AWARDS AND DECORATIONS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16213, 16 May 1918, Page 8

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS.

NEW ZEALAXDERS HONOURED

(FROM our own correspondent.)

LONDON", March 8

The Distinguished Conduct Medal has been awarded to the following New ; Zealanders:—

2-6-57 B.S.M. A. liailey, X.Z.F.A., for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. \\ hilo leading a largo convoy of pack animals Up to the battery position, he came under heavy sneil ;ire. He showeu great coolness in a most diflk-uit situation, and got his conv-oy forward with very few casualties. He set an excellent example of determination and contemnt of danger." 20-733 Sergeant A. Iv. C'oley, R. 8., for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He commanded a platoon in the attack with the greatest courage and skill. Finding that there was a gap in the attacking line ho at once got his men into position to fill it, and collected stray men from other units to strengthen his party. Ho led his men forward and captured an enemy strong point with four machine-guns, and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy." 12-331 Sergeant G. Fisher, jVL.G.C., for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When his officer was killed during the advance he took over command of a battery of machine-guns, personally reconnoitring the positions under heavy shell fire, and moving the guns forward into action. Ho displayed great initiative, coolness, and resource under heavy fire, and by his capablc leadership kept his guns'in i.ction, and set a splendid example to his men." 24-942 S.M. R. W. Haddow, R. 8., for "conspicuous gallantly and devotion to duty when in charge of a Torward dump during an action. When the officer in charge of the carrying party and most of his men became casualties ho collected men and kept the party going, jlhd did excellent work for .tiiree days in seeing to the requirements of the battalion, being most of I the time under heavy shell fire. It was by his personal example of leadership and contempt of danger that supplies were got up to the front line." 12-2001 C.S.M. T. Kenna, Engineers, for "conspicuous gallantry and devoOI ? 'o duty. Though the enemy was shelling heavily with gas and H. E. shells, he volunteered to get forward a light railway train of ammunition to a battery which was in urgent need of it. The train was derailed several times, hut ho made two journeys to the battery with ammunition, though he was suffering from tho effects of' gas'. Jt was rwing. to iiis personal cxample that the work was accomplisii-

23-1 OSS Private J L. Iveogh, R. 8., for conspicuous galluntry and devorpi° n duty as stretcher-bearer, ihrougiiout the wholo operations he cai ned on his -work with tireless energy and with utter disregard for personal safety. He continually went into No Man s Land under heavy machine-gun tire, and carried wounded men in. His devotion to cuty was the means of ing many lives.'-

4-1.709 Lance-Corporal W. G. F. Pmkhani, M.M., Engineers, for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in an attack. All the forward signal party were casualties except himself, but he wont forward alone, and, finding the battalion commanders together, at once laid out a line to them, working with groat coolness on an open slope swept by machine-gun fire. He then brought in his officer, who was woundedj and continued the maintcn°f the line. Ho showed the greatest gallantry in the execution of his duty on this and many other occasions." 25-71 C.S.M. F, V. II Sheppard, K.U., for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When all his company officers had become casualties during an attack, he led the company forivord and assisted in consolidating the captured position under heavy machinegun .and rifle fire. His coolness and determination were an excellent example to his men."

20-<39 C.S.M. C. A. Spriggs, J1.8., for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. By his personal examplo and disregard of danger ho inspired his platoon at a critical time in the attack. In the consolidation under heavy ma-chine-gun fire his cheerfulness and courage spurred on the men with him, arid it-was mainly owing to his efforts that the work was completed."

l'w-257 S.M. TV. S. Stichbury, Auckland liegiment, for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He organised ration, store, and water parties and guides for _ his battalion. He handled them with great success, and by his energy and determination in the face of great difficulties inspired all his men to bear the strain cheerfully. He has at all times done excellent work." „ 2-243 Sergeant J. X M. Stringer, is.Z.F.A., for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. "The battery was subjected/to very heavy fire and a bivouac was blown in. He at once went to tho spot, extricated a wounded man, and got him clear. Twice later the same thing occurred, and he again displayed the greatest courage and selfsacrifice in getting the wounded out."

24-1323 C.S.M. J. W. Yovle, M.M., R. 8., for "conspicuous gallantry ana devotion to duty. Part of the battalion was held up by an enemy strong point soon after the attack started.

