THE EMPIRE'S CALL

Otago Witness, Issue 3338, 6 March 1918, Page 38

THE EMPIRE'S CALL

NEW ZEALAND'S RESPONSE

THIRTY-THIRD REINFORCEMENTS. ". WELLINGTON, February 27. The Minister of Defence has been advised that the 33rd Reinforcements have arrived at their destination safely. OUTGOING HOSPITAL SHIP. WELLINGTON, February 28. The Minister of Defence has received advice that a New Zealand hospital ship, which left the dominion some weeks ago, has reached a port of call, all well. THIRTY-NINTH REINFORCEMENTS. FAREWELL SOCIAL-. The men of the- Otago and Southland draft of the Thirty-ninth Reinforcements were tendered a farewell social in the Early Settlers' Hall on the 4th by the members of the Women's Patriotic Association, the, function, which was largely attended by the men themselves, in company with 'their relatives and friends, proving quite as enjoyable as the many similar gatherings that have preceded it. The large hall had undergone a, complete transformation. Its usual homely appearance, due to the presence of sewing machines and the wide variety of garments that constitute its customary furnishings, had given way to attractive decorations and to the familiar card tables, which were freely disposed about the room, and" when the process of social enjoyment was in full swing the scone was. a pleasant and animated one, giving pleasure alike to the visitors and guests, and to the ladies of the association, who found their joy in seeing to the comfort and well-being of all jw-esent. An interesting feature appearing among the decorations on the walls were large collections of cards from the men at the front acknowledging the receipt of parcels from the association, and incidentally shattering' any remaining scepticism as to the non-delivery of these gifts. So far as the entertainment of the men and their friends was concerned, the customary procedure at these functions was observed. The first portion of the evening was devoted to cards and social intercourse, and the proceedings were enlivened by a number of selections by the Bristol orchestra, these being greatly enjoyed. A brief interval lollowed, during which light refreshments were served. were served. Short addresses were given by the Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark) and Miss Stewart. The room was then cleared for dancing, whic'h was kept up with evident pleasure for an hour or two. INVERCARGILL GROUP. The following men from the Invercargill group arrived in Dunedin by Monday's express train, and were billeted in the city. ©They number >4B. and came up in charge of Sergeant-major W. Braxton. The men were given a fitting send-off at the Invercargill railway station, \ the Mayor (Mr John Stead) presiding:— Dobie, Havelcck H., lavercargilL Aitken, William V., Invercargill. Barnes, Bertie Thos., Invercargill. Aitken, Walter I, Invercargill. Barker, Arthur John, Mokctua. Cameron, Archd. Neil, Mat-aura Collie, WilHanvJlector, Otautau. Crosado, Fred Chaa., Garston. Carr, Frank William, Niagara. Campbell, Malcolm, Woodlands. Condon, William, Balfour. Docherty, Andrew C, Nighlcaps. Fow, Geo- Thos., Gore. Fothenngbam, Arch., Wairio. Gallacher, John, Five Rivers. Healey, David Peter, Nightcaps.Horner, Clifford Chas., Oreti. Horton, Arthur H., Tussock Creek. Knight, William, Winton. Kidd, Phillipps Douglass, Lome. Lyttle, Jas. Wm;, Gore. Lumsden, Jas. Carinichael, Winton. Lcnneker, Chm Hy., Stewart Island. M'Carthy, John, Ryal Bush. Macalistor, Jag. Erie, Invercargill. M'-Bride, Ce-eil, Frankton. M'lntyre, John Alex., Maitjand. Miller, Thos., Oreti. Miller, Chaa., Waipounamu. Metzger, Geo., Fairlight. Officer, Arthur A., South Hillend. O'Neill, James, Riverton. Robertson, John S., Waikaka. Reid, Geo. Richard, Mokoreta. Rogerson, Samuel Hy., Edendalo. Sim, Andrew Hamilton, Charlton. Smellie, David Alex., Invercargill. Stevens, Alex. C. 1.. Awarua Plaina. Tempa.ll, Edmond F., Invercargill. Torbett, John, Winton. Wilson, William, Invercargill. Watson, Thos. Menzies, Invercargill. Galbraith, R., Invercargill. Lilley, Owen Edward, Invercargill. Hope, W. F., Invercargill. M'Gregor, S. C, Wanganui. Roxburgh C. H. Brown, M., Invercargill. MILTON GROUP. Following is the nominal roll of reservists from Group XVI (South Otago) who paraded with the Thirty-ninth Reinforcements, which left Dunedin on Tuesday morning : Arthur, E. R., T'ahakopa. Blackmore, E. H., Lawrence. Campbell, J. G., Houipapa. Crane, W. 8., Waitahuua. Fea, W. R., Tahakopa. Finlay, R A., Heriot. Hollebon, A., Milton. Johnston, J., Toiro. Lil'bume, D. T., Tokoito. M'Auliffe, M., Heriot. M'Neilly, J. S., Waitahuna Gully. - Moir, A. M'H, Clarksvillo. Ross, A. 8., Puerua. Sim., E. 0., Ci-ookston. Smith, G. H., Crcokstcti. Williams, R W., Millers Flat. Moyle, J. A., Heriot. GALLANTRY REWARDED. C. W. Porter, son of Mr D. Porter, of the St. Kilda Hotel, who left New Zealand with the Main Body, was awarded the Military Medal as a result of the fighting on

