HERO OF MESSINES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9999, 17 June 1918, Page 2

HERO OF MESSINES

LIEUTENANT FRICKLETON, V.C

■WELCOMED BY CITIZENS OF WELLINGTON.

Their enthusiastic admiration for heroic bravery was demonstrated by a huge gathering which packed tho Coicert Chamber of the Town Hall on Saturday to welcome Lieutenant Friokleton, V.O. Lieutenant Prickleton won the V.C. at tho battle of Messines on June 7th, 1917. He returned to Wellington from the front on Friday last, and Saturday’s gathering was arranged by the Mayor, so that a fitting welcome might bo given to the hero of Messines. The crowd of people who responded to this invitation filled tho concert hall and flowed over down the steps of the main entrance. The strains of “See tho Conquering Hero Comes,” played by the Trentham Band, announced the arrival of Lieutenant Prickleton. As tho V.C. hero reached the hall with his mother there was a remarkable display of enthusiasm. Cheer after cheer rang through the hall. It was the sincere appreciation for a deed nobly done. The Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke, C.M.G., M.P.), presided. Amongst those on the platform were the Acting-Prime Minister and Minister for Defence (tho Hon. Sir James Allen), the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald, the Hon. G. W. Russell, Captain Hall-Thompson (Naval Adviser), the Hon. J. G. W. Aitken, Mr W. H. Field, M.P., Captain D. Bryan (representing General Sir Alfred Robin), also representatives of the Hahour Board and Returned Soldiers’ Association. , Surgeon-General Henderson was unable to be present, being engaged on hospital ship work. THE MAYOR’S WELCOME. Mr Luke heartily welcomed Lieutenant Prickleton. He said it was the most pleasing duty he had had to perform since he had been Mayor of the city. He apologised for the limited size of the-hall, * and ■ would even then ; have allowed the audience to go into ,the larger hall if it had been available. They were present not only to extend a welcome to a brave citizen, but also to speak in high terms of the mother, and of her other boys who were at the front. (Applause.) They valued the loyalty of the young men of the Empire, but if it had not been for the splendid upbringing and .the high principles, instilled into them when they were young, they would not have the splenI did asset and fine ■ devotion - to -duty : exemplified in Lieutenant Prickleton. j (Cheers.) Mrs Prickleton had come to New Zealand two or three years before the war. . She was a widow, and wished [to establish better conditions for her boys. ’Mrs Prickleton was present on the platform—(cheers)— and he would say to her, on behalf of the people of Wellington and the whole of the people of the Dominion,’ tbit 'they honoured, her because she was a mother of such a bravo family of boys. (Cheers.) Lieutenant Prickleton did not think hie duty was done when he was returned to New Zealand incapacitated. He reenlisted and returned to help to carry on the great work not only on behalf °f New Zealand but for tho whole of civilisation. He dared to do his duty, as he believed that every man throughout the Empire was prepared to conto do. While the successful carrying on of war was accomplished by units and groups, sometimes an opportunity was given to a soldier for a deed of valour, and if the soldier had the in his heart and the de. termination to carry it through they should accord him the very highest appreciation. ' Not' only did Lieutenant Prickleton do something very valuable for his own unit, but he saved several other units. (Loud applause.) Incidentally he killed twelve Germans. (Loud applause.) While they were acclaiming the brave deeds of Lieutenant Prickleton they must not forget that he had four other brothers in tho war. (Applause.) There was not a better record throughout Now Zealand, and surely none better throughout the Empire. One boy would never return, and they honoured and esteemed tho memory of this hoy. Tho other boys had been wounded, and it was hoped they would regain their full health and strength, and bo a pleasure and a comfort to their mother throughout their lives. Ho was sure that when the boys at the front read the account of the lino demonstration of admiration that morning they would feel that they also were being honoured along with Lieutenant Prickleton.

Amidst a deafening burst of applause the Mayor turned and congratulated Lieutenant and Mrs Frickleton. A COVETED DISTINCTION.

