WAR HONORS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 March 1918, Page 3

WAR HONORS.

PJUCSKN'TATIOX OF WAR MIHULS. Kill JAP. ALLEX AT XKW PLYMOUTH. A presentation of military medals awaulcd to Taranaki soldiers for Seeds o*' bravery in connection with ihc- war, too.; place at the Coronation Hall last night a military parade being specially held for tlie purpose. The presentations were made by Colonel the Hon. Sir James Allen Alinisier of Defence, who reilched New Plymouth by last night's nuni trai-i. On arrival at the hall the Minister, who was accompanied by Major Cox (Group Commander), Capt. Furby, DAA.G,. and Lieut.-Colonel V. T. Bellr'liger, officer commanding tlie Kleventh JU-ijimeni, inspected the parade, the >li<*iigtli of which was as follows:Other Officers. Hanks. A Company :} ,115 Hi'.'h .School Cadets 2 ojt filth Cov. Cadets 1 10! i ueiurned Soldiers S v T I ; : .' V l " s Visi'ing ollicers 3 'l3 41S ll.ere was a large attendance of the pool.i- and the proceedings were marked by "pontaneouß enthusiasm, the actual i.resr-ntations being the si'/nal for outbu»»ls of applause. The Citizens' i:-.ii<f was present ami. played several selections prior to the Minister's arrival, and also ai'iiii'.' (he inspection.

After tae inspection the Minister mounted the balcony where those who T ( ii to re:eive the award: wtn seated, t.tirother villi o;iic-:- relative; of tlip men wiii> had von tin* a nil member: - , of the licturned Soldiers' Association n.ii/i (!i<> Veteran's Association. Mr. H. •I IT ()!;ey. Ml'., am! Chaplain Evans wort ?] p o »";rr*s(int. His VTorshin t!m 'Mayor of Vow Ply. iii'mth f?lr. C. IT. Burgess) in welcoming Colonel Allen, said they had met to do honor to soldiers who had oistin-. I'lif-lir/l on the field of hutHe !>nd in doing so fhpv d : d honor also to all thf men who had 'eft Nov Zea'iiml to fs*■ i'J: for KinH' and «omitrv. He thanked 1 h j•• miNic f«r n'ter.din<? as •! In (ho Minister. >vho Ind co!'.:» to New Plymouth nractically solely for J in? ni'i o' se of ve«entin'r the medals. Colonel Allen expressed his regret that th.i interrupted communications Ii:ul nrev;,iued !ii"< fv-'-i r-"i-r<-i:irr out hi, firs,; plain and had been responsible for hi 'nil arrival at New Plvmoiith. Tie had •'cnu: to present medals to the next-of-kin of nien who had won honor on the fie'd of battle. The presentations were n-ale pnbliclv beeunse the Kiii'_r desired it. It! order that the public he ■•elpo'.i ' '■ i' l,l '■ i' r 1 1!■:? wh'il the soldierr had done in the field. Tie was nroiid that m some inshiiKv-; and most i-mi-j'-d honov—'it'. \ .C.—had aeon eonfc. vd on New Zea'anders. lie wanton the public to kr.ov that the medals we:> for special services rendered, ar.d had -ten won by -.non who had distinguished ihe-irelves : y the sight of tlios" who l ad watched their hra'-ery. He knew, nf course Mil 1"'" were mail l ' other brave deeds done which were iinre"orded. and f"r wiiifii no reward wouhj ever hi-.'lin-n. To those who had won distinction and to the iiext-oi'-kin of those who had made the <rroat sacrifice he o(Tore« Jiis eonifiatiilutions and sympathy. The aw aids would be a perpetual reminder to rel.'nives and to succeeding of the devotion to duty, the courage, and the initiative and resource shown bv thyie to whom they were given. He hoped the possession of the medals would be sonic compensation to those who had lost dear ones who:iC live? lnd ben given in deeds cf bravery for the Kiiimue. To the men on parade ho -aid he lio'mxl that the presentation of the medals wild be an insniration. and thoush they had not had the opportunity to jo throusdi what iho men who had gained the honors had uone through—and nersonnllv he honed they never would have the opportunity—when the time came for tliem to take part thev von;d liavo before, tlieiu the e.v.imples of tl'o=e brave men. He honed, the war would soon come to an end. Even the str.-'iur Briti-h race, which was reoresentel in practically everv theatre or the war was sometimes inclined to show war weariness, but the only end possible ami satisfactory was a just and lastir.'i peace which would make it certain that the young manhood of the country would not have to go through Hie horrors that has been experienced during the past three years. Tf there was war weariness, lie nr?ed the people. with characteiistic British pluck to clintr on until military despotism was put down. Con-eli'-umr, the Minister again congratulated the next-of-kin on the honor and distinction of havinpr sne'h brave sons, and lie expressed his personal sratitude fr>» attendance to receive the awards. Ha recognised that—particularly it; cases where the recipient of the honor had laid dov-his life—it required courage to come and receive the me<iil=, and be-"nke f '"" them the sympathy of the public. Fe stated that one medal was to be presented to the mother of a soldier, who had won honor and had "■!!r"d promotion r.nd who was now returning to the front as a commissioned officer—l ieut. J. A. Tavlor. He then presented the medals as follows: DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL. Kent J. A. Taylor (then Seraeant) for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. "He has rendered valuable service during raids, and has at all times set a splendid example to those under him."— Extract from London Gazette. The medal was received by the mother of the soldier (Mrs. Flay), who said she wjs proud of having sent her son to serve his country and was prouder still that he was going to return to the front. Corporal H. J. Jeffrey (deceased), for conspicuous gallantry and devotion ] to duty. "DiirLng our offensive he displayed great dash and fine leadership. He rushed through our barrage before it lifted, anil, assisted by a comrade, captured two machine guns and 30 prisoners in an erenv dug-out."—Extract from London Gazette. The medal was presented to Mrs. Jeffrey (Bell Block), mother of the late soldier. MILITARY MEDAL. Servant'A. Taylor (deceased) for special bravery in the field. The ineda' was received bv the father of Sergeant Taylor (Mr. J. Tavlor, Fitz- '<>}•)■ LONG SERVICE MEDALS. Colonel Allen said it gave him great pleasure to present two long-servi'ce medals to officers who had completed

