RNZRSA: WW2 representative on Pensions & Welfare Committee

Mr Arthur Fletcher of 36 Towers Street, Paeroa (tel: 07-862 8116, e-mail: amfletcher@xtra.co.nz) has been appointed as the World War 2 Representative on the RNZRSA Pensions & Welfare Committee.
Arthur welcomes any information or questions from World War 2 veterans and their families that he can bring to the Committee.

(WW2) Notes for Beginners: No 1 - “THE GUNNERS”

The gunners (or artillery), so the rest of the Army avers, are of the opinion that they are the cream of all the arms. This opinion naturally enough, is not shared by the other arms.
The gunner is a strong fanatical man with staring eyes, who talks learnedly about fuzes, and “Overs”, and predicted shoots. He regards the evolution of the 25—pounder gun as the greatest single event in the history of warfare. He regards with contempt any projectile smaller than a 6-pounder anti—tank shell.
Read more . . .

Fiarbairn-Sykes Commando Dagger 2009

The Commandos were formed during 1940 at the strategic directive of Winston Churchill and, following a suggestion to the War Office by Captains W.E. Fairbairn & E.A. Sykes, they were equipped with a new style fighting knife in early 1941.
The modified design of the Third Pattern Commando Dagger introduced in 1943 has withstood the test of time and is still issued to British Royal Marine Commandos and other overseas Armed Forces to the present day. Read more . . .

Armed Constabulary Bowie knife replica

Made by George Wostenholm, Sheffield, England this I*XL 10''-blade, hand forged from 7/16'' best carbon steel is a large fighting Bowie with heavy brass cross guard and coffin head rosewood brass shimmed handle, markings on the right side of blade “N.Z. FOREST RANGERS 1863-1867” & the FR badge at either end of scroll, markings on the left side of blade“N.Z. ARMED CONSTBULARY 1867-1886” inside the scroll.
In 1867 many Forest Rangers transferred to the Armed Constabulary of which No 5 Division was commanded by Inspector (Major) G F von Tempsky who continued to encourage & train his men in the use of fighting knives. Read more . . .

173d Airborne Brigade National Memorial dedication

From Denis Dwane, President, Chapter 19, 173d Airborne Brigade Association:

Your name has been selected because you lost out in the draw to attend Michael's funeral.

Just a heads up if anyone is interested.  The 173d National Memorial is being dedicated at Columbus, Georgia, 1 Jun 2010.  Included on the memorial will be the names of Al Don and Jock White.  That being so, it would be pleasing if we could have some representation there.

It is also good to see that the date for this (1 Jun) is just before the 2010 Reunion at Myrtle Beach, Nth Carolina (2 – 6 Jun) neighbours with Georgia.   For those who have won lotto recently I see no problems but something to look into - possibly Veterans' Affairs could assist?

I would like to know if there are any starters for this reunion on a Yes/Maybe basis.  I plan to go but remind that this will clash with the EVSA 2010 Reunion in Wellington.

Let Denis know by email . . .

Travel claims

Terry Farrell wrote this in Contact, magazine of EVSA:
'. . . Travel, I have put a couple of suggestions to Rick Ottaway . . . I know this could help speed up things and save resources, . . . The new forms are a disaster, they are currently about 6 weeks behind. I ask what was wrong with the old forms, they just needed a bit of a tweak???? What about asking us who know rather than reinventing the wheel. (Dated April 2009)
Well said, Terry - and see the next post, below.

Unsatisfactory travel claims form

On 11 June, the Association wrote to the General Manager of VANZ, Rick Ottaway, and to the National President of RNZRSA, Robin Klitscher, to express members' concerns over the revised travel reimbursement form.
Rick Ottoway has replied that he is investigating our concerns.
You can read our submission here . . .