THE "OLD CONTEMPTIBLES"

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20988, 17 October 1933, Page 13

THE "OLD CONTEMPTIBLES"

l £. j r.KAM'H OP ASSOCIATION IX ' NEW ZEALAND j it is possible that not very many are aware of the existence in New Zealand of the "Old Contemptibles" Association, a branch of a similar body in England. A resident of Christchurch, himself one of the "old contemptibles," told a representative of "The Press" how, on a recent visit to Auckland, he got in touch with the i organisation.

Travelling on a ferry steamer one day he noticed a man wearing the Mons Star, a decoration which was issued only to the troops actually in the area of hostilities in the fateful early days of August, 1914, in France. He spoke with the man, who told him of the existence in Auckland of the New Zealand branch of the Old Contemptibles Association, and intimately the visitor from Christchurch communicated with the president of the association, Captain Dawson, and attended a social function of the branch. He himself was admitted to membership, making the total on that date 21 for the Dominion. The badge of membership, in addition to the name of the association, bears the dates: "August 5 to November 22, 1914." Only those to whom was issued the Mons Star and bar to the medal are etfgibie for membership, and this decoration was issued only to troops who were actually in the area of hostilities, and not to those on lines of communication or at base. Consequently, it is highly prized by those who possess it. All the members of the association, the 1 Christchurch visitor was told, arc in - good jobs. Captain Dawson, president of the branch, holds a responsible position in the Auckland Savings Bank, and he told the visitor from the south that if there are any "old contemptibles" in Christchurch he would be pleased to hear from them.