1,800 Boys in camp at Ardmore by Maurice Smyth

They are still talking about it throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand . . . and will continue to do so for a long time to come. Because from the man in the street to the Prime Minister, they will never forget the time 1,800 uniformed, well behaved hut exuberant Boys of the Brigade converged on “Canvas City,” Ardmore, Auckland, and united to celebrate the 75th birthday of the movement like few anniversaries have ever been before. “Terrific” would just about sum up New Zealand’s international centenary camp. From as far away as Wales, Australia, Singapore and the South Pacific islands they came to laugh and pray with their Kiwi brothers and created such a deep impression that they were cheered by the bus load and feted in smaller groups wherever they went.

The site was ideal, unique, novel and could have been made for the job. But before I go any further, I would like to heartily congratulate the willing and wonderful team of organisers, co-ordinated by Mr. Howard L. Trotman, the Dominion Secretary, on one of the slickest jobs of its kind. There could very well have been many nasty mix-ups with such a cosmopolitan multitude of youthful high spirits but the months and months of precision planning enabled Boys to arrive by train, ‘plane, ‘bus and boat, safe, sound and straining at the traces to get the camp cracking.

The site at Ardmore aerodrome came into being during World War II as one of a chain built around Auckland. Since then it has been maintained for emergency use only and, 25 miles south of Auckland, it is the home of the famous NZ Motor car Grand Prix. Billeted in 250 bell tents, the only thing the Boys did not have was a personal valet! A well-appointed, full-size swimming pool was included in the facilities and was in constant demand with the mercury in the 80’s more often than not. There was limitless playing space eagerly used for cricket, soft-ball, athletics, physical training, soccer and rugby, an outdoor concert stage and another indoors in the largest marquee seen in the Dominion for many years.

No Fatigues !

An outside catering staff of forty cooked up as many calories as could be consumed (what a mountain of grub these lads got through!) in a spacious canteen. The chief organiser of this camp could very well have been called Billy Butlin. There were no fatigue squads (consequently potatoes were whole!) and orderly duties were limited to sanitation and general tidying up. Such luxury! Ido believe you chaps at home have gone slightly green with envy . . .

From the CO down to the rank of Staff-Sergeant, they lived in comfortable, holiday-camp type dormitories as the Air Force buildings are now used by a local teachers’ training college, hence the availability of a professional standard of living! All that was missing was a button to summon a gentleman’s gentleman. He, had one been available, would at least have saved them the trouble of turning on their own showers!

Prime Minister’s Visit

It was unforgettable to see the entire camp mustered smartly to attention on the green sward being addressed by the Prime Minister, Mr.Nash, on opening day. A credit to Mr. Alford Dornan, the training and extension officer, was the Guardsman-like bearing of the all-sergeant Guard of Honour with their red sashes who drew a special ovation from the large crowd of sightseers.

Following Mr. Nash’s impressive speech, a flight of pigeons were released to officially open the camp and, as if to oblige, they banked and wheeled over the gathering in salute. The Prime Minister, the civic dignitaries, the clergy, cabinet ministers and representatives of kindred organisations all laughed at the Boys’ efforts to ensure that their dark blue uniforms were left unsullied by their feathered friends!

The camp was split up into five Companies, with 360 campers in each, set out in four lines of 12 tents, and each with its own staff and organisation under a central administration with headquarters in the aerodrome’s control tower. All activities were based at Company level, consequently keen competition was found in almost every facet of camp life.

Popular with the Boys was the three scenic tours on which they were driven in hired buses. One was a day at a lovely Pohutakawa tree-ringed beach in the Hauraki Gulf 25 miles from the camp, one was a free day in Auckland and one was over the famous Waitakeri Ranges to Muriwai Beach followed by a visit to Auckland’s tourist attractions. This trip covered 160miles.

One Welshman, With 46 Boys from Australia, 20 from Niue Island, 15 from the Cook Islands, 10 from Samoa, 7 from Nauru Island, 6 from Singapore and 1 from Wales (Lieut. Ray Markley, 25th Cardiff, who was a great success with the entire camp), it is very difficult and indeed rather unfair to discriminate. But I feel I must give special mention to the Boys from Singapore who went to great lengths with overwhelming success to do their share. They arrived in New Zealand some time before the camp and were extremely popular at the various centres they visited.

At the overseas concert, they stole the show by bringing a touch of the Orient into the warm, clear Auckland evening. Dressed in the Malayan national costume they performed the Plate Dance on a darkened stage with candles glimmering in a saucer held in each hand ; hut it was the “si chi” (lion dance to you) which brought a cheering throng to its feet. For this they used a nine-foot long gaudy lion costume glittering with hundreds of sequins with flashing eyes and movable eyebrows, so terribly realistic. They borrowed the effect from a Chinese professional theatrical group and insured it for 300 dollars. I understand the inquisitive customs officer is now almost recovered after having suddenly come face to face with “Leo” at the airport !

Samoan Leader

When Ray Markley turned up at the concert he must have thought he was attending one of his native Eisteddfods, such was the nationalistic flavour. All representatives presented indigenous items, from the grass-skirted Maoris and their war like “haka”, the dry Australian wit, the mystic atmosphere of the Orient, the romanticism of the Pacific Is lands to the heavenly serenity of those fine specimens of young manhood from Samoa in their colourful ankle-length “lava-lavas”. The target of many well directed lenses was the leader of the Samoan contingent, the Hon. Mata’afa, Samoan Minister of Agriculture and chief of one of the four royal families on the island. Six foot three, 18 stone, and with limbs like tree trunks, he strode through the camp like a dusky Finn McCool.

On New Year’s Eve, £350 went up in smoke in a brilliant fireworks display culminating in a final set piece depleting the BB Crest which blazed with proud defiance for more than five minutes. This was followed by tent feasts and a Watch Night service for the senior members. New Zealand had the distinction of being the first BB country in the world to celebrate the 75th birthday. The Kiwi Boys may still have some rough edges to smooth down, as in their marching and bugle band playing. But their enthusiasm is so in tense that it is only a matter of time before they become completely polished in all departments. I have lived with them, laughed, played and worked with them. They have set a very high standard in this memorable year of Brigade activity. It’s going to take some beating.

STAMPS