THE EMPIRE'S CALL

Otago Witness, Issue 3337, 27 February 1918, Page 38

THE EMPIRE'S CALL

NEW ZEALAND'S lESPOHSI EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. WELLINGTON, February 22. The appended table furnishes a summary of the casualties of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force to February 11: Officers. Other Ranks. Killed 326 6,896 Died of wounds 137 2,681 Dead (cause unknown) 4 753 Died of disease... 19 704 Drowned 10 39 Missing ... ... 9 158 Prisoners of war 5 11 Wounded 1,140 27,891 Totals 1,650 39,233 MILITARY SERVICE. OBLIGATIONS TO BE MET. February 19. Referring to a report that the Government did not intend to send married men to fight, Sir James Allen made a statement to-day that, .so long as the war continued, the Government would continue to fulhl its obligation to send reinforcements, even if this should involve the calling up of the 1? and C men It was his earnest wish that we should not have to send even the A men out of the country, but no one could tell when the "war would end. He saw members of the Second Division in the south, and his conviction was that, although they had big responsibilities, they wouid all go willingly when their time came, knowing that they were fighting for their country and their own people. ' SECOND DIVISION MEN NOT YET WANTED. WELLINGTON, February 20. As it was found possible to supply the recruits required for the Thirty ; sixth and Thirty-seventh Reinforcements from men in camp, the draft mobilised this month became the Thirty-eighth Reinforcements. With that draft, plus the men under orders to arrive in camp in March and April, there will be sufficient men in camp to provide the .draft set down for mobilisation at the end of April. Orders have been given in accordance with the statement made by the Defence Minister that all Second Division men under orders for the April draft must be transferred to the May-June draft unless the men themselves would be inconvenienced by the delay. This does not apply to married men of the First Division under orders to proceed to camp-with the April draFE. All Second Division men classed CI are to have their leave extended to the date of the concentration of the CI draft in June._ The first ballot in Class B of the Second Division will be taken, according to present arrangement, early in June, and the names of the selected men will be published in the Gazette of June 18: QUESTION OF ALLOWANCES. PLAIN STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER. WELLINGTON, February 23. In a written reply to the Second Division League to-day Sir James Allen states that, notwithstanding that three months have yet to elapse before the first draft of married men enters camp, the Financial Assistance Board has already granted assistance totalling over £160,000 annually. There .was no semblance of bluff in that. The intention of the regulations was purely to prevent undue hardship. They could not grant assistance to remove undue hardship which did not exist owing to the possession of private means. The board was taking into consideration the increased cost of living, and was allowing in a good many cases a military income exceeding the pre-service earnings. The session of 1917 granted the necessary order to enable the board to reconcile its decisions in 1918 with those in 1917. In cases where men were in exactly the same financial circumstances before joining the Expeditionary Forces, if the old grant with increased separation allowances were retained, there would be serious cause for complaint by men in the same circumstances whose applications were now being dealt with. In no case had the reduction been made equal to the increase in the separation allowances. The Minister welcomes the fullest discussion, because, firstly, he is convinced that the board honestly tried to give effect to the spirit of the regulations, and secondly, if on investigation it is found that any case has not been adequately met he will bo able to increase the grant forthwith. He is prepared to give every possible guarantee that the spirit of the regulations will be fully carried out. Anyone dissatisfied with the given may at any time apply for a rehearing, and can be guaranteed that their cases will receive the consideration deserved. GALLANTRY REWARDED. Mr James Armour, of Harbour terrace has been officially notified chat his son. Trooper Hugh Douglas Armour, has been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry on the field. Trooper Armour left with the Main Body, and saw active service at Gallipoli.' and is now in France, attached to the 2nd Ansae Cavalry Brigade. Advice has been received by Mr Robert Gilbert, of Rockyside, Caversham, that his son. Private George Gilbert, has been awarded a bar to .the Military Medal. WAR HONOURS. CONFERRED ON NEW ZEALANDERS. The following list, giving particulars identifying New Zealandcrs who have recently had honours and awards conferred upon them has been issued by the Base Records* Office. All the recipients are on active service except Colonel Smith, who has been struck off the strength. Sergeant Godfrey- (who died of wounds on December 26), Sergeant Walker (who died of wounds on December 20). and Sergeant Brien (who was killed in action on December 13). COMMANDER OF THE ORDER. OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 66,204 Colonel G. J. Smith (care G.P.0., Christchurch).

OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 18/2 Chaplain Angus MacDonald (Mrs Lucy MacDonald, wife, Waipu, Auckland). 3/855 Major Thomas M'Kibbin (Mrs I. M'Kibbin, wife, London). 8/393 Captain John MTherson (John M'Pherson, father, Duncdin). 12/1845 Major James T. Watson (Mrs Margaret Watson, wife, Wanganui). D.S.O. 2/249 Major Robert C. Wickens (Mrs W. Wickens, Christchurch). MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL. 15/68 Private Joseph R. M'Cardell (Mrs Henrietta M'Cardell, wife, 22 Clifton terrace, Wellington). MILLITARY CROSS. i 6/3791 Captain George H. Gray (Mrs Ethel Elizabeth Gray, wife, Farnham, Blenheim); 24/2128 Lieutenant Colin A. Dickeson (Mrs L. E. Dickeson, wife, Sydney). 9/663 Lieutenant John C. M'Lean (Mrs E. B. M'Lean, mother, 12 Park street, Wellington). 23/749 Lieutenant John H. Hrnes (Mrs M. Magee, mother, Auckland). JLB/215 Lieutenant Alfred C. C. Hunter (Emily Gertrude Hunter, mother, Kati Kati, Bay of Plenty). 9/54 Lieutenant David M'Auley (Mrs C. M. M'Auley, mother, Caversham). 1/185 Lieutenant James K. Tait (Mrs A. F. Tait, mother, Stirling terrace, Karori). 7/2218 Lieutenant Malcolm C. Milne (Robert Milne, father, Milton). 3/89,5 Second Lieutenant Randolph N. Gray (Rev. R. S. Gray, father, Dunedin). 6/452 Second Lieutenant Allan Farquhar (J. Farquhar, father, Clayton, Fairlio). 13/420 Second Lieutenant Ernest H. Picot (J. Picot, Karori road, Karori). DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL. 6/1031 Sergeant James A. Godfrey (John Godfrey, Auckland)." 6/2960 Private K. B. Burns (Miss E. M. Burns, sister, Ohristchurch). 23/186 Sergeant William R. Walker (Jas. Walker, father, Ferntown, Nelson). 8/2614 Lance-corporal Gilbert Hayton (Ernest Colin Hayton, brother, Hawera). BAR MILITARY MEDAL. 12/3761 Corporal James Duncan M'Leod (A. O. M'Leod, father, Auckland). 6/2745 Corporal Lewis R. Sands (Mrs Ellen Sands, wife, Auckland). 8/2184 Leading-sergeant John H. Wilson (William Wilson, father, Dunedin). 23/534 Private George Gilbert (Robert Gilbert, father, Dunedin). 10/2435 Corporal Henry M. Hopper (J. W. Hopper, father, 42 Waripori street, Wellington). 2/2867 Acting-bombardier Francis W. H. Maindonald (Mrs Constance Maindonald, wife, New Plymouth). MILITARY MEDAL. 6/3845 Corporal John H. Rigby (J. P. Rigby, father, Rakaia). 10/3832 Private Ernest A. Billing (Thomas John Billing, father, New Plymouth). 23/820 Private Edward G. Fuller (S. G. Fuller, father, 26 Luxford street, Wellington J 23/790 Private Hugh M'L. Black (Mr W. Black, father, Gisborne). 14/147 Private _ Albert Purcell (Fred Purcell, father, Levin). 25/C47 Sapper Angus J. Wattle (W. J. Wattie, father, Hastings). 6/1725 Private Thomas Stainton (T. S. Stainton, father. Cumberland, England). 