CAPTAIN HARDHAM, V.C.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 March 1916, Page 6

CAPTAIN HARDHAM, V.C.

BACK FROM GALLIPOLI. WELCOMED AT WELLINGTON. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Yesterday. A most enthusiastic gathering was held in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall shortly after f> o'clock yesterday to welcome home from the 'war Captain \V. J. Hardham. V.C., who was wounded at Gallipoli, The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) presided. The hall was crowded. la extending the welcome of the citizens, Mr. Luke referred to the fact that Captain Hardham was the first New Zealander to win a V.C. This he did in the South African war. It had been held by many in the past that too much time had been devoted to sport. But between the clean, manly sport found everywhere in this country and the brave, comradely spirit shown at Gallipoli there was a clear connection, Captain Hardham's clean character and good citizenship were the foundations from which had sprung his wonderful soldierly spirit. Mr. Luke called upon the people to thank the returned officer for work done and to show confidence in him in the great deal of service yet ahead of him. Hearty cheers for Captain Hardliam were then given. Dr. Newman, on behalf, of the Wellington Rugby Union, welcomed and congratulated the. guest. The King .had made him an officer, but, he had always been a gentleman. Speaking for all footballers and barraekers, ho wished long life and success to "Billy" Hardham, V.C. Colonel Campbell told how, when 18 years of age, Captain Hardham came to him and enlisted in the Garrison Artillery. He had a reference from the Boys' Institute, which said that he was a good lad who would make good in the future. He soon became an expert gunner, and when the Soutli African War begau, readily adapted himself to mounted work. No soldier could wish or hope for a greater honor from liis King than the Victoria Cross. Colonel Campbell cncluded by saying that all young men who were eligible for service could not take as an example a better man than Captain Hardham. Mr. Aitken remembered "Willie" Hardham as a boy in the Boys' Institute —one of the boys whom Major Davis had trained for a military course in the institute's cadets. It would be a splendid thing to send Captain Hardham on a recruiting tour from Russell to the Bluff. Captain Hardham, in reply, said he W'as proud to be a New Zealander. If he had not been a New Zealander. he would have chosen, as the next best thing, to be an Australian. It had been a privilege to meet with the men of Gallipoli: they were men in every sense of the word, and those who had not been there did not know what they had missed. He wanted his hearers to understand that not one man had "turned it up," in spite of indescribable hardships. And when sick or wounded men foregathered anywhere, after inquiring after one another's ailments, they always declared that they would not have missed it for anything. It was wrong for fit young men to be looking on. . "I don't want to fight," said Captain Himlham. "but I'm going back if I get a chance, because I want to be in it and doing my share to smash the Germans." He paid a high tribute to the doctors, nurses, hospital staffs, and stretcher-bearers. When they, in the trenches, heard of how the women r:f New Zealand were working to raise funds for the sick and maimed, they said, "If the women can do this fur us. we will do all we can fr-r tliem- ,ind ;ili they c-oulil d<- was risk or give their lives." To those present, C ipl.iin Hardham said, in conclusion. "It wis kind of you tp come and welcome 'Billy' Hardham." At the Mayor's invitation, rousing cheers were then given for Captain Hardham. the nurses, doctors, and soldiers at the front, and for Sergeant Bassett, the other New Zealander, who had won a V.C.