WAR HONOURS FOR DIGGERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 287, 23 August 1918, Page 6

WAR HONOURS FOR DIGGERS

NEW ZEALAND ENTRENCHING

BATTALIONS

INTERESTING CEREMONY IN

THE WEST

(From Captain Malcolm Boss, War Correspondent with the New Zealand Forces in tho Field.)

Juno 20. Walking clown the dusty road that winds betwocn tho two villages, you como io a narrow way leading straight up tho hill between trees and hedgerows. This narrow country road takes you out on to a breezy upland behind a big farm steading. The farm is, like almost all the farms in this district, surrounded by trees From behind tho trees como tho <lull reports of bursting bombs and tho sound of military music. The. bombs aro not being Mirowh in battle. The band, is there purely for ceremonial purposes. In throe sides of a square over 200(1 men of a New Zealand Entrenching Group are drawn up awaiting the appearance of the Divisional General, who is to pin ribbons on the breasts of some of tho heroes of Meteren. AH about you there is :i glorious stretch of rolling countryfields of grass and corn and many woods backed by 6plcndid rolling clouds that have appeared after a long spell of clear, still weather, followed by a shower of rain. In tho sweep of landscape you can count at least a score of woods, and pick out a score of subjects such as would have, delighted the eye of the great Corot. If tho spirit of Corot hovers over such a scene to-day it must bo perturbed by the foregrounds, for here and thero tho countryside is scored with the brown clay and the while chalk of trenches hastily dug, and men in tho drab uniform of British soldiery aro bayoneting sandbags after they have scrambled across the trench, or firing five rounds rapid nt tho end of their run. A colonel who was on Gallipoli, and' who now limps sadly with the aid of a stick, is in command. Ho waifs beside a little baize-covered table, on which is a tiny cardboard box enclosing the bits of ribbon that aro the immediate rewards for gallant deeds done in the heat of great battles. At ono end of the parade is a small group of men—the gallant fellows who are to be. the recipients of llio bits of ribbon at. tho hands of their General. In tho background tho bayoneting and tho bombing of "tho school" go on without intermission. General on Crutches, Presently a car bearing tho pennant of a Divisional General climbs tho hiil and halts under tho trees that guard the farmhouse from the upland winds. A shortish man with ribbons that indicato knighthood and other honours stitched on tho left breast of his tunic gets out of the car, is handed a. pair of crutches by his A.D.C., and hobbles on to tho parade "round. Tho colonel gives two commands, "Parade, '.Shun!" and "Slope Ahms!" and another officer adds a warning "Stand Steady in Front!" which indicates that not all of those men are scasctvd troops. The command for tho "General Salute" rings out, tho baud plays a few bars, the General halts and takes the salute, and then comes on to where tho colonel is waiting to receive him. "Good morning," he says, adding by way of apology iur the fact that only a day or two ago his horse had fallen with him at ft jump, "it's not often a General lias to receive tho General Salute off crutches." Another command "Odah Ahms!" and tho littlo group of men on the left march up and take \position in front of the General. .Among them is a Padre. He already wears the ribbons of the South African AVar, so ho is no longer young, and w© wonder what ho has been doing at Meteren.

An 6.C. Battalion standing on tho General's left begins to call the names, and one after another tho men come forward.

