GALLANTRY REWARDED.

Otago Witness, Issue 3310, 22 August 1917, Page 38

GALLANTRY REWARDED.

AWARDS TO NEW ZEALANDERS. WELLINGTON,, August 14. Tho High Commissioner advises that the following New Zealanders have been awarded the Military Cross for gallantry on the field of action : Second Lieutenant Alfred George Jennings, Northumberland Fusiliers (Mr W. T. Jennings, M.P., father). Second Lieutenant Victor James Gallie, Royal- Field Artillery (John Gallie, 17 Stoke street. Wellington, father). August 16. Under date London, August 14, Mr Malcolm Ross, official war correspondent, The Corps Commander has awarded the following decorations for acts of gallantry in the field : MILITARY MEDAL. AUCKLAND. Private E. Kelhall. Private H. Underwood. Private H. C. Downie. Private H. Sutherland. Sergeant E. T. Rees. Private F. Jackson. WELLINGTON. Lance-sergeant T. Boyce. Sergeant W. A. Sasley. Private H. C. Morgan. Private J. M'Phee. Corporal W. Bargh. Lance-sergeant W. Borlase. Sergeant A. N. Tod. Private A. N. Cooks. Corporal A. M'Cully. Lance-corporal O. fl. Johnson Private A. J. (Steadman. Private R. J. Uro. Lance-corporal W. C. Hanna. Corporal E. A. Tuke. Private G. N. Hart. Private A. E. Johnston. Corporal W. B. Overden. Private N. Knight. OTAGO. Lance-corinora] J. Trembath. PIONEERS. Private J. M" Andrew. Private T. Brown. MILITARY CROSS WINNER. WELLINGTON, August 15. Lieutenant Victor James Gallie, R.F.A., who has been awarded the Military Cross for bravery in the field, is a son of Mr John Gallie, of Wellington. He served at Samoa with the advance guard for nine months, and on his return to New Zealand left for England at his own expense, and was immediately given a commission in the Royal Field Artillery. He was wounded in the battle of Ypres, and came through the Somme fighting without a scratch. Lieu*, tenant Gallie is an old Wellington College boy, and at the outbreak of war held a sergcantcy in D Battery. He is 26 years of age, and has two other brothers on active service—Lieutenant Oscar Gallie, also of the R.F.A., and Private Clyo Gallie, of the 25th Reinforcements. Lieutenant Gallie was very well known in football, rowing, and running circles. He was on the staff of the Union Bank. MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES Captain W. G. Tweedy, who was mentioned in the latest War. Office despatch, is a well-known Otago University cricketer and member of the South Island team in inter-university cricket He is a lawyer by profession. Captain Tweedy left New Zealand with the Fifth Reinforcements as a sergeant in No. 2 New Zealand Stationary Hospital. When he reached Cairo he was made lieutenant and quartermaster. After reaching England, and while he was acting as quartermaster at Brockenhurst Hospital lie received his captaincy. Captain W. S. Wallls, who has boon mentiontd in a War Office despatch, was educated at the Christchurch Boys' High School. Then he took the medical course at Otago University, and afterwards bccomo a house surgeon in the Christchurch Hospital. Leaving the dominion in tho New Zealand Medical Corps, he was attached to No. 2 New Zealand Stationary Hospital. Captain Wallis played cricket for tho West Christchurch Club, Otago University, and, later, for tho Riccarton Club.

The following is an extract from the London Gazette of August 16:— "Lieutenant Masscy, Military Cross, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Previous to an attack he performed service, invaluable to his brigade in successfully carrying out its assembly arrangements. The fact that there was no hitch was due to his careful personal reconnaissances. Afterwards, during the attack, he did valuable work in going forward when communication had been broken down owing to casualties and other confusion, and returning with a clear report on the general situation." Lieutenant F. G. Massey was mentioned in despatches after the Somme, in which battle his brigade was engaged continuously for 21 days. He is the son of the Prime Minister, and left with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade (7th Reinforcements).

