A WELLINGTON HERO

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 204, 17 May 1918, Page 4

A WELLINGTON HERO

HIS VISIT TO BUCKINGHAM

PALiCE,

Perhaps jio soldier who has gone from Wellington to the war achieved so much distinction and promotion in so short a time as tho late Capuin Oecar Gallic, K.F.A., son of Mr, John Gallie, of Stoke Street, Wellington. Aa a second lieutenant ho rocoived the Military Cross on September 15, 1917; ou October 15 the D.S.O. beoaiuo his cherlshul possession; on October 20 ho was promoted to a full lioutonancv. and.eleven days after a captaincy. Tho most romarkable of the four proud incidents was tho fact that he, as ii second liouteuant, had won the D.5.0., an honour usually roserved for groat gallantry by majors, lieutenantcolouols, and colonols. Tho late Captain Gnllio (killed on December 8) was one of tlio fow Now Zealand efneore who hnvo had the distinction tf having the M.G. and D.S.O. orders piuned on their broasU by His Majesty the King at one and the enmo limo. Describing his visit to Buckingham Pniaco, the lato Captain Gallie, in a loiter to his mother, said: "At 10.45 a.m. a general camo along to mo 6aid, 'Captain Gallie, come this vay, please,' and ho took mo into a room, and I bowed low to His Majesty King George of I'lngland. There were only four of us in tho room—tho general, a colonel, the King, and inc., Tho King 6miled and held out his hand. Ho was in uniform, and standing by u big throne-like chair. Ho asked mo how long I'd been in Franco, what battlos I had been through with my battery, and tho wonderful luck I have had he remarked upon. Ho wished to know when I was returning to Franco and what I thought of tho spirit of the British troops. Wo had a great yam together, and then we sliook hands again, and ho wished mo all good luck. Just before shaking with him ho pinned to my coat tho Military Cross, and said: The Military Cross; it is finot' Ho then pinned on tho D.S.O. and said: 'It is a splondid for a second lieutenant to gain tho D.S.O. in the held, and 1 think it magnllicont, and trust your good luck will contiuuo.' I again bowed and wont out. When I got to the main entrance of tho Palace I had to walk liolwecn pcoplo on each side, clapping and ohoeriiig. . . . I had to run tho gauntlet right across the street all by myself, and was jody glad when Mrs. C — - hopped out and pushed mo into a taxi hard by." '