PERSONAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 19 December 1936, Page 8

PERSONAL ITEMS

The Wellington office of the Union Bank of Australia has been advised by cable from London that Sir John Davidson, K.C.M.G., C. 8., D. 5.0., is to succeed the Hon, Edmund W. Parker, who is retiring for health reasons, as chairman of the bank. He will take office on Ist March, 1937. Sir John Davidson, accompanied by his wife is at present in Australia. He intends to spend some months making an extensive tour of each State of the Commonwealth and of New Zealand in the interests of the bank, Sir John, after passing through Sandhurst, entered the King’s Koyal Rifles in 1896, and retired from the army in 1922. In the South African War he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the D. 5.0., and the Queen’s Medal with seven clasps and the King’s Medal with two clasps. During the Great War he was mentioned in despatches 11 times and was the recipient of the Legion- d’Honneur, Croix de Guerre, Croix de Couronne, Belgian Croix de Guerre, American Distinguished A Service Medal and the Mons-Star. For some years he was Unionist member of the House of Commons for the Fareham Division of' Hants.

Mr J. R. St. John, second son of Mr and Mrs F. F. St. John, left for England by the Tongariro yesterday to join the Royal Air Force. Mr St. John,''who is an old boy of Nelson College, secured his A license under Squadron-Leader Chandler.