THE MILITARY CROSS

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15751, 18 November 1916, Page 5

THE MILITARY CROSS

AWARDED TO A NEW ZEALAND CHAPLAIN. News has. been r<fftived that the Military Cross has been awarded to the llev. Clement Houchen, vicar of To Kuiti, who is now chaplain to the Forces. Ho left New Zealand in October of last year with the First Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade. Ho saw some service in Egypt, and arrived in Franco in April last. Since then lie appears to have rpent practically the whole of his timo with his battalion, going with them into the front trenches and into reserve as the case might be. Writing on September 1-1 th, the day before the big advance, he stated that be was in the trenches behind a wood, near the front of tho New Zealand position, and added that there would be plenty of news for the people of New Zealand before the nest three or four days were over. M r Houchen is a native of Cornwall, being the fifth and youngest son of tho Rev. Edward Houchen. He camo to New Zealand as a small boy, and was brought up at Takapuna. He was ordained ten years ago, and after being for some time curate of St. Peter's, Hamilton, was given charge of homo mission work in the Taranaki backblocks, with headquarters at Inglcwood. About fifteen months before hiu enlistment ho was appointed vicar of To Kuiti, and was given leave of absence by the Bishop, receiving a handsome presentation from the townsfolk when he departed for camp. He was formerly chaplain to the 16th (Vv aikato) Regiment, tind was extremely popular with all ranks, particularly on account of his ability in organising entertainments for tho men at the annual camprf. He is 39 years of age.