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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

B Battery N.Z. Field Artillery

B Battery N.Z. Field Artillery.

B Battery, New Zealand Field Artillery , was one of the first volunteer corps in Dunedin. It was formed in July, 1863, as the Dunedin Volunteer Artillery Regiment, with twenty-six members, who were drilled and instructed by Captain Ross until accepted by the Government. The present corps numbers sixty men, and has for its officers Captain H. Livingstone Tapley, First Lieutenant E. J. Haydon, and Second Lieutenant George Robert Ritchie.

Captain H. Livingstone Tapley , of the B Battery, New Zealand Field Artillery, was born and educated in South Australia, and came to New Zealand in 1893. He was a cadet in the A Company Second Regiment, South Australia, and on his arrival in New Zealand joined the Dunedin Naval Artillery as lieutenant. In 1899 he was elected junior lieutenant of B Battery, and in 1903, on the retirement of Major T. Chalmer he was appointed to his present position. Captain Tapley takes a keen interest in athletics; he is a member of the Otago Golf Club, and the Dunedin Hockey Club, and was captain of the D team, Carisbrook Cricket Club, and secretary of the Otago Lawn Tennis Association. He married Miss Jean Brodie Burt, daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Burt, “Grant's Braes,” Dunedin.

First Lieutenant Edwin J. Haydon , of the B Battery, New Zealand Field Artillery, was born in Dunedin in 1877, and educated at the Boys' High School. He entered the service of the Dunedin Corporation in 1892 as junior clerk, and was appointed to his present position at the Dunedin gasworks in 1902. Lieutenant Haydon has been for a number of years connected with the volunteers, and entered the B Battery as gunner in 1892. He joined the Second Contingent of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles, and took part in various engagements with the Contingents during their service in South Africa. On his return to New Zealand, in 1902, he was promoted to the rank of junior lieutenant of the B Battery, and in 1903 received his present appointment. For his services during the South African war Lieutenant Haydon received the South African medal with three bars. Lieutenant Haydon has been one of the committee of the Dunedin Football Club, the Amateur Boating Club, and was secretary of the original Logan's Point Swimming Club.

Lieut. E. J. Haydon.

Lieut. E. J. Haydon.

Lieutenant George Robert Ritchie , of the B Battery New Zealand Field Artillery, was born in Dunedin and educated in Scotland. On returning to New Zealand he entered the Dunedin office of the National Mortgage and Agency Company. In 1903 he was elected Second Lieutenant of the B Battery at Dunedin. Lieutenant Ritchie is further referred to as Acting-Consul for the Netherlands.