OFFICER RETIRED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 248, 19 October 1937, Page 17

OFFICER RETIRED.

CAPTAIN R. S. JUDSON

LOSS OF FAMOUS V.C. FINE RECORD OF SERVICE. Captain R. S. Judson. V.C, D.C.M.. M.M.. of the New Zealand Staff Corps, Northern Command, is to be transferred to the retired list at the end ■of this month. With his retirement the Staff Corps and Auckland military circles will lose a most distinguished and popular officer. He reached the age limit for his rank 15 months ago and his time was extended up to this month. Captain Judson's proved valour and outstanding personal qualities have been an inspiration to the cadets among whom he has spent most of his , Staff Cerps service. He has not been in the best of health for some time, due to his war injuries. Promoted to his present rank in 1933, Captain Judson has the remarkable distinction of having gained his three main decorations within the space ;of one month and is the most decorated man in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He enlisted in October, 1915, and left New Zealand with the- ninth reinforcements, joining the Auckland Regiment in Egypt. Wounded during the Somme offensive in 1916, Captain Judson recovered and gained the rank of sergeant when the New Zealand Division was called on to take part in operations before the final victorious advance which began in August, 1918. Captain Judson's V.C. was awarded for an exploit on August 26, south of Bapaume. He led asmall bombing party under heavy fire and captured a machine gun. He advanced along a sap alone and single-handed put a party of machine gunners, consisting of two officers and 10 men, to night. Captain Judson's loss to the Staff Corps is a severe one. The state of efficiency attained by secondary school cadet battalions is in a large measure due to the inspiration given by his association with them as area officer.