"Private Edward William Hohuan, Otago Regiment," ho says, adding tho brief recital of what has gained for this man tho military Medal. "At Meteren, while on duty as company runner, with the knowledge of danger, he by tho cheerful, voluntary, and expeditions way in which he performed his duty, exhibited a good soldierly spirit awl devotion to duty, and materially contributed to the success of the operation." Private Edward William Jlolman steps forward, salutes snmrtly, and has tho ribbon pinned on his tunic, while tho General, with a few words and a pleasant smile, congratulates him, and hopes that ho will bo spared to earn yet other medals. And so the ceremony goes on, beginning always with the words, "A. Meteren," etc. The others are:Private Roland Sinclair Williams, Canterbury Regiment—As company runner bo displayed great gallantry, repeatedly crossing country exposed to heavy fire, to maintain communication between tho companies, which, in great measure, assisted to withstand heavy enemy pressure. He always displayed the highest courage in doing his duty cheerfullyMilitary Medal. ..„,„, Private flawn Alfred Moffat, Canterbury Regiment-By very skilful handling of his Lewis gun learn and by conspicuous bravery ho inflicted heavy losses on the enemv, and materially contributed to the success of the operation—Military Medal. , . , ~,T „ , Private James Frederick M Lellancl, Otago licgimcnl-He acted as company runner. The company commander anil two other officers became casualties during the relief. A new officer took eoinniaud and M'Lclland guided him round tho posts. In one place where the occupants wero unknown, M Lelland, unasked, went out and ascertained their identity-Military Modal. Private Oscar Clendou Empson, Canterbury Regiment.-During enemy attack and intense shelling ho took out a party of linesmen and successfully hud a new line of 1600 vards under direct enemy observation. It was only by cool and. courageous conduct and devotiou to duty that this work was accomplishcd.--Mili-tarv Medal. ~, . ~ . Sergeant George Henry Stark, Canterbury Regiment.-From April 2b to May 11, without the assistance ot an ol.icer, ho successfully established and kept up communication with six companies. On May S dunng an intense bombardment, lie repeatedly supervised 1 he repairs to lines, in many instances having to salvage the necessary material .o do tinsMilitary Medal. Servant Michael Davill M'Bride, Canterbury Iteginieut.-While in command of a platoon his courageous and chcertul manner greatly inspired his men and materially assisted in inflicting heavy losses on the enemy-Military Medal. . Sergeant John Ashley Cook, Otago Rcgi-meut.-ilo successfully and punctually delivered tho battalion rations and ammunition without the slightest loss ol transport or personnel. It ivas only by his untiring energy in reconnaissance previous to moving that this was accom-plished-Military Medal. Sergeant William Patrick Morrau, Otago Regiment-While in command ol a pie toon while tha enemy was advancing* in strength along (he Metewi-Bail-leul Road, on his own initiative he at once brought his platoon across the road and organised its. defence. llis resource and courage wero worthy ol the Highest praise and inspired his men with con. fidencc.-D.CM. The Padre's. Bit. Rev. Matthew M.ullineux, Chnplain.During operations south-west Ol \i«res, . tho medical officer becamo a casually. Tho chaplain took charge- of tho bcgiincnlal Aid Post, dressed tho wounded and supervised tho evacuations. Tho post "'« subjected to very heavy high cxplosivo and gas shell fire for' at least twelve hours, and but for his exceptional skill and energy, and his appreciation of the situation, a serious congestion ol wounded would have occunrt-1.-Military Cross. The. padre, who was the. last to step forward, was a slim short man with a kindly face. As the General warmly shook him bv the hnml after he had pinned on the ribbon, he hail a special word for the padre. "Well, padre, he said, "allow me to congratulate you. 1 had already heard ol your very line work up there, and I'm very glad to hear that if has been recognised by Ilia granting of the Military Cross. If ene might bo allowed to add a

word or two to the bald official record of the padre's doings, it will givo pleasure to tlio men among whom lie served. He was always thinking of their welfare —material as well as spiritual—and anj day lie might have been seen making pilgrimages right into the front lino with cigarettes and matches for tho lighting men. With his sandbay well-filled with these ho was a well-known figure in the fighting. "Well, padre, where are you going with that bag?" was a Question put to him by a battalion commander. "Oh, I'm just going up with a few cigarettes for tho boys," was his cheery reply. And the officer told me that afterwards ho found the padre was buying these with his own money. On. moro than one occasion, when men were lying (lend in a place from which it was impossible to Ming them iu, tho padre volunteered to go out and bury them, which ho did.

Tho General also had a special word for Cook, the transport sergeant. "In no way," he said, "have the New Zealand troops been better served than by tho transport." Cook, 1 was told, was as careful of his horses as ho was of his men, and though his wagon was a good deal knocked about ho never lost a man or a horse. Once a shell burst so close that it burnt and wounded a inaro iu his team. With infinite pains and patience he nursed her back to duty, lie lias perhaps had a tremendous run of luck, but it has not been all luck with this plucky and untiring sergeant.

