AWARDS AND DECORATIONS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16362, 6 November 1918, Page 5

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS.

• » r— iGALLAKT MJW ZEALAND EES. (FBOH OITR OWJ* COBBESPONDEKX.) LUN.UOiN, September 16. Details oi many yuiiaifi deeds are to be found in tuo latest oiucittl Vvur c/wco publications. 'inc- itst luuiuat'a trie namus *>f many IN ow BAt* J.V JUlUliAlii CROSS. Some m... w nriM x mentioned that ■UieUu.-uuiOuei Cu £'. HUnipUi.tjS, A 1.0., ,U.1*..iU.., U.<u.U.L. (WHO fIU3 b.IICO OcQQ Killed in actionj, w«ia iiViuiuea u .our 10 ius ju..v>. li la owcisuy utuvca mat wncn Lao ieii company 01 ius Uiittuuon wtw loicea 10 Wiiuar<iw uiiaer superior weignt ol numbers i/Oioucl wuo was With tho next company, luruieu a ueienaive HuaK, aud caused such Heavy lira to bo biougiu on tne enemy tnat tne uitacit was abandoned ami the une was ro-esiuD.iauca. jsy nis personal influence no savea a very critioJl auuttuun. Captain -ti. is. Jardiue, JM.C., H.AJU.C. (Napier), has »atcly been awarued a .tsar to his decoiat.on. 'inuugn his dressing station was blown up by ejieii lire ho - sieauiiy continued Jus work ■ at anotner place, wmch was again shelled. He ga.iantiy made several journeys to the regimental aid post under extremeiy heavy lire and located and disposed ot al. casualties collected there, "llis zeal, courago, aud untiriug energy were beyond all praise. ' Captain oaramo has served continuously at the iront since the beginning of the war, lor a considerable time with fieid ambulances. Lieutenant Magnus E. Johnson, M.C., Auckland Mounted Kiflo Regiment, was in charge of the advanced guard, and cama suddenly on a post of nineteen enemy infantrymen when his regiment had crossed the river and a squadron was sent forward to attempt a surprise attack. Calling to his troop to follow him, he galloped straight at the enemy and, in spite ot determined resistance, captured, the whole postl Under, continuous shell 'lire Lieutenant John C. Maclean, M.C., N.Z.E., assisted the R.A.M.C. at their advanced posts in bringing wounded to the light railway trains. By bis courage and determination he maintained the train service' to the most forward points, and eo rendered invaluable aid to ambulance units. Lieutenant John M. Campbell McLeod, Canterbury Regiment, was in charge of company when the enemy attack on the right had been successful, and he moved into switch line to form a defensive flank. He engaged the enemy wiih Lewis-gun fcnd rifle fire, and drove them back. Later the whole line was heavily bombarded, and the situation became obscure, no one knowing where tho troops on the right were. He walked over what was then "No Man's Land," and, after a lengthy search found their left post, _ and visited the unit commander, all the time being under direct fire from ma-chine-guns and rifles. After n heavy preliminary bombardment, (he enemy advanced to deliver a serious attack, when Captain Kendall R. J. Saxon, M.C., N. 14.11.8., who was in command of his company on' the right flank, grasping the situation with prompt initiative, pushed forward and forestalled the enemy, breaking up the attack before it fell upon the advanced • posts. The ability and Tapiditj with which the plan was conceived and suc- [ cessfully accomplished , were most -marked, and during the wholo operation Captain Saxon showed a very fino example of courage and coolness to his men, personally supervising under heavy fire all the dispositions necessary. MILITARY CROSS. Lieutenant a. IN. uaigg, itjj'.A., who lately received tho iUi.itary Ciuds, is the sou of Mr J. V. IN. (irigg, of On one occasion when jus battery waa in action, Heavy and .accurate shea nre from the enemy made it necessary to order the detaenmonts to take cover to a flank. A sudden argent signal for the support of- artillery fire was received, and this oflicer .and another . with prompt gallantry ran to the guns, and each Kept one in action till the detachments, realising the situation, came to- their assistance. The fine example of these oiiiccrs enabled the support called for by the infantry to be brought to bear much sooner than would otherwise have been possib.o. Lieutenant Francis F. Newman, ILF.A. (son of Dr. Newman, of Wellington), ia a recent recipient o! the Military Cross, reconnaissances were of great value to the brigade. He continually Kept in touch with the enemy and reported the disposition of our own troops. When in command of a section of guna-, left behind to cover a withdrawal he engaged the enemy till they were within 300 yards, firing over open sights. Captain G. Geoffrey Sale, R.E. (son of Professor G. S. bale, late of Dunedin), received the Military Cross last May, but ar the time no details were_ available. It seems that Captain tale was ia charge of a party detailed to blow craters in a main road. Though the time at his disposal was short, and material- scarce, he successfully blew three craters in the road, which so doubt much delayed the enemy. He showed great resource in surmounting difficulties, and remained behind to the *ast moment. Lieutenant Ernest R. Black, Mounted Rifles, skilfully led a small patrol by night through the enemy's outpost. line. Although several times fixed on by the outpoets, he

