NELSON’S V.C.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 10 February 1944, Page 4

NELSON’S V.C.

PORTRAIT OF SERGT. HULME CITY COUNCIL TO BE TRUSTEES FOR DISTRICT OFFICIAL PRESENTATION A portrait in oils of Sergeant A. C. Ilulme, V.C., was presented to the Nelson City Council as trustees for the whole district, at a public function held in the City Council Chamber last evening. The portrait was unveiled by Mrs Hulmc and was handed to the council by Mr C. R. Fell, on behalf of the subscribers. The Mayor, Mr E. R. Neale, presided.

The Victoria Cross, the highest award for outstanding personal valour, had been instituted by Queen Victoria in 1856 said Mr Fell. Prior to the present war 1100 awards had been made, of which 570 were awarded during the last war. In the present war about 70 Victoria Crosses had been awarded, six of them being to New Zealanders. In all 23 New Zealanders had won the decoration. The six awarded to New Zealanders in this war were to the following:Scrgt. J. Hinton, Sergt. A. C. Hulmc, Lieut. C. H. Upham. Sergt.-Pilot J. A. Ward, Sergt. K. Elliott, and Lieut. Ngarimu.

Mr Fell read the citation to Sergt. Hulme’s award, which showed that he had carried out a series of outstandingly brave deeds on Crete between 20th May and 28lh May, 1941. In the face of the citation it behoved those who were not soldiers to walk humbly indeed, and honour the deeds of those men who had helped to keep us free, said the speaker. Sergt. Hulme was born in 1912 and was a resident of the Nelson district. It was an honour for such a small district to have one who had gainde the V.C., and it was not too much to do to honour the man who received the decoration, and to draw the attention of all, including the children, to the bravery of the actions which had won such awards. Sergt. Hulme had said that there were many others who had done the same as he had, but the speaker was sure that any man who won the V.C. more than merited it. However, Sergt. Hulme’s award for valour could be taken as a symbol for the bravery of all the men who had fought. It was not a question of glorifying war but of glorifying the courage of the men who did those deeds of great valour. By his actions Sergt. Hulme had joined a famous company. After Mrs Hulme had unveiled the portrait Mr Fell said it had been painted by one of the best portrait painters in the Dominion, Mr A. F. Nicol. of Christchurch. Those of the subscribers who had seen it were delighted with the result and he hoped that Mrs Hulme and family would be proud of it. It showed the man in the vigour of his manhood at the time he did his deeds of valour. It would live as a memorial to him.

Mr Fell explained that the subscriptions for the portrait had been obtained privately, and no doubt many would have wished to subscribe if they had had the opportunity. Among those responilbes for the portrait he wished to mention Mr A. Hunter who had been an enthusiastic supporter of the proposal who had done a great amount of the spadework in arranging for the artist and for Sergt. Hulme to go to Christchurch.

Mr Fell said that the people should sec that the soldiers, their families and children should receive the best that the country could offer them. He concluded by quoting part of Pericles oration:—

“Take these men l'or your example, remember that prosperity can be only for the free, that freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have courage to defend it. For you now it remains to rival what they have done, and, knowing the secret of happiness to be freedom and the secret of freedom a brave heart squarely to face the war and its perils.”

PERMANENT HOME IN COUNCIL CHAMBER

On behalf of the subscribers Mr Fell then formally presented the portrait to the Nelson City Council, to hold in trust for the whole district. He expressed the hope that it would be possible for the portrait to be loaned to other centres in the Nelson province On behalf of the Nelson Citv Conncil. as trustees for the whole district, Mr Neale accepted the portrait and gave an undertaking to keep it in safe custody. It would be hung i n the Council Chamber where it would have a permanent home and be available for inspection at any time. He saw no difficulty in the way of having the portrait sent to other centres if that was desired.

Mr Neale said he knew of the work done by Mr Hunter and it was almost entnely due to his efforts that the district now possessed such a fine portrait Sergt. Hulme was on duty in the North Island and had been unable to attend that evening.

Sergt. Hulme’s award was not made for one act alone but for a number of valorous exploits oyer u period, added tjie Mayor who expressed the hope that the award itself and the presence of the portrait would be an inspiration to this and future generations of Nel-