Morraii has a long and splendid record, as may bo judged by the fact that he has no fewer than six wound stripes on his sloove. In the Meteren fighting the enemy eventually wore all about hiin on three sides, yet he got his platoon out with only one casualty.

Some of the medals won in that fighting at Meteren and Yprcs, alas! could not bo presented. Those to whom they had been awarded had in several instances died of wounds. Ono was lucky enough to be away on leave. Hero aro the brief records:—

Sergeant Harry Pickering do Conrcy Mead).—At Metereu while under heavy enemy assault tho left flank of his platoon became exposed. At great risk ho covered about 250 yards over open ground to get in touch with other troops to fill the gap. Ho was subjected to heavy fire from machine-guns, and tho enemy's snipers also shot at him. His great coolness and resourcefulness under heavy firo inspired confidence in his platoon, and saved what might have become a serious position.

Sergeant Leslie William E.illoh (gassed).—He exhibited great resource, which, with his cool and courageous manner, greatly assisted in inflicting; heavy losses on the enemy, and in frustrating an intended attack.

Private Gordon Gerkin (wounded).—On his own initiative brought his Lewis gun into action and covered the withdrawal of another platoon. He remained'at his post until his platoon was withdrawn, although tho enemy was in his own trench, and he displayed magnificent heroism which led to the saving of tho lives of many of his comrades.

Sergeant Walter John Pauling (on leave).—His company took over a line of detached posts in a position exposed to enemy snipers and heavy machine-gun lire. Three oflicer.i bocamo casualties. Despite the difficulties he look charge of the three leading platoons, and successfully posted them. Tho soldierly spirit of cheerfulness, courage, and confidence he displayed assisted materially in the success of the operation. Lieutenant (temporary Captain) James Robert Leys (deau).—Durum mi attack, although wounded by a ntle bullet in the wrist, lie led a party of men forward, and successfully attacked a mach-ine-gun that was causing heavy casualties. He killed five of the enemy with his revolver. In this operation he was again wounded by rifle lire in tho groin, and lie had to crawl back to our line. His courage and devotion to duty were an inspiration to the men, and he helped materially to beat off tho attack in that quarter. Second Lieutenant Norman Robert Harper (dead).—He was called to fill a gap in tho lino caused by the enforced withdrawal of other troops. His promptness to appreciate the situation and the skill and ability with which he organised the new lino were of groat 'assfc ancc. Ho carried on until he was wounded by a shell in the groin and head. At the conclusion of the ceremony the general briefly addressed those present on parade. He said he knew very well that those particular acts that had been rewarded wero only a tew of the many that had been performed by tho New Zealand Entrenching Battalions at Ypres and Mctcren, and .lie looked upon it as a very good augury for the future of the New Zealand Division to which many of them wero as ytt strangers, .and to which others were now returning, that thoy should have put up such a remarkable record during those fateful days up in Flanders. "I would like,' he added, "to sav this. The New Zealand Division, although it represents a very great deal to us, and to our country, is but a very small pebble on the beach in this pi eat war. It is not with us as it is with other armies—even with those of the. other overseas Dominions—for if this division makes a fault or fails, we hove no other division to rectify the. failure or correct the fault. We stand or fall by the work of this one division. And so it is more incumbent upon every one of us by his own individual effort to help to maintain and, if possible, increase the reputation that we havo already earned. I want to impress upon everv individual that he must not look to another (o do the work, but that the responsibility lies with each one—that the reputation of our country and of the division rests in the hands of each individual. An Entrenching Battel ion ca'.wot be expected to have that corporate feeling that exists in a battalidn that has been fighting together for three or four years, and that you have been able to do so well under such trvin" circumstances, and at a moment's notice, reflects very great credit on your colonel and upon yourselves. 1 congratulate you very heartily upon your fine i performance "