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The 35th Battalion
Athletics
Athletics
Early in the historical narrative, the grand gala sports day, held on the Nandi cricket ground was mentioned. After a week's preparation the grounds were complete with circular track, jumping pits and so on. So many entries had been received for handicap events that it was necessary to run off the preliminaries on the Friday afternoon preceeding the main sports day. On the Saturday a large crowd of spectators, including local inhabitants and New Zealand soldiers, witnessed some thrilling finishes. Programmes had been printed and no doubt many of the original members of the battalion still possess these as souvenirs of the occasion. At the conclusion of this successful day, Brigadier Potter presented the prises, and the Kava Bowl, which was awarded to the company which aggregated the highest points.
Following are the results:—
- 100 Yards Handicap: (Final): First, McDonald, S. A. (D Coy.), 4 yards. Second, Woods, H. R., (Bren), 9 yards. Third, Hayward, R. J., (D Coy.), 5 yards.
- 220 Yards Handicap: First, Sheerin, P. J. (D Coy.), 8 yards. Second, Kelaey, C. J., (HQ Coy.), 14 Eards. Third, Wynyard, J. D., (D Coy.), 8 yards.page 120
- 440 Yards Handicap: First, Bridge, T. E. C., (C Coy.), 30 yards. Second, Hayward, R. J., (D Coy.), 15 yards. Third, Dean, R. L., (A Coy.). 35 yards.
- 880 Yards Handicap: First, Bates, L. J., (D Coy.), 35 yards. Second, Smith, E. A., {A Coy.), 40 yards. Third, Thompson, K. H. L., {C Coy.), 10 yards.
- 1 Mile Handicap: First, Murton, D., {B Coy.), 100 yards. Second, Bates, L. J., (D Coy.), 100 yards. Third, Thompson, K. H. L., (C Coy.), 20 yards.
- 100 Yards Open: First, Schubert, N., Bombardier, (37 Bty.). Second, Wishart, P. W., Lieutenant, (37 Bn.). Third, Walker. G. P., Private, (Brig. HQ).
- 880 Yards Open: First, Crossman, H. R., Sergeant, (37 Bn.). Second, Smith E. A. F., La nee-Corp oral, (37 Bn.). Third, Feisst, O. R., Lsmce-Corporal, (35 Bn, Bren).
- 1 Mile Relay: First, C Company. Second, D Company, Third, B company.
- 880 Yards Open Relay: First, 37 Battalion. Second, 35 Battalion. Third, Namaka Administration HQ.
- Long Jump: First, Kelsey, C. J., (HQ Coy.). Second, Jackson, R. A., (D Coy.). Third, Clinch, A., (B Coy.).
- Putting Shot: First, Kelsey, C. J., (HQ Coy.). Second, Silvester, G., (A Coy.). Third, Neate, W. J., (D Coy.).
- High Jump: First, Kelsey, C. J., (HQ Coy.). Second, Silvester, G. (A Coy.), Third, Clinch, A., (B Coy.).
- Cycle Race: First, Shaw. Second, Manuel. Third, Turner.
- Officers' Dash: First, Lieutenant Brinkman, A. Second, Major McNamara, S.
- Points for Kata Bowl: First, D Coy., 30 points. Second, HQ Coy. 18 points. Third, C Coy., 12 points. Fourth, A coy., 10 points.
Many sports days were held, mainly on a company basis. The next battalion day was held in Nepoui Valley. After much levelling and grass-cutting a presentable Kiwi stadium emerged. A large flat area had been chosen and the stadium was complete with grandstand and totalisator. On the day of the battalion sports the 37th Battalion Pipe Band entertained the spectators with selections. The Kava Bowl was again won by D company with 26 points, A and HQ companies being placed equal second with 23 points each. Following are some results: 100 Yards Championship: Hocking, Sheerin, Carey. 10.6 Seconds.
- 220 Yards Championship: Hocking, Sheerin, Carey. 23 Seconds.
- 440 Yards Championship: Ormsby, Jackson, Warburton. 55 Seconds.
- 880 Yards Championship: Ormsby, Armour, Blok. 2.12 Minutes.
- Mile Championship: Murton, Bates, Thompson, 4.45 Minutes.
- Hop, Step and Jump: Kitchen, Burns, Mitchell. 38 feet 10 inches.
- Broad Jump: Mitchell, Ormsby, Nicholson. 18 feet 6 inches.
- High Jump: Charman, Kitchen, Johnson. 5 feet 4 inches.
- Shot Putt: Johnson, Smith, Cotterall. 30 feet 11 inches.
- Relay: HQ, D, A Companies.
- 100 Yards Handicap: Orr, Stewart, Singleton. 11 Seconds.
- 220 Yards Handicap: Thompson, Hookham, Donaldson. 23 3-5 Seconds.
- 440 Yards Handicap: McCormick, Taylor, Wells. 57 3-5 Seconds.
- 880 Yards Handicap: Smith, Crossman, O'Connor. 2.12 Minutes.page 121
- 220 Yards Visitors: Lee, Stewart, Edwards. 24 3-5 Seconds.
- 100 Yards Sergeants: Gourlie, Dowdell, Allingham. 11 Seconds.
- 75 Yards Officers: Edwards, Avery, Bennett. 71/2 Seconds.
- Hop, Step and Jump Open: Edwards, Stewart, Hendren. 36 feet 4 inches.
- Throwing Cricket Ball: Wills, Armour, Avery. 100 Yards 1 foot.
This was the last field sports day held. Our activities in the forward areas were limited to such pastimes as tennaquoits owing to the lack of suitable grounds.