WAR HONOURS

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 114, 11 November 1919, Page 8

WAR HONOURS

AWARDS & DECORATIONS

A SUPPLEMENTARY LIST

CMOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

LONDON', 9th September.

The following D.C.M.'s are announced in a Supplementary Gazette for gallantry in the field :

Sergeant F. Barclay, 16/1404, Maori Battalion, for exceptionally good work from 25th February to 16th and ' 17th September, 1918, when he showed exceeding coolness under fire, and set a splendid example. On Bth September the enemy concentrated a heavy artillery fire for four hours on the village of Metz-en-Coutre where his platoon was repairing a road. Nevertheless, he kept his men well in hand, completed the work, and withdrew the party to a place of safety.

Sergea-nt A. I. Batty, 40485, 2nd Battalion, 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade, for marked gallantry and good work during recent operations. During the attack on Gouzeaucourt in September, when his platoon commander became a casualty, he led his platoon splendidly, gained his objective, and captured seven machine-guns and twenty-six . prisoners ; but after severe fighting he was driven out by an attack on his flank. Much, useful information has been gained from his patrol work, which has been of a very high standard. He constantly set a very fine example to his men by his coolness and daring under all circumstances.

'Sergeant L. Burrows, 7/490, Canterbury Mounted Rifle Regiment, for conspicuous coolness and initiative in action iv Egypt. At Amman he did particularly good work in selecting good tactical positions, and throughout the engagement was of great assistance to his troop leader, and encouraged all ranks by his splendid example.

Sergeant F. H. Clifford, 4/1249, New Zealand Tunnelling Company, N.Z.E., (or conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When1 every endeavour was being made to complete machine-gun nests in anticipation of a heavy hostile attack in March, 1918, at Roeux, although the area was persistently searched by-hostile ■ trench' mortar- and machine-gun fire, his utter disregard for danger, and his skill and personal example enabled the work to be completed prior to the attack. During his two arid a-half years' continuous service in forward i areas, he lias always set his men a notable example of courage and devotion, to duty. Corporal A. Dunlop, 8/3563,- 2nd Battalion. Otago Regiment. On vhe morning of 24th August, 1918, he Jed his section against the artillery and machine-gun fire, which practically annihilated the attacking company, He put a block in the trench, and established a bombingpost far ahead of the line consolidated, which he held for two hours after the attacking company had withdrawn, refusing to leave until definitely ordered to withdraw, so that he and his section might take part in the afternoon attack. In this attack he again did fine woTk, he and his section capturing six machineguns. Throughout he showed conspicuous courage and leadership. Sergeant W. L. Free, 33144, Ist Battalion, 3rd N.Z.R.8., for gallantry, and consistent devotion to duty He was in charge of two platoons during an attack on Freiniricourt, and by good leadership he brought them into position for the final aesault. After consolidating he took' charge of the right half- of the line, patrolling from post to post under an intense machine-gun barrage. When the enemy counter-attacked with tanks next morning he kept personal touch with his poets, which he held in position until the tanks were caused to withdraw. Throughout the operations his work was excellent. . :

Sergeant G. Hatch, 4/1429, New Zealand Tunnelling Company, N.Z.E,, for. conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, and consistent gopd work over a lengthy period: When it became necessary for the safety of the line that machine-gun positions should be completed at once, he personally got out into the open and worked under shell-fire during the whole night, •■ and by his untiring energy and disregard of his personal safety he set a fine example to his men.

B.S.M. J. P. Joyce, 2/512, 6th Battery, 2nd Artillery Brigade, N.Z.F.A./ during operations in April at Messines carried out Jus duties under very difficult circumstances in" a most capable and gallant manner. He was several times in charge 'of the wagon lines, owing to casualties among officers, and always maintained the ammunition'supply, often under heavy shell-fire. In ■ operations near Bapaume during August and September on several occasions when the wagon lines were shelled, his courage and coolness largely. helped to avoid serious loss.

Corporal E. Kelly, 12/3065, 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Regiment, has frequently gone out" in charge of limbers during actions in which the battalion has been engaged since 25th March, 1918. On many occasions his work has taken him into badly-shelled afeas, and his cool judgment has saved lives of both transport personnel and animals. On all occasions he has worked with a total disregard to his own safety, and has always inspired his men with confidence.

Sapper K. B. M'Lean, 4/1376, New Zealand Tunnelling Company, K.Z.E., for courageous devotion to duty and initiative in execution of his work. On 10th March, 1918, hfe was detailed to a battery as instructor in dug-out construction. At the commencement of a hostile attack on the 22nd, the message to recall him having miscarried, he stayed with the battery for five days, assisting both in working the gun and establishing a new position when the battery withdrew On his own initiative he opened up a partly demolished dugout, so providing cover for the gun crew during a period of intense hostile shelling.

