This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (May 2022) |
The Canterbury, and Nelson-Marlborough and West Coast Regiment was a Territorial Force (Army Reserve) unit of the New Zealand Army.
The Canterbury, and Nelson-Marlborough and West Coast Regiment | |
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Active | 1964–2012 |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Type | Line Infantry |
Role | Light Infantry |
Size | One battlegroup |
Garrison/HQ | RHQ Burnham |
Motto(s) | Ake Ake Kia Kaha (Forever and Ever Be Strong) |
March | Quick – The Hundred Pipers Quick – Charles Upham March Slow – Greensleeves |
Mascot(s) | The Ram |
Anniversaries | 27 June 1942 |
Commanders | |
Current Commanding Officer (CO) | Lt Col G.A. McMillian |
Insignia | |
Unit Shoulder Flash | |
Abbreviation | 2CantNMWC |
Formation and recent history
editThe regiment was formed in 1964 during the reorganisation of the army by the amalgamation of two separate regiments: the Canterbury Regiment and the Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast Regiment. In turn, those two regiments had originally been formed from the 1st (Canterbury) & 2nd (South Canterbury) and the 12th (Nelson and Marlborough) & 13th (North Canterbury and Westland) Regiments which had been initially raised in the early 1900s, following the formation of gazetted militia units in 1859.
The 1964 amalgamation saw the new Territorial Force battalion become the Second Battalion of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. This was until the later reorganisation of 1999, which saw the Territorial Force battalions split from the RNZIR to become multi-function battalion groups. The 2nd Battalion (Canterbury, and Nelson-Marlborough and West Coast) RNZIR became the 2nd Canterbury (Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast) Battalion Group, with the following sub-unit types:
Companies
edit- A Company: Greymouth*,
- B Company: Christchurch,
- C Company: Timaru,
- D Company: Nelson Company,
- Support Company: Christchurch, Blenheim and Ashburton,
- Logistics Company
Artillery
editEngineers
editMedical
editSignals
editTransport
editBrass Band
editIn December 2012, 2nd Canterbury (Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast) Battalion Group merged with 4th Otago and Southland Battalion Group to form 2/4 Battalion.
Which now consists of 3 Companies:
- A Company
- B Company
- C Company
Predecessor units
edit1845-Nelson
editThe Nelson Battalion of Militia was the first NZ Army Unit formed in the South Island and one of the first in New Zealand. The Battalion had two companied each of 50 min. the Commandant was Captain Donald Sinclair (Nelson Magistrate). His appointment and those of eight other officers was gazetted on 28 August 1845 (Gaz24/45 page 114). The Gazetted Officers were:
Captains
- Donald Sinclair
- John D. Greenwood
- David Monro
Lieutenants
- Thomas Renwick
- Francis Dillon Bell
Ensigns
- Charles Thrope
- Alexander le Grand Campbell
Quartermaster
- Henry Symour
Adjutant
- Richard Newcombe
The Colonial Secretary's records show that Mr Fox was offered a Captaincy but declined as Mr Sinclair would be in command. Mr Joseph Ford Wilson was offered and accepted a commission as Surgeon on 9 June 1845 but for some reason this was not gazetted.
Hourly parades were held daily at 7 am, 10 am and 4 pm. Uniforms were supplied (blue shirt, sailor type pattern). Arms were old flint-lock muskets-the weapons that had been imported for bartering with the Maoris.
Dress distinctions
editThe Second Militia Act 1858
editVolunteer Corps of Canterbury Rifles
edit- Number 1-Christchurch - (Captain Atkinson)
- Number 2-Christchurch - (Captain T.W. White)
- Number 3-Lyttelton
- Number 4-Lyttelton
- Number 5-Kaiapoi
- Number 6-Southern Volunteer Rifles (Name changed to Forest Rifle Volunteers on 19 April 1861)
On 28 June 1859, the Governor-in-Council, defined the military district of Christchurch and designated the force within the district to be a single Battalion. Captain Henry Arthur Scott was appointed Captain of the Volunteer Corps of the Canterbury Rifles. As the Units founding Officer-Commanding, he was given the responsibility of heading the volunteer movement within Canterbury. He lived in Glenmore and ran the Glenthorne Run. On 5 August 1859 Captain Scott convened a meeting in the Golden Fleece Hotel. It wouldn't be until April 1860 when 155 'would be' volunteers demanded another meeting, the next meeting was held in the Market Hotel on 19 April. In 1872, he returned to his native Wales.
