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Burma Ford Motor Van Company
extracts from
The Rangoon Weekly Budget Gazette 1917
to search this page use ctrl + f
extracts from
The Rangoon Weekly Budget Gazette 1917
to search this page use ctrl + f
Burma Ford Motor Van Co.
Intimation has been received in Rangoon that the Government of India have sanctioned the formation of a training depot in Rangoon for the Burma Ford Motor Van Co. and that the formation of a second company will rest on the success of the first company.
The Burma Ford Motor Van Company
Reginald Willows Hildyard
Mr R.W.H. Marris, who for the past five years has been resident Manager of Messrs. G. McKenzie & Co., Rangoon, has been nominated for Major, Indian Army Reserve of Officers in order to take command of the Burma Ford Motor Van Company. It was thought at first that he would not be able to accept the post, as Mr George McKenzie was on the point of retiring ; but the latter has decided not to retire in order that Mr Marris might secure the post.
Mr Marris is particularly well qualified for the post ; he brings to it a expert training of five years in addition to military training, having held a Captain’s Commission in the Leicestershire Regt. He resigned in 1908, being then only twenty-one years old and one of the youngest Captains in the army. He held at the time the post of Instructor of Musketry to his battalion, having previously received a distinction certificate in Musketry from the Hythe school. He comes of a military family, his mother’s brother being General Sir J.T. Hildyard.
Among his athletic distinctions he won in 1903 the 100 yards public schools championship in 10 1-5 sec. A cricketer of parts, he has played for his county (Leicestershire) and has also represented Leicestershire, Blackheath and the United Services on the rugger field and is the possessor of his Midlands County cap. Since coming to Rangoon he has played soccer, hockey and cricket as a member of the Gymkhana Club and is also a golfer, last week winning the Captain’s prize at Mingaladon. He at one time held a Commission in the Rangoon Volunteer Rifles.
The post of Captain, Indian Army Reserve of Officers, in charge of Workshops of the Motor Van Company, has, we are informed, been given to Mr Guy Lynn, Bombay Burmah Trading Corpn., who holds a Commission as Lieutenant, Electrical Engineer Company, Rangoon Port Defence Corps and has already started work. None of the Subalterns have yet been appointed.
In connection with the rest of the personnel recruiting is rapidly being carried out. Indian and Burman drivers are applying so steadily that it is expected that the complete company will be ready for field service early in December. Barracks for the company are to be located temporarily, it is understood, at Monkey Point and the medical examination will probably start today. Everything will be done to turn the company out trained and equipped by the time stated.
It was started on Friday at the headquarters of the Ford Motor Van Company that few of the European motor mechanics in Rangoon are offering their services for warrant or non-commissioned rank. The Burma Oil Co., and Messrs. G. Mckenzie & Co. have agreed to make up to their employees the loss of pay sustained by their joining the Motor Van Company, and it is suggested that their patriotic example should be followed by other firms. Artificers are greatly needed by the Motor Van Company. Lack of encouragement by employers, it is stated, is retarding the completion of the commissioned, warrant and non-commissioned staffs. Another matter referred to at headquarters was the failure of owners of motor vehicles in Rangoon to urge their chauffeurs to join the company ; only five or six such drivers have applied for enlistment. Increased effort are being made to get the Motor Van Company filled up and organized by the date set for their departure, the end of the month. No decision has yet been made known as to the two remaining subalterns, but an announcement is expected in a day or so.
Reginald Willows Hildyard
Mr R.W.H. Marris, who for the past five years has been resident Manager of Messrs. G. McKenzie & Co., Rangoon, has been nominated for Major, Indian Army Reserve of Officers in order to take command of the Burma Ford Motor Van Company. It was thought at first that he would not be able to accept the post, as Mr George McKenzie was on the point of retiring ; but the latter has decided not to retire in order that Mr Marris might secure the post.
Mr Marris is particularly well qualified for the post ; he brings to it a expert training of five years in addition to military training, having held a Captain’s Commission in the Leicestershire Regt. He resigned in 1908, being then only twenty-one years old and one of the youngest Captains in the army. He held at the time the post of Instructor of Musketry to his battalion, having previously received a distinction certificate in Musketry from the Hythe school. He comes of a military family, his mother’s brother being General Sir J.T. Hildyard.
Among his athletic distinctions he won in 1903 the 100 yards public schools championship in 10 1-5 sec. A cricketer of parts, he has played for his county (Leicestershire) and has also represented Leicestershire, Blackheath and the United Services on the rugger field and is the possessor of his Midlands County cap. Since coming to Rangoon he has played soccer, hockey and cricket as a member of the Gymkhana Club and is also a golfer, last week winning the Captain’s prize at Mingaladon. He at one time held a Commission in the Rangoon Volunteer Rifles.
