VICTORIA CROSS CENTENARY

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27917, 14 March 1956, Page 12

VICTORIA CROSS CENTENARY

JUNE CELEBRATIONS IN LONDON AIR TRANSPORT FOR N.Z. RECIPIENTS (New Zealand Press Association) INVERCARGILL, March 13. The Government will make available a Royal New Zealand Air Force Hastings to fly New Zealand winners of the Victoria Cross and their wives to London to take part in the celebrations of the centenary of the Commonwealth’s highest award for valour. The London celebrations will be held in June, and the Queen has invited winners of the Victoria Cross from ali parts of the Commonwealth to be present. Where winners do not wish to travel by air. the Government will assist with sea passages, and it is also making grants to cover expenses in London. Arrangements are being, made to make it possible for Mrs Maraea Ngarimu, mother of the only Maori V.C. winner, to whom the award was made posthumously, to be present at the celebrations. The Government’s plans to help were announced today by the Prime Minister (Mr Holland). He said the Department of Internal Affairs had already communicated with New Zealand’s 12 living recipients of the Victoria Cross. “The Government is anxious that there shall be the fullest possible New Zealand representation at this gathering of the bravest of the brave of the Commonwealth,” Mr Holland said. “Her Majesty the Queen is taking a special interest in the centenary, and has consented to review holders of the Victoria Cross in Hyde Park on June 26. which will be 99 years after the first presentations by Queen Victoria in 1857. The award was instituted by Royal Warrant on January 29, 1856. “Other important functions during the celebrations,” said Mr Holland, “will be a service in Westminster Abbey on June 25 and a garden party to be given by the United Kingdom Government at Marlborough House on June 26. The Queen and the Queen Mother will honour this gathering by attending.” Living New Zealand recipients of the V.C. are: Brigadier L. W. Andrew. D. 5.0.. Wellington: Lieutenant C. R. G. Bassett. Auckland: Private James Crichton. Auckland: Second-Lieutenant T. G. Grant. Auckland; Second-Lieu-tenant H. J. Laurent. Hawera; SecondLieutenant R. S. Judson. D.C.M., M.M.. Auckland: Second-Lieutenant S. Frickleton. Wellington; Sergeant tne Rev. Keith Elliott. Ashhurst; Sergeant A. C. Hulme. Te Puke; Sergeant J.- D. Hinton. Greymouth; Squadron Leader 1.. H. Trent, D.F.C.. of the Royal Air Force, England: and Captain C. H. Upham, V.C. and bar. of Hundalee.