carried out his mission and gained valuable information. When the enemy made a determined assault and drove our men from their position, Lieutenant Arthur G. 11. Crawford,' 1.C.C., rallied the men, and with great courage ami daring led them back to the attack. All day, till wounded, he directed the fire o£ hia machine-gun seetion, continually visiting different parts of the-firing line under heavy shell, rifle, and machine-gun fire. After the first trench was taken, SecondLieutenant Percy G. Doherty, Mounted Rifles, j rallied his men to meet a counter-attack, which waa ..repulsed. The enemy then began " another counter-attack, and although slight.y : wounded, he led his men forward under very' heavy riflo and machine-gun fire, and drove the enemy back a second lime. When the enemy in superior force attacked the lino held by the battalion, tho company ' officer was killed. Lieutenunt (T.-Capt.) Hobert J. Grant, N.Z.R.8., at once went forward to the advanced posts an<T took over ' the duty, going from post to post cheering and reorganising the garrisons and checking ' the enemy advance. At one point, when a ' determined attempt was made to force a sap, ' he led a bombing party and forced the enemy !. back. Second-Lieutenant Norman K. Harper, Can-1 I terbury Reg.mcnt, showed great piomptitude anu SKUI in filling a gup in the line and organising ttio new line uinL. severely wounded in ttie head. ilia courage and loadership inspired his men, and materially contributed to the success of the operation. Second-Lieutenant Clancy jaarris, N.Z., M.U.C., rusued ht3 own and two captured guna into a forward position and completely cirovQ off an enemy counter-attack, inflicting severo losses on them when they wero retiring. By his resource and initiative in getting all four guns into action with only a few men, a breakage in our lino was averted. | During an intense bombardment of many ! hours Lieutenant Alfred S. Herbert, Mounted . Kiiies, time after time, left his trench to reorganise strong posts and machine-gun posts which had been knocked out. He also dressed and brought in many wounded, carrying on a.most without cessation for fortyeight hours, and setting a fine example. | Captain Harry W. Kenneay, was' second in command of the centre company . in the line oi advanced posts when the preI liminary bombardment commenced. Anticipating an attack he went from post to poat, seeing that all were prepared. This work entailed great personal danger, and his example influenced the men all along the line. At each post he took part in tho ; work of the garrison, with rifle, Lewis-gun, or bomb, and at once he led a bombing party forward, encountering an enemy rush. Lieutenant (T.-Capt.) James R. R. Leys. Otago Regiment, led his party forward and captured a machine-gun, which was causing' heavy casualties, kLling five of the enemy T-with his revolver. He showed fine courage and determination. tieboiiu-jj.euienant Murdo Macdonald, lea a rnient raid against an enemy post, but was lieiu up - by muenfne-gun tire, and haa. to witlidiaw. irio then made a fine personal reconnaissance, reoigauioea ilia pariy, and wnu gieat skill and determination agiuu led uiem lorward, rustling the post and capturing prisoners and two macrnneguns. a econd-Lieu tenant Henry T. Marshall, wiien the front line was being pusned forward on to the high ground, found mat the advance waa held up by an onemy machine-gun .strong post. He immediate.; distributed hiß men, and, attacking very skiifuiiy, drove out the enemy with loss and captured, the machine-gun. The weather was very bad and the ground very heavy, but Ilia coolness and determination encouraged his men to overcome their fatigue and press on. During-two days' hard fighting, when the medical officer had become a casualty, early on the morning of the first day, the Rev. Matthew Mu.lineux, N.Z. Chaplains' Department, took charge of the regimental aid post, dressed the wounded, .and superintended their evacuation. The post was subjected to very heavy high explosive and gas shell fire for twelve hours, and but for his skill and excellent dispositions, serious congestion would have occurred. His untiring energy and cheerful service in providing comfort for the troops under most adverse circumstances were of the greatest value to all ranks of the battalion. _ When the enemy attacked in force the section occupied by Second-Lieutenant James A. McL. Roy's (N.Z.R.8.) platoon found % salient of advanced posts on which the brunt of the attack fell. ■ He went from post te post, cheering and steadying the garrisons, and setting such a fine example that the enemy waa completely held up by his platoon. When the enemy tried to push up to tho posts through an old communication trench, he met them with bombers, and inflicting a great number of casualties. During an enemy attack the Rev. Clarence B. W Seton, N.Z. Chaplains' Department, volunteered to assist the medical officer wita the wounded. The bombardment was fo intense that the aid post, which was in the open, had to be moved five times. He continued untiring in his assistance to _ the medical officer in cheering and alleviating the Bufferings of the wounded. When the stream of casualties began to decrease he went forward to the front line, visiting the . men, distributing comforts, and cheering them by his presence and fearless conduct. Lieutenant Maurice A. Stedman'a (N.Z.R.8.) platoon had suffered casualties 1 from a. preliminary bombardment, and he chcered and reorganised the men by going ' from post to post regardless of danger. When the infantry attack developed, he led forward a bombing party far in advaucc of the lias :

