The 36th Battalion: a record of service of the 36th Battalion with the Third Division in the Pacific

Warrant-Officer 1st Class R. A. Arkless, RSM

Warrant-Officer Arkless was appointed Regimental Sergeant-Major of the battalion at its inception in December 1941, and remained in this position until invalided home in July 1943. During this period, which was largely spent in training for a more active role, the battalion benefited greatly by his many years of army experience.

Enlisting at the beginning of 1915 he served in France with the British Army, and took part in the battles of the Somme, St. Quentin, Ancre, Messines, Cambrai, Nieuport, third battle of Ypres and second battle of the Somme. Taken prisoner early in 1918, he was repatriated early in 1919. He was on service in India from 1919 to 1923 with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He came to New Zealand in 1926, and with the outbreak of war again in 1939 he joined the Second Echelon, being transferred to the New Zealand temporary staff early in 1940. It was this rich experience of soldiering which was placed in the service of the 36th Battalion when he became its RSM.

To his WOs and NCOs, Warrant-Officer Arkless was always a friend in need, always ready to give advice when needed, a firm but fair administrator of discipline at all times. It is in a large part due to his efforts and to the fine example which he set that the battalion attained such a high standard of efficiency.

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