BATTLE HONOURS

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 69, 21 March 1918, Page 6

BATTLE HONOURS

NEW ZEALAND AWARDS

DETAILS OF GALLANTRY

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

LONDON, 11th. January.

Last September the names were published of a number of New Zealand officers who had been awarded decoration* for services in the war, but at the time no details were mentioned—nothing more than the names and the nature of the award conferred. Now fuller information is made public, and the names in which. New Zealanders will be specially interested, are:— • . •

Lieut.-Colonel Arthur Cscil Corfe, D.5.0., South African Defence Force, an Old Boy of Christ's—on whom a first bar. was bestowed in September, and a second bar shortly after. Herewith detaila o! th« first bar: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of his battalion. By the prompt and skilfuj measures which he took, on, encountering serious opposition, ha was able to attain his objective, and by his personal example and cheerfulness tho moral of his men was maintained during a very trying period, and under -most adverse weather conditions." LieutColonel Corfe is now with the Royal West Kent Regiment. ,

THE D.S.O. : Capt. Arthur Conir.gham, M.C., R.F.C. {Wellington, formerly of .the . N.Z.E.F.) : "For conspicuous gallantry , and devotion to duty. With three other pilots he attacked an enemy machine which, was protected by ten othera, shot it down, and destroyed another one the same evening. Shortly afterwards he and two others attacked five of the enemy, and, although wounded and rendered unconscious for the moment,' he succeeded in driving down two of the enemy. In spite of being much exhausted by loss of blood, he continued his patrol until he was sure that no more enemy machines were in the vicinity, setting a splendid example of pluck and determination."

Captain George Devine Treloar, Coldstream Guards : "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on two successive occasions.' He led his company across a canal under very heavy barrage, and, finding fhe only avaiable bridge was broken, he personally secured a mat from the original iine, laid it down for his company to 'cross, thereby saving great congestion and countless lives. Later, when the regiment'on his | left was held up by -machine-gun fire, he immediately grasped the situation, and pressed forward with another comEany, finally capturing the position. By is great presence oi mind and personal example of gallantry and cheerfulness he kept his company going under tha most adverse circumstances." BAR TO MILITARY CROSS. Lieutenant Richard Ernest Nowell Twopeny, Cavalry Special Reserve: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. His squadron leader and second in command having become casualties, he took command of the squadron, and led them, under heavy, ma-chine-gun fire, to their objective, which he held until relieved on the following day. He showed conspicuous gallantry and g^eat military ability in a very critical situation, his squadron having been caught by enemy machine-gun fire whilst still mounted." ._..-.

Captain Hugh Edgar M'Kinnon, M.C., N.Z. Infantry: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading, hie company and two platoons of another one in an attack upon, a village. After the position was won he inspired all ranks to a tenacious and successful defence for twenty-four hours in the face of repeated counter-attacks and heavy shelling, during which his personal enegry and fine leadership were most conspicuous."

MILITARY CROSS. Captain Clive Franklyn OollftH, R.F.C., Wellington: "For conEpicuoiiS gallantry and devotion to duty as a leader of offensive patrols during aperiod of three weeks. He has on numerous occasions attacked large formations of enemy aircraft single-handed, destroyed some, and driven others down out of control. He has led his formation with great skill, and has on several occasions extricated them from most difficult positions, and in every engagement his gallantry and dash have been most marked." Lieutenant Collett was awarded a Bar to his M.O. in.October. Captain • Thomas - Frederick Corkill, R.A.M.C., Wellington: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of a forward bearer party. He worked- continually for four days under heavy shell fire, evacuating the wounded and setting his men a magnificent example of courage and disregard of danger. He personally led parties beyond the advanced aid post to collect the wounded, and his great zeal and energy enabled him to overcome yer v - serious transport difficulties."

2nd.Lieutenant Oscar E. Gallic (Wellington), since killed, shortly after having received the D.S.O. and the M.C. at Buckingham Palace: He had been promoted captain. The London Gazette" states that 'the award is "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During hostile shelling of his battery position, an ammunition dump_ in a building was set on fire. This officer rushed in on his own initiative and dis-played-the greatest gallantry in stifling the flames. As some of the ammunition had already exploded, and ,the. remainder might have done so at any moment, his pluck and devotion to duty cannot be too highly praised." ■ 2nd ILieutenant L. P. Leary, R.F.A. (Palmerston North):. "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty' when advanced Intelligence Officer. Under heavy shell firs he. was indefatigable in his efforts to see everything that -was going on, and displayed the greatest courage and initiative in managing to.send back information. When, the officer in charge of his communications was wounded, 2nd Lieutenant Leary and his signallers carried, him back to a place of safety. He was slightly wounded himself during the afternoon." - , ■

Captain Day Pearce Murray, R.T.C. (Auckland): "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on numerous occasions. He has displayed the utmost skill and fearlessness in ranging our batteries on hostile battery positions. Most of this work he had to carry on at a very low altitude, and under- very heavy fire, owing to the. fact that the target was very well camouflaged, but, in spite of being repeatedly- attacked, and his machine several times damaged by antiaircraft and machine-gun.' fire, he was invariably successful."

2nd Lieutenant James Oliphant, X.0.5.8., late Sergeant, 3rd Auckland Company, N.Z.E.F.: " For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During consolidation, this officer, whilst' under heavy shell-fire, showed the greatest contempt for danger, frequently walking along the top of the trench to inspire his men. Again, at night, whilst under a heavy enemy barrage, he continued to walk about in the opnn, cheering up his men, and settling a fine example to all ranks by his coolness and leadership." 2nd Lieutenant Roland Pym Prentys, R.F.A.: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as forward intelligence officer for his brigade. He disregarded both shell and rifle fire, kept in touch with his foremost troops, including the corps'/cavalry, and sent back valuable 1 information, displaying throughout the day the utmost fearlessness and energy."