14 August 2007

They came from near and far, the old soldiers of the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.

Converging on Palmerston North close to 2000 former and current members of the unit and their partners, as well as representatives of allied regiments were gathered to celebrate its 50 proud years of service during the weekend of August 3-5. Among them were almost 200 members of the original 1957 battalion.

Many came from various overseas countries, including Britain, Africa and Afghanistan, with a large contingent of expatriate Kiwis flying in from Australia.

As numbers built up during a constant flow of registrations, the Palmerston North RSA was buzzing by Friday night as old mates met up – some for the first time in years – to fill in the gaps of where they had been in the interim, reminisce about the “good old days” and periodically burst into impromptu sing-alongs.

Meanwhile, senior military staff, representatives of affiliated regiments and former commanding officers and regimental sergeant-majors congregated in the Linton Camp Warrant Officers & Sergeants’ Mess for a cocktail evening.

Formalities were off to a good start on the grey Saturday morning with a rousing powhiri by the battalion watched by a huge assembly of visitors on the parade ground.

Welcoming the visitors, the Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel John Howard, invited former soldiers to note that while there had been changes, the spirit they had generated in the jungles of Singapore and Malaysia was still strong.

The honour of leading the guests and accepting the challenge was accorded to Brigadier (Rtd) Evan Torrence, of Palmerston North, as the most senior previous commanding officer present. (He commanded the battalion in 1976-77).

Acknowledging the challenge on behalf of BRIG Torrence, Rehua Ote Rangi “Mingo” Kereoma, of Papakura, told the current officers and soldiers it was a privilege to see them following the footsteps of those who had served before them, maintaining the high standards set, and holding to the spirit of the people of the land.

Old soldiers mingled with the new and swapped notes as a mock battle followed. “It’s certainly different from how we did it” was a typical comment from old soldiers impressed with the hardware used by the modern infantryman.

For the remainder of the day most wandered around the battalion’s Wellington Lines, admiring its facilities and reminiscing in the recently refurbished unit museum. Others returned to the RSA for yet more chin-wagging and singing.

Formalities resumed at dusk for the retreat ceremony, an inspiring presentation of over two hours’ duration in cold, incessant rain – leading to a change in the plan to have the Old Guard joining the ranks.

Among features of the parade was the first appearance by the colour party bearing FN SLR rifles, presented by the current battalion and to be used for all future ceremonial occasions.

Another reflected the battalion’s new role as a mounted cavalry unit, with the Colours being brought onto the parade ground in LAVS before the colour parties dismounted and marched into position on the battalion line.

The parade was reviewed by the Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, who complimented the troops on their unflinching steadiness on parade in the atrocious conditions. He commended them for showing first hand what the Army’s core values were all about.

In what proved an emotional touch to proceedings, a Maori choir emerged from the mist to surround the colour parties for a concluding hymn.

Saturday night was a big night for young and older soldiers, with the Chaytor Hangars being packed with people for an all ranks and guests’ function. As the night went on, many drifted back to the RSA for a quieter pace of celebration.

Despite threatening showers, the weather held out for the concluding event, the 50th Birthday and Commemoration Service at the Palmerston North Square cenotaph.

In view of the possibility of rain, the “Old Guard” were advised they need not join the parade from the RSA. Most responded along the lines that “we marched in our day and we’re marching now”.

Leading the parade was the New Zealand Army band, featuring a number of former members among its ranks.

The address was given by the battalion Honorary Colonel, Lieutenant General (Rtd) Sir John Mace, who thanked LT COL Howard and the battalion for staging an excellent weekend. “Last night’s was an exceptional parade. I could not have asked for more.”

Sir John said it was timely to remember all who had close relationships with the battalion over the past 50 years, including the padres, regimental doctors and dentists and the RNZAF.

“Looking back 50 years is fairly straight forward,” he said. “The challenge is to look forward 50 years. The next 25 alone will present no shortage of problems, which I am sure you will surmount in the traditional manner of the New Zealand Army in peace and war.”

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