WAR HONOURS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 89, 8 January 1918, Page 9

WAR HONOURS

PERSONAL NOTES ON RECENT RECIPIENTS Amongst the recent recipients of honours conferred for conspicuous service in tho war zone is Lieutenant-Col-onel N. S. Falla, on whom has been conferred tho Companionship of the Order of St. Michael and St, George, and who was (says "Otago Daily Times") a captain in tho B Battery at tho time war broko out, having risen from tae rank of gunner. Lieutenant-Coloiiel Falia was for a period of five or six years assistant general traffic manager of the Union Steam Ship Company in New Zealand. Ho volunteered for activo servico at the cqmmenoemcut uf tho. war. After preliminary ti.lining at Wellington ho proceeded to Egypt with tho'rank of captain and clhctr commanding the howitzer batteryWliilo . training in Egypt he w:.s congratulated by General Sir John Maxwell for tho handling of his battery in manoeuvres, and was promoted to tlie rank of major while in Egypt. He landed at Gallipoli on the second <'ny of the famous landing by IUo AuiTjalian and Now Zealand troops, s-.nc remained there throughout the campaign until the evacuation. His h.md'iog of his battery won the encomiums of both Imperial and colonial officers, and on returning to Egypt ho was decorated with the D.5.0., iu recognition of his services. He was also promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and placed in charge of a brigade, and in that capacity went to France when tho New Zealand troops were transferred to that sphere of operations. Lieutenant-Color el FalU served continuously in France with tho exception of two short vacations of a week, and a short pcr.cd wh'Je undergoing special training lor a battery commander. Lieutenant-Col-onel Falla was married six or sever, years ago to Miss Audroy Stock, daughter of Mr. B. It. Stock, secretary in Dunedin to the A.M.P. Society, and his wife and son are at present in tlie Old Country.

Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Mill, C.M.G., N.Z.M.C., is a son of Mr. John Mill, of Port Chalmers, who is well known in shipping circles throughout New Zealand. Ho was in private practice in Christcliurch a few years ago, but when the- war broke out lie was practising in Geraldine. Early in 1915 he left for England to undertake war service, and eventually was appointed medical officer commanding the AVnlton-on-Tlmmes Hospital, a position ho still holds. Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Stewart, D.5.0., before the outbreak of the war was a lecturer at Canterbury College. When the Main Body was formed he enlisted as a private, but the fact was quickly discovered that ho had had some nino years' experience in ; the English Territorials, and had held a commission, and ho was thereupon granted his substantive rank of lieutenant. _ ,He fought almost throughout tho Gallipoli campaign, having only ou'e brief spell when ho received bomb wounds. In July, 1915, lie was promoted to captain, and received his majority in August, also liaving temporary command of tho Otago Battalion. Ho. won tho Military Cross on Gallipoli. After the evacuation he returned to Egypt, and received his battalion in the Third Brigade. Proceeding to France, lie gained fresh" honours, and was awarded the Croix de Guerre. He was wounded during tho big offensive of October.

Lieutenant-Colonel 11. C. Glendining, D.5.0., is a native'of New Zealand, having been born at' Napier, his people being well-known Hawke'n /Jay runhoiders. In 1904 he. joined 1) Buttery (Wellington) as a subaltern, and left it a few years later as a captain. He joinfed the General Staff of-the Now Zealand Defenco Force in 1911, and was appointed adjutant to the 7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles. On June 1. 1914, lie was appointed to the chargo of area group No. 14, and held that position until ho left with tho Main Body.

