AWARD OF O.B.E.

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23219, 4 January 1941, Page 6

AWARD OF 0.8. E.

MAJOR W. SMITH, OF RANGIORA Major W. Smith, of Rangiora, who received the Order of the British Empire in the New Year Honours, is quartermaster of the Ist Battalion, Canterbury Regiment. He saw service with the regiment im France, Belgium, and Germany during the Great War with the rank of sergeant, and was commissioned second lieutenant on his return, being in charge of the Rangiora platoon for the next four years. On his appointment as quartermaster he handed over command of the platoon to Second-Lieutenant (now Lieutenant-Colonel) H. K. Kippenberger. In 1935 Major Smith received the Jubilee Medal, and was recently awarded the Efficiency Decoration, in recognition of 20 years’ efficient service in the New Zealand Forces. Major Smith volunteered on the outbreak of the • war, and was quartermaster at Burnham on mobilisation. He has acted as quartermaster at various camps and courses, and for some months has been in charge of supplies at Addington. In civilian life, Major Smith is in business at Rangiora as a grocer. Before the war he was for about 10 years drum-major of the Rangiora Brass Band. A keen golfer, he was formerly president of the Rangiora Golf Club.