GALLANT NEW ZEALANDERS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15490, 18 January 1916, Page 10

GALLANT NEW ZEALANDERS.

d.c.m. awards. (from OUR OWX CORKESrOXDKXT.) LONDON. December 3. The "London Gazette" contains a further list of awards 01 the D.C.M. to members of the New Zealand Imperial Force; most of them were won in the fighting in August. In this connexion a British officer writes iroiu the Dardanelles: — 'So much has been written about the magnificent bearing oi' the Australian troops that I ieel bound to mention a few instances of the bravevy of their cousins, the New Zealanders. As I am of l.either colony, but an Englishman, my testimony nmy interest you. "During the famous attacks on Lone Tine, the -nd Battery, under Major (now Colonel) Sykes, repelled five Turkish attacks. i'he infantry have acknowledged that they were done, and if it had not been lor this battcrv t hev would have had to retire. During this action -21 gunners brought up ammunition over 80 yards of ground that was subjcctcd to shrapnel and cross machiuc-gun and rifle lire. Several were wounded in jso, but unless very seriously so, carried on the self-allotted task. Again and again, the guns ar.fl emplacements wore hit but if workable fresh crews at once "tool; their places. Unc man (a telephonist) went out live times to rcplaco broken wires and to mend them. Another instance of heroic bravery is that of the Mounted Rifles at. Hill GO; 2-50 of these men charged and caotured a Turkish trench. Gradually by counter-attack only a hundred remained; these charged again, and added further trenches., holding tlicin with their usual gallantry until the relieving infantry arrived.

"I can mention a case where a telephonist five times carried messages l'rom the observation station to the guns because the wires had been taken awav, and the entire time this man was under direct, fire from both rifles and maehine-:;uns." For these operations Major F. B. Sykes was awarded the D.S.O. This week's awards are as follows:— Sergeant A. A. Atkins, li-BS-1, Canterbury Battalion —For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on August 7th, I£>ls. during the attack on Chunuk Bair. While advancing up a narrow gully with precipitous sides, his battalion suddenly came on «a stronglydefended post, which barred the way. and from which a heavy rifle-fire was directed on the head of the column. Sergeant Atkins, getting his section in hand, without hesitation rushed the position, captured and hold it. He aisplayed great bravery and coolness, and set a splendid example to all with him.

Private O. R.. Barker, 10-1731, "Wellington Battalion —For conspicuous gallantry on August Bth, 1915, at Cnunuk Bair. The difficulty of supplying tho firing-line on the mountaintop with ammunition and water was very great, yet the necessity was vital. Private Barker rendered most valuable service in carrying both over ground exposed to heavy fire: and the conformation of which made tho task very arduous. Ho also acted as guide to a regiment going up to reinforce, and on his return carried in a wounded man.

Sapper A. L.. Caselberg. 4-363. Signal Troon —For conspicuous gallantry on the night of August 22nd, 191.i, at Kaiajik Aghaln. (Hill GO, X>ardanelles). At the close of the day a. number of detached parties were scattered- in advance of tho lire trenches. The firing was very heavy, and in the darkness theso parties did. not know how to get back. Sapper Caselberg, on his own initiative, went out several times, searched for them, and guided them back on each occasion. His total disregard of personal danger and devotion to .dnty wero most marked. Driver' N. Clark. N.Z.F.A., 2-81? —: For conspicuous bravery on August 27th and 28th, 1915.' at Hill 60. A fire having been started, as the result of the enemy's firing, round a pit containing over fifty, high-explosive shells. Driver Clark volunteered to carry water to put out the fire, and was successful in doing so. although the section was bring heavily and accurately shelled the whole time. Acting-Sergeant C, J. K. Edwards, 2-444, N.Z.F.A. —For conspicuous.braverv on August 27th and 28th, 191i3. at Hill 60. A fire having been started "as the result of the firing, round a .pit containing" fifty .high-explosive shells. Sergeant Edwards volunteered to carry water to put out the lire, and was successful in doing so. although the section was being heavily and accu"at°ly shelled- the whole time. . Acting-Sergeant J. F. Hill,' 2-147, 2nd Battery N.Z.F.A. —For conspicuous bravery and ability on the Bth and 12th August. 1915j during the action at Chunuk Bair. ,In spite of heavy casualties. " troubles with equipment, and the fact that his gun was under cross-fire from two machine-guns, he kept his gun in action throughout. Ho never hesitated to expose _ himself to any risk, however great, in the performance of his duty, and his bravery and devotion were of the greatest- ser-/vil'-o at a critical period. . Bombardier-Fitter D. C. Inglis, N.Z.F.A., 2nd Battery, No. 2-115—For conspicuous gallantry and ability on the Bth to the 12th August, 1915, at Chailak Ders. At one time three guns of - the battery were out of action through being.hit by bullets, breakages, or other damage. Bombardier-Fitter Inglis. assisted by another man, managed to get them all in action again and to keep them going. To effect this ho had, on more than one occasion, to strip and repair the guns while under heavy fire. " His coolness and bravrv were most marked, and his work highly valuable at a critical time.

