To finish a memorial to the Masterton Drill Corridor, historians Alan Fielding (left) and Neil Frances are on the hunt for a badge for the ninth Wellington and East Coast Mounted Rifles unit. PHOTO/ERIN KAVANAGH-HALL
Historical past deserves memorial
Erin Kavanagh-Corridor
erin.kavanagh-hall@age.co.nz
To assist commemorate a big a part of Wairarapa’s army historical past, two Masterton males are interesting to the general public to have a search by way of their outdated household memorabilia.
Historians Neil Frances and Alan Fielding have spent the previous eight years engaged on a public memorial to the outdated Masterton Drill Corridor: the headquarters for the 2 main items of the area’s Territorial Army.
An instance of a unit badge for the ninth Wellington and East Coast Mounted Rifles regiment. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
These “two army households”, the ninth Wellington East Coast Mounted Rifles and seventeenth Ruahine Infantry Regiment, consisted of males from Wairarapa and southern Hawke’s Bay who served abroad in World Battle I.
The memorial, which Frances and Feilding suggest to erect close to the positioning of the Drill Corridor on the nook of Chapel St and Lincoln Rd, will encompass two metal effigies of Wairarapa troopers, carrying the signature insignia for every territorial unit.
Nonetheless, to finish the undertaking, the organisers want one small, however important merchandise – a unit badge for the Wellington East Coast Mounted Rifles (WECMR) regiment.
To craft the insignia for the metal troopers, Frances and Fielding wanted to supply the precise unit badges, so {that a} 3D solid may be reproduced by the sculptor.
Frances was capable of finding a badge for the Ruahine Infantry Regiment (that includes a star and fern leaves) on TradeMe – however thus far has had “no luck” monitoring down a WECMR badge – which includes a rearing horse.
Frances mentioned “many a whole bunch” of Wairarapa males served with the ninth WECMR regiment, all of whom could have had a badge.
He and Fielding are assured there will probably be descendants of those males nonetheless residing right here who could have their relations’ badges in storage.
“The ninth [regiment] stretched all the best way from Cape Palliser as much as Gisborne. We reckon there are nonetheless many badges round – however [the family] is probably not conscious they’re from that individual unit,” Frances mentioned.
“We’re hopeful one of many grandchildren or great-grandchildren could have one we are able to purchase or borrow so we are able to maintain this undertaking shifting.”
“Usually, these things get tossed apart when individuals are packing up their homes – they’ll find yourself in a shoebox on the highest shelf of the wardrobe,” Fielding mentioned.
“If you happen to assume you may need seen a badge whereas doing a clear out, we’d be very grateful for those who received in contact.”
The Masterton Drill Corridor, the topic of the proposed memorial, was first opened on November 23, 1886 – constructed with funds from each authorities and neighborhood funding.
On the time, the 30m by 17m picket constructing was used as a base for volunteer militias and to carry public occasions, corresponding to “dances, artwork exhibitions and flower exhibits”.
In 1911, the Drill Corridor turned the Wairarapa Headquarters for the Territorial Army and have become the area’s centre for military recruitment for each World Wars.
Two of the “many a whole bunch” of Wairarapa males who served with the WECMR unit throughout World Battle I. PHOTO/FILE
A number of notable Wairarapa males left for army coaching and conflict service from the Drill Corridor: together with George Hood, after whom Masterton’s Hood Aerodrome is known as, and Norman Cameron, one of many first Wairarapa troopers to die at Gallipoli.
Cameron’s household donated the land for what was previously generally known as Cameron and Troopers Memorial Park (now Belief Home Memorial Park) on Dixon St.
Each Cameron and Hood have been members of the ninth WECMR unit.
Army personnel vacated the Drill Corridor constructing within the Nineteen Fifties when a brand new premises was constructed on Cornwall Place (now Kokiri Place) – so the outdated corridor was utilized by the previous Masterton Beginner Theatrical Society as a rehearsal and efficiency area.
The outdated constructing additionally continued to host occasions, together with a big mannequin railway exhibition within the Seventies.
It was ultimately demolished in 1981 and the positioning turned the Lincoln Rd carpark of the then Masterton Borough Council.
Frances mentioned the Drill Corridor was an essential a part of Wairarapa’s historical past, which “deserves to be memorialised”.
“For nearly 100 years, it was a outstanding neighborhood constructing. It was the headquarters for 2 of our main army items, wherein many individuals from Wairarapa served.
“Anybody who has lived in Wairarapa after the Nineteen Eighties gained’t comprehend it existed.”
Frances and Fielding have been capable of safe grants from Wairarapa companies and organisations in the direction of the memorial undertaking, in addition to donations from the broader neighborhood, and plan to make use of “native labour” to assemble the memorial.
In addition to the metal statues, the memorial will encompass a plaque, data board, and surrounding plantings of blue, white, and pink flowers, representing the New Zealand flag.
The organisers hope to have the memorial accomplished by the tip of this yr.
If you happen to can present a unit badge for the ninth Wellington East Coast Mounted Rifles, contact Neil Frances by electronic mail: nfkiwibass@gmail.com.
