N.Z. WIRELESS MEN IN MESOPOTAMIA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 209, 23 May 1918, Page 6

N.Z. WIRELESS MEN IN MESOPOTAMIA

LISTS OF AWARDS WON. The following has been addressed to the Press Association from Bagdad, dated March 16:— Tho New Zealand Wireless Troop is still going strong in Mesopotamia, as is evidenced by' the decorations and promotions which the troop has gained, Sergeant Koblnson (Awanui Radio) being awarded the Italian Bronze Medal and Corporal Pearse (Wellington) the Meritorious Service Medal, whilst Captain Melville and Lieutenant M'Keown have received their promotions in the field. Captain Melville (late of Auckland and Rotorua) iloft New Zealand with the troop as lance-corporal, and Lieutenant M'Keown (late of Wellington) as sergeant. Tho former was promoted to second lieutenant and O.C. troop, and later gained his captaincy, whilst Mr. M'Keown was promoted to second lieutenant and later to first lieutenant.

The troop is very proud of itself, and it is most gratifying to feel that its work has merited these distinctions. One and all are- in good'' spirits, and are determined to keep their end up until the successful issuo is reached. Second-Lieutenant W. J. A. M'Keown juined the Post and Telegraph Deportment nt Invercargill in June, 1900. He was afterwards located at Wellington as telegraphist, and latterly at tin- local radio-station. He joined the' Expeditions Force on March i, 1916, as a member of the Wireless Troop, and was promoted second lieutenant on November 1, 191(1. Sergeant F. C. Robinson joined the Post and Telegraph Department nt\Foxiou in 1901, ana afterwards served at l'almerston Norm and Wellington, lu 1913 ho took up wireless work at Radio, Awanui, and joined tlie Now Zealand Expeditionary Force in March, 19111, as a member oi Ine Wireless Troop. In 1917 he was awarded the bronze medal for military valour by the King of, Italy. It is understood that Sergeant Robinson was recently offered a commission in the Indian Army.

Corporal \V. J. Penrse was employed ab a telegraph lineman in Wellington, and joined the New Zealand Expeditionary D'orce in January, 191G, as a transport detail in the Wireless Troop.

,• Captain J. W. Melville joined the Post and Telegraph Department at Kotormi in 191)1, and later served at Auckland and W'akapuaka. He joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on December &I, 1915, and was selected as a member <d the Wireless Troop. He was placed in command of the 'Wireless Troop on the death of Lieutenant W. E. H. Clarke, in August, 1916.