HEROIC CONDUCT

Gisborne Times, Volume LX, Issue 9721, 3 June 1924, Page 4

HEROIC CONDUCT

X.C.O.’s AND MEN OF SIXTH BATTERY.

ACTS IX HAWKE'S

BAY FLOODS.

! SPECIAL MENTION LN GENERAL ; ORDERS. J WELLINGTON. June 2. | The heroic conduct of a number of i non-commissioned officers and men ! during the hooding of the 6th battery ! N.Z. A Camp, at Eskdale, Hawke’s Eay, in March last has been reeognised by special mention in General Orders just issued as follows: | The General Officer Commanding ■ wishes to commend very highly the devotion to duty and gallant conduct of the following n.c.o.’s and men during the flooding of 6th battery, X.Z. A camp at Eskdale on Afarcii 11. 19n-i. About 10.1-5 on the above date the river broke its banks, some distance , above the camp and covered the sue i to a depth of Sft, with a current of ; swiftly flowing water.

i Staff sergeant fitter S. Thomson, j R.X.Z.A. n.e.o. displayed great couri age and devotion to duty in his efj forts to save the horses and finally did j magnificent work in assisting nonj swimmers and weak swimmers to : cross the rapid flood waters between f the railway embankment and the 1 high ground east of the road, j .Lance-Sergeant J. P. Thomson. | iD.C.M., R.X.Z.A.. n.e.0., displayed great courage aud devotion to duty jin endeavouring to save valuable ! technical equipment and in assisting ! non-swimmers to a place of safety. | After the battery had left Eskdals j Sergt. Thomson also made repeated j trips through the flood waters, carrying food and blankets to the Eskdale 1 school, where a number of small : children were isolated. 1 Lance-Sergeant W. J. Fitzgerald | R.X.Z.A.: This n.e.o. swam in the j fast flowing current, guiding the | horses to safety, and then turned his j attention to the distressed settlers ■ and swam to safety with a number of | them. Ho repeatedly entered the ; flood waters at great personal risk, j and only ceased his efforts when utterly exhausted. Corporal Artificer, J. W. Dalton. N.Z.0.A.C., n.e.0.. worked with Staff Sergeant Thomson, and with him was instrumental in saving four non-swimmers. When this other n.e.o. was weak with struggling with a man in the water Corporal Dalton swam out and assisted both ashore. Later at Petane he was tireless in assisting the exhausted men through swiftrunning waist-deep water. Gunner R,. Tankard, 6th batterv N.Z.A.: This gunner displayed eonspicious bravery in co-operating with Lance-Sergeant Fitzgerald in efforts to save the distressed settlers. He repeatedly swam out into the flood waters to render assistance. Later he assisted Bellamy to save horses and stock, desisting only when thoroughly exhausted.—ThA.