The post of Captain, Indian Army Reserve of Officers, in charge of Workshops of the Motor Van Company, has, we are informed, been given to Mr Guy Lynn, Bombay Burmah Trading Corpn., who holds a Commission as Lieutenant, Electrical Engineer Company, Rangoon Port Defence Corps and has already started work. None of the Subalterns have yet been appointed.
In connection with the rest of the personnel recruiting is rapidly being carried out. Indian and Burman drivers are applying so steadily that it is expected that the complete company will be ready for field service early in December. Barracks for the company are to be located temporarily, it is understood, at Monkey Point and the medical examination will probably start today. Everything will be done to turn the company out trained and equipped by the time stated.
It was started on Friday at the headquarters of the Ford Motor Van Company that few of the European motor mechanics in Rangoon are offering their services for warrant or non-commissioned rank. The Burma Oil Co., and Messrs. G. Mckenzie & Co. have agreed to make up to their employees the loss of pay sustained by their joining the Motor Van Company, and it is suggested that their patriotic example should be followed by other firms. Artificers are greatly needed by the Motor Van Company. Lack of encouragement by employers, it is stated, is retarding the completion of the commissioned, warrant and non-commissioned staffs. Another matter referred to at headquarters was the failure of owners of motor vehicles in Rangoon to urge their chauffeurs to join the company ; only five or six such drivers have applied for enlistment. Increased effort are being made to get the Motor Van Company filled up and organized by the date set for their departure, the end of the month. No decision has yet been made known as to the two remaining subalterns, but an announcement is expected in a day or so.
The Burma Ford Motor Van Company has been gratefully accepted by the Commander-in-Chief, India and it has been learned officially
that the company will be kept as a separate Burma unit.
The following enlistments in the company are announced:-
that the company will be kept as a separate Burma unit.
The following enlistments in the company are announced:-
W. Burn, late Public Works Dept., to be Section Sergeant
W.B. Mitchell, Burma Oil Co., Syriam, to be Mechanist Sergt.-Major
A.W. Moore, Motor House Co. to be Artificer Sergt.
T. Bond, Burma Oil Co., Syriam, to be Artificer Sergt.
A. Sebastian, Watson & Co., to be Vulcaniser
Artificers
Desmond Stokes, Rangoon Foundry
W. Williams, Rangoon Foundry
George Dawes, Motor House Co.
S.G. Redmond, Motor House Co.
W. White, Motor House Co.
G.D.R. Dobson, Bulloch Bros.
C. Trutwein, Burma Railways Workshops, Insein
Donald King, G. McKenzie & Co., Rangoon
W.B. Mitchell, Burma Oil Co., Syriam, to be Mechanist Sergt.-Major
A.W. Moore, Motor House Co. to be Artificer Sergt.
T. Bond, Burma Oil Co., Syriam, to be Artificer Sergt.
A. Sebastian, Watson & Co., to be Vulcaniser
Artificers
Desmond Stokes, Rangoon Foundry
W. Williams, Rangoon Foundry
George Dawes, Motor House Co.
S.G. Redmond, Motor House Co.
W. White, Motor House Co.
G.D.R. Dobson, Bulloch Bros.
C. Trutwein, Burma Railways Workshops, Insein
Donald King, G. McKenzie & Co., Rangoon
Burma Ford Motor Van Company
An appeal is being issued to the Burmese community of Rangoon in connection with the recruiting for the Ford Motor Van Company ; It says that at no time in the history of Burma has there been such an opportunity for the young Burman to assert himself and assist the Empire as that now offered by the Burma Ford Motor Van Company, Upwards of seventy young Burmans of good character and good physique are wanted without delay. It is not necessary for them to have a knowledge of driving ; that will be taught them as well as a knowledge of the mechanism of the vehicle, how to make repairs etc.
On being passed medically fit they will be enrolled and given a bonus of Rs. 10 and the knowledge of how to drive will be taught them free of charge. During the period of training they will receive Rs. 50 a month and will be provided with free rations, free clothing and free quarters. On being passed from training they will receive the balance of the bonus of Rs. 40, and will be sent to Mesopotamia where they will drive motor vehicles of sorts conveying ammunition, Government stores, food, rations etc. They will enjoy the same privileges as other transport units in respect of honours to be gained for meritorious service in the field. Returning after the war, the recruit will have the knowledge of a valuable trade and splendid experience which will always being him a living wage and the fact that he has gained his experience on the battle field will give him a natural preference over those who could have gone but did not go on service.
E.G. Fleming, Messrs. Finlay Fleming & Co. and Mr E.R. Allen, Messrs. Bulloch Bros. have been appointed to carry on the duties of subalterns with the company pending notification in the Gazette of India. On Monday thirty-four recruits were enrolled by Lt.-Col. Kirkwood, twenty-one Burmans, eleven Indians and two Chinamen. Yesterday another batch was sent for enrolment.
