NEW ZEALAND'S FIRST V.C.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 66, 17 March 1916, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND'S FIRST V.C.

AND TBRHE MILITARY CROSSES INVESTITURE AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE. (From Onr Special Correspondent). LONDON, February 3. King George to-day honoured a number of men of the New Zealand force at Gallipoli by investing them with the decorations they had gained. The King, in pinning the Cross to Corporal BasseUe breast, shook hands warmly with him and complimented him as one of the many New Zeahtnders who had rallied to the Motherland. In their turn, Captain L. M. Shera, Lieutenant W. U. Bishop, and Lieutenant T. K. Turnbull, received the Military Cross decoration. They had been escorted to the I'abce by a contingent of New Zealanders preceded by their band.

The decorated heroes, on leaving tha Palace then went, etill under escort, to the Hotel Windsor in Victoria Street, v.-hqre Sir Thomas MaKjkenzic enterGained them all to lunch.

The High Commissioner, in his speech of congratulation to Corporal Bassett, dwelt on the way in which he and his comrades had done honour, not only to British arms, but to New Zealand. Surprised wats expretecd, he said, in very many quarters at the email number of honouns lOhat had fallen to New Zealanders in view of the part they had played—only one V.C! The decorated hero spoke a modest and manly sentence of thanks, and later Sir Thomas, at his request, said that his (Corporal BaiECtt's) one regret was that his comrades who had equally done their part were not honoured with him. Old and e.xpcriencc'd soldiers, men who had seen what they had done, said the High Commissioner, had expre&cd the view that what New Zcalanders had done was never surpassed. . . . And yet only one V.C. The High Commissioner, in introducing Captain tlicra, recalled that the gallant captain's father and Sir James Mills (who was also present at the luncheon) and himself had been in New Zealand Parliament together. Lieutenant Bishop's farther and the High Commissioner were lads together and, sotto vocc, he was a lad —Bishop pere—as they say on the western front. Captain Shera, in returning thanks for himself and the two associated with him in the day's ceremony, spoke with feeling, too, of the many men who had done magnificently. The High Commissioner extended hi 3 hospitality on this occasion, in addition to the men who formed the escort to Buckingham Palace, to the secretaries of the various committees who have done eueh good work in looking after the interests of the New Zealand soldi ere in London. Lady Hardwicke, who has thrown herself heart and soul into this work. Miss Helen Mackenzie, Mies Marion Watson, of ibhe "Dug-out" in Victoria Street, were the only ladies present, and they certainly deserved the pTaisc and the thanks' of the men, as v.oiccd by Captain Shera, and other speakers, for their untiring work.

The High Commissioner's staff has been overloaded with work. Mr. Palliscr is still on side leave, Mr. Raymond broke down with the strain of the Christmas entertainments, but he rojs gallantly to the occasion to-day.

If this gathering was got up at a few hours' notice, its hearty goodfellowehip showed real New Zealand hospitality. Sir Thomas had an excellent aide-de-camp in Mr. I. W. Raymond, who was the life and soul of the gathering, and himself no mean imitator of Harry Lauder.

Captain Donne, Captain Norman Daiston, and Mr. Cecil Wray were equally enthusiastic in the good cause of making for the New Zealandere a home from homo.

When the men marched with their four comrades at their head from the West End to the City, London saw. v, them one more symbol of the Young Dominion's tribute of life and loyalty to the Mother Country.

Among those who Bent regrets for inability to be present were Lord Plunket, who has gone to Ireland, Lord Islington, Mr. Waldegrave, Mrs. Ruesell, Mrs. Coatee, and Mrs. Watson.

The . following members of the New Zealand Forces were present:—Major Myers, Lieut. Gordon H. Foreytli, N.Z.F.A.; Lieut. George H. Ferguson, 6.M.R.; Lieut. B. L. Reeve, Ser-geant-major E. M. Vickery; Corporals E. Paiterson and J. Turner; Sappers J. D. Welsh, St. J. Croome, H. Bourke, and H. Banks; and Privates F. E. Wilson, F. Sand/*, T. Preston, S. Langha.n, Rarigi Kortine, R. M. Bell, A. Croalc, and many others.