenging and isolated locations of some of the sites meant that the final construction was not completed until late 1944. The final tally of magazines constructed across eleven locations was[18]

Papakura (Ardmore)- 20 Magazines
Hopuhopu and Kelms Road – 55 Magazines
Waiouru – 45 Magazines
Makomako – 39 Magazines
Trentham(Kuku Valley) – 22 Magazines
Belmont – 62 Magazines
Glen Tunnel – 16
Mount Somers – 10
Fairlie – 9
Alexandra – 9

During the same period, magazines and other ammunition infrastructure were also constructed for the Navy, Air Force and United States Forces in many locations across the country, of which the NZAOC also utilised some

The increase in Ordnance Depot Establishments

As of 22 July 1942, the approved establishment of the NZAOC Depots was 435, consisting of 18 Officers, 47 other ranks and 370 civilians. Approval was granted on 8 August 1942 to increase and fully militarise the establishment of the NZAOC. The increase in the establishment was required to provide adequate staff for the four Ordnance Depots, with an ability to surge personnel into Advanced Ordnance Depots at Whangarei and Blenheim in support of the Home Defence Divisions. The authorised establishment for NZAOC Depots (including Ammunition Sections), was increased to be a fully militarised establishment of 1049 Officers and Other Ranks.[19]

	Officers	Other Ranks	Total
Main Ordnance Depot	19	556	575
Ordnance Depot Northern District	4	182	186
Ordnance Depot Central District	3	81	84
Ordnance Depot Southern District	4	200	204
Total	30	1019	1049

1943

Waiouru

Construction of the following ammunition infrastructure was completed on 5 February;[20]
One type B magazine
Eleven type D magazines
Laboratory
Non-Explosive Store

Followed by the completion of the following magazines in October 1943;

Two type D magazines
Four type E magazines
Four type F magazines

Waiouru Ammunition Area C1945. Public Works Department

Makomako

The construction of Makomako was completed in March 1943.[21]

Mount Somers

The development of Mount Somers was completed in March 1943.[22]

Glentunnel

The development of Glentunnel was completed in August 1943.[23]

Fairlie

Development was Authorised in Decemberr1942, with development completed during 1943.[24]

Alexandra

Construction of nine 18m long R2 Type magazines, a laboratory and a non-explosive store was completed in November 1943.[25]

Kaikorai Valley (Dunedin)

Selected as the site of an ammunition Depot in early 1942. Seventeen temporary Wooden Ammunition Shelters and five temporary wooden explosive stores were constructed along with a quantity of supporting infrastructure, including a road named “Ammunition Track”, the only trace left today. Possibly due to its close proximity to the coast and the threat of Japanese Air raids, the permanent Ammunition depot was built further inland at Alexandra.[26]

Dates for the completion of the construction of the Ardmore, Ngawahiwaia, Kelm’s Road and Kuku Valley magazines are not detailed in the Public Works history but were during 1943.[27]

Army Inspection Department adopted the NZOC Badge

Due to the close association of the Army Inspection Department with Ammunition, the Chief Munitions Officer requested the Chief Ordnance Officer in 1943 that the Army Inspection Department be granted permission (granted) to wear the Cap Badge and puggaree of the New Zealand Ordnance Corps (NZOC). [28]

1944

Waiouru

Construction of the following was completed by May 1944.

Five type R1 magazines
Fourteen type R2 magazines
One type of R3 magazine

Belmont

Construction of the Belmont Ammunition area began in November 1942 and was completed by November 1944.[29]

Infrastructure at Belmont included;

Over 5 Km of roads
Cookhouse, Mess rooms, Ablutions, recreation room and sleeping accommodation
Laboratory
51 P-Type Magazines 50, 60 and 100ft in length
1 R3-Type Magazine
10 M-Type Magazines (competed post 1944)

1945

From mid-1945, discussions started to take place on the post-war shape of the NZAOC. Some thought was given to returning the NZAOC to its pre-war status as a predominantly civilian organisation. Reality prevailed, and the future of the NZAOC was assured as a feature of the post-war army. It was estimated that at least three years of work were required to inspect and refurbish ammunition returned from units that had been demobilised, in addition to maintaining existing stocks of unused ammunition.[30] The proposed establishment for NZAOC Ammunition units saw the first widespread use of the terms IOO (In the context of the modern Ammunition Technical Officer) and Ammunition Examiner (Ammunition Technician). 1945 saw the completion of the ammunition infrastructure works first authorised in 1941.

