DEEDS OF GALLANTRY

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 152, 24 December 1918, Page 8

DEEDS OF GALLANTRY

DECORATED OFFICERS AND MEN RETURN. Among the draft of returned troops which reached Port Chalmers op Friday night, were several officers and other ranks who have received decorations for conspicuous deeds of gallantry in the field. , : Major J. M'Crae, officer commanding the draft, and Lieutenant A. R. Cockerell were each awarded the D.5.0.,' besides being mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's despatches. Lieutenant Cockerell holds the distinction of being the only officer of the New Zealand Forces below the rank of captain to secure this award. Lieutenant J. R. Bongard was awarded the Military Cross for leading a small .party against an enemy battery, killing a gun team, and damaging a gun. Throughout the operations he showed a splendid example. Lieut. J. H. Catchpole: "Awarded the Military Cross for gallantry and devotion to duty in the field. When in charge of a tractor line, which was supplying batteries with ammunition, he showed' the most untiring energy in successfully carrying out the work by day and night, although the line was steadily shelled for over a week and was continually being wrecked. His fine example was a great inspiration of all ■ ranks." (London Gazette). Lieutenant C. R. M'Kenzie: "Awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When detailed to establish observation in support of an infantry attack, he succeeded in laying a line to an advance position and proceeded from there through a heavy barrage to transmit by visual. His party of three was successively wounded or killed, and in assisting them he was himself severely wounded." (London Gazette). Captain E. C. N. Robinson was specially mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's despatches. The following n.c.o.'s and men received the Military Medal for gallantry in the field:—Sapper Hardy, Sergeant H. Larsen, Company Quartermaster-Sergeant A.E. M'Mahon, Private R. R. Smith, Private T. Stainton, Rifleman J. Sullivan, and Regimental Sergeant-Major P. C. Boate.