NEW ZEALAND'S FIRST V.C.

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 22, 24 November 1939, Page 12

NEW ZEALAND'S FIRST V.C.

To The Editor, "The Listener" Sir,-I notice in this week’s issue of The Listener (on page 3) an article on our New Zealand V.C.’s. ‘I feel proud to think that those brave fellows |.ave not been forgotten, and everyone no doubt will read with pride the way in which each gallant son of New Zealand won his V.C. I notice, too, that Lieut. Cyril Bassett, now living in Auckland, was the first V.C. in the Great War. But he was not New Zealand’s first V.C. as is stated below his photograph. Major William James Hardham, of Wellington, was New Zealand’s first, and for a number of years, New Zealand’s only V.C. This he won in the South African War and he had the honour of having the medal pinned to his tunic by His Majesty the late King Edward VII. Although Major W. J. Hardham has been dead now for some years owing to wounds received in the Great War, I still think his name is worthy of a place amongst the Bravest of the Brave. Yours, etc.,

ROBT.

MINTOFT

(Our article dealt with the Great War only, and in that war Lieut. Bassett was the first New Zealander to win the V.C. We thank our correspondent for drawing attention to the fact that the first V.C. won by a New Zealander in any war was won by Major Hardham.-Ed.)