Private F. Mahonoy, 10-2228. Wellington Battalion.—For conspicuous gallantry and resource on the night of 2(ith-27th August. 1915. during operatious 011 the Gallipoli. Peninsula, when he volunteered to go out to rescue 6onic men who had been isolated within the enemy's lines for fifteen days. It was a mission of great difficulty and danger, and by his coolness and knowledge of scouting he. greatly contributed to the success of the search, and ultimate rescue of the missing men.

Trooper D. J. O'Connor, 7-76-1, Canterbury Mounted Rifle Regiment.—For conspicuous bravery and devotion, to duty on the 22nd August, 1915, at Aghyl Dere. Whilst returning to his regiment after being slightly wounded, he passed another regiment which was being heavily shelled. Without hesitation he entered the shell-swept zone and carried in two wounded men. He went- out again and helped a wounded officer to a'place of comparative safety. His bravery and devotion were the more noticeable in that these gallant acts were quite outside his duty. Trooper H. Pidgeon, 7-583, Canterbury Mounted Rifle Regiment —I'or conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 2lst August. 191 o, on the Kaiajik Aghala (Hill 60). The fighting was severe and frequently hand-to-hand, and although wouncled be refused to retire, and continued at his post with the greatest bravery and determination until wounded a second time. He also performed gallant work in rescuing wounded men under heavy tire. ■

Gunner J. Rankin. 2-1252, 4th (Howitzer) Battery. X.Z.F.A. —For conspicuous gallantry on lith August, 1915, near Lone Pine. Whilst his battery was bombaiding tin; position the telephone lino was cut. Gunner Rankin vein cut voMmtari'y under heavy and continuous fire and* laid another wire over the broken section, enabling tbc Rattalion Commander to resume con-

t-rol within half an hour of the communication being broken, thus materially assisting our fire effcct. His bravery and good work luive been consistently shown since the landing on L'jth April. Lance-Corporal H. D. Skinner, S--1837. Otago Battalion.—For conspicuous gallantry on 9th August. 1915. on the Ga]liix>lj Peninsula, when he was entrusted with an important message, which had to be conveyed under a very heavy and continuous lire. Although seriously wounded, he managed, with great difficulty and suffering, to successfully deliver it. Hii bravery and devotion to duty were most marked. Bombardier J. P. Thompson.. 2-140, 2nd Battery. N.Z.F.A. —For conspicuous gallantry and ability from the Bth to the 12th August, li'lo, at Chailak Dere. At one time three guns of the battely were out of action through being hit bv bullets, breakages or other damage. Bombardier Thompson, assisted by another man. managed to geo them all in action and to keep tliom going. To effect this lie had. on more than one occasion, to strip and repair the guns while tinder heavy lire. His coolness and bravery were most marked, and his work highly valuable at a critical time. Sapper K. Watson. -l-100, Field I roop .N.Z. Engineers. — For conspicuous braverv on the night of oth-7th August. 1915. at Chailak Dere. when he assisted in the demolition of wire entanglements under very severe firoAlthough wounded himself he refused help and went out to rescue an officer who was wounded, and whom lie safely assisted into cover. His bravery and devotion to duty were most marked.