THE BATTLE OF MESSINES.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13929, 11 July 1917, Page 8

THE BATTLE OF MESSINES.

AWARDS FOR GALLANTRY,

•NEW ZEALAftDERS HONOURED,

(Per Pross Association,)

WELLINGTON, July 0,

The following special message lias been received from the official war correspondent, dated July Ist:-. In connection with the Mcssines battle Field-Marshal Commanding-ill-Chief Sir Douglas Haig has, under authority granted by his.Majesty the King, awarded decorations to the undermentioned officers and other ranks:— , Distinguished Service Order, Major A, Digby-Smith, Lieutenant-Colonel A. Winter. Lieutenant Colonel 1!, C. Allen, ' Major It, D. ITardie. Lieutenant-Colonel (Temporary-Col-onel) 1), J, McGavin. Military Cross.

Lieutenant C, Harrison, • Lieutenant W. McK. Geddes, Second-Lieutenant G, R. Park. Captain L. 11. Harding, Second-Lieutenant R. C, Abernethy. Lieutenant F. E, .Greedish. Lieutenant F. G. Massey, Lieutenant E, F. J. Reeves. Second-Lieutenant E. Zieslcr. . Captain (Temporary-Major) O, W, Williams. Lieutenant A, L, McDowell, Second-Lieutenant (Temporary-Lieu-tenant) D. Kennedy. Second-Lieutenant E. E. Lewer. Captain C, L, Knight, Lieutenant W.'P. Cray.' Second-Lieutenant F. E. Mackenzie. Lieutenant (Temporary-Captain) W. Watson, Lieutenant S. Natusch, Second-Lieutenant J. M, Barton. Lieutenant (Temporary-Captain) C, J, Davidson. Lieutenant I. A. Bristol. Captain C. W. Free. Captain M. J, Morrison. Captain G, C. Dailey. Captain E. F. Selby. Lieutenant E. V, Freed. Captain F, N. Whittnore. Lieutenant F. ,T. R. Earl. Lieutenant G. Swan. Second-Lieutenant (Temporary-Cap-tain) G. Rogers. Second-Lieutenant A, R. Mclsaac. 'Lieutenant A, CI. Melles. Lieutenant P. C. Ashbv. Lieutenant A. J, M. Maison. Lieutenant B. Parlmes. Captain A, S, Addison. Captain W. Aitken. Captain J, G. Crawford. Captain A. D, Nesson, Second-Lieutenant J. 11, Catchpoll?. Second-Lieutenant K, Scott, Rev. S, Parr, Bar to tlio Distinguished Conduct Medal, Sergeant 11, Anderson. Distinguished Conduct Medal, Sergeant Y, R, Davy, Corporal A. E, Andrews, Corporal It. Mnir. Corporal ,r. JetTery, Private L. S, Williams, Sergeant R. T, Latimer. Company-Sergeant-Major F. 11. Davis, Sergeant W, J, Williamson, Corporal C. Williams, Private A. Dunthonic. Company-Sergeant-Major T, J, Gordon.

Sergeant 11. Page. Lance-Corporal 0. Hewitt, Sergeant ,T. J. Mackall. 'Sergeant J. Jf. O'Brien. Corporal ]). P, Lloyd, l'rivate A. J. Hammond. Private R White. Private C, A, Fitzpatrick. Compaiiy-fr'rgeant-Alajor J. C. Fothoringill. Private T. Rock. Sergeant B. Corkille. Private J. A. Deo. Private IT. L. Hall. Military Medal. Lance-Corporal J. W, Nicolas, Lnncc Corporal R. Potts,

PERSONAL NOTES,

L,Pllt Cr, Massey, M.C., is the younger son of the Prime Minister, He was born nt Mangere twenty-eight years ago, and educated at the' Auckland Grammar School and Auckland University College. He was articled to the law with the firm of ITesketh and Richmond. He then entered the service of the firm of Messrs Karl and Kent, and two years before the outbreak of the war started practice as a solicitor on his own account. In Maich, 1915, he enlisted, goiiw into camp as a N.C.O, He won a commission, and left for the front with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, He saw service in Egypt, and at different places in France, including the Somme, fortunately .escaping injjury, but securing the distinction of being mentioned in. despatches,

Lieut.-Colone] (Temporary Colonel) D. J. McGavin, N.Z.M.C., D.5.0., in in charge of the No, 1 Stationary Hospital. When lie left for the front he was one of the best known and most highlyrespected surgeons in Wellington, Captain G. C, Dailey, who has been awarded a Military Cross, is a son of Mr W. J. Dailey, of Waimate. When the war broke out ho was studying for the Bar, and was a member of the Canterbury College football team. He enlisted and went to the front with the Main Body, as a subaltern in the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, Lieut, Eric Reeves, M.C., is tlio eldest son of Mr Fred, K, Reeves, tho

I senior representative of the Wellington Evening Post in tlio Parliamentary Press Gallery. Ho is about 22 years of age, was educated at St. Patrick's College, Wellington, and was oii tlio staff of the Public Trust Office in Wellington when ho enlisted in the New Zealand Brigade about two years ago! He left New Zealand at the beginning of last year, and has seen a' jreat deal of active service on the Western front. In the . battle of Mfssines lie.wag severely wounded 3a I the left arm, and is now in hospital ji England. The Bev. Stephen' Parr, M.C., cornea fiom FairHe, He was educated at • i

College nud Ciuiteibury Co!' lege, at> ench of which he lratl n bril-j linnt Scarcer. In 1913 he took hisj M,A. degree with first-cfnss■ honours'', in mentnl . science, and in: 1914'' ho 1 passed first-class in the third grade of. the Botird of Theological Studies ex-\ animation. Thosanio year howas ordained deacon and the following year/ priest. While at Canterbury Collo£o Mr Parr was captain of the first foot; ball fifteen, and a good all-round athlete. lie served as a curate at Heathcote and Bealev, and eventually left for the front as a chaplain. Two of his brothers are at present on activo ser< vice, anil each .has been wounded.

Second-Lieutenant R. C, Abernethy, M.C., is a son of tho Rev. Mr Abernethy, who was stationed in Canterbury for many years as a member of tho Methodist ministry, Lieutenant Abernethy was educated at the Christchurcli Boys' 'High .School, the Normal Training College and Canterbury College, at each of which lie distinguished himself scholastically and in the playing fields, being an exceptionally good lawn tennis player, Prior to enlisting he was a teacher at the East Christchurcli school, He enlisted with his brother, Second-Lieuten-ant K. S. Abernethy, both being posted to the n.c.o. class, and both eventually securing commissions. They left for the front together as members of the 14th Reinforcements. Another brother, J. M. Abernethy, is at present in camp as a n.c.o.

Captain Cuthbort W, Free, M.O. (Canterbury Battalion), is a son of Captain S. L, P, Free, military representative on the Otago No, 1 Military Service Board, and formorly a well-known solicitor in Christchurcli. Captain C, W, Free before tho war was reading for the law, and wa3 articled to tho Christchurcli firm of Duncan, Cotterill and Stringer, He was educated at Christ's Colloge'and Canterbury College, and was prominently connected with the athletic life of both institutions' He was also a captain in the Christ's College Cadet Corps and one of the School's 'best shots. When the war broke out ho joined the Main Expeditionary Force with the rank of Lieutenant in the Canterbury Mounted Rifles. 'At Gallipoli he gained considerable distinction and was wounded on more than one occasion. He was also wounded in France.

Mr R. J, Sharpe, of 20 Paparoa street, Papanui, has received advice that his son, Private Frederick J, Sharpe, has been awarded the Military Medal,