An appeal is being issued to the Burmese community of Rangoon in connection with the recruiting for the Ford Motor Van Company ; It says that at no time in the history of Burma has there been such an opportunity for the young Burman to assert himself and assist the Empire as that now offered by the Burma Ford Motor Van Company, Upwards of seventy young Burmans of good character and good physique are wanted without delay. It is not necessary for them to have a knowledge of driving ; that will be taught them as well as a knowledge of the mechanism of the vehicle, how to make repairs etc.
On being passed medically fit they will be enrolled and given a bonus of Rs. 10 and the knowledge of how to drive will be taught them free of charge. During the period of training they will receive Rs. 50 a month and will be provided with free rations, free clothing and free quarters. On being passed from training they will receive the balance of the bonus of Rs. 40, and will be sent to Mesopotamia where they will drive motor vehicles of sorts conveying ammunition, Government stores, food, rations etc. They will enjoy the same privileges as other transport units in respect of honours to be gained for meritorious service in the field. Returning after the war, the recruit will have the knowledge of a valuable trade and splendid experience which will always being him a living wage and the fact that he has gained his experience on the battle field will give him a natural preference over those who could have gone but did not go on service.
E.G. Fleming, Messrs. Finlay Fleming & Co. and Mr E.R. Allen, Messrs. Bulloch Bros. have been appointed to carry on the duties of subalterns with the company pending notification in the Gazette of India. On Monday thirty-four recruits were enrolled by Lt.-Col. Kirkwood, twenty-one Burmans, eleven Indians and two Chinamen. Yesterday another batch was sent for enrolment.
Burma Ford Motor Van Company
Only trained drivers are now being recruited by the Burma Ford Motor Van Company, as all other complements are filled, with the exception of three Artificers who are urgently needed. Two names have been suggested for the vacancies in the rank of Subaltern, but no orders have yet been passed. G.R. Cockman, Messrs. Bulloch Bros. and E. Bruce, Messrs. P. Orr & Sons, have been ordered to carry on the duties of Subalterns in the Burma Ford Motor Van Company, pending notification in the Gazette of India and have already commenced their new duties. Mr Cockman is well known in Rangoon, having been a leading three-quarter of the Gymkhana rugger team and had also represented the club in hockey. He is a member of the Rangoon Vol Rifles. Mr Bruce is a 2nd Lieutenant in the Electrical Engineer Company, Rangoon Port Defence Corps and is a marksman of the Corps, having represented then in numerous matches.
Only trained drivers are now being recruited by the Burma Ford Motor Van Company, as all other complements are filled, with the exception of three Artificers who are urgently needed. Two names have been suggested for the vacancies in the rank of Subaltern, but no orders have yet been passed. G.R. Cockman, Messrs. Bulloch Bros. and E. Bruce, Messrs. P. Orr & Sons, have been ordered to carry on the duties of Subalterns in the Burma Ford Motor Van Company, pending notification in the Gazette of India and have already commenced their new duties. Mr Cockman is well known in Rangoon, having been a leading three-quarter of the Gymkhana rugger team and had also represented the club in hockey. He is a member of the Rangoon Vol Rifles. Mr Bruce is a 2nd Lieutenant in the Electrical Engineer Company, Rangoon Port Defence Corps and is a marksman of the Corps, having represented then in numerous matches.
Appointments
2nd Lt. R.W.H. Marris, I.A.R., to be temporary Major, while employed as Commandant, Ford Motor Van Company.
2nd Lt. G. Lynn, I.A.R. to be temporary Captain, while employed as Workshop Officer, Ford Motor Van Company.
2nd Lt. R.W.H. Marris, I.A.R., to be temporary Major, while employed as Commandant, Ford Motor Van Company.
2nd Lt. G. Lynn, I.A.R. to be temporary Captain, while employed as Workshop Officer, Ford Motor Van Company.
Success of Ford Van Company - No. 2 Company To Be Formed
Ford Van Company No. 1 is now practically complete and No. 2 Company is to be formed on exactly the same lines as No. 1 except that Burman or Indian Artificers are to be employed instead of Anglo-Indians, of whom the available supply of suitable men is limited. The excellent quality of No. 1 Company is due in considerable part to the patriotic action of various firms, who have not only allowed their assistants to join but have treated them with great generosity in the matter of supplementing their military pay where necessary to prevent them from suffering financially by joining. The number of trained drivers available having proved insufficient to the demand, a number of untrained Burmans had to be appointed, who have proved very quick at picking up the management of a car. The Company was inspected on December 19th by General Young. Considering the very short time that the men have been drilling their appearance on parade is very creditable. There is great keenness throughout the whole Company and Major Marris when he takes them on service will not be likely to find in any other of the Ford Van Company’s he may come across a smarter set of officers and men than those under his command. If the second Company is to be of the same high standard as the first it will need to meet with the same spirit of willingness to help that has made Major Marris’ Company what it is.