DEATH OF LIEUTENANTCOMMANDER SANDERS, V.C. The father of Lieutenant-commander W. E. Sanders. R.N.R.. V.C, received information by cable on Friday that his son had been killed' in the North Sea (says the Auckland Star). Lieutenant-commander

Sanders was awarded the fourth Victoria Gross won by New Zcalanders during the present war, when in command of a fast patrol vessel, in which ho took part in ?n engagement with the enemy. The result was that the Hun ship was sunk, and his own boat severely damaged. Lieutenantcommander Sanders's career had been a brilliant one, as he had phenomenally rapid promotion. He was recommended by bus superiors as a fit recipient for one of the minor decorations before he was awarded the V.O. In November, 1916, he wrote to his father that four days before he had had his first brush with the enemy. As a matter of fact there were four small engagements. Shortly afterwards ho was promoted to acting-lieutenant, and second in command of the ship. Towards the end of October the same year he had another "scrap" in the Channel, in which the enemy's ship was sunk, and for that action tho commander received the D. 5.0., and two D.S-M.'s were awarded the crew. Lieu-tenant-commander Sanders was twice recommended for the Naval Cross, and for the command' of the ship. On February 5 he was appointed to the command, being the youngest officer in the navy to hold such a position. Writing to his father on May 10. he said:—"l have been in another scrap, and am still alive to tell tho tale. In that engagement the ships were only 80 yards apart. He added: "We are badly holed, and our internal fittings are all smashed up, but the enemy is no more, so we are the victors. My first command has been very successful." RETURNED SOLDIERS. WELLINGTON, August 16. A statement regarding the soldiers who have come back from the war was made by the Minister of Defence in the House to-clay. The total number of tho men who returned up till July 31 was 10,917. Of those 9265 had received their discharges, 1244 had returned to duty, 43 had died, 119. were awaiting final disposal, 216 were under treatment, 2 were in prison, 4 had deserted, and 19 were on special leave. GIFTS FOR SOLDIERS. DIRECT CARRIAGE TO EGYPT IMPOSSIBLE. WELLINGTON, August 17. The following telegram, dated August 14, has been received by the Prime Minister from the Prime Minister of Australia: "With reference to your telegram of August 8, I regret that, owing to gifts for Australian troops having been vigorously restricted, and tho great difficulty being experienced in finding space for small quantities permitted to be carried, it is quite impossible to provide space to Egypt for' New Zealand gift goods." The High Commissioner is being asked, in view of the above, how gift goods can be sent to Egypt from New Zealand. If TTiey are shipped to England, will they bo sent on to Egypt? No further parcels tor prisoners of war are to be despatched from the dominion, but they will be dealt with by the High Commissioner for New Zealand in London, to whom all moneys should be remitted. LONDON AIR RAID FUND. The secretary of the Otago Education Board has received the following contributions for the fund in aid of the sufferers from the recent air raids on London: Palmerston District High School, £6 lis; Lowburn Ferry School, £6 Is 6d; Arthur Street School," £5; Tapanui District High School, £4 12s 9d; North-East Valley School, £4 2s; Mornington School £2 8s 3d; Evan's Flat iSchool, £2 8s; West Taieri School, £2 4s; Cromwell School, £2 0s 6id; Waikouaiti School. £2; Benhar School, £1 13s; Galloway School, £1 10s 6d; Waiwera South School, £1 3s 6d; Wetherstones School, £1 3s; Incholme School, £1 Is 6d; Flag Swamp (School, £1; Owaka Valley School, £1; Waipori School, £1; Matakanui School, 15s; Clark's Flat School, lis 4d; North-Bast Harbour School, lis; Katea School, 10s; To Houka School, 10s; Inch Valley School, 8s; Waihola School, 7s lOd; Mount iStuart School, 7s 6d; Maruakoa School, ss; Reomoana School, ss; Chaslands School, 3s 10£-d; Kokonga School, 2s 6d. MIDDLEMARCH PATRIOTIC SOCIETY. Tho committee of tho women's branch thanks the following for parcels of work: Mosdames Carruthers, Fletcher, Turmbull, sen., J. Thrnbull. Wilson, Horn, Cockerell, Tyler, J. M'Phee, Middleton, Johnstone. Guy. 'A. M'Kinnon, Boyd. Millar. Beattie, W. Elliot, Rose. Devon. R, Elliott, Misses Turn bull, Bowie. Miller', M'Bridc, Pedofsky, Deaker, Bagnell, M'Hardy, Maeanly. Jack Deaker. and the Sutton School children. Gifts have been received from Mrs J. Elliot and "Kruger." Through the death of Mrs D. M'Phee the society has lost one of its most ardent workers. Up to the last she worked unceasingly for tho boys in the trenches. Tn response to tho King's appeal for Red Cross funds the society will hold a concert early in October. DISABLED SOLDIERS. FACILITIES FOR STUDY. Tho following is a copy of a telegram sent by Sir James Allen to tho chairmen of the university colleges in the dominion : "A committee, under Lord Selboine, has formulated a scheme to make available for suitable applicants from among overseas soldiers and sailors who have served the Empire the academic, scientific, commercial, industrial and educational facilities of the United Kingdom, and has ascertained that universities and technical schools will welcome such men and provide for one year courses of study specially designed for ail needs. Tho committee has sufficient funds available to commence, and the New Zealand Government has been asked to nominate one disabled New Zealand soldier for a course at a university, ijoginning soon. Will you please suggest for consideration the name of a New Zealand disabled soldier whose studies were interrupted by the war? To enable the nomination to be acted on without delay it will be well to suggest a disabled man now in England or France." FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS. SCHEME TO ASSIST RESERVISTS. AUCKLAND, August 20. Arrangements have been made by the Chanibi r of Commerce to guarantee a fund of £SOOO from which advances may be

