WHEN THE V.C. HAS BEEN AWARDED BY VOTE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 227, 17 November 1916, Page 1 (Supplement)

WHEN THE V.C. HAS BEEN AWARDED BY VOTE.

THIS METHOD OF BESTOWING THE COVETED DECORATION IS NOT NEW.

IT DATES BACK TO THE FIRST INSTITUTION OF THE AWARD

When the three brave soldiers of the Lancashire Fusiliers were given the Victoria Cross as the result of a special vote amongst their own comrades not long ago, several newspapers announced that this was an innovation in the way of bestowing that coveted decoration, and many suggested that such a course ought always to be pursue! where practicable. Without going into the latter question at all, it may be stated, however, that not only was the method of election neither novel nor uncommon, 'but that there have been at least a dozen recipients of the Cross at. different times who were thu3 chosen for the honour.

The first man selected by regimental vote was Bugler William Sutton, of the 60th Rifles, and this mode of selection took place as far hack as the time of the Indian Mutiny! Sutton had dashed out from cover at extreme risk of his life, and thrown himself on the Sepoy buglar who was aibout to sound the "advance" foi the rebels. His quick and risky action audi fire prevented the sound ever being given, with the result that the rebels were driven back in disorder. For this and other brave deeds in which comrades had also a stirring share, a V.C. was offered to the regiment, whose members were askqed themselves to select who should have it. They did so, and practically unanimously olios® Bugler Sutton for the honour, and to him it was awarded. Again, when Sir Colin Campbell set out with 4,700 men to the relief of Havelock and Outram. amongst them were the famous 93rd Highlanders, his special favourites. These soldiers did magnificent but most risky work in the fierce assault on Secunderbagh, the very strong rebel position. In the first awful and daring rush upon it, Pri ■ vate P. Grant and Colour-Sergt. J. Munro were seen particularly to distinguish themselves in saving tlie lives of at least two officers, whilst Private D. Mackay, with a wonderful display of personal courage, stimulated the flagging troops behind him by dashing at the flag-bearer of the rebel army, seizing the bauner, killing its holder, and waving on the gallant tiring 93rd to full victory. So many splendid self-sacrificing deeds were done by the regiment on this day that four \ -C.s were allotted to it later on by the War Office, and it was asked to select the men to whom these should be given. By regular voting it chose the three soldiers already mentioned, together with Corporal Dunley, the first man to reacn the opposing goal alive. And on those four the famous decoration, then but recently created, was bestowed. Which shows that right from its institution the method of selecting men for the V.C. by the vote of their comrades was put into operation when deemed necessary. Corporal G. E. Nurse, of the Royal Field Artillery, who got his V.C. during the Bfier War, wjis another man chosen by his regiment for the signal honour. He was amongst the party of brave drivers and gunners, who fell ono by one beside the guns, defend in;', them'to the last, after the splendid attempt of four officers (including Lieutenant Roberts, son of the great FieldMarshal) to rescue them had failed. These four officers were all given the V.C. afterwards, though Roberts had died two days later. And when the questioif aros'e of bestowing the \ .C also on one of the brave defenders the guns, it was arranged to do this by vote, and thus Nurse was chosen by his comrades for the decoration. For saving the guns of two batteries of the artulerv at another time, on March 31st, 1900, it was arranged to give four Crosses to the regiment as a whole, seeing thait the authorities preferred not themselves to (Jet-ermine who should be the actual recipients. One cross was for an officer, and the selertion lay between Major Phipps-Hoinb\ and Captain Humphreys. As the Major had nominated the Captain, and the Captain had nominated the Major (each separately and unnkown to the other!) for the V.C., it was agreed to net on precedent and give the honour to the senior, so Phipps-Hornhy got :t. With respect to the men, the regiment voted, and its choice fell on Sergeant Parker, Gunner Lodee, and Driver Glasock. all of whom had donmarvellously brave work on that gieat 'L a proof that men thus allowed to vote for the bestowal of the Cross are splendidly impartial, and decide onlv on the highest gallantry they can find io the action. by whomsoever displaved, it mav be mentioned that, elmin" the Mutinv. when the authorities offered one V.C. to a Highland Regiment for signal bravery at Lueknow, though at least three privates were known to have pr-rfonriod prodigies ;>t vnlonr. tlu v v Ijolo rf'iiini voted fo i \U <•■>pt-aiu —Stew-irt," of Mirtlilv and Grantwlly i- !: ' " :; ' M d<»-larod w:>s Irs H)'end id word* and example which ha 1 undo deed* nnssil.K And on the brave Stewart the \ .< ■ "vvp s - pinnod !>v Hr»r Miijost-y Quoon \ toria later on.