THE LONG SERVICE MEDAL.

Shannon News, 8 February 1929, Page 4

THE LONG SERVICE MEDAL.

EX-OTAKI-ITE'S RECORD,

After 25 years spent with the military forces of New Zealand, a wellknown Napier resident, in the person of Captain T. B. Bax, of Nelson Crescent, Napier, late of Otaki, has just received from the War Office in London, his Long Service Medal for service in the Colonial Auxiliary Forces of New Zealand. Captain Bax has been in possession of the ribbon .for the decoration since April 26th, 1925.

Captain Bax has had an eventful career, first seeing service as a midshipman in the Royal Navy in 1873. Later he left the Senior Service and went to sea in the mercantile marine, wandering around the world in the sailing ship days. During his voyag-. ings he happened to arrive at Peru about .1877, when war against Chile was declared and he immediately joined the Peruvian Navy, seeing considerable service.

A little later saw the captain s in the position of chief officer in the Shaw Savill Company's bargue Anzie, arriving in New Zealand in 1879. Captain Bax first enlisted with the colours in New Zealand in 1880. when the' troop.? were called out to go to Parihaka, iu the days of the Maori troubles in the North Island. His next service was with the Wellington Volunteers in 1883.

Then he shifted to Marlborough and joined up with the Marlborough Mounted Rifles, in which he served* for\ nine years. He was then appointed lieutenant for the Huramua Mounted Rifles for over two years, when he joined up, with the New Zealand Forces and'went to South Africa. On returning to New Zealand, Captain Bax rejoined his old corps, the Huramua Rifles, as a lieutenant, holding this position until 1911, when he was promoted to Captain of the Wellington-East Coast Mounted Rifles, serving with them until 1915.

He was one of the first to volunteer for service in the Great War, seeing service in Egypt for two years, at* the conclusion of which he returned, to b? placed on the retired list with tie rank of captain,.after 25 years J service with the military forces of New Zealand. Outside of his military accomplishments, Captain Bax will be remembered as an athlete, holding the world's club swinging record and representing Marlborough at Rugby football for i 0 years, while he was also an instructor in Larry Foley's famous boxing school in Sydney for some time. Another of his activities and one of which he was very fond was walking and his friends still recall the fact that on one occasion he walked 84 miles, from to Napier, to catch the Sydney boat. It is to be hoped that he will be spared for many years of health and happiness, to wear the decoration which, was so well earned!