5 in an endeavour ' to break it, and though . pushed back he delayed it. Later, when the - enemy got round behind, ho led out a rifle ■ section' into tho open and made his position , sccure. } BAR TO DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT 1 MEDAL. B.S.M. J. J. Riddett, D.C.M., N.Z.FIA., r 2-181, has been awarded a Bar to his medal. "When tho battery position was too heavi.y . Bhelled ior occupation Riddett was of great assistance in bringing up tho teams and re- ' moving tho guns to a safer place. With [ tho help of a n.c.o. and one man he.limbered up tho six guus in turn, under heavy shell p -fira.fi , Ridaett' received the D.C.M. ln De- ( cember, 1916. ■ DIS'JL'INU UIriHED CONDUCT MEDAL [ AND BAB. r Tho same supplement of the London 1 "Gazette mentions tho dual bestowal upon ■ Sergeant R. McMurray, Rifle Brigade, 39081, ' of the D.C.M. and Bar. He gaihed the for- ; mer by pushing out along a sap held by the ; enemy and ascertained the position of two . enemy posts on the immediate front, enabling . them to bo takon. 'J. he next day_ lie showed great initiative and fearlessness in scouring fresh ground, bombing suspicious dug-outs, ■ I and general.y helping to locate the enemy, i The Bar has ■ now been added for commanding his men with great courage and ability . and personally killing the oflicer while ho . was in charge of - an advanced platoon post . under hurricane enemy bombardment, on which occasion he commanded his men with great courage and ability and set them a line example. DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL. Quite recently Q.S.M. M. T. Ryan, the Liverpool Regiment ciuornhiil, Jo.«iuufanui, Otago;, was awarded the D.'C.M. Imormation just to hand tells that while Byun was acting as C.S.M. the officer who commanded two platoons in the front line was kiLed, and Ryan took command of them, pusauig tlirough a heavy barrage of shells-and ma-chine-gun fire to get there. The enemy' attacked in great strength, but the New Zcalander, by his splendid example and 000 - I ness in directing the fire under extremely ! heavy hostilo shelling, was responsible for holding up for a time the attack though very hard pressed, both in front and on the flank. Ho was wounded, but remained at his: post until ordered to withdraw, which he did in good order. His conduct throughout was beyond praise. Formerly a corporal in tho Otago Hussars, Q.M.S. Ryan came ] to England in 1918, hoping to enlist iu a cavalry regiment, but he was too tall and he joined the Bth King's Liverpools. He crossed to France on August 11th, 1914, and was probably the first New Zealander in a British regiment to be wounded in the prc- . sent war. When sufficiency recovered from his