OFFICER’S HEROISM

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1927, Page 4

OFFICER’S HEROISM

IN mountain accident

LONDON, Oct. b. A wonderful story of heroism is behind the announcement/ in the "London Gazette” last night that the King lias awarded the Albert Medal to Lieutenant George Stewart Rain Smith. Royal Artillery, in recognition of his gallant conduct in attempting to save life on Alount Atom in the Himalayas, on dune 3 hist. This is the official account as told in the "London Gazette’ : Major Alinehinton, with two Ghurkha companions, was descending an ice slope on a mountain in the Himalayas on June 3 when at it height of about 14,000 ft the party lost their foothold and slid or tell some R)ooft on to a snow slope below. Major .Mincliinton and one ol bis companions were- so badly injured that they were unable to move, but the third managed to make his way lo Ijakka. some 3tX)oft lower, where at 2.30 ji.iii. he met and inlornied Air Bain Smith of the accident. COAT AS SLEDGE.

Air Rain Smith, though he had no knowledge or experience ol moun-

taineering, at once set out with a coolie to rescue .Major A 1 inchiiitou from his position, which he reached at 4.30 p.ni. after a climb of 3000 ft. Air Rain .Smith bail no ice axe and was wearing smooth-soled hoots, and he could only proceed across tne snowfield by kicking footholds in the lull'd snow with his stockinged feet. 1 lie coolie who had accompanied Air Bain Smith from Lakka was tumble to cross the snow and remained behind. Oil reaching .Major Alinehinton Air Rain Smith made of his coat a sledge, and accompanied by the Ghurkha, who was just able to move, proceeded to drag the injured man over the

then freezing snow l,; a point some 5110 ft lower. Further progress without assistance was impossible, and Air Rain Smith therefore descended alone across the snow slope until, alter a journey of a hunt a utile, he met with two shepherds, who accompanied him hack to where the injured man lay. LOWERED 500 FELT.

Major Miiieliiuton was lowered a I further oG!) foot until descent was cheeked by tlio roughness of the .snow, i Mr Main Smith sent one ol the shepherds for more men, Init he failed to return and .Mr Main Smith thereupon made a second journey, and alter great difficulty found four shepherds whom he sent hack to .Major Min(liinton. He himself was by that time so exhausted that he could only proceed by crawling. lie found Major .Miuehinton struggling, and his struggles were such that, as the snow had frozen hard, lie could not hi- moved. Mr Main Smith, after sending the injured f.'liurka down with two ol the men, made repeated hut unsuccessful of-

forts to conii ll no tiie descent. At sunset the remaining .shepherds deserted him.

'WAITING WIFE. .Mr Built Smith, who was clad only in n shirt, shorts and stock ini's, stayed for half an hour with Major Miui billion, who was ihen mu onscions. if not already dead. Alt ice cold wind was binning and there wore occasional hail storms, and it was i hviotis that nobody left exposed on the slope would survive tli eniglil.

Mr Bain Smith, alter covering Major .Miliciti 11 ton with his coat, descended to a lire that was scan hnruiiu: Mow the glacier where he found MrMinchinlon and a. party cl men, mm of whom was capable of tackling tin mountain side in the dark.

The lirst rescue party arrived ai 11 a.in. on the following morning and Mr Bain •Smith escorted them to a point a lienee Major Mint hint m - body could lie seen. . He was Liu the verge of collapse and both feet were J rosl-bitten.