CADETS
NPBHS DELPHIC JAZZ 1994 Back Row: Andrew Wilson, Martin de Bock, Aaron Knowles. Front Row: Paul Wolffram , Aneel Hay.
Th e end of 1993 saw the very busy schedule as 'cadets' wound up fo r the yea r. The 'End of Year' Parade was marked by the presentation of the clasp to the Cadet Force Medal to Captain M. E. Dobson by Colonel D. Hazard. The clasp is awarded for 20 years service to cadets. The 'Skill at Arms ' team represented the unit at the annual competition in Linton , and acquitted itself well against very strong competition . Four cadets attended the Bushcraft Course at Waiouru in January with Sgt Gareth Collings, graduating as the top cadet. The unit again assisted with the District Coun cil 's Summer Scene Camp Out at Merrilands Domain , and those who attended enjoyed teaching the little 'ankle biters' some basic bushcraft. Thirty-eight cadets returned at the start of training for the year and this number was augmented by 21 new recruits who got their first taste of the 'green machine' at the Everett Road Camp over Anniversary Weekend. Several cadets attended the pre NCO course at Hawera run by 47 Sqn during April , and the second year cadets held a successful weekend camp on the banks of the Manganui River at Tariki. Poppy Day again saw the unit assisting the RSA with the annual collection and the school ANZAC Service. ANZAC day itself saw the unit well represented at the dawn service. Prior to the Civic Service the unit was inspected by Lt Col A. Wilson (CO 5 WWCT, RNZIR} and Old Boy who presented Capt Dobson with his new rank insignia of Major. During the May holidays four cadets attended the Junior NCO course at Linton and two senior cadets staffed courses at Linton and Burnham. At the end of June the unit was visited by a contingent of Australian cadets from the 202 Regional Cadet Unit, Blacktown , Sydney. The Aussies spent three days in New Plymouth , and activities included sightseeing , and a bushcraft camp, before travelling to Ohakea, Waiouru, Rotorua and back to Auckland. A return visit to Sydney is planned in the next few years. Training throughout the year has had even more variety this year and has included working with police dogs, the fire service and ambulance service, as well as the usual outdoor training and shooting etc. The guest speaker at this year's formal dinner was Mr Lynn Bublitz, Old Boy and Principal of Inglewood High School. Term Three activities include abseiling , a flying camp where senior cadets can get some 'hands on ' experience, and inter-unit camps with cadets from No's 8, 47 and 48 sqns. The end of year parade sees the retirement of Major Dobson as the Unit Commander after 21 years in 'cadets'.
THE MAJOR CALLS IT QUITS At the end of 1994 after 24 years active service, Major Dobson is hanging up his epaulettes. There is no doubt that but for Mr Dobson's involvement, cadets at New Plymouth Boys' High School would have folded a number of years ago. Mr Dobson takes with him a number of personal memories and a sense that it has all be worthwhile.
Although he did not officially join the cadet unit until1973, Mr Dobson has been involved with the unit since joining the staff in 1970. However, his interest in things military goes back to a very young age, when he would parade around the house in his father's 'tankie' beret. He joined the New Plymouth Boys' High School Cadets as a student in 1958, as a member of the band , and remembers the whole school marching to the port for an exerc1se, and at another time marching to the Rewarewa Rifle Range for practice with anti-tank and machine guns. Called up in 1965 during the National Service era, he spent 14 weeks at Waiouru training as a driver. He continued to serve with the Territorials until1973. When Mr Dobson joined the unit as an officer, 25 staff (more than half) were mvolved and VIrtually the whole school, with the exception of third formers , took part in cadets. Major Dobson feels his input has been largely to pass on to young people the skills, opportunities and experiences that would otherwise have been denied them . The rewards have come in unusual ways from unexpected sources with students working together, often in adverse conditions. While the changes in the cadet structure have been unavoidable, he regrets that many young people will miss the opportunities offered to them, opportunities that many are unable or too lazy to find for themselves. Prior to the Defence Act of 1971, school cadet corps were a corps of the army. That act puts cadets outside the armed forces. However, the biggest charge for New Plymouth Boys' High School came in 1984 when school cadet units were reduced to volunteer units. Growing public perception that schools should have nothing to do w1th th1ngs m11itary, comb1ned with a falling interest by young staff meant it was difficult to maintain a New Plymouth Boys' High School unit. Th1s was compounded by financial strains felt by the army and passed on to the Cadet Corps. Finally the unit amalgamated to form the City of New Plymouth Cadet Corps- commanded by Captain Dobson (only recently has he received his long overdue promotion to Major). There are many memories he takes with him. One involves him waking one morning in his hammock, secured firmly above the ground and turning on the radio while listening to the patter of rain on his half shelter. It was only as he turned the radio up for the fourth or fifth time that he realised the sound was being drowned out by the river which had risen and was now flowing beneath him. A mad scramble into his boots revealed the true horror. While the troops were safe, a great deal of their equipment had been s,wept away by nature's onslaught. My own memory of Captain Dobson is, when as a junior officer, it was my JOb to check the troops in the morning. In cold rain I trudged through mud to report that all were safe and sound . As I approached the inevitable hammock and half shelter, neatly suspended between two trees, all that was visible was a nose and a cigarette between a beret and a coat. Only the occasional wisp of smoke indicated life - but not as we know it. This was a man not just at home in his surroundings, but extremely comfortable. As always, he was leading by example. On behalf of all those staff who worked with you, but more importantly on behalf of the boys who gained from your time and experience thank you Major Dobson. May your retirement be a long and happy ~ne .
NPBHS THIRD & FOURTH GENERATION BOYS 1994 Back Row: Tim Suthon [Trevor (48). Albert (18-20}], David Papps (Roger (63-68). Lyndsay (32-37)]. Bryan Williams [David (67-69} , Don (30-34)]. Ben Kidd [Murray (67-71 ), Rog er (35)], Sam Kidd [Murray (67-71 ), Roger (35)]. Duane Old [Philip (64-65), Alfred (29-30)) . Third Row: Richard Mills (Tony (58-62). Hugh (22-24) ], Grant Hassall [Roger (62-63), Niel (43-45)], Blair Sutherland [Hu gh (62-65), Neil (36-37)]. Douglas Harbutt [Norman (59-62), Wilfred (26-29)]. Shane Johns [Boyd (61-62) , Bruce (35-36}]. Richard Papps [Roger (63-68), Lyndsay (32-37}]. Chris Newing (Tim (67-71) , Richard (30 -33)]. Joe Pease [Stavely (57-60), Bob (14-1 6)]. Second Row: Murray Cox [Graham (52-54), Alric (22-24), Ethel Bellringer (1893-95)]. Kerry Jones [Grant (54-56), Stan (32-35)], Brad Taylor [Kevin (61-66), Kenneth (37-39)]. Simon Cleaver [Brian (55-59), Bert (30-34)], MrT. Ryde r (Headmaster), Richard Honeyfield [David (60-64} , Ken (28-29)]. Richard Bryant [Michael (57-61), Roy (29-30)]. John Hastie [Donald (52-55}, Andrew (14-15}]. Front Row: Jarred Mawson [Phil (61-66). Ronald (31-35)]. Mark Switzer [Warwick (68-71). Lloyd (40-44)], Haden Power [John (65 -69) , Geoff (36-40)] , Jake Sole (Phil (62-66), David (32-34), Harry (02-05)]. Ben Hamerton (Bryan (63-67}, Harold (31-36}]. Nick Whitwell [Michael (64-68) , Don (34-38)]. Page 74 Page 75