6/2627 Corporal Walter E. Garrett (Mrs F.; Jago, mother, Christchurch). 6/2739 Lance-corporal Leonard Robertson (Mrs Mr Robertson, Palmerston North). 6/4161 Corporal Albert N. Tillman (Mrs E. Tillman, mother, Christchurch). 6/3489 Lance-corporal Jack ' Tomes (J. Tomes, Auckland). 6/2299 Private Henry A. Thomas (William Thomas, brother, Kaikoura). 15/498 Private Leonard H. Columbus (Mrs E. Columbus, mother, Christchurch). 21/592 Private Arthur Leshke (Mrs Elizabeth Leshke, mother, Christchurch). 6/3061 Corporal Hugh Kennedy (Mrs Agnes Kennedy, wife, Auckland). 39/619 Lance-corporal Leslie J. Michael (Mrs Mary Ann Michael, mother, Napier). 14/398 Private Martin Capon (John Capon, father, Liverpool, England). 6/1785 Sergeant W. S. Brien (Mrs J. Brien, mother, Waimate). 23/797 Private Charles Chalmers (William Chalmers, father, Tikokino). 14/969 Private Leonard Godsiff (D. H; Godsiff. father, Kenepuru). 32/605 Private John Angell (Mr John Angell, Hawera)! 23/512 Private W. Joseph W. Butler (J. P. Butler, brother, Invercargrll), 9/2068 Private George B, Fotheringham (John Fotheringham, father, Lome, Southland). ' __ 23/538 Sergeant Leslie G. Gordon (R. N. Gordon, father, Duncdin). 8/2629 Lance-corporal Herbert Jenkins (Peter Jenkins, father, Dunedin). 8/3292 Private Angus M'K. Helm (1. Helm, father, Riverton). 23,752 Private Harry T. Lang (E. H. Lang, mother, Invercargill). ' • 8/3010 Private S. A. Miller (Mrs Mary E. Miller, mother, Lawrence). 23/1573 Corporal C. T. Browne (Jas. U. Browne, father, Auckland). 8/3132 Private John Hunter (Joseph Hunter, father. Riverton). 10/1497 Private Thomas Gosling (Mrs L. Higgs. sister. Auckland). 10,082 Private William Riddell (James Riddell, father. Gordonton, Waikato). 4/1051 Private Andrew Hughes (Mary Hughes, mother, Nelson). 3/1738 Staff Sergeant David H. H. Heron (Annie M. llcron..,mother. Auckland). 6/3466 Private Henry R. Slade (Mrs R. M. Slade. mother, Westport). 3/3072 Private Vivian G. Crawshay (Mrs L. Crawshay, mother, Devon, England). 5/3454 Private Owen O. Davis (David Davis, brother, Hastings). 9/81 Private John W. Sim (John Sim, sen.. Dunedin). 16/1474 Lance-corporal Michael R. Jones (Pei Jones, brother, Ongarue, King Country). 11/2034 Sapper M. Bellerby (Mrs K. Bellerby. mother, Gisborne). 9/493 Sergeant James M. Hangar (William Hangar, father, St. Bathans. Ota go). 9/538a Trooper Hugh Armour (J. D. Armour, father, Dunedin). 13/245 Lance-corporal Oliver F. T. Young (Mrs B. Young. Auckland). 13/2628 Corporal Gordon S. Watt (Mrs M. C. C Watt, wife, Auckland). 13/3082 Trooper John Smillie (John Smillie. father. Inah-a, Tarannki). 13/2587 Trooper Win. R. D. Laurie (Mrs Annie Laurie, mother. Waikumele). 7/1766 Trooper Hugh M'Gukin (Mrs T. Gadsby, sister, Masterton).