On 8 April 1865 the Christchurch City Guards were formed. Then in 1911 it became the 1st Canterbury Regiment, thus providing an unbroken link.
Volunteer Corps of Nelson Rifles
editOn 9 June 1860, the Nelson Volunteer Rifles was officially established. In 1861 the NVR was Commanded by:
- Commanding Officer: Lt Col Matthew Richmond CB
- Adjutant Captain J. W. Lockett
- Number 1 Coy-Nelson City - (Capt W. T. Travers)
- Number 2 Coy-Nelson City - (Capt N. Edwards)
- Number 3 Coy-Was not gazetted until 09/06/1862
- Number 4 Coy-Suburban North - (Capt Jas MacKay)
- Number 5 Coy-Motueka - (Capt F. Horneman)
- Number 6 Coy-Waimea East - (Capt G. Sparrow)
- Number 7 Coy-Waimea South - (Capt J. Wilson)
- Number 8 Coy-Nelson - (Capt N.G. Morse)
- Number 9 Coy - No Record of Officers - Nelson
Marlborough Rifle Volunteers
editThe Marlborough Militia District was gazzetted on 27 February 1860, Captain W.D.H. Baillie was appointed to command the Marlborough Rifles Volunteers on 2 March 1861.
- Number 1 Coy-Marlborough Rifles
- Number 2 Coy-Picton Rangers
Nelson 1862
editEight Companies were reduced to five:
- Number 1 City
- Number 2 Waimea East
- Number 3 Waimea South
- Number 4 Motueka
- Number 5 Nelson
In Marlborough two Companies were reduced to one: the Marlborough Rangers.
Commanders
editCanterbury District Commanders 1859–1910
edit- Maj H.A. Scott 1859–1861
- Col T. Wollaston-White 1861–1867
- Maj G. Packe 1867
- Lt Col H.E. Reader 1867–1868
- Lt Col G. Packe 1868–1882
- Lt Col A. Lean 1882–1891
- Lt Col H. Gordon 1891–1901
- Lt Col W.H. Webb 1901–1903
- Col C.W. Porter, CB. 1903–1904
- Lt Col A. Bauchop, CMG. 1904–1906
- Lt Col J.E. Hawkins, VD. 1906–1910
1st Battalion Canterbury Rifle Volunteers
edit- Lt Col A.G.D. Toswill 1886–1888 (99th Regt)
Canterbury Battalion and later North Canterbury Battalion
edit- Lt Col F.W. Francis, VD. 1895–1903
South Canterbury Battalion of Infantry Volunteers
edit- Lt Col W.M. Moore 1897
1st North Canterbury Battalion of Infantry
edit- Lt Col W.A. Day 1903–1906
- Lt Col F. Cresswell, VD. 1906–1910
2nd North Canterbury Battalion of Infantry
edit- Lt Col H.S.E. Hobday 1903–1906
- Lt Col G.J. Smith 1906–1910
Nelson District Commanders 1860–1911
edit- Lt Col M. Richmond, CB. 1860–1872
- Maj N.G. Morse 1872
- Capt E. Baigent 1874
- Capt J.T. Marshall 1875–1877
- Maj A. Pitt 1877–1895
- Lt Col A. Pitt 1895–1899
- Lt Col Hon J.A. Bonar 1899–1900
- Capt (later acting Lt Col) Wolf, GCB. 1900–1906
- Maj J.L. Joyce 1906–1911
1st Battalion Nelson Infantry Volunteers
edit- Maj W.S. Littlejohn 1901–1909
- Lt Col G.A. Harkness, VD. 1909–1910
2nd Battalion Nelson Infantry Volunteers
edit- Lt Col C.G.F. Morice 1901–1909
- Maj J.C. Macfarlane 1909–1910
Marlborough District Commander
edit- Capt W.D.H Baillie 1860–1893
Westland District Commander
edit- Capt J.A. Bonar 1872–1895
