"BILLY" HARDHAM, V. C.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2707, 29 February 1916, Page 6

WELLINGTON FOOTBALLER BACK FROM GALLIPOLI BIG WELCOME AT THE TOWN HALL A most enthusiastic gathering was held in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall shortly after 5 o'clock yesterday to welcome home from the war Captain W. J. Hardham. V.C., who was wounded at Gallipoli. The Mayor (Mr. J. I'. Luke), presided, and with him were Colonel G. I l '. C. Campbell, Dr. A. -K. Newman, M.P., the Hon. J. G. W. Aitlcen, Mr. G. Dixon, and Mrs. Luke. The hall was crowded. In extending tlio welcome of the citizens, Mr. Luke referred to the fact thai Captain l-Jurd'hani was the first New Zca lander to win a V.C.. This he did ii the South African war. It had been held b.y many in the past that too much time had been devoted to sport. But between the clean, manly sport found everywhere in this country and tho brave, comradely spirit jshown at Gallipoli there was a clear connection. Cap. tain Hardham's clean character and good l citizenship were the fountains from which had sprung his wonderful soldierly spirit. Mr. Luke called upon tho people to thank the returned officer for work done and to show confidence in him in the great deal of service yet ahead of him. Hearty cheers for Captain Hardham wore then given. Dr. Newman, on behalf of tlie Wellington Rugby Union, welcomed and congratulated tiie guest. The King had made him an officer, but he had always been a gentleman. Speaking for all footballers and barrackers, he wished long life and success to *'Billy" Hardham, V.C. Colonel Campbell told how, when 18 years of age, Captain Hardham came to iiim and enlisted in the Garrison Artillery. He had a reference from tho Boys' Institute, which cnid tliat lie' was a good lad' who would make good in the future. He soon became an expert gunner, and when the South African War began, readily adapted himself to mounted work. No soldier could wish or liopa for a greater honour from his King than the Victoria Cross. Colonel Campbell concluded b.v saying that all young men who were eligible for service could not take as an example a better man than Captain Hardham. _ Mr. Aitken remembered "Willie" Hardham, as a hoy in tho Boys' Institute—ono of the boys whom Major Davis had trained for a military course in the institute's cadets. It would ba a splendid thing_ to send' Captain Hardham on a recruiting tour from Russell to the Bluff. Captain Hardham's Speech. Captain Hardham, in reply, said ho was proud to be> a New Zealander. If he had not been a New Zealander, ho would have chosen, as tho next best thing, to be an Australian. It liad been a privilege to meet with the men ot Gallipoli; they were men in every 6enso of the word, and those who had not been there did not know what they had missed. He wanted his hearers to understand that not ono man had "turned it up," in spite of indescribable hardships. And when sick -or wounded men foregathered anywhere, after inquiring after ono another's ailments, they always declared that they would not have missed it for anything. It was wrong for fit young men to be looking on. "I don't want to figlit," said Captain Hardham, "but I'm going back if I got a chance, because I want to be in it and doinrr my share to smash tho Germans." Ho paid a high tribute to ■the doctors, nurses, hospital staffs, and stretcher-bearers. When they, in tho trenches, heard of how the women of New Zealand were working to raise funds for the sick and maimed, they said, "If the women can do this for us. ,wn will do all we can for them; and all they could do was risk or give t'heir lives." To those present, Captain Hardham said, in conclusion, "It was kind of you to come and welcome 'Billy' Hardham."

At tho Mayor's invitation, rousing cheers were then given for Caotaiu Hardham, the nurses, doctors, and soldiers at the front, and for Sergeant Bassett, the other New Zealander, who had won a V.C