TELEGRAMS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 28 December 1912, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

4 [per prbds association.} A HERO 01- THE CRIMEA. DEATH OF A WAXGAXUI RESIDENT. WANOAN'P], December 26. A well known resident of Wanganui, and an old and distinguished veteran in the person of Lieutenant Neville Thornton, passed away today at the ripe old age of 17. The deceased, who had hcen in failing health for some years, hold the French decoration the Legion of Honour for distinguished service in the Crimean War at tho storming of the Manialon. The Mamalon was a. fortified post, tho key of the Redan, from which tho allies had been repulsed hy the Russians several times. On the occasion of the lastrepulse Lieutenant Thornton seized a tricolour from the standard-bearer cind rushed into the breach made in the wall by the French artillery. Tho men followed, and victory crowned their effort. For this signal act of bravery King Louis IS Tapoleon pinned the distinguished honour on the hero's breast. Lieutenant Thornton was afterwards ap- . pointed to a regiment in Algiers. After retiring from the service on a pension he came to Australia, where he lived for some years, subsequently .coining to New Zealand. For some years ho resided a.t Palinerston North, and latterly in "Wanganui. where he was well known and widely respected. —a—