Commanding Officers 1st NMWC 1923–1948
edit- Lt Col C.B. Brereton 1923–1924
- Lt Col C.E. Butcher 1924–1926
- Lt Col G.H. Gray, MC. 1926–1930
- Lt Col W.C. Harley 1930–1933
- Lt Col W.T. Churchward 1933–1939
- Lt Col C.M. Rout, ED. 1939–1942
Commanding Officers 1st NMWC 1948–1964
edit- Lt Col E.F. Richards, DSO, ED. 1948–1954 (Later Hon Col (Lt Col))
- Lt Col R.I. Blair, OBE, ED. 1954–1957 (Later Hon Col (Lt Col))
- Lt Col R.M.S. Orbell, OBE, ED. 1957–1959
- Lt Col D.H. Blyth. 1961–1964 (Later Hon Col (Col))
Commanding Officers 1st Cant (1923–1948)
edit- Lt Col J. Murphy, VD 1923–1925
- Lt Col N.R. Wilson, DSO, MC, VD. 1925–1926
- Lt Col L.M. Inglis, MC, VD. 1926–1930
- Lt Col S.D. Mason, 1930–1936
- Lt Col H.K. Kippenberger, 1936–1940 (Later Hon Col (Maj Gen))
- Lt Col M. Osborne, ED. 1940–1941
- Lt Col W.R. Lascelles. 1941–1943
Commanding Officers 1st Cant (1948–1964)
edit- Lt Col J.R. Williams, DSO. 1948–1954
- Lt Col T.B. Morten, DSO, ED. 1954–1959 (Later Hon Col (Brig))
- Lt Col J.W. Rolleston, MBE, ED. 1959
- Lt Col S.M. Pritchard, MBE, ED. 1959
- Lt Col B.H. Palmer, MBE, ED. 1960–1962 (Later Hon Col (Col))
- Lt Col M.C. Stanaway, MC. 1962–1964
Commanding Officers 2nd Cant NMWC 1964–2012
edit- Lt Col M.C. Stanaway, MC. 1964
- Lt Col R.W.K. Ainge. 1964–1966
- Lt Col E.G. Latter, MBE, ED. 1966–1970 (Later Hon Col (Brig))
- Lt Col E.H. Poole, ED. 1970–1973 (Later Hon Col (Col))
- Lt Col M.J. Blair, MBE, ED. 1973–1976
- Lt Col R.E. Menzies, ED. 1976–1979
- Lt Col N.A. Koutua, ED. 1979–1982 (Later Hon Col (LtCol))
- Lt Col P.V. Coster, OBE, ED. 1982–1986
- Lt Col R.G. Milne. 1986–1991
- Lt Col P.F. Koorey. 1991–1993
- Lt Col G. Hart 1993-1998
- Lt Col K. Whitlow 1998-2000
- Lt Col G.S. Trengrove, MVO. 2000-2002 (Later promoted to Brig & awarded DSD, ED)
- Lt Col R. Keetley ED & Bar 2002-2006
- Lt Col N.J.A. Sinclair, ED. 2006-2008
- Lt Col G.A. McMillian. 2008–2013
Commanding Officers of 2/4 Battalion RNZIR 2012–Current
edit- Lt Col G.A. McMillian. 2013–2013
- Lt Col A.J. Brosnan. (First female C/O) NZIC 2013-2016
- Lt Col K. Langston. 2016–2021
- Lt Col T. Tuatini. 2021-Current
Honorary Colonels
edit1911–1964
edit- Maj Gen D.P. Penton, CB, CVO. 13th (North Canterbury) 1911-unknown
- Maj Gen E.W.C. Chaytor, KCMG, KCVO, CB. 1st (Canterbury) 1920–1921
- 12th (Nelson & Marlborough) 1920–1921
- Canterbury 1921–1923
- Nelson Marlborough & West Coast 1923–1939
- Col The Hon G.J. Smith, CBE, TD. 1st (Canterbury) 1923-unknown
- Maj Gen Sir H. Kippenberger, KBE, CB, DSO & Bar. 1st (Canterbury) 1951–1957
- Brig J.T. Burrows, CBE, DSO, ED. 1st (Canterbury) 1957–1964
- Col D.J. Fountaine, DSO, MC. ED. 1st (Nelson, Marlborough & West Coast) 1951–1959
- Lt Col E.E. Richards, DSO, OBE, ED. 1st (Nelson, Marlborough & West Coast) 1959–1962
- Lt Col R.I. Blair, OBE, ED. 1st (Nelson, Marlborough & West Coast) 1963–1964
