THE COURAGE OF YOUTH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17685, 24 July 1919, Page 5

THE COURAGE OF YOUTH

NEW ZEALA-NDER'S INSPIRING STORY.

FOREIGN DECORATIONS AND STILL IN HIS 'TEENS.

(From Oub Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 23. A Riccarton lad, who ia believed to bo the youngest New Zealand eoldier returned from the front about two months ago with three foreign decorations, two I'renrsh and one Belgian. The striking story of his experiences is told in the Times Private W. L. Bennett, the soldier rel forred to, enlisted on March 25, 1915, at the ago of 15 years and 10 months, his sixteenth birthday failing* on May 11, 1915. Ho was passed physically lit immediately and went into camp lie sailed with C Company of the Fifth Reinloreements. and first came under fire at Ora.hpoh in the Suvla Bay landing of August, u was wounded with shra.pnel in the log at Armentieres in August, 1916, but he was soon back again, and went through lasscheiKlaelo, where he received a bayonet wound in the right thigh. „ Ho returned to the front after a brief soell at Camon September 27, 1918 f a high explosive shell blew away the whole of his bottom jaw and chin, and half of the tongue, Ho was for seven or eight months m hospital in England and returned to New Zealand in the Tainui on Aoril 30, 1919, in his fifth year of service, but still in his 'teens."

Private Bennett won his three decorations between March and September of 1918. Ho won the Belgian Croix do Guerre m Mar,oh, near Gouzeaucourt, for gallantry in capturing German machine guns under firo. In July, while attached to a regiment of French Cuirassiers, as a member of tho Cyclist Corps, lie gave material assistance in capturing a German patrol near Rhoims and for his services ho was awarded the French Croix do Guerre. Within two months, whilo still attached to the Cuirassiers, Private Bennett saved the life of a wounded Frenoh soldier, bringing him in under firo. For this lie received the highest decoration in tho gift of the French Republic, the Medaille Militairo of tlie First Class (silver star). Within a oouple of weeks he was seriously wounded near the historio ruins of Cambrai. Tlio French orders won by Private Bennett were conferred on him both on the same day at tho hands of President Poincare, in the Boulevard de la Concord. Tho Belgian Croix do Guerre was given to him by King Albert while ho was in hospital at Boulogne. Private Bennett is proudest of tho little silver Medaille Militaire. inscribed on the reverse "Valour it Discipline." It is the French equivalent for the Y.C., and no Frenoh civilian will pass the wearer without uncovering. Bennett is to report at tho Jaw Hospital at Duncdin for treatment.