GALLANTRY RECOGNISED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16624, 22 August 1917, Page 8

GALLANTRY RECOGNISED

PRESENTATION OF MEDALS.

ADDRESS BY GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

His Excellency the Governor-General, the Earl of Liverpool, after the inspection of the troops of the Auckland Garrison last night, presented medals conferred on Auckland soldiers for deeds of gallantry in the war.

Tho ceremony took place at the Town j Hall, the galleries of which were filled by the public, while a number of ticket- i holders occupied, seats in the organ loft by 8 p.m. Downstairs, in the front row, were the men who were to receive the coveted military honours and their next of kin. Those present had an hour's wait, during which selections were played by the 3rd- Auckland, Mounted Rifles Band. The latter had an enthusiastic audience when the troops on parade arrived. When the territorials had ' been seated in the body of the hall His Excellency the Governor-General and his official party, accompanied by the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, and the Consuls and official representatives of the allied countries entered to the strains of the National Anthem, the audience standing. His Excellency proceeded to pin the various medals on the breasts of those recipients who were present in person, and to hand the awards of those who have died, or were absent, to their nearest relatives. Each recipient was greeted with prolonged applause. Captain G. C. S. Dyer, A.A.G., recounted the manner in which each honour was won. Seeds That Won Distinctions. The Military Cross was handed by His Excellency to Mrs. J. Bovd on behalf of Capt. James Robert Boyd, M.D., R.A.M.C., who is again on active service. The cross was gained by conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when rescuing, under heavy fire, some men who had been buried in their dug-out. Capt. Boyd assisted in the digging out of the men, although temporarily disabled by earth thrown up by a bursting shell, and finally brought in one man alive. His Excellency also presented the Military Cross to Mrs. A. .7. Powley on behalf of the late Capt. Alfred James Powley. New Zealand Rifle Brigade. The deed which won the honour for the deceased officer was conspicuous gallantry during a raid on the enemy's trenches. His party was heavily encumbered by eight wounded men, one dead man, and nine prisoners, but with great determination he got them all in safelv. Tho mother of the late Sergeant J. Rankin, New Zealand Field Artillery, received at the Governor-General's hands the D.C.M. gained by the deceased soldier by conspicuous gallantry on August 6. 1915. near Lone Pine, Gallipoli. While Sergeant Rankin's battery was bombarding the position the telephone line was cut. He went out voluntarily under heavy and continuous fire and laid" another wire over the broken section. This enabled the battery commander to resume control, within half an hour, of the communications broken, thus materially assisting the fire effect of the battery. * His bravery and* good work had been consistently shown since the landing on the peninsula. The Military Medal was handed by His Excellency to Private W. H. Butler, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, of Te Kauwhata, and to Sergeant S. G. S. Lock, Auckland Infantry Battalion, of Devonport, for bravery in the field. The Meritorious Service Medal was awarded to Sergeant J. N. Beattie, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, of Remuera, in recognition of valuable services rendered during the war. Mr. R. G. Gault, of Ponsonby, received on behalf of the late Private Alfred Gault, a gold medal conferred by the King of Servia. Trooper Norman D'Arcy Champney, New Zealand Mounted Rifles, of Whangarei, was the recipient of a silver medal, also conferred by the King of Servia. His Excellencv presented to Major Broun, of the King's Empire Veterans, the Cross of the Legion of Honour, conferred by the French President, and also the King's Police Medal to Mr. John Cullen, -Commissi oner of Police, as reported elsewhere. His Majesty's .Earnest Wish. In a brief 'address at the close of the ceremony, His Excellency said His Majesty the King had commanded him to confer the two Military Crosses that night in person. A great number of those present would recollect that between August 16 and 22, three years ago, the British troops first went to" France, under great difficulties. So it was not inappropriate that they should be there that night to honour men who had performed brave deeds in the war. (Applause.) His Excellency thanked the relatives of those men who could not be there, for attending, and congratulated the men who were present upon the honours conferred on them by His Majesty the King. The MilitaryCross, Military Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal had all been created since King George V. came to the throne; and it was His Majesty's earnest wish to recognise in every way possible the gallant deeds of his sailors and soldiers. (Applause.) Referring to the parade, His Excellency said it had been a remarkable one, and a very smart one for all ranksterritorials and cadets. The parade had brought them together to do honour to men who had done great deeds for their country. (Loud applause.) His Excellency was sure they all felt deeply honoured by being present on an occasion like that. (Renewed applause). Colonel Patterson then dismissed the troops, and the audience dispersed. ——■