wounda he was appointed at the School of. Mnsketry, Altcar, Liverpool. .uioTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL (N.Z.E.F.) When in charg6 of a reserve dump 13-87 S.S.m.. A. G. iinaeraon, A.S.C., remained en- . deavouring to evacuate supplies under heavy lire until the enemy were within 600 yoras, wnen no set fire to tne remaining supplies and retired on foot alter tne imanlry hud passed. Corporal G. H. Battcrsby, M.G.C., so skilfully handled his machine-gun, regardless ot the heavy lire he waa under, as to inflict he&vy losses on the enemy, at 1000 yards range, tnen massing for attack. Later iie accounted for five enemy machine-guns which at' imp ted to come into action on his immedia e front, and his contempt of danger waa most marked throughout the day. 12-3257 Lance-Corporal W. G. Bowers, M.M., Rifle Brigade, pushed forward alone to iocate two enemy wounded in a sap. He came across a party of twelve of the enemy, captured two, and dispersed the remainder. . Hiß single-handed performance was a great example to his men. 10207 Corporal A. Bradley, Wellington Regiment, led his section with superb da&li against a strong enemy post. a bomb blew his foot off, but ho continued to urge his men on, and then crawled back unassisted to his lines. He encountered two of the enemy on his way back, and shot them. He did splendid service. During a period of heavy bombardment, when the line had been continuously shelled . for forty-eight hours, 0-123 Sqdn. S.M. -E. ' Cameron, Otago Mounted Squadron, Bbowea a fine and very valuable example of fearless disregard for personal safety. Hardly ever under cover, he was continually moving up and down the line, helping the men to improve their positions and attending to tho wounded. Hia galiant behaviour inspired tho men with great confidence, and he was undoubtedly tho means of saving many casualties. When 13313 Trooper J. P. Clark's (Rifle Brigade) squadron had charged and captured two enemy machine-guns, it came heavy fire from two field pieces at about 1000 yards range He carried one of the captured guns to a ridge, and, in spite ol being under direct artillery and machinegun fire, mounted it and opened fire on the gvrncrs, driving them away from their guns. While platoon sergeant of a platoon that had been cut eff, 22238 Sergeant M. J. Forde, Wellington Regiment, took four men, and, by Bkilful placing and control cf fire, stopped the enemy's advancc. He then advancco against them, drove them back, and took one officer and forty-two men prisoners.. His was a Vfery fine example of initiative mi daring. . After assuming command of a platoon, 38526 Sergeant £*. A. Gaaell, Rifle Brigade, reorganised men under heavy fire, presses

