A DISTINGUISHED PADRE.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 10 September 1919, Page 4

A DISTINGUISHED PADRE.

REV. J. A. LUXFORD. ' The Rev. J. A. Luxford, who has lean close on five years’ service abroad ns chaplain to the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, returned to Auckland on Thursday. He saw service in the South African war, and his record in the great war dates from October, 1914, in which month he left New Zealand with the Main Body. After service on the .Suez Canal he left for Gallipoli, and took part in the landing. On 9th August, 1915, he was wounded at Chuuuk Bair, being shot in the leg by a sniper. This necessitated his removal to hospital in Egypt, where his leg was amputated. On recovery he was sent to England, and after passing through hospitals was appointed senior Methodist chaplain at Walton-on-Thames, and representative of the Methodist. Congregational, and Baptist Churches on the Chaplaincy Board. Mr Luxford was engaged at Walton-on-Thames Hospital continuously from May, 1918, to July, 1919, during which time 25,000 wounded New Zealand soldiers passed through the institution. Mr Luxford was twice mentioned in despatches, and for his services at Gallipoli he was created a Commander of the Order of

■t. Michael and St. George (military division). He was also requested by the War Office to assist In the identifi.-*-ation of the New Zealand soldiers’ graves at Gallipoli, but his physical disability prevented him taking up the work'. He intends to settle in Auckland at an early date.