Sergeant A. O. Mills, 8/616, Ist Bn., Otago Rgt., for gallantry and devotion to duly throughout the period during: which the battalion held the sector HebuterneLa Signy Farm, from March to July, 1918. During this tour, he took out patrols for several nights in face of heavy fire from a machine-gun post, located it, and succeeded in wiring-in our own post. His work in the field has always been characterised by disregard of personal danger and by coolness under fire, while the example he has shown by fearless patrolling has always been an inspiration to the younger n.c.o.'s.

Sergeant T. Muir, 7/1121, . 2nd Bn., Wellington Rgt., has served as transport sergeant to his battalion from 25th February, 1918, and has been present with his unit during-nil active operations throughout. He has always. displayed marked courage and devotion to duty in reconnoitring routes for his transport, and leading it forward to the battalion through enemy shell fir© by night and day. He has uever once failed to deliver a single load of cither ammunition, water, or food, and has set a fine example to those under'him.

Sergeant W. A. Proctor, 12/3449, 2nd Bn.,- Auckland Rgt., for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. At La Signy Farm,.on 30th March, 1918, when an enemy machine-gun was firing at his platoon, he shot three of the crew, and captured the gun, after which he cleared" up the trench by bombing, attacking the enemy in a most fearless manner. Later ho has rendered very valuable service as battalion gas n.ao., b*mg with the bat-

talion continuously till wounded near Bapaume on 30th August,: 1918. Private F. A. Stade, 28216, N.Z. M.Cx.C, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty During the advance on Biefvillers, on 24th August, 1918, ha led his pack mule through, heavy shell and machine-gun fire to replenish the ammunition of his sub-section at a critical period. Again at Havrincourt Wood, on 3rd September, he brought up his pack mule three times through heavy shell fire with ammunition, retiring each time to replenish his load. His gallant conduct was most marked on each occasion.

Sergeant J. Tannahill, 10/2778, Ist Bn., Wellington Rgt., for conspicuous gaJlantry and devotion to duty during tho period 25th February to 16th and 17th September 1918. He was a platoon sergeant daring an attack near Beaumont Hamel on 30th March, when he displayed splendid dash and initiative and fine leadership In the consolidation ofl the capturedl position, under heavy ma-chine-gun and rifle fire, his coolness and courage spurred on and inspired his men, and it was mainly through his efforts that the work was completed His work since then, both as platoon sergeant and A.-C.Q.M.S., has been consistently excellent.

Sergeant N. B. Thompson, 8/859, Ist Battalion, Canterbury . Kegiment/ for conspicuous courage and daring initiative. During the attack on Avesnes-les-Bapaume, on 25th August, 1918, singlehanded, he engaged with rifle fire an enemy bombing post which was holding up the flank of his company, afterwards collecting some men and' rushing the post and killing or capturing the garrison. . Later in the same operation he showed considerable gallantry and leadership in mopping up the captured area, quickly overcoming machine-gun apposition and sending back prisoners Sergeant L. Tribe, 12/878, lstßattalnon, Auckland Regiment, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty As senior n.c.o. of the battalion scouts, he has organised and' carried out scouting work of the very highest importance. During the recent enemy retirement he organised .his scouts with considerable skill, and kept in such close contact with the enemy that the smallest retirement was reported immediately to battalion headquarters, and proved of immense value. His own patrol work produced valuable information, and he has frequently shown gallantry- and initiative under fire.

Sergeant C. Wilson, 25/1239, Ist 'Battalion, 3rd N.Z.R.8., for consistent gallantry and devotion to duty near Miraumont, on 23rd August, 1918, when he made a particularly fine reconnaissance of the whole battalion front under heavy fire, bringing back the exact location of forward posts. The clearness of his report -was a great factor in making the second attack a success. He was scout master of his battalion, and daring all active operations has shown great keenn< ™ a?l,? et. a fine examPle 'to his men. lne following decorations were awarded :—Belgian Croix do Guerre : Major E. W. Grigg, M.C., Grenadier Guards: .CapKun.C. W. B. Littlejohn, K.A.M.C. lne names of the following New Zealand ' nurses have been brought to the not.cc of the Secretary of State for War for valuable services :—New Zealand No. 1 General Hospital, Brocket hurst, Nursirg. Member, Miss S. Wilson. wTf eafe^ No- ' 2 General Hospital, Walton^n-Thames : Sister C. E. Clark Assistant-Nurse P. K. Hunt, New Zea. land No. 3 General-Hospital, Codford : Sister M. O'Connor. New Zealand Convalescent Hospital, Homchurch: Masseuse H. G. New Zealand M igood H°m6' Bright°n: Mrs- E-