VOLUNTEER TRANSPORT WORK IN MIDLANDS.
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THANKS TO THE CO-OPERATION of car owners, in addition to War Office activities, progress in regard to volunteer motor transport work in the extensive Midland area, which includes the Nottinghamshire territory, has been of a thorough and eminently practical kind. The Notts. Corps, which is attached to the County Volunteer Reghnent, under the command of Colonel Sir Lancelot Rolleston, D.S.O., whose work secured for him distinction in the South African campaign, has earned for itself commendation in military quarters as being the most efficiently organized Of the kind outside the Metropolis.
Recent official regulations have involved changes in compos;tion and work of a far-reaching character, but these have all been in the direction of Substantial utility, with the result that this indispensable branch of the Service is now ready locally for immediate mobilization and action.
Operating as an entirely independent unit in 'territorial arrangements, the Notts. Corps, which owed its inception to 1S/tajor W. E. Holmes, who is now in charge, was begun with two sections: one of ordinary and the other of motor cyclists. A. detachment of the latter, ' with sidecars, to work machine guns, was afterwards constituted, together with a section of light car owners. Following the firstlyear's experience, there came the regulation necessitating the establishment of light and heavy squadrons, in two sections, comprising motorcars and motorcycles. Organized upon that basis, two full squadrons were formed. About 100 men were concerned in the work at the start, but the number has since risen to 300, the scheme embracing the whole county within the scope of its operations.
Under amended offich.1 plans the light. squadron was disbanded, leaving only the companies of heavy vehicles, changing the drill from cavalry to .infantry and abolishing training with armsi From Euly last until a few weeks ago, the force consisted in Nottinghamshire of three companies, each with three sections, Nottingham, Eastwood and Hucknall, with 'Mansfield.; Worksop and Newark forming centres of the work, each section consisting of 16 vehicles, comprising 5ton lorries, 30-cwt. lorries and i5-cwt,. vans, with a. complement of motorcars and cycles.
Quito recently contracts have been signed by owners of all these vehicles for placing them at the disposal of the corps when they are called for. A few weeks ago, in furtherance of official instructions,, a separate light section for motorcars and motorcycles only was formed. and attached to the corps. A further Army instruction has altered the formation of the heavy sections to include 20 vehicles each, increasing materially the number of 15-cwt. vehicles.
The officers include, in addition to Major Holmes, Adjutant Qeddes, Capt. P. G. Whatnall, Capt. Ransom and Lieut. F. E. Woodhams, who have been assiduous in the process of development, which, with the aid of owners of suitable commercial Cars, has placed the corps in the front rank among the provincial volunteer organizations.