Lieutenailt-Colonel Claude H. Weston, D.5.0., is a son of tho late Mr. T. S.. Weston formerly of Christchurch, ami a brother of Lieutenant GeorgeT. Westell, who loft with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force recently. tenant Claude Weston, who is thirtyeight yoars of age, was educated at Christ's College and Canterbury Colloge, and entered tho legal profession, which, in partnership with his father, he practised in New Plymouth. , Captain William Gillies Borrie, M.C., took his medical degree at the Otago University, and then went to tho Auckland Hospital. He also acted as locum tenons at Jiokitika, and was similarly acting for Lieutenaut-Colonel Barclay at Waimate when he volunteered for service. He left New Zealand in February, 1910, and after a short period in Egypt, went to France. At the present time he is chief gas officer on the Now Zealand Staff. He took a very active part in tho sports held by the Otago University, and played at full-back and half-back for the Light Blues Football Club. He represented Otago against Wellington in 1900, and against Southland in 1907. He had a well-deserved reputation for being a particularly plucky player.

Another of the D.S.O. recipients is Major William Oliver iSnnis. Ho was senior clerk in the railway traffic offico at Dunedin before enlisting. Major Enhis (then sergeant) fought in South Africa in the Boor War, and went to England as a member of the Coronation Contingent. Ho left for G'allipoli with tho rank of captain, in chargo of the Maori Contingent, and subsequently wont to France, where ho is now in chargo of a. section of tho Pioneers. 1

Second Lieutenant Guy Clivo Bridgeman, M.C., is the third, son of Mr. F. 0. Bridgeinan, of Dunedin. He was born in that city, educated at Selwyn College, and after leaving that t institution was on Mr. H. Buckland's sheep

station at ICiatoa, near Waikouiriti. He volunteered in the first week of the war, and went with the Otago Mounted Rifles in the Main Body. At Gallipoli he was shot through both lungs, but recovered, and proceeded to

France, where he was transferred to the New Zealand Artillery, and obtained his commission 011 the field. On

September 29 ho was very severely wounded in France. lie made light of these wounds in his message to_ his family, but a cablegram was received from him 011 Wednesday stating that he would be leaving for Nov Zealand this month. Captain Harry Delamere Dansey, M.0.,' was well 'known in the railway service. Ho was assistant engineer at Dunedin, under Mr. Hunter Macandrew, most of the timo from 1901 to 1911, whon 110 was transferred to Auckland. He had a lot to do with the duplication of the Dunedin-Mosgiel line. As a Rugby player he represented Wellington and Canterbury, playing as scrum half, and in Dunedin ho played for the Pirates Club. He is a brother of Roger Dausoy, the wellknown wing three-quarter player in the Otago University team. Lioutenant-Colonel C. T. liand-Now-ton, D.5.0., had been in practice as a doctor in Christclmrch for about a year before the war broke out. . lie was educated at the Christclmrch Boys' High School and Canterbury College, nfter which 110 spent somo seven or eight years in Edinburgh and Paris. He left New Zealand with the. Slain Body, and has not had a day's sickness since. Until recontly ho had been serving in Palestine, but the lastadvice from him was a cablegram to the effect that he had received a hospital appointmont in France. T-inntonnnt-Oolonel r !nnrco Mitchell.