2nd Cant NMWC RNZIR Honorary Colonels 1964–2012
edit- Brig J.T. Burrows, CBE, DSO, ED. 1964–1966
- Brig T.B. Morten, CBE, DSO, ED. 1966–1971
- Col T.F. Hegglun, OBE, ED. 1971–1977
- Col B.H. Palmer, ED. 1977–1982
- Col D.H. Blyth. 1982–1987
- Brig E.G. Latter, MBE, ED. 1987–1992
- Col E.H. Poole, ED. 1992–
- Brig R.E. Menzies, CBE, ED
- Lt Col N.H. Kotua, ED. -2012
- Lt Col Cutler 2012–2016 -2/4 RNZIR
- Lt Col G. Hart 2016–Current-2/4 RNZIR
Chaplains of the Regiment
edit- Chap Rev H.R. Dewsbury. No1 North Canterbury Bn (1910)
- ChCl IV Fr J.F.M. Barra. 2nd Bn Canterbury Regt (1914–18)
- ChCl IV Rev W. Bullock. 2nd Bn Canterbury Regt (1914–18)
- ChCl IV Rev Fr P.F. Cullen. 2nd Bn Canterbury Regt (1914–18)
- ChCl III Rev F. Dunnage. 2nd Bn Canterbury Regt (1914–18)
- ChCl IV Rev C.M. Jones. 3rd Bn Canterbury Regt (1914–18)
- ChCl IV Rev J.A. Lush. 2nd Bn Canterbury Regt (1914–18)
- ChCl III Rev Fr J.J. McMenamin. 2nd Bn Canterbury Regt (1914–18)-Killed in Action-Messines, 8 June 1917.
- ChCl IV Rev Fr P. Flynn. 2nd Bn Canterbury Regt (1914–18)
- ChCl IV Rev E.D. Rice. 2nd Bn Canterbury Regt (1914–18)
- ChCl IV Rev G.T. Robson MC, OBE. 1st Bn Canterbury Regt (1914–18)
- ChCl III Rev T.F. Taylor. 1st Bn Canterbury Regt (1914–18)
- ChCl III Rev C.E.O'H. Tobin. 1st Bn Canterbury Regt (1914–18)
- ChCl II Rev F.O. Dawson, OBE. 20th Battalion (1939–45)
- Chcl IV Rev H.I. Hopkins, OBE. (P.O.W) 20th Battalion (1939–45)
- ChCl II Rev G.A.D. Spence, OBE, MC. 20th Battalion (1939–45)
- ChCl II Rev Fr L.P. Spring, OBE. 20th Battalion (1939–45)
- ChCl IV Rev J.S. Strang. 20th & 26th Battalion (1939–45)
- ChCl IV Rev R.J. Griffiths, MBE. 23rd Battalion (1939–45)
- ChCl III Rev H.F. Harding, DSO, MBE. 23rd Battalion (1939–45)
- ChCl III Rev S.C. Read (P.O.W.) 23rd Battalion (1939–45)
- ChCl IV Rev N.F. Sansom. 23rd Battalion (1939–45)
- ChCl IV Rev. R.B. Spence. 23rd Battalion (1939–45)
- ChCl IV Rev J.G.B. Talbot. 23rd Battalion (1939–45)
- ChCl III Rev Fr J.L. Kingan. MC. 26th Battalion (1939–45)
- ChCl III Rev J.R. Nairn. 26th Battalion (1939–45)
- ChCl III Rev H.S. Scott. 26th Battalion (1939–45)
- ChCl III Rev Fr J.W. Rodgers. 30th Battalion (1939–45)
- ChCl III Rev Fr W.E. Ryan. 30th Battalion (1939–45)
- ChCl IV Rev H.W. West. 30th Battalion (1939–45)
- ChCl IV Rev. W.D. Whelan. 6th Canterbury Regt (1939–45)
- ChCl III Rev H.E. Rowe. 1st NMWC
- ChCl IV Rev F.G. Glen. 2nd CantNWMC
- ChCl IV Rev K.J. Taylor. 2nd CantNWC
- ChCl IV Rev F. Greg. 2nd CantNWMC
- ChCl III Rev Fr B.J. Fennessy, ED *** 2nd CantNMWC
- ChCl III Rev H.M.L. Kirk ED 2nd CantNMWC (Later appointed Lead Chaplain Southern Area, 1st NZ Bde Linton Camp)
Battle honours
editThe regiment perpetuates the battle honours awarded to the 23rd, 26th, 30th and 37th Battalions, Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force.