Sir James Alien said ho was vorv proud to be present that day to welcome back Lieutenant Frickleton and to meet bis mother. The Victoria Cross was the most coveted of the distinctions a soldier could win. It had boon always a very difficult thing to win, hut never more difficult than dur-. ing the present war. A soldier must do something very ' extraordinary to win it. Ho congratulated Lieutenant Frickleton on the very high distinction. (Cheers.) He was sure that Mrs Frickleton, sad though she was over the loss of one of her sons, must bo proud of them all and particularly proud of the one who had won the V.C. If all mothers were like Mrs Frickleton they _ could look forward with confident pride to the future of Mew Zealand . (Cheers.) While there were such men as Lieutenant Friokloton there was no douht ns to the conclusion of the war. Ho believed that there wore many men like Lieutenant Frickleton if they only had the chance. “Wo have faith in the lads of New Zealand and in the mothers who hear them,” said Sir James Allen feeling“What a fine record is this. Mrs Frickleton bed lit o sous. , One died fighting, one came back with the Victoria Cross, and three others arc wounded. How proud the mother must ho to have her sons hack—even proud of their wounds. Those present along with Mrs Frickleton can take comfort in the fact that they would rather have their hoys hack with wounds than shirking in New Zealand. (Applause.) I have no douht there are Skots men and women Imre to-d-iv (Cheers.) Frickleton is a Scotsman’ (Louder cheers.) Although I am not a Scotsman—(voices : f W on should be”) —Vos, I am sorry I am not for some reasons. All the Soots people here should bo proud of your representative

on tho platform to-day.” (Voices ‘“We are” and. loud cheers.)

A MESSAGE TO THE COAL MINERS. Sir James Alien said he did not know whether there wore any coal miners present. If there were then they had every reason to be proud because Lieutenant Pricideton had been a coal miner. Distinctions such as ho had gained were open to any man no matter where ho came from. They were just as proud of any man who won them whatever his station in life might he. Ho understood Lieutenant Prickleton had worked in the mines at Blackball, and was going hack to hia home there. He wanted to send this message to the coal minors there. It was to give Lieutenant Prickleton a right royal welcome and to honour him as one to their own men and let there be nothing on the West Coast but honour for the man who had won the V.C. (Applause.) They were proud of Lieutenant Prickleton and proud of all those other brave men fighting for the Empire. They had several men who had won the medal secured by Lieutenant Prickleton. Their mothers might not bo lucky enough to welcome them alive, but whether alive or dead they honoured them all the same. ‘‘We trust/’ said the Minister in conclusion,’ that the energy and bravery of our soldiers will be transplanted in our citizens after the war.” (Applause.) OTHER TRIBUTES. Tho Mayor then read the following telegram from Mr Lynch, tho Mayor of Greymouth;—“Please convey to Lieutenant Prickleton, V.C., hearty welcome from tho West -Coast and appreciation of his noble deeds. Wo look forward to personally welcoming our West Coast hero next week.” • The Hon. _W. D. S. MacDonald also spoke of ' the valour of tho West Coast , hero. Ho had made a name, not only for New Zealand, but for the Empire. The Dominion rang with appreciation of his bravery. The Minister extended to Mrs prickleton and her sons his hearty congratulations. The Hon. G. W. Russell also joined in tho tribute of admiration. He expressed sincere admiration of Mrs Prickleton and of the women of New Zealand. As long as there were women of this sort there was no fear as to the future of New. Zealand. (Applause.) Lieutenant-Colonel Hughes, D. 8.0., asked permission to speak. He represented the Canterbury Battalion, -• to which Lieutenant Prickleton belonged. The good old Thirteenth, the West Coasters, they were simply splendid. Ho loved them and everybody did who knew how well they fought. The Mayor then invited tho widow of Brigadier-General Brown and Mrs Seddon on to the platform, and they were introduced to Lieutenant Prickleton and his mother. FRICKLETON SPEAKS, m

The hall rang with cheers as Lieutenant Prickleton rose to reply. The Trentham Band struck up “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” ■ and it ■•was enthusiastically taken up by the audience. It was some time before a renewed burst of cheering had died down and Lieutenant Friokleton.’ could h.f heard. His hearers were - stirred with ;his modest,- well-spoken 'words.' "Von will have to excuse me,” he said bashfully, “I am not much of a speaker, hut I would like to express my thanks for the way you have treated me. I have been through quite a lot of this sort of thing lately,' and you can take it from me that it does not feel too good to he a hero, as you people seem to think. (Laughter and cheers.) As regards the honour I got, I only went out to do my bit. I did not think of medals. When you go out looking for them you generally get something else. I would like to say that dozens of New Zealand hoys have done as much as I have done, and many have done more. It doesn’t take heroism. A man only wants to take a chance. ‘ Hundreds of our hoys would do the same thing if they got the chance. , Many a hey out there has won a distinction that ha s not been awarded to him.' I wisTi to thank you for your reception,”— and the hero sat down • ’ ' • The singing of the National Anthem concluded the proceedings.