Commanding Officer’s Handover Parade – 7th Wellington Hawke’s Bay Battalion Group.

By Private Carey Clements

The 7th Wellington Hawke’s Bay Battalion Group (7WNHB) farewelled  the outgoing Commanding Officer Colonel Bede Fahey, and welcomed his replacement, Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Harker at a ceremony in Trentham recently.

After undertaking drill rehearsals early morning, 7WNHB personnel proudly marched onto the parade ground at 1600 to farewell COL Fahey for the last time.  His last official act was to hand over the Queen’s and Battalion’s Colours to his successor for safekeeping.  The Honorary Colonel, Colonel Grant assisted with this ceremony. 

The parade was reviewed by the Chief of Army, Major General Rhys Jones.  In attendance, among others, were the Director of Army Reserves, Brigadier Ants Howie and the Commander of HQ 2LFG, COL Howie Duffy.  Three former 7WNHB CO’s including the former Territorial Force Advisor, Brigadier (Retired) Ken Foote also viewed the parade.

After taking up the Maori challenge laid down by Alpha Company’s Sergeant Tim Brown of Gisborne, MAJGEN Jones inspected the full ranks followed by the 7WNHB Band.

Before leaving the parade ground, MAJGEN Jones presented the following medals:

Clasp to the Efficiency Medal to Sergeant David Searle of the Band
Efficiency Medal to Acting Sergeant Ghilslaine Cousins of the Band
East Timor Medal to Corporal Justin Allan of Bravo Company
Operational Service Medal to CPL Euan Howden of Bravo Company
Timor-Leste Solidary Medal to Private Sol Stewart of Bravo Company and Acting CPL Glenn Skjottrup (RF) of Battalion HQ. 

Late into the afternoon, 7WNHB Band played Last Post as the Roll of Honour was read remembering those from the Wellington Regiment (consisting of Companies from Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, Ruahine, West Coast and Taranaki) who were killed in action on August 8, 1915.

The day’s events ended with a dinner held at the Trentham Golf Course, which included COL Fahey thanking his officers and soldiers for their effort throughout his tenure.  His major highlight was leading a deployment to Operation Rata in Solomon Islands last year which displayed the hard work and eagerness of the TF to do well on operations.

LTCOL Harker meanwhile said he was very proud to take command of the 7WNHB Bn Gp and has the utmost confidence in all battalion personnel to maintain the high standards set by his predecessor.