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VLLAD Headquarters Opens at Linton
14 August 2007
The official opening of the new VLLAD (Very Low Level Air Defence) headquarters was held at Linton Military Camp recently. The building is named Thornton Lines in honour of the late Lieutenant General Sir Leonard Thornton, a man with a long and proud history with the gunners.
Colonel Commandant of the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery, Brigadier (retired) Graham Birch, was on hand to cut the ribbon and speak at the opening, which was attended by a contingent of former artillery soldiers from Levin and Paraparaumu.
As a young soldier, Brigadier Birch first met Lt Gen Thornton in 1956 when he was adjutant general for the gunners.
“He was a tall man – almost as tall as Colonel Hayward – who was aware of his presence but he was not an intimidating man. He was born and bred in Christchurch and went to the Royal Military College of Australia at Duntroon in 1934. He graduated in 1937 with the King’s Medal for top student, and at the age of 29 he became the army’s youngest brigadier.”
Thornton Lines has hangers for the VAC s as well as offices and ablution facilities for 16 Field Regiment.
“We’d like to thank the Royal Engineers for this building,” said Second Lieutenant Stuart Tylee. “We’re most pleased with it.”
In recognition of the connection between Lt Gen Thornton and the regiment, Brigadier Birch presented a framed copy of photographs of antiaircraft artillery equipment used at Fort Dorset in 1938.
Second Lieutenant Stuart Tylee also made a photographic presentation to members of the Paraparaumu RSA.
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