Burnham

Construction of Non-explosive store and laboratory completed

Transfer of Ammunition and Equipment Section to NZAOC

Before the Defence Act of 1909, which created the modern New Zealand Army framework, there had long been a division of responsibilities for managing Ammunition. Traditionally, the provision, allocation, receipt, storage and issue of Gun (Artillery) Ammunition had been an Artillery responsibility, with the Management of Small Arms Ammunition responsible for the Defence Stores/Ordnance Corps. 1 June 1945, the NZAOC assumed responsibility for managing all Army ammunition. The Artillery element responsible for managing Gun Ammunition, the Ammunition and Equipment Section, was transferred from the control of Army Headquarters to the Chief Ordnance Officer. As a result of the transfer, 11 Officers and 175 Other Ranks of the Royal New Zealand Artillery were absorbed into the NZAOC establishment.[31]

Ordnance Takes Full Control

On November 15, 1945, the Chief Ordnance Officer assumed responsibility for the care, maintenance, accounting, and storage of all ammunition and explosives.

Control of ammunition was to be undertaken by.

The IOO Section and
The Ammunition Section

IOO Section

The IOO Section, administered by the CIOO, was responsible for [32]

The control of all work on ammunition for all purposes other than accounting and storage,
Maintenance of ammunition and explosives in stock in a serviceable condition and ready for use,
Provision of personnel for inspection and repair and for working parties to carry out repairs,
Provision of all equipment and stores required for the inspection and repair of ammunition,
Provision and accounting for Motor Transport necessary for the transport of stock for inspection and repair,
Administration and control of Repair Depot Trentham,
Maintenance of buildings at Repair Depot Trentham.

Ammunition Section

The Ammunition Section was responsible for [33]

The accounting, storage and care of ammunition and explosives
Maintenance or magazines areas and of buildings and services connected with the storage of ammunition and explosives,
Administration of personnel of the IOO Section, while attached to ammunition depots concerning pay, rations, quarters, clothing and discipline
Transport arrangements for the movement of ammunition are not connected to the inspection and repair of ammunition at depots.

Notes

[1] Russell Glackin, In Defence of Our Land: A Tour of New Zealand’s Historic Harbour Forts (Auckland, N.Z.: Penguin Group (NZ), 2009, 2009), Bibliographies

Non-fiction, 48-53.

[2] Kiri Petersen Cathryn Barr, “New Zealand Defence Force Heritage Management Plan Forts Ballance and Gordon” (Hamilton: Opus International Consultants Limited 2009), 2-5.

[3] Tony Walton, “Wellingtons’ Defences: A Reconnaissance Survey of the Fortifications or 1884-1945,” Archaeology in New Zealand 33 (1990): 87-99.

[4] At different times referred to as Waikato or Ngawahawia Camp

[5] “Modern Military Camp,” New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20324, 3 August 1929.

[6] “Dominions Ammunition Depot,” Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 83, 8 April 1925.

[7] Joseph S. Bolton, A History of the Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps (Wellington: RNZAOC, 1992), 84.

[8] “Regulations for the Military Forces of the Dominion of New Zealand.,” New Zealand Gazette no. 32, (1927).

[9] “Establishments – Ordnance Corps Ad1 493 / 228/2/6,” Defence Archives, Archives New Zealand (1937).

[10] Ibid.

[11] F Grattan, Official War History of the Public Works Department (PWD, 1948), 529.

[12] “Establishments – Ordnance Corps Ad1 493 / 228/2/6.”

[13] Howard Weddell, Trentham Camp and Upper Hutt’s Untold Military History (Howard Weddell, 2018), Bibliographies, Non-fiction, 160.

[14] Grattan, Official War History of the Public Works Department, 517.

[15] Peter D. F. Cooke, Defending New Zealand: Ramparts on the Sea 1840-1950s (Wellington, N.Z.: Defence of New Zealand Study Group, 2000, 2000), Bibliographies

Dictionaries

Non-fiction.

[16] Grattan, Official War History of the Public Works Department, 521.

[17] Ibid., 518.

[18] Ibid., 517.

[19] “Establishments – Ordnance Corps Ad1 493 / 228/2/6.”

[20] Grattan, Official War History of the Public Works Department, 521.

[21] Ibid., 523-24.

[22] Ibid., 528.

[23] Ibid., 527.

[24] Ibid., 530.

[25] Ibid., 532.

[26] Ibid., 519.

[27] Ibid., 520.

[28] “Badges and Buttons – Regimental, Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps 1936-1967, 92 / 213/12/19,” Defence Archives, Archives New Zealand (1936).

[29] Grattan, Official War History of the Public Works Department, 524-26.

[30] “Establishments – Ordnance Corps Ad1 493 / 228/2/6.”

[31] Ibid.

[32] Ibid.

[33] Ibid.

NZAOC June 1923 to May 1924

1 Comment Robert McKie

Personnel

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]