Newspaper Article – Soldier’s long march ends in civvy street

SOLDIER’S LONG MARCH ENDS IN CIVVY STREET

By MARY HOLLYWOOD

Thirty years of soldiering ends for a former British paratrooper and infantry instructor, Regimental Sergeant Major George Healey Field, Napier, this month.

One of his final duties will be to carry off the regimental ‘‘colours’’ at the end of the Army pageant at McLean Park tonight.

Warrant Officer (1st class) Field joined the British Army in 1949 and served with the parachute regiment in the Middle East and other bases for five years before he was recruited as an infantry instructor for the New Zealand Army by the present chief of staff, Major General B. Poananga.

“He told me the New Zealand Army was equal to the British Army, but with the added asset of living in an ideal climate.

“I questioned his honesty when I arrived here and was posted to Waiouru,” Warrant Officer Field said.

He served with the original 1st Battalion in Malaya in 1957, returning to New Zealand to train the second battalion which he accompanied back to Malaya in 1961.

When W/O Field was first posted to Hawke’s Bay in 1963, he served with the original 7th Battalion, but in 1965 went to Borneo and Vietnam under the command of the then Captain Poananga.

His recent stint of duty in Hawke’s Bay, with the 7th Battalion, has lasted 2½ years.

“The regular army does not suit many,’’ RSM Field said. ‘‘But recruiting queries come from unexpected quarters, even from people wearing (gang) patches. The discipline in the army has its own attraction.

“The army offers something you just do not get in ‘civvy street’. It is not just the companionship. There is a common feeling of national pride and a sense of duty which seems outdated in the community outside,” he said. “And there is the challenge.”

Warrant Officer Field said one of his proudest moments as a soldier was in Gisborne, last year, when the battalion was presented with its new colours. Tied up with W/O Field’s recollection of that ceremony was one of his constant companions – a dog.

“We were in a tent after the ceremony. The General was there and lots of VIPs and the Mayor of Gisborne, Mr Barker. There were a number of speeches, and a few beers and then the battalion called for three cheers for me. Then they added ‘one for his dog’.’’

The dog in question, Hapi, was with his master for about 12 years. ‘‘He sat undeterred even while the big guns were firing. Nothing about the army worried him,” W/O Field said.

When he ends his army career, on December 10, the regimental sergeant major will have completed 31 years’ service which includes 157 parachute jumps in all parts of the world.

“l am going to stay in Napier and try to start a new life, but I have no idea just what I will do.” Army life has been demanding and has left little time for family life with his wife, Jackie, and two teenage sons.

It has left little time also for his sporting interest in soccer and badminton. “I never knew where I was going to be from one day to the next, so it was difficult to participate in a team sport.

“Perhaps after December 10, I will have time to look at soccer again,” said the former selector of the British combined services soccer team.

Photo caption – WARRANT Officer George Field with the regimental “colours’’ he will officially handle for the last time tonight.