16.049 Trooper Neil M'L. Douglas (Hugh Douglas, brother, Masterton). 13/2095 Trooper John Wilkinson (W. J. Wilkinson, father, Whangarei). 11/1765 Sergeant William E. Graham (W. Graham, father, Gisborne). 7/1792 Trooper David W. Thomson (Mary Thomson, mother, Murchison). 4/162a Sapper P. J. Hodgson (Mrs Mary Hodgson, Oxford). MILITARY SERVICE BOARD. AUCKLAND, February 20. The Military Service Board gave reserved decision to-day in an appeal by Robert Laidlaw manager of the firm of Laidlaw, Leeds (Ltd.). It is regarded as being of great importance. The board granted exemption sine die, on the ground that the management cannot be delegated to another, and that very largo capital is involved in that private persons and monetary institutions had lent large sums to the firm, and it would cause great loss to them if the appellant were removed. RED CROSS SOCIETY. A letter has been received from Headquarters, England, acknowledging receipt of 578 cases of hospital clothing, dressings, and comforts, which have been distributed to the following hospitals:—Brockenhurst, Walton-on-Thames, Codford, New Zealand Stationary Hospital (France), Hornchurch, Officers' Convalescent Home (Brighton). The executive thanks the following for donations: —Mrs- Harkness, knitted quilt; Mrs Evans, household linen; First Church Ladies' Association, £sj per Otago Daily Times, £159 9s 9d; goods from Concord School, North-East Valley, Greenfield Red Cross Society, Caversham School, Columba School, Waitepeka, Romahapa, Waitahuna, Waipiata. RED TRIANGLE CAMPAIGN. WELLINGTON, February 22. At a public meeting to-night it was decided to make an effort to raise £25,000 in Wellington and suburbs for the Red Triangle Day Fund. JOTTINGS. In Vienna 10,335 deaths were reported from tuberculosis during the first 10 months of 1917. This is more than double the number during the same period in 1914. The chief medical officer of the city attributes the increase to the effects of the war, and says that the physical strength of the greater part of the population is so undermined through insufficient nourishment that they are unable to withstand sickness,* and that unless food conditions speedily- improvo the death-rate from tuberculosis will bo much higher. Mrs / Richardson, of High street, Greyreceived word recently from her son, Lance-corporal C. Richardson, who is a prisoner of war in Germany. He stated that he had received parcels sent him, hut what was wanted was good substantial, food rather than dainties. Corporal Richardson had been working on a farm from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. All the land around was being cultivated, women taking their turn at the plough and doing the' same kind of work as men. At a meeting qf the Anderson's Bay branch of the Red Cross Society it was resolved to form a working guild, to meet on Wednesday afternoons. Hampden-Waianakarua-Kartigi Women's Association resumed work recently. Three lost of parcels to local men were packed and sent away last year, and letters have been received acknowledging their safo arrival. The monthly collection for December of the Port Chalmers Patriotic Association amounted to £l2 6s 6d. The Momona Red Cross Society resumed work on the 14th hist., and parcels of goods were sent to the Dunedin Centre. The Otago Education Board has granted leave to T. W. Dallas, assistant Mosgiel District High School, and Thomas N. Rae, pupil teacher, who go into camp shortly. Charles Taylor, relieving fourth assistant at Albany Street School, has enlisted. The canvass of the Menzies' Ferry district in connection with the patriotic stock drive in the Lower Mataura district proved highly satisfactory. The amount received or promised in cash totalled £124 3s, while the value of the stock is estimated at £75 17s, or a total of £2OO. Evidently the purses of country people have not been closed altogether; but the owners require to be approached in a proper manner. With reference to the request for chessmen for the troopships with our soldiers, a Tuapeka West correspondent writes:—"l would suggest that as a recreation the soldiers should make the men and chessboards for themselves. The men can easily be made out of reels of different sizes, and boards can be made from cardboards ruled off into squares." Our correspondent suggests that convalescent soldiers might be taught to make proper men and boards for > profit. PERSONAL. Mr J. P. Simon, of this city, received news bv the-mail recently that his ouly son, . Servant J. P. H. Simon, was killed in ono of the trenches in France on December 15 He had returned from active duties and. was taking a. meal, when a German bomb exploded in the trench, and put an end to Ida military career. He was .24, j ears of age, and gave promise of distinction m the profession of arms. He went into' camp at Tahuna Park three years and a-half ago, and, leaving with the Main Body, took part in operations at Suez and Galhpoli before being transferred to Northern France. .Las, September lie was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and but a few days before his death was promoted to the rank of sergeant. It is believed that Sergeant Simon was the last of the men who left New Zealand with the Main Body to be promoted to be a non-commissioned officer while on active service. His commanding officer, in conveying the news of the young soldiers death to his parents, speaks in the highest terms of the brave and conscientious manner in which Sergeant Simon carried out his N. E. (Bert! Ward (killed in action) enlisted with the Twenty-third Reinforcements. He was well known m the Wanccanui and Feildmg districts, and was a ff reat athlete, and was a prominent member of "the Feilding Senior football team. He had a circle of friends, and was well liked by 'all who knew him. Much sympathy is felt for his wife, who resuks in Private George Hugh Coombs, whose name appears in to-dav's list, died from pneumonia at Tidworth Military Hospital, Salisbury Pl-v'r on the 18th inst. He was The only son*of Mr Hugh G. Coombe. of Milton, and was exceedingly popular in his native town.