made to i-eservists called up, to enable them to meet financial obligations for which there is no provision in tho Government scheme.

Mr Gunson (Efficiency Commissioner) is co-operating with the chamber. It is proposed that a trustee board should administer the fund. Details are being arranged. JOTTINGS. Mr J. Morrison, of Alloa (Scotland), one of the overseas wool buyers in the dominion, has enlisted, and will go into camp shortly. His Excellency the Governor will be in Dunedin about tho 27th inst., and will take advantage of his visit to present medals to the relatives of Sergeant J. Bissland and Sergeant J. Hammill, both of whom lest, their lives at the front.

In the Henley School on Wednesday the parents and pupils gathered to say an revoir to Mr Cairncy, who is returning to* duty on a hospital ship. Presentations were made to Mrs Cairney (a manicure set) and to Mr Cairney (a tobacco pouch and fountain pen) by two of the senior pupils, and afternoon tea was provided by the ladies.

In Featherston camp orders it is renounced that Private Richard Albert George Millford (Mounted Details) has been found guilty by a district court-martial of deserting his Majesty's service, and has been sentenced to nine months'* imprisonment with hard labour.

Tho Berwick branch of the Otago Women's Patriotic Association had a very busy time on Thursday evening, when Christmas parcels were packed for sending to each of the local men at the front. Donations were received from many residents of the district, and thanks are due to them for helping to keep the branch going. Captain P. J. Keligher, news of whose death on active service has just been received, was ths last surviving member of the family of the- late Mrs Keligher, well known as hostess of the Crown Hotel. Captain Keligher was educated at tho Christian Brothers' School, Dunedin. Commencing with the Christian Brothers' Cadets he continued his connection with the Territorial Forces, and was a lieutenant in charge of Group XIII when he left for the front. He only got away with one of the later reinforcements, and could have been in France but a few weeks. Captain Keligher, who was 23 years of age, was a magnificent specimen of physical manhood, standing 6ft 3in and weighing between 15 and 1 16 stone.

Private news has been received that Major James Mackintosh Bell, of the Royal Highlanders of Canada, 73rd Battalion (formerly director of the Geological Survey Department in this dominion), is now in Russia on military service. Prior to the war he spent a considerable time in Russia, where he was employed as a consulting mining engineer, and the knowledge he then gained of tho country, its people, and language will stand him in good stead.