the Somme, and has now gained the bar to the medal for gallantry in the Passchcndale Ridgo battle. Advco has been received that Lieutenant Walter Henry Frame, R.N.R., son of Mr A. Frame, --St. Kilda, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Cro3s for bravery ii. the t.avy. Lieutenant Frame enlisted andsailed with the Main Body, Australians, and was at the landing on Gallipoli. Ho also saw service in France, for which ho roceived the Military Medal and bar. Ho has three brothers on active service, and another was discharged from camp after serving two months there.

NEW ZEALAND ARMY.

OFFICERS PROCEEDING ON ACTIVE SERVICE. The th© New Zealand Expeditionary Force undermentioned officers proceeding on active service has been approved (dated 4th February, 1918, unless otherwise specified): N.Z. Field Artillery.—Second Lieutenants B. J. Russell (2'6th June), H. C. Cock, (N.Z.F.A., H Batt.), P. C. Hurst (N.Z F.A., H. Batt.). Infantry.—Captain W. Ward returns to duty; Lieutenant It. R. Gkw, N.Z. Engineers (N.Z. Railway Batt.) returns to duty; Lieutenant V. C. .Cooper, Reserve of Officers, 3rd Auckland Regiment (Countess of Ranfurly's Own); Second Lieutenants T. H. Crawford, F. W. Mackay, A. V. Peace, G- Greig, J. A. Toon, H. A. Perkins, E. H. Blomfield, return tj duty; Second Lieutenants J. F. Potter (2nd August), H. Ellen (4th August); G. Birnie, N.Z. Engineers (N.Z. Post and Telegraph Corps); R. J. Richards; C. L. Crump, Army Service Corps; A. C. Nathan, 6th (Manawatu) Mounted Rifles; K. De Maus, F. W. Lang, A. Thomson, N. A. Jory, C. L. P. Black, P. G. Clark, L. C. L. Averill, J. Lyon, C. M. Samuel; Second Lieutenant L. R. Nicholas, l?th (Ruahine) Regiment, is posted for duty (29th May). N.Z. (Maori) Pioneer' Battalion.—2nd Lieutenant J. Ormond. N.Z. Medical Corps.—Captains A. D. Anderson, M.R.C.S., England, L.R.C.P., London, G. Walker, M. 8., 8.5., Durham. N.Z. Dental Corps.—Lieutenants J. A. Brown, D. E. Thomas. N.Z. Chaplains' Department.—The Rev. H. T. Peat, Chaplain, 4th class; S. S. Green (Salvation Army), Chaplain 4th class. N.Z. Army Nursing Service. —'Sister A. L. Philpotts, Staff Nurses L. H. Donald, C. L. M'lntyre, W. Wilson, M. Hancock, J. LShaw, H. Carruthers, E. H. Douglass, J. Macpherson, R. Lindsay, J. L. Jarret. The appointment to the New Zealand Expeditionaryy Force of the undermentioned officers proceeding on active service has been approved (dated the _2lst February, 1918, unless otherwise specified): — ' Mounted Rifles.—Major E. J. Hulbert, Reserve of Officers, sth (Wellington) Regiment, returns to duty; Major T. L. Ranstead", U.L. (a), returns to duty; Captain W. J. Hardham, V.C., Reserve of Officers, General List, returns to duty; Captain M. R. Reed, 3rd (Auckland) Mounted Rifles, returns to duty; Captain T. L. Gibbs, Mounted Signal Troops, Canterbury, returns to duty; Second Lieutenant 0. S. Brown, N.Z.R.B. (T.), returns to duty; Second Lieutenant T. M'Carrol, U.L. (b), General List, returns to duty; Second Lieutenant R. H. Perrett, U.L. (b), returns to duty; Second Lieutenant C. B. Reid, U.L. (b), General List, returns to duty;. Second Lieutenant G. Paton, U.L. (b). General List, returns to duty; Second Lieutenant J. C. Self, U.L. (b), General List, (27th July); Second Lieutenant A. \\ Johnson, U.L. (b), General List (25th August); Second Lieutenant N. R. Jameson, U.L. (b), General List (27th August). New Zealand Medical Corps.—Captain T. C. Fraser, M. 8., Lieutenant A. M. Ross, M.B. New Zealand Vetrrinnrv Corns. —Captain W. 0. Barry, M.R.C.V.S.. Memorandum. —Lieutenant H. W. Swinburn. New Zealand Dental Corps, is posted for duty (13th February)-

