CIVILIANS IN ARMY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 16 October 1941, Page 5

CIVILIANS IN ARMY

PROMOTION TO HIGH RANK QUESTIONED • From Our Parliamentary Reporter) Wellington. This Day. In a notice of question to the Ministo of Defence (Mr Jones) in the House of Representatives yesterday Mr J A. Lee (Democratic Labour. Grey Lynn) asked whether the Minister was aware that the promotion of civilians to high rank in the Army on account of semimilitary duties was occasioning some heartburning abroad. Mr Lee also asked whether in future, an attempt would be made to secure for all rank in.'’, positions a suitable person from among the >oldiors of this or the last war. toon were a source of encouragement to us all. After being wounded on the second day he carried his arm in a sling and was in constant pain." Another corporal and two privates iecorded appreciation of Upham’s bravery I and coolness and recounted incidents in which astounding courage achieved what seemed to be impossible. All pay tribute to an inspiring example. N.Z. TROOPS GRATIFIED New Zealand troops in the Middle East heard the news of the awards of the Victoria Cross with enthusiasm. It was gratifying to know that the work the New Zealanders had been able 10 do in the battle of Crete had been recognised so notably and that two New Zealand Cretan veterans had gained such distinguished awards The news came as a distinct surprise. Only very few had an inkling of the possibility of such awards being made. GREEK DECORATION NEW ZEALAND RECIPIENTS Cairo. Oct. 14. Another echo of the Balkan campaign is ihe announcement of further awards which King George of Greece has conferred on several New Zealand officers for service in Greece's fight for freedom. One group, all senior officers, was awarded the Greek Mili - tary Cross. Class A. and the other group the Greek Military Cross. Class C. The recipients of the higher award Major-General Frey berg and Brigadiers Miles. Hargest and Barrowclough. received their decorations at a ceremony at the main N ew Zealand base camp some lime ago. The list of those officers awarded the Greek Military Cross. Class C. lias now been released. It is: Captain (temporary major) H. G. Wooller (posted missing, but there js now reason to believe he is a prisoner of wan; Captain T. G Bedding: Captain C. Wilson (killed in action): Captain H. M. Smith; Lieutenant (temporary captain) A. F. G McGregor; Lieutenant N. L Browne. BRITISH PRESS TRIBUTE "NO HEADLINES CAN TEEL TIIEIK HEROISM” ‘Rec. 9.30 a.m.» London, Oct. 15. “In Die Bagdad of Die Ara bian Nights it was ordered that the story of any notable achievement should be written in letters of gold. ' Is gold good enough for the achievements of Second-Lieut-enant I’pham and Sergeant llulme.” asks “The limes” in a leading article. I’pham’s courage in this case meant something far more complex and intellectual than that demanded of officers, for instance, in the charge of the Eight Brigade. "We all like to think that in the ex citement of battle wo are capable of deeds of which the more thought turns us cold in repose, but the story of these nine days includes not only hour after hour of silent endurance but deliberate. cold- blooded courting of danger for the sake of the platoon, for the army for New Zealand, for the Empire and lor a free world. "Hulme also won the V.C. as much by brains as by contempt for danger. The men of Talavora and Waterloo were heroically brave but there liw be some excuse for asking whether the nature of modern warfare has not raised the standard of courage to unknown heights.” "The "Daily Herald” headlines read: "No headline can tell the heroism of these men.**—U.l’.A.