lon 1." terms of service in tlie voluntary for. es of (he Dominion. The first ». a medal for long and ellleient service (10 ycar.i) by Alajor Cox (Croup Commander). The Minister said Major Co:: had :--ecu .service with the Main Byily of the Kxpeditiona.r-y t'or'/e and having reti."ned wounded was- now doing service at home. The other medal was for year*' service by J.ient. Lira bant, who wa> still "carrying on." Both recipients wei? heartily congratulated hy tlie Miuist.'i' and applauded by those present. Ill", If. J. 11. I'key, M..1'.. in a few vtvJs expressed the- ihanks of the citizens to Colonel Allen for coming to make the presentations, and on behalf of (lie district, ho oil'ered cotu.-ra (illations to ihe parents of the recipients of the In. nor:',. '! l.e Mayer then called for a vote oi thanks fo the Minister to iie expressed by three hearty cheer.?, which were vigoro'l. !y given, and at Air. Ukev's call cheers were also given for the recipient of the honors. PRESENTATION AT PjlttA. Colonel Allen also made a presents tiori of a medal at Patea yesterday afternoon. It had beo/> originally planned to have the presentation on Tuesday night. but owing to the fives along the Main Trunk and the delay caused tliereLv the Miuisler was unable io reach Patt-a in lime. About tiUII people had gathered in the ha.il and they were ad-dr.-sed hv Air. I'earco, AM'.', and the Mayor of Paten. (Mr. C. .4. kareombt). Being particularly anxious to present the meclal personally, Colonel Allen melored from Vi'anuanui and reached Pate?, at about 4 p.m. yesterday. There was a large and represent at ire galJioi\::* ie Utr Tovu Hii'l. 'T'jc Mayor introduced (lie Minister who brieilv addressed the 'lathering. The medal wan the Meritorious Service Medal, and was presr-iited pei.om'Jlv to Sapper-(J. Sevi.iour of (be N.Z. Tunnelling Corps, for vab.able service rendered (o the arinv ir ihe field. Sapper Sevmonr did great service in the iunneiiing work which culminated in the big explosion at Jfes-r.i'K-s in June, of last year. When the medal was presented the Minister warmly eoncratnlated the recipient and t!ios» present accorded him hearty applause.