his attack home, and helped to capture in enemy strong position. _ He sent back useful information to adjoining troops, and generally displayed initiative and good leadership. 13-2580 Sergeant A. G. Hooper, Imperial Ct mel Corps had charge of the telephone lines running from battalion to the firing line, and aeveral times during cue equations the lines • were cut or biokcrt. Kiich time ho went forward under bea.vy shell and machine-gun lire, and suocesstully repaired them, eo that telephone commumcalior- was maintained throughout the action.

As Na 1 oI i machine-gun, 17093 LanccCorporal M. T. McGregor, iI.G.C., kept me guu it: : u until tho last moment against a. ilctiMuncd enemy attack, inflicting particularly litivy losses, when ho was fl uot through the chest at close quarters, and mi gun overwhelmed' by numljjsrs, but later recapturcd by tho spare men of the team and Bomo iniautry. His coo.ness and courage greatly assisted to break up the enemy's attack, whilst his gallantry was an inspiration to all ranks.*

24351 C.S.M. D. M. G. Mackay, Canterbury Regiment, was one of a party engaged in dis.odging a machine-gun which waa causing our troops casualties from a commanding position. Tne party worked round and attacked the machine-gun post. Mackay shot two of the enemy and tho post was rushed; also two prisoners and the gun captured. All through the operations, too, he rendered valuable assistance to his company commander, and set a splendid example of coolness and dash to all tho men of his company.

Vvune on patrol with his troop a squadron of hostile cavairy was suddenly encountered, and in tho fignt which eusucd tno oiucer leading tho troop was killed. Sergeant o. a. .Mounted itillo .Brigade, at onco tooK charge and occupied a, position from which he brought rifle lire to Dear on tho squadron and it 10 n.g u ». He then completed his ' allotted task. "J hroughout the engagement, by his coolness ana u»s regard of personal risk, he . set a line example. me enemy were reported to be advancing a.ong the-road and 8-133 Sergeant (A.-C.S.M.) W. i'. Morriu, i1.i1., Entrenching Batiaii'jn, at once, on lus own initiative, brought his platoon across the road and organised' ita uefcnce. He showed great skill in handling his platoon, and his resource and courage inspired . his men with confidence. During a night attack, as our line approached- tlbo enemy's tronch, 132008 Trooper D. D. Nesbitt, Mounted Rifle Brigade, dashed ahead, calling to the others to follow him. He charged a machine-gun on his own and bayonetted the gunners. He then quickly turned the. gun round and fired on the retiring enemy. By this gallant piece of vork he saved his squadron many casualties.

While in charge of bearer squads 3-11 M Private T. W. Parsons, M.M., Medical Corps, showed great courage, carrying on his work of rescuing wounded, under very heavy fire, at all times 'and under most difficult conditions. He set a magnificent example to other bearers.

When. 8-1594 Sergeant (T.-C.S.M.) W. J. Pauling's (Entrenching Battalion) company took' over a line of detached posts exposed to. enemy . snipers and heavy- machine-gun fire, ho took chargo of the three leadiag platoons and successfully posted them under most difficult circumstances, his cheerfulness and courage setting a fine example to "aid men.

In the cbscnco of his troop leader, and though Wounded in the head early in the day, 7-264 Sergeant F. Robertson, Mounted Rifle Brigade, refused to leave the post, but remained throughout the action rallying and chesring his men. His fine example of courage, under, heavy shell fire and - most trying conditions, was worthy of the highest praise.

Tho enemy attacked a position held by the battalion of 13822 Lance-Corporal R. C. Shannon, Rifle Brigade. He was one of a Lewis-gun team and did splendid work until his gun was put out of action by shell fire. Though wounded in the hand, he immediately attached himself to a post guarding a sap, up which fully 100 of the enemy were pushing, and ran across the open from his trench «nd bombed the sap at close range. He killed the officer leading and two men and wounded five; the rest ran. "His nne display of-gallantry'and entire disregard ot danger greatly inspired all" While in charge of a Lewis-gun section in an advanced post, noticing a movement in front, 12234 Corporal S. W. Toms, Rifle Brigade, immediately jumped over the top ana ran to tho wire, where he found an enemy officer with ten men behind him. He shot the officer with his revolver and caused the rest to bolt under Lewis-gun fire. "His dash and gallantry on this and many other occasions had a most inspiring effect oa all ranks. '

When the enemy had penetrated a email portion of the line occupied by the battalion adjoining his battalion, G-3199 Lance-Corooral (T.-Cpi.) W. White, Canterbury rapidly organised a bombing party and worked along the trench and ejected the raiders, capturing nine prisoners. "Hia raptf grasp of the situation, combined with clever and gallant leadership, enabled the line to be restored."