PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 296, 3 September 1918, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

Mr John Gallic, of Stoke Street, Newtown, has been advised that his son, the late Captain \. J. Galhe, MC, R-.F.A., was awarded the Croix-de-Guerre with silver star (French decoration), evidently for his work win st associated with the left wing of the French Army in tho stirring times ot March and April last.

General regret will be expressed at the news of the death in action of Lieut.-Colonel Cecil Humphries, D.5.0., M.C., and D.C.M., a young New Zea•laiidor" (formerly of Dunedin and Christohuroh), who was residing in England when war broke out, at onco enlisted, and served in several actions in tho "Little Contemptibles with conspicuous gallantry. His advancement on sheer merit was almost meteoric, and was'recorded with the createst surprise by his many friends, who liked him for his gentle manners and quiet manly poiso. Hi 6 rise to a lieutenant-colonelcy was nil the more remarkable as he enlisted as a private ■in tho Army Service Corns a week or so after tho'war broke out. His mother (who married a second time) was Mrs. Rowse, who was some twelveyears ago proprietress of the Excelsior Hotel, in Christchurch. Lieut.-Colonel Humphries was educated at the Otago High School, and in Christchurch hecame a well-known footballer. The deceased, has a sister residing in Diinodin. NoffS was received yesterday that l'riyato John W. ,W. M'Kenzio, youngest brother of Mr. H. A. W. M'K of Ghuznee Street, and Councillor L. JVl'Kenzio, had been shot in tho shoulder and log, aud is uow in hospital iu France..

A cable message has been received by Sir. D. T. Stuart, of Wellington, announcing that Commander. It. L. Hancock, R.N., D.5.0.. has been killed while on active service. Commander Hancock will be remembered as an officer of a vessel which was engaged on Admiralty survey work on the New Zealand coasts some years ago. He married a daughter of Mr. D. T. Stuart, and his widow and two eons are at present residing; in Cornwall. Commander Hancock was awarded the D.S.O. for special service rendered off the enemy coast during tho present war.

A cable message has boon received announcing the death of Private William Jnmcs -Western?, N.K.M.C.; Hospital Ship Maraina, in tho Codford Hospital, England.

Mr. R. Thomas, of the staff of the Minister of Agriculture, has been appointed Inspector of Weights n.nd Measures and custodian of tho Goyornment Buildings at Napier. Ho will leave for his now sphere of duties tomorrow morning.

At yesterday's meeting the Wellington Licensing Committee- passed n vote of sympathy with Mr. R. Fletcher, M.P., a member of the committee, who was absent through illness, and tho hope was expressed that he would bo speedily restored to health.

Sergeant William Thomas Bray, of Wellington, whoso naino appears among tlvo list of winners of the Military Mkxlal, is well known in commercial circles in Wellington, having been manager here for the Australian firm of Arthur Cocks and Co., Ltd., of Victoria Street. Sergeant Bray originally volunteered-to go forward with the Twenty-fourth Reinforcements, but was kept back and promoted to be sergeant-major, 'in- which position ho went away with the Twenty-eighth Reinforcements. Sergeant Bray is a married man. His wife resides at 32 Chiton Terrace. '