ON SERVICE

Otago Witness, Issue 3211, 29 September 1915, Page 83

ON SERVICE

BESTOWAL OF DECORATIONS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, July 16. At Buckingham Palace, on July 12, the King held an Investure, when those severally introduced into his Majesty’s presence and invested with the insignia of the respective divisions of the orders into which they have been admitted, included: The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (Military Division): Vice-Admiral Edward Shortland, Colonel Edward Chaytor. The Distinguished Service Order: Major Gilbert Hamilton, Major Herbert Hart (New Zealand Expeditionary Force). Lieutenant Guy Fetherston, R.F.A. (Auckland), is gazetted this week among the wounded.

Dr C.' A. Purnell (Ashburton) who has been in practice at Reading for some while, is gazetted Lieutenant R.A.M.C. . Sccond-lieutcnant A. C. Purnell, 16 Middlesex Regiment, has been promoted full Lieutenant.

Returning to London from New York in January, Mr W. Stewart Lochhcad (Dunedin) obtained his chief engineer’s certificate. Since then he has been second engineer on board the Admiralty transport E 6820. Ho has just finished three months in the CrossChannel service, and is spending a short furlough in London. On two occasions his vessel has been in touch with German submarines.

Mr Stewart Reid, the Dunedin artist, who has been in Scotland for some while, has obtained a commission in the Scottish Horse.

Mr E. A. Meredith (Devonport), who arrived from Auckland about the end of April with the intention of joining King Edward’s Horse, has been granted a commission in the Royal Field Artillery. Ho is at present stationed at, Weedon, Northampton. Second-lieutenant G. R. Macdonald (Christchurch, son of Mr Ranald Macdonald), who had a commission in the High land Light Infantry, has been transferred to the Army Service Corps (Motor Transport section), and is at Aldershot. Another brother, Lieutenant G. K. Macdonald, belongs to the 3rd Battalion Sherwood Foresters, while Second-lieutenant lan Macdonald, who recently passed through the Military College at Cambcrley, is in the Highland Light Infantry. Lieutenant P. Blakcmore, 10th North Staffordshire Regiment, who recently married Miss Helen Macdonald (Christchurch), has been promoted captain, and is attached to the Essex Regiment. Second-lieutenant R. IT. Marryatt (Milton), sth Worcester Regiment, is confirmed in his rank.

A New Zealander who has recently obtained a commission in the R.F.A. as sec-ond-lieutenant, is Mr J. St J. Hhidmarsh. Dr C. F. Knight, M. 8., Now Zealand Medical Corps, who had a commission with the Canadian Army Medical Corps, is gazetted temporary lieutenant R.A.M.C. Dr A. E. Marsack (Auckland), late surgeoncaptain Ist Volunteer Battalion, Royal West Kent, who oarae to London recently to offer his services to the War Office, is gazetted temporary captain R.A.M.C. Dr P. F. J. Stewart. M. 8., F.R.C.S., Edin., and Dr R. Nairn, F.R.C.S., are two New Zealanders who this week have been given temporary commissions as lieutenants in the R.A.M.C.

Temporary and Lieutenants G. A. Buddla (Auckland) and W. A. Mitchison (son of Air A. M. Mitchison), both of tho Royal Engineers, are now temporary lieutenants. Major and Battalion Lieutenant-colonel C. D. X. Campbell, 16th Lancers, who was A.D.C. to General Babington in New Zealand, is gazetted as temporary lieutenantcolonel from December 11 to February 6 (inclusive). H. R, Dive is to be lieutenant in the R.A.M.C., attached to tho 2nd S.W. Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance. Major (temporary colonel) F. R. Johnston (Wellington), North Staffordshire Regiment, is to be temporary brigadier-general while commanding a brigade. Dr N. D. Gillies, F.R.C.S., is a New Zealander. who now has a majority in the R.A.M.G.

Staff-surgeon J. R. A. Clark-Hall, H.M.S. New Zealand, has been transferred to tho Vindictive, and his place has been taken by Temporary Surgeon W. Ibbotson. F. Pember Reeves has been entered as probationary light sub-lieutenant, Royal Naval Air Service, for temporary service, with seniority July 18. He has been appointed to the president, additional for R.N.A.S.

