HONOURING THE BRAVE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 308, 24 September 1919, Page 7

HONOURING THE BRAVE

CAPTAIN ANDREW, V.C,

DOMINION'S GREAT RECORD

.Many citizens, among whom was an appreciable sprinkling of khaki, foregathered at. the Town Hall at noon yesterday to do honour :o Captain I/. W. Andrew. V.C., who was accorded' a civic reception. Captain Andrew, who hails from Wnnganui, arrived from England on Monday by the Oorinthic, and ho was accompanied at tho reception by his mother and his wife. Opportunity was also taken at the gathering to extend a welcome to Brigadier-General C. W. Melvill. C.MG., \)SO., N.Z. Staff Corps, and Brigadier-General R. Young, C.M.G.. U. 5.0., Legioi of Honour, son of the Rev. R, Young, vicar of Carterton, and a Nelson College old.boy. The Mayor (Mr. .1. P... Luke, M.P.) presided' over tho gathering,' and associated with him on the platform wero the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, Sir .lanics Allen, and several members of Parliament. . After the gathering had joined in the singing of tho National Anthem, to the strains of the organ, over.' which Mr. Bernard Page presided, the Mayor delivered "a short and: impressive address. All present, he remarked, wero distinctly pleased, to extend to Captain Andrew a hearty welcome back, to his native land. Mr. Luke referred to Captain Andrew's gallantry and unassuming conduct, and said that his exploit would go down in history as onp of tho imporishnble records of the part the New- Zealand boys played' in th-! war. It was the wish of all citizens to do honour to those who had fought for the great cause of humanity. CapUiin Andrew had done his bit nobly and well; tho opportunity had presented itself to him. to do.more than was permitted many other of our eoldiers, and ho had acquitted himself with conspicuous bravery at great personal risk. ' He had; displayed the greatest courage that ever a soldier was railed upon to display. It was-a matter for added congratulation that not only did he display courage, but he had also secured his objective on which account his exploit was undertaken: In this respect he had served his country well, and also 6tooa' his Empire in ;;ood stead. Prime Minister's Tribute. -The Prime Minister (Mr. W..E. Massey), in adding his tribute, specially congratulated Captain Ai.drow on the high honour he had gained. He also congratulated his friends and relatives. Ho had' no doubt that there were many others who deserved it, but had not caught their qommar.der's eye at tho time: To all our bravo soldiers who had recently returned tho Prime Minister extended his welcome. Passing oh, he eaid it-was a matter for congratulation that so many of our soldiers had been successful in gaining high honours. He had iust had an official return prepared, and this showel that included in New Zealand's war honours were the following, decorations:—Victoria Cross, 11; 134. including seven bars; Military Cross, 533, including 21 bars; D.C.M., 381). including I bars; Military. Medals, 2043. including sil bar.'; Meritorious hervioe Medals, 278; mentioned in dispatches, 1512; foreign decorations, 180. This was a record that New 'Zealand soldiers hau good reason to be pro id of: 'Ihe deeds done by New Zealand soldiers would livo long after the present generation had passed away. When tho history of the war came to bo written, and re-writ-ten as it doubtless would be. the very brightest chapter would bo that which told of the exploits of our brnvo New Zealand soldiers. Continuing, the Prime Minister said he was glad to note that our eoldiers were bi'in;,' transported back to New Zealand so safe)„y and so welt What was Iwing dono in this conneclion was proof of tho efficiency of the mercantile marine of this country and of the. Empire. In conclusion, no remarked that our soldiers were known all over the world aa good soldiers, and he confidently hoped Ihat they would' be just as good citizens as they had proved themselves gpod soldiers.. ..Applause.) Sir .Tames Allen also joined in the hearty' congratulations to the guests of honour and to all those who had recently returned. Personally he envied Captain Andrew. He also envied his mother and wife. He also envied Generals Young -,nnd Melvill, w'ho had also served their country ami Umpire ko hoblv and so well. New Zealand'was glad lo have her 6oldiers back, and tho hearts ot all went out to them in thankfulness lor honouring the country they had served overseas. A Bright Characteristic. Sir Joseph Ward, in the course of a short address, said thf.t modesty was one of the bright characteristics of men who did great things. 1 n this connection Captain Andrew and tae other officers.associated with him ou the platform were no exception. Both upon the field and at London the eervicoE, rendered by Generals Young and Melvill were recognised as being highly valuable, ana the thousands of omcers-who were of tho best—who had served this country so well were deserving of appreciation. Their services should be fully recognised as well ns those of the men. Concluding in facetious vein,- Sir Joseph Ward, after congratulating Captain Andrew, said that he hoped ho would become general manager of-railways at three thousand a year before he was ;louo. Called upon by tho Mayor, Mr. Vcitch, M.P.. of Wangaiiui, said that Captain Andrew, had gone away a boy, and returned a soldier and a man, honoured bv his .'country, lie hoped that people of New Zealand, would never forget the outv they owed to their soldiers. It was to bo hoped that the day would never come when it would be necessary for our soldiers to agaiu make such great sacrifices «» th»y had nuulo. If the occasion .did arise, ho was confident that our ineu would t.o forth, and again acauit themselves wita. such signal honour. -' ' At tho call of the Mayor threo rousing cheers were then accorded' Captain Andrew.' In responding, with unassuming grace,- Captain Andre.v sought to make light of his exploit. It was, he pointed out., veil known that overybody who had oamed tho V.C. was not lucky-enough to get it. As lo tho incident in which ho had figured, he was not Ihe only one who had earn»d a V.C. that flay. I here were threo men concerned. One was his friend.Laurie Ritchie who was present that dav. "I." lie concluded, just happened to bo tho n.c.o. /App ause.) General Melvili, in returning thanks, was greeted with applause, and speaking from his experience, ho.said that there were not two liner battalions in the field than the two Wellington battalions. In'this connection it was worthy of note that Captain Androw was in a Web linglon battalion, and that of the eleven Victoria Crosses which camo to i\cw Zealand, six were awarded to men ol tho North Island. General Young also returned thanks to the accompaniment of cheers. Irom his association with the division bo was avic to sav that it was nos ones own personality or personal bravery, but the help that tho men gavo lo which he nnd olhcr officers owed any decorations that had come (heir way. General \onni? spoke of the great admiration he ha<i for the conduct of bin men on the field. In going into action there was no need io uress them. Jn feeing over tho top it was simply liko letlir-g the pack off the leash after tho hunt. The proceedings Wove then brought to a. close by the singing of the National Anthem.