- South Africa 1900–02
- First World War:
- Somme 1916, 1918,
- Messines 1917,
- Ypres 1917,
- Passchendaele,
- Hindenburg Line,
- France and Flanders 1916–18,
- ANZAC,
- Gallipoli 1915,
- Suez Canal,
- Egypt 1915–16
- Second World War:
1st Canterbury Regiment Battle Honours
edit1st Nelson Marlborough West Coast Regiment Battle Honours
editAlliances
editFreedoms
editThe regiment was granted the following freedoms:[1]
- City of Timaru (1965)
- City of Christchurch (1966)
- City of Nelson (1969)
- Borough of Ashburton
- Borough of Greymouth
- District of Marlbourgh
Notable members
edit- Captain C.Upham VC and Bar-C Company, 20th Battalion
- Sergeant H.J. Nicholas, VC, MM-12th Nelson Company (Killed in Action at Beaudigny 23 October 1918)
- Sergeant J.Hinton VC-20th Battalion
- Sergeant C.Hulme VC-23rd Battalion
- Major General Sir E.W.C. Chaytor, KCMG, KCVO, CB
- Major General L.M. Inglis, CB, CBE, DSO, MC, VD, ED
- Major General Sir Howard Kippenberger, KBE, CB, DSO & Bar
- Brigadier Burrows, CBE, DSO, ED **
- Colonel Hon G.J. Smith, CBE, TD.
- Colonel Frank Rennie, CBE, MC-1st Cant, 30th Bn & 37th Bn
- Colonel D.J. Foutaine. DSO, MC, ED.-1st NMWC
- Lieutenant Colonel N.R. Wilson, DSO, MC, VD-1st NWMC
- Lieutenant Colonel F.M. Mitchell, MC.-6th Cant
- Lieutenant Colonel T.B. Morten, DSO, ED.-1st Cant
- Lieutenant Colonel J.R. Williams, DSO.-1st Cant
- Lieutenant Colonel J.B. Mawson MC, ED.-30th Bn
- Major G.H. Gray, MC-1st NMWC
- Major H.H. Thomason, MM-1st NMWC
- Major J.M.C. McLeod MC*-30th Bn
- Major (latter Lt Col), M.C. Stanaway MC-1st NMWC (Awarded in Korea as a captain)
- Captain Starnes, DSO (was recommended for a Victoria Cross, but was immediately awarded the DSO)
- Captain P.W.G. Spiers, MBE, MC, VD-1st NMWC
- Warrant Officer Class II James Godfrey, DCM, MM 13th North Canterbury Regt
- Sergeant E.Batchelor DCM and Bar-23rd Battalion
- Lance Corporal R.J. Burrell, BEM.-2nd CantNMWC
- Private J.D. Ross, MM
- Private H. Anderson, MM
Further reading
edit- "Together Onward: A Short History of the Canterbury Regiment, NMWC, and the Second Battalion, 1845–1970", 2RNZIR, King Edward Barracks, Christchurch, 1970
- "Marching Onward: The History of the 2nd Battalion (Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast), Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, By Brig (rtd) Edward Latter
References
edit- ^ Thomas, Malcolm (1995). New Zealand Army distinguishing patches, 1911-1991, part 2. pp. 84–85.
External links
editFirst World War, 1914–1919;
Second World War, 1939–1945;
- 23 Battalion Official History
- 26 Battalion Official History
- 30 Battalion Official History
- 37 Battalion Official History
Other