PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 January 1918, Page 4

PERSONAL.

The latest list of appointments for home service shows that Second-Lieut. C. Gray, 11th Regiment (Taranaki Rifles), has been granted the temporary rank of captain- whilst holding the appointment of assistant provost marshal in a military district. Latest advices received from Egypt state that Captain J. B. Hine, M.P., who I was seriously wounded in Palestine some time ago, is now well on the road to recovery. That the wound was a serious one is shown by the fact that letters received from men who were in the battle in which Captain Hine was wounded state definitely that they believed him to be killed. Private H. J. Nicholas, New Zealand's last V.C., enlisted with the 13th Reinforcements. He has not been wounded or suffered illness in any way, and has been in the firing line all the time. Prior to his enlistment he was apprenticed to Mr. Martin, a builder at St. Albans. After serving his time he went to Australia, where he followed the trade for about four years, and then returned to New Zealand. He was only here a few months in different parts of Canterbury when he enlisted. He is a native of Canterbury, born at Lincoln. He was educated at the Normal and East Christchurch schools. Private Nicholas was a good sportsman, boxing being the particular branch in which he specialised. When at Sling Camp, England, he won the middle-weight boxing championship for his regiment. He was well known in New Zealand as an amateur boxer. His trainer was Dick Mayle. Before leaving New Zealand Private Nicholas was a member of No. 1 Company Field Engineers (Territorials). He "has another brother, Ernest, who is at present in England. This brother left with the 12th Reinforcements, and his elder brother, Frederick, left with the Main Body, was wounded at Gallipoli, and has siaee returned. Another brother is under military age. Private Nicholas is the spcond son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Nicholas, 33 Borry atreet, St. Albans.