A MODEST HERO

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 230, 17 June 1918, Page 6

A MODEST HERO

♦" —- WELCOME TO LIEUT. FRICKLETON, V.C. SCENE OF ENTHUSIASM CONGRATULATIONS OF MINISTERS TRIBUTES TO THE WOMEN OF NEW ZEALAND

The Concert Chamber was packed to th« doors on Saturday morning, when a public welcome was given to Lieutenant Samuel Frickleton, \ f .C., of Blackball, near Greymouth; who, as everyone now knows, performed a deed of extraordinary gallantry on the Western front, lor which lie was awarded the Yictona Cross, a decoration that was handed him by King George himself. On Lieutenant Frickleton's arrival at the entrance ot the Town Hall the band played, "See the Conquering Hero Conies," which was followed by enree ringing cheers lrom the crowd about the doors who were unable to find accommodation within the hall. Tho big audience rose on tip-toes as the liei'o advanced into the hall to the accompaniment of a roar of cheering such as had not been heard within' the walls of. the city hall for a very long time. The .hero looked the part—every inch of him. He is a well set-up young man, a little nbove medium height, a strong athletic figure. Tho Mayor (Mr. J, P. Luke, C.M.G.) presided, and among those on the platform were the Acting-Prime Minister (Sir James Allen), tho Hons. G. W. llussell, W. 1). S. MacDonnld, and J. G. W. Aitken, M.L.C., Captain Hall-Thompson, E.N., Captain Bryan, Staff officer, representing Major-General Sj_r Alfred Hobin and Surgeon-General -Henderson, Councillors A. li. Atkinson and J. 0. Shorland, Mesdames Frickleton (mother of Lieutenant Frickleton), Brown (widow of the late Brigadier-General Brown), and Mrs. E. J. Seddon.

The Mayor said that the most pleasing duty he .had had during the five years ho had been Mayor of the city was to be present as tho representative of tho people of Wellington and extend a hearty welcome home to a brave citi7xm,. Lieutenant Frickleton, V.C. (Applause.) He had to apologise that the size of the hall was not largo enough to accommodate all who wished to be present, and had he known that there was likely to have been so many people they would have shifted to the large hall. They were there not only to temter a welcome to a bravo citizen, but to speak in the highest terms of his mother aij.d tho family oi their friend. (Applause.) They valued to the full the loyalty and valour of tho young men of the Empire, but it 6kould not bo forgotten that had it not been for their upbringing and the great principles inculcated when. they were young they would never have that tremendous asset which lay in their splendid devotion to duty. (Applause.) Mrs. Frickleton and her family had come out to New Zealand a few years before the war to establish better conditions for herself and her boys than obtained in the Old Country, Mrs. Frickleton was there on tho platform—(applause)—aaul he said to her on behalf not only of the people of Wellington, but those of all New Zealand, that they honoured her indeed for being the mother of such a brave family of boys—(applause and cheers)—and they acclaimed her son, not only as a duty, but as loving recompense for services rendered. Lieutenant Frickleton went away in 1015, and, beiti? sick for some time, was sent back to New Zealand, but as soon as he recovered he re-enlisted. (Applause.) lie bad dared to do his duty to the full, as many others wore doimr on t.ho side of New Zealand and the Allies. The successful carrying out of the war was done by units or by units working in groups, co-ordinated so as to bring about a common victory. But there were afforded opportunities for individual deeds of valour, and if a man had the bravery in his heart to soizo the chance and I lie determination to pro through with it they ought to extend tho highest appreciation and credit to any such man. (Applause.)

Not. only did their friend, continued Mr. Luke, do something very valuable in connection .with his own unit, but he saved other units when he captured and destroyed two machine-guns and dispatched twelve of the enemy. (Applause, loud and long.) He wished to snv that whilst they acclaimed the deeds of their friend, they must not forgot that he had four brothers in tho war also. There was not a better record in New Zealand. (Annlause.) Mrs. Frickleton's boys had all volunteered, and all had taken part in the tight. Mrs. Frickletnn would be sad, though honours were hers, for there was one of llierboys who vent away who would not return, but he hoped and trusted that the rest would return in full health to be a strength and comfort to their mother throughout her it'e (A»plause.) They had also to remember the Ixiys who were fighting day by '.lav. and he' wished to convey that in honouring Lieutenant Frickleton. that day they were honouring them. "Lieutenant Frickleton," said, the Mayor, "T wish to congratulate you on yonr deed of valoiir, and you, Mrs. Frickleton, as his worthy mother." (Great applause.) Defence Minister's Tribute.

