Linton and Innes in The Territorial Force

According to his military record, Linton served in the territorials for 14 months, during 1939 and 1940. During this time, he was studying by correspondence the subjects he needed to join the Air Force.

Innes was in A Squadron, NMMR, Z Block, at Burnham Military Camp. He was able to stay in New Zealand during the war, because he was running the family farm.

By the end of 1940, The Territorial Force in New Zealand numbered 15,449 men. Measures for home defence included manning coastal and anti-aircraft batteries, garrisoning ports, coast watching, and maintaining a mobile striking force in each military district.

Above: Innes Jones (first left in the first row of three men) at Burnham Military Camp.

Man on Innes' right could be Jack Farnell. Others unknown.

Above (L to R): Eric Kennington?, Jack Farnell, Bert Kennington, Innes Jones, Jim Forrest.

Innes wrote home very frequently, and the following are some excerpts from the letters he wrote home:

'Dear Family, Just a card to tell you I arrived alright - the phone as you heard is pretty wonky so I thought I would send this as well. We arrived at Burnham just on 2 o'clock, later than we expected but we got delayed somewhat, owing to the other lads having a bit of an accident.

I was sorry I didn't have a weeks leave to attend all the farewells etc but I'll just have to be with you all in spirit. We seemed to leave in a devil of a hurry on Sunday but it was Jack and not me who was so eager to be off. Hope everybody is well. Will have to stop now, remember us to Aunt Lorne. Love to all, from Innes xxx.'

'The food here could be worse so far. For tea we had roast meat, cabbage, potatoes and some awful looking pudding which I wouldn't eat. How are you getting on up there? Alright I hope. I think I will stop now as I'm afraid I'll run out of ink. I'll try to write more next time. I can't say I relish the prospect of 3 months of this.

Cheerio for now, and I hope you are all well. Love to all, from Innes.'

'Dear Family, Just a few lines to let you know I am well and doing alright. As you see by the address, I am writing from Pleasant Point, where the regiment is a present. We return to Burnham tomorrow after going to Temuka. We are to get out at 4.30 in the morning to do some early morning stunt at Temuka by daylight. I am writing this on the hand rail of a bridge where I am stationed on picket while the others are away at tea. I guess we will have a lot of drilling in preparation for our march through Christchurch on the 26th. The weather down here is a little warmer now and it would need to be, as it was very cold when we first came out. We quite often sleep in someones woolshed. I must close now. Hoping you are all well and that I will see you shortly. Cheerio, Love from Innes.'

'Dear Family, a very few lines written on a roadside somewhere in South Canterbury. I think Geraldine is the nearest town at the moment. The weather here is very cold, but I am well. Yesterday the Kennington's arrived down here quite unexpectedly and managed to take Eric back to Ashburton for the night. Brought him back early this morning. We expect to arrive back at Burnham about 21st. Jack is thinking about us going across to the West Coast and home that way, which I would quite like, but we are not sure yet. Hope you had a good birthday and all are well. Cheerio for now, Love from Innes.'

Below: Linton in his Territorial Force uniform.

If anyone has any further information about Linton, or any of the men pictured, please use the contact form on this website to get in touch. I'd love to hear from you.