PERSONAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, 15 May 1917, Page 5

PERSONAL ITEMS

•One of Wanganui's oldest and best- | known citizens, Mr John Pawson, died there on Saturday last at tise age of 85 years. He was one of the oldest Freemasons and Past Masters in New Zealand. News has been received that Sergeant M. J. O'Brien, of Redwoodtown, Blenheim, has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry on the field of action. Sergeant O'Brien received his education at St. Mary's Boys School, Blenheim. Lieutenant R. McGlashen, of Motueka is now progressing favourably at No. 1 Gfiicars' Convalescent Hospital, Brighton. The following returned soldiers arrived bvi the Mapourika t<his morning: Sergt.-Major N. H. TunnicliiEe, Sergt.Major H ; . V. iCondell, Rifleman W. T. Christian, Rifleman H!. Quirk, Private M G vValsh, Private Henry Scnmgeonr. They were met I>V Mr W. VV. Snodgrass and taken to their homes, with the exception of Private Walsh, who is suffering from a wound, and was sent to the Hospital. Gunner F. H. Newton also arrived this morning by the Kaitoa, Lieut. N. Vercoe, who landed at a port of call, is expected here in about a .week's time. i v Stoker Charles Williams, of the New 'I Zealand Naval Reserve, who has been i mentioned as having been the recipient --Distinguished Conduct Medal, following on a recent destroyer action, i is";'ike. second son of Captain Henry 1 Williams, of 395, Tuam-street, Lmwood ' well known in the coastal 'trade between Lyttelton and Kaipara. Williams enlisted and went into -camp with the 4th Reinforcements, but, 'haviner spent five years an the Navy m "H.IVLS.; Challenger and H.M.S. Pioneer, he "went-Home about March of 1915, and-i was) posted to a destroyer under Commander- Evans. Stoker Williams served aboard the Terra Nova with Captain Scott's ill-fated ■ expedition and holds the Royal- Geographical Society medal. It mav be remembered that he exhibited some relics of the expedition in a Wellington shop, among them being the book- which Lieutenant Campbell s party had in the ice hut—"David Copperfield." This book was presented to Stoker Williams by Lieutenant Camp--bejlr when the expedition' returned. He has'.a sister living in Wellington, Mrs W. Gray, of Buckingham-street, Mara-nui.-—Post. •