TWELVE YEARS' SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1917, Page 2

TWELVE YEARS' SERVICE.

MEDAL PRESENTED TO SERGEANT SOUTHAM. At the parade of A Company, 11th Regiment Taranaki Rifles, on Wednesday evening, Sergeant W. F. Southam, a. returned Soldier, was presented with the medal for twelve efficient service. Lieut.-Colonel F. T. Bellringer, who made the presentation, said that Sergt. Southam was a very old friend of Bis, and when he (the speaker) had command of the Taranaki Rifles many years ago he was one of the hardest, workers in the company. Sergeant Southam was a man who possessed all the qualifications necessary to make a good soldier, and he gave loyal support to his officers and was also a great stickler for discipline;, he could always be relied on to do his duty. He had been a keen volunteer, and when the war 'broke out three years ago he was one of the first to volunteer and left with tho Main Body. Sergeant Southam did his duty at Gallipoli bravely and cheerfully and in such a manner as to earn the esteem of his officers and comrades. As they knew, tiio speaker continued, Sergeant Southam came back grievously wounded, and it was mnnv weeks before ho recovered. Those who saw him on the night of his arrival never expected to see. him about again, and it was a great pleasure to see him there that .night. In the British army ..one of the greatest compliments was to say a man was a "Kitchener's man"—that he was-trained under Lord Kitchener—and in the jjew Zealand army to-day it was a great honor to call a man a- "Malone's man," one of. those who server under the Into Colonel Malone. Sergeant Southam was a "Malone's man." and. said Lieut.-' Colonel Bellringer, lie knew that Colonel Malone had the utmost confidence in him. He could not pay Sergeant Southam a higher compliment than that. The medal was then presented and hearty .cheers given by the men of the company: In briefly returning thanks Sergeant Southam urged the present members of A Company to play the game as worthily, as had been done by the tliirtv men of tho company who left to 'fight 'with the Main Roily