THE VETERANS' HOME.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 123, 25 May 1909, Page 5

THE VETERANS' HOME.

EMPIRE DAY CELEBRATIONS. ' PRESENTATION OF RIBBONS* His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by Captain Shannon and Captain Hugh Boscawen, A.D.C.'s, attended at the Veterans' Home, Epsom, last evening, on the occasion of the usual Empire Day celebrations of the institution. An interesting feature of the proceedings was the presentation of new ribbons to Veterans Purvis' and Lacy to replace those'worn-out ribbons. Veteran Ready was presented with the New Zealand medal earned by him in the Waikato War, and riot having been applied for previously. The Siege, of Acre ribbons are duplicates of the originals that accompanied the medals, which, decayed by usage, have long since passed away, and though applications have been made both to the Admiralty and War Offices, during the last five years, for replacement by duplicate ribbons, all efforts in that direction have been unavailing, as the pattern was not held-in stock.' However, by more recent strenuous search in London, these much cherished ribbons have been discovered and procured for the re-decoration of these two venerated "Stragglers of '41." Veteran Purvis was born in 1821, and is in his 88th year. Joining the Royal Navy in 1836, he was ne of the crew in the battleship Revenge at the Siege of Acre on the 3rd November, 1841. After serving in various -men-of-war in different parts 'of the world, he arrived in New Zealand in H;M.s. Miranda, forming part of the» Naval Brigade that met the enemy-at Taranaki) Waikato, .Waitara, and also at the Gate Pah, where he was severely wounded by a bmlet passing through his body. He was discharged at Auckland, with his parchment certificate showing that he holds the Syria and New Zealand medals, with a service (including five years in the Coastguard) amounting.in all to 27 years of excellent character. Veteran Lacy was born in 1824, and Is in his 86th year. Joining the Royal Navy in 1836, he served with the late Admiral Fanßhawe (father of the present Admiral Fanshawe) when in command of H.M.e. Hastings, at the Siege of Acre in 1841. He waß engaged fighting pirates on the River Lagos in West Africa. He was present at the bombardment of Odessa and Sebastapol, and also at the bombardment ot the forts in the Baltic He is in possession of five medals, namely, Syria (2), Crimea, Turkish, and Baltic. He ultimately served in the Coastguards for seven years, after which period he retired on a substantial pension, with the grand record of bis duty to his Queen and country of 28 years' faithful and' honourable service. Veteran Ready was born in Idmerick, and is in his 77th year. At the age of 18 he joined her late Majesty's 43rd Regiment, and proceeded to India, four years before the Mutiny broke out. On the upheaval of the Mutiny, he marched from Madras to Cawnpore, frequently by night and day, a distance of 1400 miles. He was present, amongst ether engagements, at Kirwee, Bandar, etc., and after the Mutinjr was suppressed, he proceeded from Central India to Calcutta. In 1863 he embarked from Calcutta with his regiment for New Zealand, and on his arrival he and his comrades Were engaged with the Maoris in the Waikato, at the Gate Pah (Tauranga), TaTanaki, and'Wairoa. On the conclusion of hostilities, he took his discharge, after 14 years' service of exemplary character. The medal now presented is the original, it not having been applied for previously. Ready is in receipt of three pensions—lndian, Imperial, and New Zealand. He Will have now two medals —Indian Mutiny and New Zealand. The Hon. E. Mitchelson moved- a vote of thanks to the Governor for presiding, to which Lord Plunket, in reply, congratulated all those interested in the institution Upon the steady progress it was making. It afforded him the greatest pleasure to follow so noble an example as had; been set by Lord Ranfurly, by doing all that was possible for' •the Home. The following is a programme of the concert, which was nUeh appreciated •by the Vice-regal party and a great dumber of ladies and gentlemen interested in the Institution:— Song, "Drake's Drum," Mr. T. Allen; zither solo and eong3 with zither accompaniment, "Invitation,*' and "The Birds Go North," Mrs. Abel Rowe; musical and magical moments, Mr. Arthur Carbines; song, "Let Mc like a Soldier Fall,'' Mr.Abel Rowe;_ xylophone solo, Messrs". "Over " brothers; song, '"King" Charles," Mr. . Jas. Lonergan; song, "Life's Recompense," Mr. H. J. GillmoTe; song, "Home, Love 5 " Miss Barbara Garland; vocai quartets, "Moonlight," "Lucky Jim," "The Soldier's Farewell," and "So Do I," Messrs. Abel Rowe, Alf. G. Fogerty, Jas, Lonergan, Kari Atkinson (Unique Quartet) ; song and chorus, "The Old Brigade," Mr. Karl Atkinson and company; ."God 1 Save the King," Hearty cheers for the King and Governor closed the proceedings. J