Canterbury, and Nelson-Marlborough and West Coast Regiment

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
Active1964–2012
Country New Zealand
Branch New Zealand Army
TypeLine Infantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne battlegroup
Garrison/HQRHQ Burnham
Motto(s)Ake Ake Kia Kaha (Forever and Ever Be Strong)
MarchQuick – The Hundred Pipers
Quick – Charles Upham March
Slow – Greensleeves
Mascot(s)The Ram
Anniversaries27 June 1942
Commanders
Current Commanding Officer (CO)Lt Col G.A. McMillian
Insignia
Unit Shoulder Flash
Abbreviation2CantNMWC
Queen's Colour
Regimental Colour

Formation and recent history

The 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
  • A Company: Greymouth*,
  • B Company: Christchurch,
  • C Company: Timaru,
  • D Company: Nelson Company,
  • Support Company: Christchurch, Blenheim and Ashburton,
  • Logistics Company

Brass Band

In 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

1845-Nelson

The 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 7am, 10am and 4pm. 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.

Volunteer Corps of Canterbury Rifles
  • Number 1-Christchurch
  • Number 2-Christchurch
  • 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 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
  • Number 1 Coy-Nelson City
  • Number 2 Coy-Nelson City
  • Number 3 Coy-Was not gazetted until /9/06/1862
  • Number 4 Coy-Suburban North
  • Number 5 Coy-Motueka
  • Number 6 Coy-Waimea East
  • Number 7 Coy-Waimea South
  • Number 8 Coy-Nelson

Marlborough Rifle Volunteers
  • Number 1 Coy-Marlborough Rifles
  • Number 2 Coy-Picton Rangers

Nelson 1862

Eight 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

Canterbury District Commanders 1859–1910
  • 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
  • Lt Col A.G.D. Toswill 1886–1888 (99th Regt)

Canterbury Battalion and later North Canterbury Battalion
  • Lt Col F.W. Francis, VD. 1895–1903

South Canterbury Battalion of Infantry Volunteers
  • Lt Col W.M. Moore 1897

1st North Canterbury Battalion of Infantry
  • Lt Col W.A. Day 1903–1906
  • Lt Col F. Cresswell, VD. 1906–1910

2nd North Canterbury Battalion of Infantry
  • Lt Col H.S.E. Hobday 1903–1906
  • Lt Col G.J. Smith 1906–1910

Nelson District Commanders 1860–1911
  • 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
  • Maj W.S. Littlejohn 1901–1909
  • Lt Col G.A. Harkness, VD. 1909–1910

2nd Battalion Nelson Infantry Volunteers
  • Lt Col C.G.F. Morice 1901–1909
  • Maj J.C. Macfarlane 1909–1910

Marlborough District Commander
  • Capt W.D.H Baillie 1860–1893

Westland District Commander
  • Capt J.A. Bonar 1872–1895

Commanding Officers 1st NMWC 1923–1948
  • 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
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • 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
  • 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 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
  • 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

1911–1964
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

The regiment perpetuates the battle honours awarded to the 23rd, 26th, 30th and 37th Battalions, Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

1st Canterbury Regiment Battle Honours

1st Nelson Marlborough West Coast Regiment Battle Honours

Alliances

Freedoms

The regiment was granted the following freedoms:[1]

Notable members
  • 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
  • "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
  1. Thomas, Malcolm (1995). New Zealand Army distinguishing patches, 1911-1991, part 2. pp. 84–85.

First World War, 1914–1919;

Second World War, 1939–1945;

Other

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