VICTORIA CROSS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10136, 26 November 1918, Page 5

VICTORIA CROSS

NEW ZEALANDERS HONOURED. Advice" has been received that 14/lot Private James Crichton has been awarded the V.C. His next-of-kin is his brother, Mr L. Crichton, of Craigterrace, Blackridge,_„3Vest Lothian, Scotland. ■< •■■■ .'xnu-r/o/ • Another-Now 'Zealander-honoured is 5/241a Shoeing-smith Harold Thompson, M.M.,who has been awarded the Military Medal' for 'gallantry on tho field of action. His next-of-kin is his mother, Mrs.. M. Thompson, 6, Carlton lUoro road, Auckland. Sergeant H. J. Lauren.t winner of 'the V.C, is a son of Mr J. Laurent, of Hawera, Taranaki, .and; grandson of Mr R. M. I).. .St...Laurens, who is still alive at the age of ninety-thrco years. When the old gentleman's grandson enlisted he said to him, "I am going to livo to sec my country free."' He has not only done that, but has tho honour to be .a.,. grandfather of a winner of tho V.C. Tho name "Laurens" has been Anglicised to "Laurent" by tho second and third generation. Sergeant Laurent left with the' 6th Reinforcements. Thero aro fivo grandsons of Mr Laurens at the front—Messrs L. Laurent, who went with the Main Body; H. J. Laurent, V.C; Corporal B. H. Laurent, Lewis-gun "instructor, 'Sling Camp; and Mr E. A. Lauront, of Eltham, who is at present homo on leave.