Untitled

Free Lance, Volume XV, Issue 800, 29 October 1915, Page 10

Corporal Cyril G. Bassett, who shares with the late Captain Shout the dis'tihctioh* of Being the om*y' New'2ealanders so far who have won the V.C. at " Grallipoli is an Aucklahder ' bred and born. His bravery is not measured by his. inches, for he is only sft 4in tall, and is but 23 years of age. This little Auckland man (the greatest and pluckiest men in history . have been ' 'bantams") performed an act of peculiar an persistent valour, requiring coolness and technical skill, under blighting fire. Because it had to be done. Corporal Bassett,' V.C, laid a field telephone with accuracy under heavy fire,, and subsequently established telephone connections that had been severed, also under heavy fire. Corporal Bassett belong.ed to the College, Rifles in Auckland, and it is said that, when he first joined, he couldn't go in the ranks because he was so small, so he was made a bugler. All who know the V.C. man declare that he was never known to '•'skite," a modest, reserved chap , at school, at college, and at work in the National Bank. His coolness and fortitude at a moment calling for bravery have previously manifested themselves, notably when burglars broke into the National Bank at Newmarket. Soldiering is in* the blood of both mother and father of . Bassett, V.C. Mrs. Bassett's grandfather was an officer in the British Army, and adjutant of his regiment. Her father was one of seven sons, all of whom were in the Imperial Army. Mr. F. C. Bassett, of Burieighstreet, Mount Eden, the V.C. man's father, also has many soldier relatives. There was bright sunshine and the crowds in the streets cheered with quite exceptional gusto as the northern detachment of the wounded soldiers,. who arrived by the Tofiia at Port Chalmers this week, were motored along Lamb-ton-quay to .the Town Hall yesterday (Thursday). 'Quite a. long cavalcade of motor cars were requisitioned to bear them along. The soldiers looked a happy lot. _ Many of them had offerings of flowers in their hands, some of them ', 'Dardanelles buttons" on their uniforms, and joyous friends rode with them. Altogether a fine inspiring sight. ■ although one instinctively thought with • sadness of other soldiers top severely wounded to join the procession, and of others still who will never return. Dame Rumour is busy inquiring if it is really true that a military visitor of some time back is just now taking a rest on Somes Island. Are the daily .newspaper reporters unable to satisfy pub-ic curiosity on the point ? All Wellington men, especially from the ages of 20 to 45, are invited to join the War League. A meeting, over which the Mayor will preside, is being held in No. 1 Committee Room, Town Hall, this (Friday) evening', when a permanent executive will be formed. See advertisement elswhere on this page for particulars about enrolment, etc.