Newspaper Article 1969

WO1 W. G. Hall, left, who is succeeding WO1 R. H. Hartley (seated) as area warrant officer in the Army office, Napier.

Warrant Officer Hartley, who has just retired from the New Zealand Army, enlisted in the NZEF in January 1940 for overseas service. After his return to New Zealand he remained in the Army and joined the regular force.

He served in Area 8, New Plymouth, before transferring to Waiouri [Waiouru] Camp, being employed as instructor at the Central District training depot. He was promoted to the RSM training depot and in 1956 was appointed RSM in the Hawke’s Bay Regiment (now known as 7RNZIR).

He held this appointment until 1962 and transferred to New Plymouth where he remained until 1963. He then returned to Hawke’s Bay as area warrant officer, a position he has held since.

He has been a cadet instructor with high school units in Hawke’s Bay since 1963.

Warrant Officer Hall, RNZEME, was previously OC, Static Section, 1 General Troops Workshop, Linton Camp. He had 28 years in the Army, 22 of which have been in the regular force.

He was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal in 1968. This medal is presented after 21 years’ unblemished continuous regular force service. Only 20 serving regular force soldiers hold this medal at any one time.

He will be retiring in four years.