WAR MISCELLANY

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16359, 2 November 1918, Page 7

WAR MISCELLANY

(rao*-ore ows correspoxdekt.) LONDON, September o

FLYING SURGEONS.

A squadron of surgical aeroplanes is in course of formati6n in Franco. Each machine, in addition to the pilot, will carry an army surgeon and X-ray operator, and a complete set of surgical and X-ray apparatus, including a folding aluminium tabic. Eicotric current for X-rays and for sterilising and so forth will he supplied by a dynamo. The. intention is not to perform operations during Sight, but to carry succour to badly wounded on any part of the battlefield. "WAR MEDAL FOR MERCHANT SEAMEN. The King has approved of a special medal being granted to masters,, officers, and seamen of the mercantile marine for services performed in the danger zone during the war. The medal will be issued at the end: of the war, and clasps will be awarded where conspicuous service has been rendered. It is understood that the medal has yet to be designed. The members of the mercantile marine are not eligible for any ordinary war medal granted to the combatant 'servicos, and the issue of a 1 special medal has been decided upon in order to recognise the exceptional services that they have rendered throughout the war. Sir Albert Stanley announced in Parliament on May loth that it had been decided to award a special torpedo-badge decoration to merchant officers and seamen who go to sea again after being once torpedoed. A STANDARD UNIFORM. His Majesty has also approved a standard uniform for the mercantile marine, and an Order-in-Oouncil on this subject will be issued shortly. . The style of uniform, is described as being generally on the lines of that of tho lioyal Navy, but caret has been taken to prevent any risk of confusion. Captain A. F. H. Young. R.N.R., presided over tho Advisory Committee appointed nearly eighteen months ago to make recommendations on the subject, -ina these were submitted to the Board of Trade in due course. The characteristic part of the design for the cap badge submitted was the naval crown —a design of great interest—containing tur-ret-like representations of a high poop of Tudor days, with its lamps, alternated with a representation of tho sails of the same period. This badge has hitherto been a naval emblem, reserved for the use of the Regular Naval Forces, although it is not the crown now worn bv them, which is of another design or TWtor origin. SON OF AN EX-NEW ZEALAND GOVERNOR. The name of Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Fergusson, Bart. ? K.C.8., appears very prominently, in a late despatch from Sir Doughs Haig in connexion will) rocent British successes. Sir Douirlay says: "English, Scottish,' and naval troops ot the 17th Corps, under command of Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Fergusson, Bart., K.C.8., K.C.M.G., M.V.0., D.5.0., performed no less a gallant and arduous task in storming the junction of the DrocourtQueant and Hindenburg tystems. 'These defences were of a most formidable character, but our troops swept over and around them, encircling Queant from the north, with the result that this important pivot fell into oar hands at nightfall." Sir Charles is the son of one-time Governor of New Zealand—Sir James Fergusson, M.P., who was killed in the Jamaica earthquake,' 1907. Sir Charles, has had a continuously successful military career. He joined tho Grenadier Guards in 1883, .and was transferred, to the Egyptian Army in 1896, serving with distinction through several campaigns with the 10th Soudanese Battalion, and was severely wounded at Rosaires. He was five times mentioned in despatches and won the D.S.O. From 1901 to 1903 he , was AdjuianWienerctl of the Egyptian Army. In 1907-8 he was Brigadier-General on the Irisli General Staff and in 1909 ho was appointed Inspector of. Infantry. In the present war he has been twice mentioned in despatches, and been awarded the K.C.B. He took the place of Sir J. M. Grierson, who died suddenly at the oponitig of the war. His wife, Lady Alice Fergusson, will always be popularly remembered' in New Zealand as Lady Alice Boyle, second daughter of the late Lcfrd Glasgow.

FOR AMERICAN TROOPS: The first consignment of an order for 1,100,000 cakes of chocolate foT the ns© of the Amorican'Red Cross in England has arrived at a British port. The chocolate is of a new type, being combined' ■with wheat, nuts, and raisins, to make a well-balanced ration. PREPARING' FOR CHRISTMAS. At the request of tlie Army Council, the Director-General of Voluntary Organisations is this year again making arrangements -with contractors for the supply of a sufficient quantity of pltim pudding for the purpose of issuing a ration or ilb to evory soldier serving with the British Force-in all theatres of. war, whether in the field or in hospitals overseas; puddings for the Mesopotamia Forco bsing' euppliodi through India. The Director-General Luis only been able to make the necessary arrangements with tho , assistance of the Food Controller arid the Sugar Commission:.. In view of the congestion of traffic and the necessity for economising transport, it will not be possible to grant facilities for the conveyance cf consignments of plum pudding, other than those referred to, and the Army Council hope thai the public will refrain from despatching such puddings to the abroad. The- whole expense will be borne by the Expeditionary Force* Canteen Funds. .