Sir .Tames Allen said lie was very proud to bejirescnt to welcome back home Lieu tenant^L'Yickleton and to meet his mother. The Victoria Cross was the most coveted distinction a soldier could win. It had always been difficult, to win, but never so difficult as in this war, for he was sure that the standard had been raised and a man who won the Cross must have dono extraordinary, very extraordinary, work to win. (Applause.) lie congratulated Lieutenant Frickleton oil winning tho very high distinction, and so, he was sure, all present, did. 1 ho Mayor had alluded to the mother, who had lost one son, and «dl liatuialo thought of the mothers who bore such brave sons, and of all mothers in Neu Zealand .who had sent their eons away so willingly. If all tho mothers m New Zealand were like Mrs. and produced such men as Lieutenant I'rickleton'they could look forward with the greatest hope to the future of the cou.iitry. (Applause.) Young, energetic, and with courage and determination, the men 'of New Zealand had distinguished themselves in the war. Ho believed that there were many men . like Lieutenant Frickleton. lie had faith in them, and their fathers and mothers in New Zealand knew that they would fight well for them Ono of Mrs. Fricldeton s sons had como back with.a high distinction; ono lav in his grave, and three wcie back, all wounded. What a record! How proud Mrs. I'rickleton must be to have them back; proud even of their wounds. (Great applause.) Those present, who iiad lost a son or relative could take some comfort from the thought that', glad as Mrs. Frickleton was to have her sons hack, she was gladder to have them back with their wounds than to see them | shirking here in New Zealand. (Ap- i pla use.) He had no doubt that many Scotch people vero present. 1) ricklcton," said Sir James Allen, is a Scotchman!" (Applause.) "I m sorry 1 m not a Scotchman!" (A voice: ou ought to be.") After the. laughter succeeding this sally had subsided, Sir James A leu said that though he was not a Scotchman. he know what Scotchmen had done in the defence of the Empire. (Applause.) All the Scotch present ought to bo proud that day that i'rickleton was their countryman." (Cries ot \\eare, and applause.) Hero a Scotch Coalmincr. He'did not know whether there were any coalminers present, but flic coalmi'ners of N'cw Zealand had every reason to be proud, as Frickleton was a coalminer. These high distinctions were open to any man, and no matter what their station or rank was, they were just as proud of him as they could bo. (Applause.) Lieutenant Frickleton had worked in the Blackball mine, and was to in" back to his home. Ho .wished to send a message to the coalnuiiers ot the West Coast. It was tins: —"Give this man a right royal welcome when lie comes back, and honour him as ono ot vonr own, and let thero be nothing on the West Coast but honour tor the man who lias won this great distinction. James Allen concluded'fiis interesting speech l>y saying that every man,

woman, anil child in New Zealand were proud of I ho part New Zealand was playin; in the great conflict; thov were proud of Iho high distinctions their soldiers could win; and alivo or (lead, they honoured their memories. Ho hoped Lieutenant Friekletou would have a good time, and enjoy good health, and that ho would treasure (lie great distinction ho hud won, so 1 hat it would bo passed on to those that camo after him, by them to Ijo treasured. (Applause.)

The Coast's Welcome. The Mayor then read the following telegram from Mr. Lynch (Mayor of Greymouth):—"Please convey to .'.Lieutenant Frickleton, V.C., a hearty welcome from tho West Coast and appreciation of Ins nobie deeds. We look torward to personally welcoming our West Coast hero next week. Advise if Tuesilay will suit." Tlio reading oF the telegram wan icceived with applause. A United People. 'the Hon. W. D. S. MacDomtUl also offered his congratulations to Lieutenant Frickleton, and voiced the gratitude and pleasure with which they welcomed him back to New Zealand, where ttiey weni all pleased to do him honour. They saw so many thousands of their boys at the brightest and happiest lime of Ihfir lives entering into the grimmest war ever waged, and the marvel to him was that so many returned under the terrible conditions which Had to be endured in the trenches. They were always delighted to honour their women, and especially, in this case, the mother of Lieutenant Frickleton. There were hundreds of grief-stricken mothers in New Zealand, but lie especially remembered one whose boy had been killed in Egypt, who had said that she.would sooner have it so than be the mother of a boy'who did not want to go. (Applause.; That, he beliovcd,. was the iceliug of the mothers of Now Zealand. (Applause.) They honoured those re-, sponsible for every great deed of valour that has been done, but victory would only be assured by the co-operation of everyone. They would all have to sea i to it that those • gallant boys had not [ "poured out the sweet red vino of youth" in the cause of freedom in vain. At this stage what they wanted was a united people, so that the saenhets their boys were making would not have been made in vain, and victory would bo theirs. He hoped that the glorious day of peace would' soon dawn, and then dark days of this tragic war would be only a sad memory. (Applause.)