He worked on to a fMnk alone and captured an enemy machine-gun \na two prisoners. His prompt and courageous action enabled the advance toproceed." BAR TO M.C. March 19. Last October ifc was announced that a bar to the Military Ciobs had been awarded to Captain Noel J. H. Gavin, JI.A.M.C. (Wellington), and to Captain Clive F. Coliett, R.F.C., but no particulars • were then given. Both officers have since been killed, and further informatioii is now available. In the case of Captain Hay the bar was awarded for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. "Ho workad unceasingly for many hours at night dressing the wounded. When the medical officer sent to assist him was killed and the aid post was wrecked by shell fire, he continued his work of tending the wounded in the trenches and the op-en until relieved, although slightly wounded. He carried out his duties regardless of personal danger." j Captain Coliett was awarded the bar for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty "in leading offensive patrols against enemy aircraft. Within a period of three weeks he successfully engaged and destroyed five enemy machines (three of them in one day), attacking them from low altitudes with the greatest dash and determination. His brilliant example was a continual source 6f inspiration to the squadron in which he served." I Second-Lieutenant K. It. Park M C ' R.F.A., and 11. F.C. (son of Professor : Park, Dunedm), has been awarded a bar to his Military Cross "for cou- ! spicuous gallantry and devotion 10 duty in accounting for nine eziemv aircraft, three of which were completely destroyed and six driven down out of control." MILITARY CROSS. Lieutenant Duncan Bain Murcliison Mounted Rifles (N.Z.E.F.), was deco-1 rated for conspicuous gallantry and : devotion to duty "in reconnoitring a ' hostile redoubt. There were about eighty of the enemy patrolling -round I the redoubt, but he made a complete reconnaissance and brought back very < valuable information. At one time a i patrol of thirteen of the enemy appeared twenty yards away , on one flam;, ■ and another of similar stren<*th 12 yards away on the other flank"' but by t good leadership and able control of Jus 1 men he succeeded in evading them i and completed his work unknown to 1

the enemy. _He fallowed great darini and resource." Tiie 31.C. was bestowed upon Cap tain Peter MacCallum. R.A.M.C., fo conspicuous gallantry and devotion t-i duty. "He was fn charge 0 f Un evacuation of tlie wounded from an ad vaneed position, and worked in tin open under very heavy fire for ,fou] successive days and nights, organisinc stretcher squads and directing the re in oval of the wounded. He was th< means of finding several severeh wounded men lying in shell-holes nc bringing them to safety under heavj fire. His splendid example and utte'i disregard of danger were largely re sponsible for the success of the evacua tion." Captain Donald K. R.A.M.C. (formerly of Wellington) displayed conspicuous gallantry and de votion to duty when "during the 7( hours the battalion was in the line h< displayed great courage and fearless ness, dealing -with a large number ol wounded without assistance when nl his orderlies had become casualties, anc his stores had been destroyed by shel fire." Second-Lieutennnfc A. C. Temple Perkins, R.G.A.. attd. R.F.C., showed conspicuous gallantry and devotion tc duty, for "the machine in which he was an "observer came into collision with another when he was at a height ol 4000 ft, and had its right-hand botton" plane so badly damaged that it got intc a spinning nose drive. Seeing this he immediately climbed to the outer ba\ of the left-hand plane, and by hi< «2ight t>ere enabled his oilot to rigt' his machine, and to land without further damage."

Second-Lieutenant James Hannay, attd. K.1t.11.C., has been awarded the Military Cross for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He commanded his company for five days in the line, leading them in the assault though he was. wounded, and encouraging them by his example and courage. He held a most difficult position, alid showed great determination in -■■oiitinuallv harassing the enemy with Lewis gun and rifle fire." DISTINGUISHED SERVICE I ORDER.

March 21. Last October Major G. D. Henderson, M.C., Royal West Kent Regiment (son of Mr A. D. Henderson, Christchurch), was awarded tJie D.S.O. At tho time no particulars were given, but these are since available. The distinction was conferred upon Major Henderson. who "in an attack,' when his commanding officer was wounded soo<i after the advance started, took command of the battalion and directed 'he operations with marked ability and resource. When the enemy counterattacked he rallied his men, regained the position, and saved a critical situation. He was largely responsible for the success of the attack, and set tt splendid example of coolness and resource in the face of great difficulties."