A HERO OF THE CRIMEA.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1633, 27 December 1912, Page 4

A HERO OF THE CRIMEA.

DEATH OF A WANGANUI RESIDENT. (By Toleeraph.—Preß« Association.) Wanganui, December 26. A well-known resident of Wanganui, and an old and distinguished veteran in the person of Lieutenant Neville Thornton, .passed away to-day at the ripe old age of 77. The deceased, who had been in failing health for some years, held the French decoration the Legion of Honour for distinguished service in the Crimean War at the storming of the Mamalon. Thellamalon was a fortified post, the key of the Redan, from which the allies had been repulsed by the Russians several times. On the occasion of the last repulse Lieutenant Thornton seized a tricolour from the standard-bearer and rushed into the breach made in the wall by the French artillery. The men followed, and victory, crowned their effort. For this signal act of bravery King Louis Napoleon pinned the distinguished honour on the hero's breast. Lieutenant Thornton was afterwards appointed to a regiment in Algiers. After retiring from the service on a pension he came to Australia! where he lived for some years, subsequently coming to New Zealand. For some years he resided at Palmerston North, and latterly in Wanganui, where he was well known and widely respected.