Captain A. B. Rose, Manchester Regiment (Wellington), who was wounded at the front six months ago, is now in Ireland engaged in training young officers. Dr William O. Burns (Timaru), -who arrived at Plymouth on Sunday by the Turakina, has already obtained a commission as lieutenant in the R.A.M.C., and ho is going to Aldershot within a week. Miss E. Carroll and Miss A. Murphy (Wellington), who arrived in England in May, have been engaged in a war hospital at Brighton for some weeks. Lieutenant C. M. Rout (Nelson), R.A.M.C., is in London this week on five days’ leave after nine months’ active service at the front. He is in the best of health. Lieutenant Rout joined tho Lahore Division of the Indian Army at Egypt in the early days of the war, and reached Marseilles with tho first contingent. He spent a considerable time in Marseilles, and has lately boon on duty in Rouen and other places. Lieutenant Alan C. Rout (Nelson), of the 12th Nelson Company, Canterbury Battalion, reached London this week on two months’ sick leave. He was wounded by a bomb in the hip during the fighting on June 4, when tiro New Zealand and Australian Force® were ordered to make a demonstration to hold tho Turks opposite them, while the Main Expeditionary Forces launched a big attack at the south.,. The Australasians occupy about two square miles of territory, and thc-y_ are always under artillery fire, and within the range of stray rifle shots. The men are now well tried veterans, and indulge in swimming and other pastimes, irrespective of shot and shell. Mr Ellis Wrigloy (Tauranga), who joined the British section of the Now Zealand Expeditionary Force, is now at tho Dardanelles. His "wife is a Red Cross nurse, and is helping in other ways during tho war. She is living at Highcliffo, not far from Bournemouth, and has offered to entertain ati her homo any Now Zealanders on their discharge from hospital, who would like a week or so in the country before returning to the firing line. She specially

would like any who are without friends in this country. Miss M. C. Greer (Gisborne) has offered her sendees as masseuse. Private Littlejohn (Wellington), of the Machine-gun section, Wellington Infantry, who was wounded at the Dardanelles, is in the Australian Hospital at Haroficld. Amongst the recent arrivals in England from the Dardanelles is Major T. hr. Daweon (Auckland), who has made a good recovery from a rather serious wound in -he back, close to the lung. Ho is now on leave in England, and is staying with his sister in Torquay. Major Dawson served in the Boer war.

Dr Gore-Gillon (Auckland) was fortunate enough to be given his own rank of lieu-tenant-colonel in the R.A.M.0., and is attached to the Queen Alexandra and King Edward Military Hospital, S.W., where he has had many important operations to perform. Ho and his wife are living at 25 New Cavendish street, Cavendish square. Last week they had platform tickets for the great meeting at the Guildhall, at which Lord Kitchener spoke on recruiting Lieutenant Rainsford Bakombe-Brown, son of Mr E. Bakomb-Brown (Wellington), after spending some time at the front observing for his battery from aeroplanes, has now been selected for the Royal Flying Corps, and has been training in England. He will probably get his wings in the course of the next few weeks, and then return to the front. Mr and Mrs Bal-combe-Brown, whose elder son was killed in June, are staying at Gosport, to be near their other son while ho is in England. Lieutenant B. C. O’Rorke (Auckland) son of Mr E. D O’Rorke, has been invalided from the front, and is at present in England undergoing a cure. Lieutenant O’Rorke has been in Franco since December, and is attached to a general’s stall. He has been onoe wounded and twice gassed, and this is his first return to England since he went to the front.

Mr J. H. Gorric (Auckland), a recent arrival, has joined the Officers’ Training Corps, and is now at Berkhcmstead. Mr Leonard Malef (Ashburton), who is attached to the remount department of :he War Office, is in the United States choosing mules for the army. Mr Harry L. Bourk (Christchurch) was n Norway when war was declared, and then went to Sweden; he is in England at present, and is trying to get into the Royal Flying Corps. At the present time there arc at least two New Zealanders on the Isle of Sheppey. One is Rifleman J. Wyrner (Matawharo, Gisborne), who has joined the Rifle Brigade; the other is Private G. I). Harle (Milburn, Otago), who has been transferred from he 78tb Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C., to 'Tie Rifle Brigade. Ho is now acting corporal with the sth Battalion at Minster, Isle of Sheppey. Second Lieutenant Wynne Dudley Raymond, Cumberland and Westmoreland Yeomanry —son of Mr and Mrs Irven W. Raymond, of Invercargill—loft for the front this week.

Mr F. W. Haybittlo (Wellington) has placed his motor car at the services of the British Rod Cross, to which ho is at present attached. Ho is in France.

Mr Gladstone Ward, son of Sir Joseph Ward, has been granted a commission in the Mechanical Transport Department, Army Service Corps. Fleet Surgeon Leopold Mandel (Wellington), attached to the Grand Fleet, has been in London on short furlough. Lieut. Bruce H. Morison (Wellington), 9th Hawke’s Bay Company, Wellington Infantry Battalion, is in London ori two months’ leave. He was wounded on June 11 by a bomb at Quinn’s Post, which the Wellington Battalion was holding. This is tho most dangerous part of the British front, and many of the wounds are caused by hand-thrown bombs. Lieut. H. B. Wheeler, N.Z. Staff Corps, of Havelock North, has arrived in London, and has taken no his duties at the WarOffice.

