REPELLING A RAID.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 April 1917, Page 7

REPELLING A RAID.

NEW ZEALANDERS IN ACTION. MILITARY MEDALS WON (Special from the N.Z.- Official War Correspondent). April 2. The New Zealanders have not been engaged in serious fighting for many we«ks, but there have been raids and counter-raids, and much valuable work •iid trainfng have been done, Recently a New Zealand battalion distinguished itself by repelling a German raid. Early in the morning the enemy started a heavy bombardment, then 00 Germans advanced across .No Man's Land towards our trenches. The New Zealanders displayed the greatest gallantry, endurancf and devotion in sticking to their posts under this severe bombardment, with the result that only six Germans were able to reach our trench. Of thesa one was severely wounded and made a prisoner, enabling us to identify the raiding regiment. Lewis machinegunners fought gallantly. Private Leonard Ross Dickinson, who heroically stuck to his gun throughout the bombardment, even when his comrades were out of action, and until his magazines ran out, has been awarded the Military Medal. He showed utter disregard of danger. In connection with the same raid Military Medals have been awarded to William Elliot Gordon, who first sighted the advancing enemy, and turned his Lewis gun on them with excellent results; t" Private Frederick Andrew, who displayed great gallantry in keeping his machine gun in action throughout; and to John Thomas Clearwater, who on a night post encountered the enemy and showed utter contempt of danger in driving them back, Medals have also been awarded to Sergeant Adrian John Mason, who saved the lives of three wounded men, carrying one out under fire; to Corporal John M'Quillan, who distinguished himself in repelling some raiders; and to Sergeant Walter James Murray for similar work. The weather is still wintry, with snow lying on the ground. Apart from some eases of mumps, there is little sickness, and the division as a whole is in splendid form. Our football team has an unbeaten record, and the pierrot troupe rrishtly draws large uudiences. A horse show will be held this month.