Calling all CMTers

It is not widely known that men who completed their three years CMT service are now eligible for a special New Zealand Defence medal. Details on making application are available on the website: medals.nzdf.mil.nz
For younger readers: In 1949,with the uncertainty of the ‘Cold War’ between Russia and the West and not wishing to be caught unprepared as in the Second World War the NZ Government held a referendum on the establishing of a Compulsory Military Training system to ensure a supply of basic trained young men if the situation required. The referendum received a 78% vote for the scheme and so Compulsory Military Training was established.

On reaching their 18th birthday young men were required to undergo 18 weeks basic training. Recruits could chose between Army Navy or Air Force however due to logistical constraints realistically Wairarapa trainees inevitably ended up in the army. Recruits went to Linton Camp to, when trained, become part of the 1st Wellington Regiment. Eventually 63,000 men were trained before, with lessening international tensions, the scheme was closed in 1958.

Following 18 weeks of being shouted at by leather lunged Drill Sergeants and harangued by foul mouthed Military Instructors most recruits could: obey orders, march (in step) for miles, shoot a .303 reasonably accurately, fire bren and sten guns, operated a bazooka anti tank rocket launcher, throw hand grenades, and scramble two storeys up a knotted rope in full kit. From the Passing Out Parade they were officially ‘Soldiers of the Queen’.

In the following three years the ‘soldiers’ were required to attended some one day weekend parades and a three weekly camp to refresh and update their skills. At the end of the three years the soldier were placed on an Army Reserve for the next six years.

Photo caption : Ted Colenso with his medal