New Zealand soldiers now on sick furlough in London include: —Lance-corporal N. Susting (Christchurch), Trooper Mabey (Wellington), and Private T. N. Allen (Auckland, 2nd Battalion Auckland Infantry). Captain J. Scant lobary (Tauranga) is serving with tho Special Reserve of the Royal Garrison Artillery at Bere Island, Bantry Bay

Further wounded New Zealanders from the Dardanelles have reached England this week. Those who have gone to tho different hospitals in Manchester include Private A. D. Purchas (3rd Auckland Infantry), Private Alexander Stewart (Heriot; Otago Battalion), Trooper W. Macdonald (Otago Mounted Rifles), Bugler C. F. Buxton (2nd South Canterbury Infantry), Private J. C. Mullins (Christchurch), At Notlcy the new arrivals include:—Private H. A. Johnston (Nelson), Canterbury Infantry ; Driver Macfarlane, Array Service Corps; Private J. IT. Hughes (14th South Otago) ; Lance-corporal J. M. Mycioft (Hokitika) Westland Company; Trooper A. M. Hutton, Wellington Mounted Rifles; Gunner A. W. Goldsmith (Wanganui), Field Artillery; Sapper J. Buckley (Mataura), Royal Engineers; Private J. M‘Ewcn (Dunedin), Bth Otago; Private S. E. Cackle, Division Headquarters; Driver J. J. Murray (New Plymouth), A.S.C., is in the Rod Cross Hospital at Balham; Private C. J. Shaw (Blenheim), Canterbury Infantry, is at Warrington; Private 11. R. Atkinson, 9th Wellington, and Private L. C. Newman (Christchurch), are at Stockport; while Sergeants W. G. Smily (Canterbury Infantry) and Corporal G. P. Neill (Auckland), Second Canterbury Infantry, are in the Hyde Park Road Hospital., Plymouth. Major W. A. Chappie. R.A.M.C., M.P., has just returned to London from the Dardanelles, whither he went and returned with a hospital ship. A NEW ZEALANDER’S PLUCK. Tho incident for which Captain Guy Geddes, a New Zealand officer in the Munster Fusiliers, received the D.S.O. is specially referred to in tho graphic despatch of Sir lan Hamilton describing the events of the 25th April. When at Sedd-el-Bahr tho troops commenced to land from the River Clyde by passing over the lighters, and thence to tho shore. “A company of the Munster Fusilier® led the way, but, short as was tho distance, few of tho men ever reached tho farther side of tho beach through the hail of bullets that poured down upon them from both flanks and the front. As the second company followed the extemporised pier ’of lighters gave way in tho current. Tho end nearest tho shore drifted into deep water, and many men who had ecaped being shot were drowned by tho weight of their equipment in trying to swim from the lighter to the beach. Undaunted workers were still forthcoming. _ Tho lighters wore again brought into position, and tho third company of tho Munsters rushed

ashore, suffering heaviest losses this time from shrapnel, as well as from rifle, pompom, and machine gun fire.” Captain Gcclcles’s decoration was gained by seeing his men into the lighters and then, when they broke away, swimming ashore. He was wounded early in the day, but lay on the beach with the remainder of his men until it was possible to make a move, which was not until 24 hours after the operation commenced. A slight ridge of sand vyas all the shelter they had. It was on the lighters that General Napier was killed, with several of his staff. NEW ZEALAND ENGINEERS.

Some idea of the wear and tear on troops engaged in the fighting in this war may bo gained from the experience of No. 1 Field Company of the New Zealand Engineers, who were largely recruited from the British section of the force. No. 1 section was gradually whittled down until its effectives numbered only about a dozen, with a lance-corporal, Mr Guy Batharrp (Wellington) in charge, and the latter is himself now in hospital at Cairo with ind’sposition of a mild sort. Sergeant C. W. Salmon won his D.C.M. by night reconnaissance in enemy country, and Lieutenant Charles Saunclers (then corporal) by all round good service Lieutenant Newbould, with No. 4 section, came to the rescue of one of our infantry outposts and turned the affair into a routed Turkish outpost. Lance-corporal Fear and Sapper Hodges won their distinction by laying a charge of guncotton on ton of a Turkish blockhouse when the trenches wore only about 10 yards apart, and then returning to the trenches, blew in the roof of the bomb-proof. * They spent 35 minutes between the two neighbouirng linos of trendies, and seized every opportunity of getting on with their work. There wore many exciting deeds with hand grenades powerfully charged with throe slabs of guncotton. Our boys waited keenly on the alert for the grenades to come flving over, when they were caught in the air or immediately on landing and thrown back before they could explode. LIEUTENANT BALCOMBE-BROWN. Writing to Lieutenant Ramsford Baloombo Brown, R.F.A., on Iho death of In’s brother, Lieutenant W. E. Balcombe-Browu, who was killed in France a week or two ago, the Provost of Oriel. Oxford, says; “ What a fine memory he has left behind him. lam sure that his presence and In’s company made for good ho was.” Lieutenant Brown was “registering” a German trench from the front infantry lines, for his battery in the rear. It was a difficult piece of range-finding, and he had just successfully completed it when a German shell burst near him, killing him and wounding Major Pulley and an N.C.O. About the same date Lieutenant BalcombeBrown’s cousin, Mr Howett B. Brown, of the Auckland Mounted Rifles, was killed at the Dardanelles.