Private Baxter visits St John’s Hill kindergarten in Wanganui
On Monday 9 August, 3 soldiers from 5 WWCT Bn Gp visited the kindy as a goodwill event. The children were expressing an interest in “soldiers”- one wee lad in particular- and they were very excited to find out that one of their teachers is married to Pte Baxter from T-Coy.
L-R Spr Dickson J, Spr Dickson R, Pte Baxter on arrival (AW-10-0824-1).
Due to the age of the children, a condition of the visit was that no weapons or Teeth Arm troops were sent, so a Driver (Spr Dickson J), a Builder (Spr Dickson R) and a Medic (Pte Baxter) were the roles represented. Any time a child asked “where’s your gun?” or “have you shot anybody?” our answers were along the lines of “my job is help hurt or sick soldiers” or “I drive the truck/build the bridges”
The program for the visit entailed us rolling up in a Mog, and whilst that was being prepared, Pte Baxter spoke to the kiddies about 5 Bn Gp and what a Medic does. They then went back out to the parked Mog, and clambered around it with Spr Dickson J. Photos were taken of the kids on the back and in the driver’s seat.
On moving back inside, Pte Baxter had changed to FSMO, and Spr Dickson R and he then showed things like water bottles, cups canteen, note book etc carried. Some of the kiddies then had a crack wearing webbing. Spr Dickson R had prepared a display of a rat-pack with hexy cooker, fry pan and the all important chocolate bars. To complete the visit, a face painting session took place, of which about 2/3 the kiddies got involved in.
The event took approx 1 ½ hrs, both the teachers and the soldiers were impressed with how well the kids behaved. Some of the very shy kids absolutely loved the visit, and it has continued interest much longer then the teachers expected. The main lad –Finian- has a new group of heroes.
Pte Baxter first enlisted TF RNZA April 1987- with 31(B) Bty in Invercargill. He went into RF BAA 240 in October 1987, RNZAMC. After completing med training he was posted to 1 RNZIR RAP, Oct 89- where he became A-Coy medic. (POE Coy role) It was here he completed Para, amphib, and cliff assault courses. He left RF at the end of 1991. Like many ex-RF, he rejoined the TF in 5 WWCT as a RFMN (T-Coy) in Jan 2009. Pte Baxter is married to Tracey 16and has 3 children Tyler, Bailee and Lachlan. He has been in retail and management roles, before buying his own business in Wanganui in 2005. He is now studying-and will complete a Degree in Applied Management this year.