Medals gifted at ANZAC parade

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 684, 29 April 1997, Page 5

Medals gifted at ANZAC parade

Medals that in cluded a Vic toria Cross were presented to the Queen Elizabeth II Army Museum at Waiouru as part of the 1997 ANZAC Day service at the museum. The service followed a fairly traditional format but was made more poignant by the inclusion of children from Waiouru Primary School who sang on the steps next to the Greenstone Wall. Chaplain Wally Te Au

officiated at the service which included a reading (John 15: 11-15) by Mrs Meg Dowrick, an official address by Commander Area Training Group Ian Marshall and the commemoration by Waiouru RSA president Bob Vine. Following the laying of the wreaths, the guests proceeded to the "Valour Alcove" for a presentation of the medal group of Brigadier Andrew VC, DSO, by his family. Corporal Andrew of the 2nd Battalion, Wellington Infantry Regiment, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his most conspicuous bravery in attacking and capturing a machine-gun post which he encountered unexpectedly while seeking his objective of a distant machine-gun post. He ultimately succeeded in cap-

turing this machine-gun postalso. The citation for the Victoria Cross was printed in the London Gazette, 1 6 September 1917 and his conduct was described as being "unexampled for the cool daring, initiative and fine leadership, and his magnificent example was a great stimulant to his comrades" The Victoria Cross is only one of many medals and awards presented to Corporal Andrew during the period-1914te 1953. Full tribute is paid to Corporal Andrew in the "Valour Alcove" at the Army Museum.