THE MILITARY CROSS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2829, 21 July 1916, Page 6

THE MILITARY CROSS

AWARDED TO LIEUT. JURISS, OF WELLINGTON. Mrs. Juriss, wifo of Lieut. Max Juriss (of the 7th'Battalion, London llegimont), of Wellington, who was announced as missing after a,n engagement with tho enemy in the North of France dn May 21, and was afterwards reported to bo a. prisoner of war, has received somo most interesting hitlers from her husbands fellow officers. Writing on May 30, Major Salkeld Free, O.C. the 7lh Battalion, London Regiment, says:— "Dear Madam,—.No doubt you have heard already through oflicia-1 sources that your husband is missing. Still, I am writing to givo yon what details I can about him. Tour husband was a very gallant and deserving officer. Just before tho notion of May 21, wo had heard that your husband was awarded tho Military Gross for nil act of great gallantry. A ritlo grenade fell in the trench, where a number of men were, and lie pickcd it up and threw it out of tho troncn, where it exploded. 1 am very glad to think that 1 sent your husband the information of the award and my congratulations before May 21. Tho Germans attacked us after two hours' bombardment, and your husband was holding a post in the lront line. They attacked at 8 p.m., and it is diflicu.lt to say oxaotly what took place, but the best news that 1 can gather aftor inquiries is that he was seen looking after a wounded mail just as tho Germans attacked. There is a chanco that lie may have been captured, as tho Germans claim, eight officers captured, but wo shall not get their names just yet. Tho luompnt I hear any news 1 will let you know at once. I understand that you have two children. Please tell them from me that they ought to bo very proud of their father. 'The aetion for wliicli he was awarded the Military Cross was only one of his gallant actions. Ho was beloved by his men, and by his brother officers. As an officer he could always be relied upon to carry out any duty assigned to him thoroughly and depenUably, aud ho will be difficult to replace. Please accept my most heartfelt sympathy with you all. 1 hope for the best."

Lieut. E. E. Taylor, of the same regiment, has /ilso written to Mrs. Juriss confirming the news that her husband was either killed or taken prisoner. After detailing the action for which Lieut. Juriss was awarded the Cross, Lieut. 'Taylor says:—"His last action itas truly Jvorthy of the Viotoria Cross. Ho was jn a dangerous detached post, and when the enemy attacked he ordered his men to retire when tho enemy was 40 yards nway, whilo he stayed behind and attended to two wounded soldiers. The last that was seen of \then he stood upon the parapet and faced tho enemy with his revolver in his hand. Now you can see why words fail me. He was splendid—a hero three times over, and his name, will livo for ever in this battalion. I am more than proud of him, *s I am ah Australian." In his latest letter to his wife, Lieut. Juriss said:— "It was announced some weeks ago that tho War Office had granted the request that the London Regiment u;as to have colonial officers, an honour to officers from tho overseas Dominions—four from South Africa, two from Canada, two from New Zealand, and two from Australia. The High Commissioner for New Zealand has nominated nio\as one of the Dominion representatives,' and I expect to bo transferred to the London Regiment at any time. This regiment is commanded "by Major Sir Stewart Bam, who is also High Commissioner for South Africa. . - ." 1 It may be recalled that Lieut. Juriss trieil very hard and persistently to gain n commission in the New.Zealand Forces, and, though: he was an instructor in the Permanent Force, an expert in physical training, and a soldier through and through, he jvas not given a chance, and at Wellington paid his own passage to England. Before lie left Wellington he trained the Wellington Central Section of the National Reserve.