He was 22 years of age, and was educated at Tokomairiro District High School, on leaving which he joined the staff of tno National Bank at Milton, where he served for four years. About two years ego he was transferred to the Gore branch, and left there to take service in the Thirty-third .Reinforcements. During his residence in Milton he was an active member of the 14th Regimental Band as a cornet player. IN PALESTINE. A North-East Valley soldier, who has had a lengthy experience of war, writes as follows from Palestine, under date December 13: "We had a great time when we got among the oranges—in fact, we cleaned out two places we stopped at, so they put a 6top to the 'polling.' I haven't seen any sign of the thousands of starving Jews yetr-in fact, they look in the pink of condition. The majority of "coons-' in any of the villages we have oomo across are spies and a big number have been shot. '"Taken all through it has been a very interesting 'stunt,' but I was very disappointed as well. The weather is very cold, and wg have had a good deal ol rain, and for a week or more our blankets were wot and cold, like dish rags, and in places we had to ride through mud a foot or more deep, but now the sun is shiniDg again, and all is well." OFFICER'S LETTER FROM PALESTINE. THE ADVANCE ON BEERSHEBA. The Minister of Defence has received the following letter from an officer now in hospital in Egypt, giving an interesting account of the operations in Palestine: — " Having arrived at the convalescent stage, I must write to tell you something of the successful operations of General Allenby's command. The Anzao Division was ordered around the right flank of the GazaBeersheba line, then held by tho enemy (October 24), and, after various stages and campings, on the night of October 30 we marched 30 miles, reaching at daybreak the hills overlooking Beersheba from the east, and a general advance was at once ordered. Tel el Saba was the New Zealanders' first objective, and after pushing back a few outposts the whole division deployed on the plains below—a sight that I shall never for- , get—with the Fifth Brigade (Australians) on x out right, and tho remaining brigade of the division in support." " To the Auckland Regiment fell the task of taking the Saba redoubt, which was accomplished by" five o'clock in the evening. The Somerset battery, which is attached to our brigade, did good work preparatory to the attack by the Aucklanders, the landing of their shells being remarkably accurate. The second squadron, Wellington Mounted Rifles, was sent in as support, and under an eager major reached the front line just in time to take • part in tho final assault. Considering the strong position and the strength of the enemy, our casualties in that engagement must be regarded as light. "In the meantime, the Australian Division had made a successful thrust at Beersheba, and at three, o'clock the enemy could be observed making for the hills north of Beersheba in large numbers, the Australians entering Beersheba tho same evening (October 31). By next evening the town was the receiving depot for all the wounded in and around that locality. It is impossible to speak too highly of the arrangements made for the caro wounded. A fullyequipped hospital staff was ready to take possession of suitable buildings at Beersheba immediately upon its being captured. "On the following day oivr brigade was sent out in the direction of the Hebron road to prevent any surprise attack from reinforcements that might have been in that locality, • but no attempt was made by the enemy. The watering of our horses gave us most trouble. The poor brutes had to go" 30 hours without water on more than one occasion. Once we parted with them for tho purpose of watering them —one man to four horses —whilst the remainder of the brigade held the positions dismounted. It wa3 on this occasion that the shrapnel gunfire was pretty effective on some of us. myself being one of the unfortunates. This was on November 5. At that time we were within a few miles of Sharia. trying to forco our way across country to tho enemy's rear —a movement which was very successfully continued next day. I had set my heart on . taking part in the capture of Jerusalem, and had hoped to be at the triumphant entry to that old city on the occasion of its being onoe more in the hands of the Christians. Now that great event has taken place; I must be content with visiting it later on. It is good to be alive these days, and to have the honour of taking part in the restoration of the Holy Land from the grip of the infidel."