HEROES OF GALLIPOLI

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 30, 4 February 1916, Page 6

HEROES OF GALLIPOLI

DECORATED BY THE KING. V.C. AND MILITARY CROSS WINNERS. AN AMAZING CIRCUMSTANCE. (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON*, February 3. His Majesty the King to-day decorated the following New Zealanders who won fame at Gallipoli:— CORPORAL C. R. G. BASSETT—Victoria Cross. CAPTAIN SHERA (Auckland), and LIEUTENANTS BISHOP (Clutha) and TURNBI'LL (Wanganui)— Military Cross. The Xe.w Zealauders were played by a hand from Buckingham Palace, where the decorations took place. The Windsor Hotel, Victoria Street, was thronped later in the day, when the High Commissioner (Sir T. Mackenzie), gave a luncheon in honour of the heroes. Lady Hardwicke and 200 New Zealand convalescents were present. Sir T. Mackenzie, in toasting the heroes, said that it was amazing that the New Zen landers and Australians had not received greater honours for their frlorious part in the strenuous and sanguinary figting on Gallipoli. Those on the spot were surprised that ouly one Victoria Cross had been awarded for the gallantry displayed by the New Zealanders. Corporal Bussett. in responding, said his only regret was that others of his comrades were not present. Major Dawson, of Auckland, declared that T. Mackenzie had made I^ondon a haven of rest for the Now Zealanders who had been invalided to England. Corpora! C. R. G. Bassett, Xew Zealand's only V.C. winner at (lallipoli. I was with the original landing force on April 25th of last year, and was twice specially mentioned for the excellent work he had done prior to the gallantry that won him the coveted Victoria Cross. On August S Sapper B. Wignan. of the Signal Company, who was the telephone operator on Chunuk Bair, went back to headquarters with an important message, owing to the lines having again become severed by Turkish shelling. On his way down he passed Corporal liassett. under cover, and h> , told him that his line was broken. Bas-ett went out and repaired one break. Then another break occurred, and he went out and repaired that. Parts of the g-ronnd he had to cross were swept by very heavy fire, and he , was under fire the whole time he was I mending the second break.

In view of his services, his conspicuous gallantry, and his fine example of fearlessness and devotion to duty. Ilia Majesty the King was pleased to confer upon him the award of the Victoria Cross.

Captain Shera received his decoration in recognition of his distinguished services while under fire during the movements of the New Zealand troops in support of the British attempt to capture Strvla Bay on August 7th and Sth last.