More Than the British at Waterloo. The Hon. G. W. Russell said he was there as the Canterbury representative in tho National Government. He was not a Scotchman. (Laughter.) lie was an Englishman, and proud' of it. (Applause.) He honoured Lieutenant Frickleton for his heroic deeds, which wore now so well known. Referring to women s part iu the war, Mr. llusscli tsfud that lie had oil several occasions watched tho troops go away, and had seen the brave mothers with dry eyes and breaking hearts, watching thoir boys go forth to war. Whilst they had such women there could be nothing but a great future before this little country. (Applause.) It was still two years short of the century since the first sliip'sailed into Auckland Harbour, and only 70 years had passed since .Constitutional Government was established in New Zealand, and yet they had sent nearly 100,000 men to light the battles ot tho Empire—tlueo times as many .British soldiers as the Duke of AVellington had at Waterloo. (Prolonged applause.) That being tho case, what a future we had before us, and what a glorious lieritago tliero was in a Constitution Hint had one ICing, one Empire, one destiny! That was the ideal to have ever beforo them. Their leaders were at present in conference at Home with those who guide the Empire, and New Zealand should bo represented there, to protect our interests in the Pacific, when tho terms of peace were being considered. (Applause.) At this stage Colonel J. G. Hughes, D.5.0., asked from the body of tho hall to bo allowed to say a.- few words, saying that when head of the Canterbury, Battalion, which include 1 tho 13th Regiment (West. Coasters), Lieutenant Frickleton must have been'one of his boy 6. ' Tho Mayor invited Colonel Hughes to step up on to the platform. "I thank you, sir," said Colonel Hughes. "I'm not the Canterbury representative oE the National Government, but I'm the representative of the Canterbury Battalion at the front. (Applause.) I'm sorry I wasn't asked up to Hie platform—very sorry, sir! The good old Thirteenth! The West Coasters! They were simply splendid. 1 loved them, every man, and everybody knew how welL lliey fought, and how bravo they were. Look at tho names! There was Colonel Cribb, a great man, and Briga-dier-General Brown '.killed), who was another coalminor; and ninny others. Wonderful chaps! That's all 1 have to say, sir!" (Tumultuous applause and cheers.) After Colonel Hughes had retired to the rear of tho platform, the .Mayor said that the widow of the late Brigadier-Gen-eral Brown was present. 'Cheers.) He invited her, and. Mrs. Seddon was also invited, to take a seal on the platform. A Modest Hero. Then Lieutenant Frickleton rose, and the house rose with him, : and whilst the standing audience was still cheering, the strains of the Trentham Band broke through the jubilant clnmout, and with the band all joined ill singing "for He's a Jolly Good Follow!" Speaking low and hesitatingly, with a strong Scotch .burr, tho hero of the day said "You will have to excusa me. lam not much of a speaker; but I would like to express my thanks for the way you have treated ine. I can tell you that it doesn't feel too good to be a' hero, as you peoplo may think. (Laughter and cheers.) I haven't got much to say regarding the honour I. got. I just went out to do my bit—l did'na go looking for medals. When you go looking for thorn you usually get something else. Dozens of New Zcalan'd boys liavo done equally as well. They only wanted the .opportunity to lake tlie chance. Hundreds of our boys would do the same tiling if they had the chance, and many a ■ boy has won a distinction out there that has never been awarded. I thank you for yojir kind reception to myself and my mother!" (Loud applause.) The proceedings closed with the singing of tho National Anthem.