BATTLE HONOURS

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 72, 25 March 1918, Page 3

BATTLE HONOURS

NEW ZEALAND AWARDS

DETAILS OF GALLANTRY

MILITARY CROSS.

(PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

LONDON,-11th January

Following is a continuation of the list of New Zealanders who have been awarded decorations for services in the war: —

2nd Lieutenant Rowland David Todd, R.G.A.: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During heavy hostile shelling of his battery the position was wrecked by a shell which exploded the ammunition. He at once rushed forward and assisted to dig out a sergeant, who was badly wounded and half buried with fused shells • and other dangerous and highly explosive debris. He assisted- to carry him 150 yards over very broken ground under very heavy shell-fire, and then returned and re-entered the position, which contained dumps "of gas shells, to look for other casualties. His coolness and exceptional gallantry set a splendid example to all ranks."

2nd Lieutenant Henry Cyril Davies, R.F.A. : "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During a heavy hostile bombardment of the battery position, four of the gun-pits were set on fire and the ammunition was beginning to explode, when he and a brother officer at' once organised a. party, and, whilst water was being procured, entered the burning pits and removed the dial sights from the guns. They then returned to extinguish the fire. During the whole of Ihis time the bombardment" was intense and accurate, and their promptness saved the battery from being put out of action."

Captain Joseph Gordon doates, 11th (North Auckland) M.R.: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on two occasions. He displayed the utmost ability at a critical moment, when a determined hostile raid was made upon his company's sector, getting his men into safety and saving many casualties by his coolness and presence of mind. He reipforced his front line, and personally re-established two posts which had-been driven in. He afterwards ' commanded his company with great skill and energy in a raid upon, the enemy, and his fine leadership . was largely- responsible for the success of the entire operation."

, .Lieutenant John Fdliot Lindsay Gardner, N.Z.F.A.: "For conspicuous gallantry, and devotion to duty. When his battery position came under heavy shell fire two guns were put out of action, two men killed, and an ammunition dump was exploded, but at great personal risk he attempted to .cope with the 'fire until ordered to desist by his ba,ttery commander. He also assisted in digging out men who had been buried by the explosion, showing great courage *nd initia. tive under exceptnonally trying circumstances."

Captain Herbert Mycr <3r°*&ste'n> JT.Z.M.C.:' "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in establishing' a forward aid post iii our advanced lines over a mile in front of his regimental aid post.. By his courageous decision to re-, main there in spite of heavy shelling, and his great\gallantry and devotion in attending to the wounded, all the casualties were evacuated before the battalion waa relieved." - ■

Lieutenant Harding' Waipuke Leaf, Pioneers : "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge, of a . wiring party. He was taking his .party up to the outpost line with wiring materials under the most adverse circumstances, as it was very dark and raining heavily. When just outside the front line they came under a heavy barrage, but by his fins personal example he kept his men together and led'them through the barrage to thei!r work, which they completed satisfactorily."

Captain William Hugh M'Lean, 'New, Zealand Infantry : "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to .duty. He commanded his battalion during an attack upon a village, setting them a splendid example of gallantry and indifference to danger. After the village had been captured he led out two platoons through the enemy barrage against a heavy hostile counter-attack, displaying throughout the operation a high example of courage and powers ofleadership."

Second-Lieutenant Charles Edward Collin Morgan, New Zealand Infantry : "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a hostile raid on our trenches. In the face of the heaviest shelling he organised a party and led it up the trench, driving the enemy out of the position. Two days later he commanded a portion of our raiding party, and displayed splendid leadership and fearlessness in attempting to capture the enemy's strong post, which he could have done had there been sufficient. time. He went forward repeatedly regardless of his own .safety, doing everything that was possible for a man to do, and when operations were over he carried a wounded man back 500 yards, under severe machine-gun fire." 2nd Lieutenant Robert Kenneth Nicol. Wellington Regiment (L.T.M.8.): "For conspicuous gallantry, and devotion tv duty. When in charge of Stokes mortars in the defence of a captured village, one of his two guns was .destroyed, so he handed the other on to his corporal and joined the company, which, wae in J the village. Here he displayed magnifij cent gallantry and the utmost fearlessness !.in assisting the company commander, leading a bombing party ' a^aiiist an enemy counter-attack, and acI counting for six of the enemyi himself in ; the desperate hand to hand fighting which ■ ensued. His prompt action . and fine I leadcr?hip saved the eitua-tibn."

2nd Lieutenant (T.-Captain)1 Jesse Rodgers, Infantry: "This officer was- in command of hie company during an attack on the enemy's . position. The whole operation was most successfully carried out, and although" wounded during the attack he remained on duty in- the trenches until his' company was relieved some considerable time later. He is a born leader, and has done exceptionally good work."

Capt-in Murray Urquhart, 11th Regiment (Taranaki Rifles) :

; "For covsoxtious gallantry and devo- . tion to duty .when commarJding his ' company in an attack. Tn spite of no ! barrage being available,, and of the fact ; th it t'-e enemy's pcsition wrs exceptibn- ; a'ly strong and heavily. wired, he so ; admirably arranged his plans that he overi came 'he stubborn opposition which was 1 off r.d,."ind cap.lived the position, killing : and capturing numbers of the enemy. ! After (hi? -.v,is effected he held the ncsij tion for 24 ho.-rs I'lider a violent bom- , ba.rdrnent, <sisplay:'ng the same .splendid co--ln-ss and courage throughout, and j pre.:tly inoph'ing his men by his personal example under very trying conditions.'' 2nd Liout Hiant, Kifpcrt Woylcv, ]•>.- gineers: "For cmspkunvs pEllantry r.nd devotion to ■ cl.ity whilst superintending the : forwa'c'.in™ of smmiuntiim by li-lit rr.:!----j way Lvaiiip. Jn spite of (lie fact that I ill-! line was being heavily shelled and i cvi in i.fiat'rs. '](■■'p"-*-v.r'n;!. mn] e,<-c----<Yf. fv lv !-orh-.)!ctc'd the deliver: of riho a:;::n. irt'o'H