MAJOR-GENERAL DAVIES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 218, 22 February 1915, Page 5

MAJOR-GENERAL DAVIES.

FlftST NEW ZEALANDER APPOINTED TO THIS RANK. The Minister for Defence (the Hon. , J. Allen), on Friday, received intimation ' from His Excellency the Governor that tlie Secretary for State had given permission for the publication of the following:—' ' "His Majesty the King has been pleased to approve, on tlie recommendation of Field-Marshal Earl Kitchener, of the promotion of Brigadier-General ' Davies to the vank of major-general," This is the first appointment of a New Zealander: to tli e high military rank of major-general. It has long been recognised that Major-General Davies was a gentleman possessed of high military accomplishments, and in command of New Zealand troops from the_ days when he was captain of the Hawera Mounted Rifles he has been niost popular with all branches. The distinction that has been conferred upon him will meet with the approval of every officer and man who has served under him.

Major-General Riclmrd Huttoii Davies,. C.8., commenced- Iris military career in the ranks of the Hawera Mounted Rifles, and rose,to the position of captain. When ' 1 the first contingent left. New Zealand for Soutli Africa in 1800 lie was appointed to tin: command of the North Island . 4 Company, and altogether served in five contingents (luring the Boer war. For his services he received his C.8., and is in possession of the Queen's medal, five ' clasps; King's medal, two clasps; and was appointed to the rank of lieutenantcolonel in 11102. Tn 1001 lie commanded , the Auckland district, and was InspectorGeneral of the New Zealand forces in lflOfl. when he was mad? a colonel. He \ commanded the Gth Infantry Brigade of the 2nd DivKwn of the British exnedi- - tionary force which crossed from England to Europe,in August last. He commanded it a.? a brigadier-general, the four battalions wjiieh he had under his command being: Ist Batalion Liverpool . Regiment. Ist Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment. Ist Battalion Royal 1 Berkshire Regiment, and Ist Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps. Major-Gencral Dnvies took part in the retreat from » Mons, and about a month after the commencement of operations he was in- ■, ■ valided to England. Previous to going to the front he was in tiharge of the Gth Infantry Brigade at Aldershot. ■