D.5.0., is well known in Invercargill us Officer Commanding the Bth (Southland) Regiment, and at latest accounts was doing valuablo in command of the New Zealand camp at Etaples iFranco). He was recently promoted to take charge of Sling Camp, vice Brigadier-General Fulton, but the order was countermanded, a 6 Lieuten-ant-Colonel Mitchell could not be spared from France. An Invercargill officer mentioned in a letter received by last mail that LieutenantColonel Mitchell is very lame as the result of wounds, arid will be permanently inconvenienced thereby. Lieutenant-Colonel !R. A. Row, D.5.0., is an old Cbristchurch boy. He wps educated at the Christchureb Boys' High School, and afterwards was engaged in the ironmongery business. Always a keen volunteor, he enlisted with tho Main Body, and wont away as a major in the Canterbury Battalion. Ho spent several months on Gallipoli, and one period had temporary command of the Canterbury Battalion. Ho went to France as a major, and received his battalion when tho Fourth Brigade was formed. Just prior to the breaking up of that brigade he was acting-brigadier-general. Captain Cyril Henry Molloy, M!C., was killed in action in Franco last October. Ho belonged to an Oamaru family, and was educated at AVaitaki High School, where he became head prefect for a while. In Dunedin ho studied for tho law in Mr. A. C. Hanlon'.s office. Ha achieved distinction a 9 a footballer with the University Club and as an Otago representative, being a dashing forward. - , Major Hugh Vickerman, D.5.0., is the youngest son of Mr. C. R-. Vickerman, who was district engineer for Auckland in the Public Works Department for some years. Major Vickerman, who was educated at the Auckland Grammar School and tho Auckland University College, was attached to the Public Works Department at Wellington. He left New Zealand .with tlie rank of captain in the Tunnelling Corps of Engineers, and has been on active service on the AVestern front for nearly two years. „ Major D. S. Murchison, D.5.0., is a member of the well-known Lake Coleridgo family. He was educated it Christ's College and Canterbury College, at both of which ho took a pioniinent part in football. He was studying for law when the war broko out, and lie immediately joined up with the Canterbury Yeomanry Corps, receiving his commission as a lieutenant/ He was wounded at Gallipoli and invalided to England. On returning to duty lie became adjutant of the New Zealand camp at Wcstham,' .Weymouth, He afterwards did duty as adjutant slid officer commanding at various convalescent camps. He went to Franco with the New Zealanders, and rapidly roso to Ms present rank. Captain F. N. Johns, M.C., is the': eldest son of Mr. F. J. Johns, 'of Wanganui. Captain Johns was born at Wanganui, and received his primary education there, afterwards going to Edinburgh University, where ho passed his final medical examinations a few years ago. Returning to New Zealand shortly after the outbreak of war lie almost immediately joined tho Medical Corps of tho New Zealand Expeditionary Forco: He saw service on Gallipoli, and was there at the evacuation. For some time past he has been in charge of a field dressing station m France. His only brother, Lieutenant Haldane Johns, is in tho Royal Navy, and is at present engaged on submarine " The Rev. Walter M'Lean, M.C., was for some years minister of the Somervell Presbyterian Church at Remuera. He loft with, one of tho early reinforcements. After some months' hospital duty in Egypt he was sont to France, where lie has served with the New Zealand Forces for nearly two years. Captain David Bruce, M.C., is well known in the Waikato, having resided for many years at Te Paliu and recently at Hinuera. He took an active interest in local affairs, and was a member of the Raglan County Council until he left To Pahu. ' He'was a keen volunteer, and although on the reserve when tho war broke out lie offered his services and was attached to the Pioneers, under Lieutenant-Colonel G. A. King; with whom he had been previously associated in the 4th (Waikato) Mounted Rifles. ■ ' Lioutenant Ewen J. M'Gregor, M.0., is tho elder son of Mr. Ewen M'Gregor, of Hamilton. He was a member of tho inaciiine-gun section of the 4th (W aikato) Mounted Rifles, and left as a sergeant in the machine-gun section of the Main Body. He saw servVo c-n Gallipoli and later in Franco, where lie received a commission. He was wounded and returned to New Zealand a fetf months ago. Second Lieutenant Fritz Stanley Goulding, who has been awarded tho Military Cross, was educated at papier High School. He was later a law student at the Auckland University College. Lieutenant Goulding lias two brothers on active service. Another brothor was killed at Gallipoli. Major C. N. Newman, New Zealand Field Artillery, who has been awarded the D.5.0., is one of three sons ot Mr. J. AV. Newman, of Mount Eden. He went to the front with the artillery oi tha Main Body. He was at Gallipoli from shortly after the landing until tho evacuation, and has been on service m Franco since leaving the peninsula, l'or services at Gallipoli ho was mentioned in dispatches, and subsequently roceived a Serbian decoration. Major R, B. Srtythe, D.S.O .attached to the New Zealand Staft Corps, left the Dominion for the Stalt ColloEti, and was later sent to Gallipoli, where he was on the start of General Birdwood. He later went to France, beino- attached to the First Australian Division as G.S.O. Ho was for some timo prior to the war stationed at Auckland in tho N.Z.R.A. Ho .was awardbd his decoration for Staff work while in France.