SOME GOOD RECORDS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16210, 13 May 1918, Page 4

SOME GOOD RECORDS.

OFFICERS RETURNED FROM THE FRONT.

The 526 invalided and wounded New Zealand soldiers who arrived at Auckland a few days ago were under the command of Lieut.-Colonel R. C. Allen, D.5.0., of Morrinsville, who left New Zealand as major in charge of tho Ninth Reinforcements. In Egypt he was given the command of the 6th Haurakis. Ist Auckland .Battalion, and he became second in command of tho battalion ' when in France. When Colonel Plugge was appointed Director ot Physical Training, Lieut.-Colonel Allen took over the command of the battalion. Ho was wounded late on the first day of tho Messines attack when inspecting the new positions. The D.S.O. was awarded to him for his skilful organisation in this attack. Major F. G. Hume, R.N.Z.A., who was among the returned officers, was a captain with the Main Body. He was appointed major on Gallipoli, and was in France for fourteen months. He has returned on special duty. He is a son of the late Colonel Arthur Hume, of Wellington. The Jtcv. Clement Houchen, M.C., Chaplain to the Forces, was formerly vicar at Te Kuiti. He left with the Main Body of the Rifle Brigade, and was awarded the Military Cross tor distinguished service in the Somine battle. He was wounded at Passciiendaele, losing an eye. His fellowollicers who saw him at. work in the field pay a very enthusiastic tribute to the bravery displayed by the padre, especially when he was engaged in burying the dead in the vicinity of Flers.

Captain M. J. Lyons, of Devonport, left with the Main Body as a ser-geant-major in the New Zealand Field Artillery. He was wounded at Gallipoli, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. He gained his captaincy in France, where he served for twenty months. Captain Lyons, who also saw service in South Africa, has returned on duty furlough. Captain E. F. H. Knowles left "with the Main Boify Artillefry. He received his commission on Gallipoli, where he was wounded. He was wounded a second time in France, where no was promoted captain. He has not returned on duty. Lieutenant W. F. Brothers, of Ngongotaha R'otorna, left as a private with the Main Body. He was wounded at Gallipoli, whero ho was in the Machine Gun Section. He received a comrnission in France, and has seen | service at Armentieres, Messines (where he was -wounded), and Passchendaele, where he was again ■wounded. Ho was awarded the Miiitarv Medal for bravery while serving on GallipolL Lieutenant F. W. Comer was a member of the Second South Canterbury and Timaru Regiment with the Seventh Reinforcements. He left New Zealand in the ranks, and was promoted after the battle of the Somme. ■ He was wounded flt Passcheridaele, where he was acting as signal officer. Lieutenant RichanJ J. Kemp was with the Ist Wellington Battalion of the Main Boody. He was wounded on Gallipoli and at the Somme. He was sergeant bomb instructor when he gained his commission in France, afterwards joining the Pioneer Battalion. He was wounded last October in Flanders.

Second-Lieutenant A. McClenrian, D.C.M., left Auckland with tlie Ninth Reinforcements. He gained his decoration for bravery in command of a bombing squad who shifted some Germans from a sheltered position. He was one of a number of men who went to Cambridge in August last to sit for commissions. He was through the battle of the Somme.

Second-Lieutenant John Couling, who was with the Ist Canterbury liesiiment, was awarded the Military Medal for good work at Messines'. Ho was with the original Samoan Forces, and returned to New Zealand to rc-enlist with the Fourth Reinforcements. He Baw service on Gallipoli, where he was wounded, and in Franco at the. Somma and Messines. He gained his commission at Cambridge in August. Second-Lieutenant W. Iredale left New Zealand as a corporal with the Ist Canterbury Battalion of the 3rd Reinforcements. He was .right througu the Gallipoli campaign, and was wounded in France on July 16th, but remained with his unit. He sat for nis commission at Cambridge, and has returned on duty. Second-Lieutenant W. "\V. Horwell was in the ranks of- the Main Body Medical Corps when he left New Zenland. Ho saw service at Gallipoli, and was awarded the Military Medal in France, afterwards going to Cambridge for his commission. He has returned on duty.