WAR PENSIONS ACT.

LIFE PENSION CANNOT BE SOLD. WELLINGTON, March 2. The Minister of Defence states that information has reached him that a returnetl soldier with a pension for life had intimated that he was going to pell his pension for £4OO. The Mmister states that, under section 18 of "The W ar Pensions Act, 1915," pensions are unalienable, and. adds that the law will be rigidly enforced. FAILURE TO ENROL. HAMILTON, March 4. John Harrison, alias Hoff Smith, was fined £5 for failing to enrol and for answering questions in a misleading manner. The accused said he came from Melbourne eix years ago, and did not want to go to the front.

SOLDIERS SENTENCED.

FIVE MORE GET TWO YEARS' HARD LABOUR. In Trentham Camp Orders it is announced that another five soldiers, having been convicted by District Court-martial of refusing to obey the lawful commands given by their superior officers, have each been sentenced to imprisonment, with hard labour, for two years. The men so sentenced are as under:— 74278 Private D. F. Murphy, D Company, 38th Reinforcements. 74303 Private M. Doody, D. Company, 38th Reinforcements. 74271 Private F. Hodgins, D Company, 38th Reinforcements. 72712 Private R. A. J. Palmer, B Company. 38th Reinforcements. 72700 Private H. C. Ash, B Company, 38th Reinforcements. In Trentham Camp Orders it is announced that Private A. J. Ham, B Company, Thirty-fifth Reinforcements, having been found guilty by district court-martial of (1) when on active service deserting his Majesty's service, (2) losing by neglect his equipment, clothing, and regimental necessaries, has been sentenced to imprisonment, with hard labour, for six months, and to stoppages of pay for deficiencies in kit amounting to £6 7s 6d. In Featherston Camp Orders it is announced that No. 76150 Private William Worrall, D Company, Cl Draft, having been found guilty of (1) disobeying in such a manner as to show a wilful defiance of authority a lawful command given personally by his superior officer, in the execution of his office; and (2) disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer,

has been sentenced to undergo two years' imprisonment, with hard labour. Having been convicted of similar offences, No. 76148 Private William Ernest Munns, D Company, CI Draft, and No. 71949 Private Alphonsus Hugh Parsons, D Company, 37th Reinforcement, have each been sentenced to undergo one year and eleven months'' imprisonment, with hard labour.

OTAGO WOMEN'S PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION. Tho committee is very gratified at tho success of Saturday's stall. Airs Bell (Shnjj Valley Station), Mrs Orbeil. (Waikouaiti), and the • following branches came to tho assistance of tho association: —Saddle Hill, Taieri, Port Chalmers, Sawyers' Bay, Roslyn Kaikorai, Waitati, and Seacliff, also the Syndicate Fruit Stores. Some time ago the association despatched parcels to tho prisoners of war, and cards of acknowledgment were received from Turkey, but this is now undertaken entirely by workers under the supervision of the High Commissioner in London. Everyone knows tho value of'the- condensed milk especially, and many no doubt will be glad to contribute towards this important scheme. The committee hopes to despatch a good supply within a week oi>two. The following letter has been received from the Secretary of Internal Affairs: "The High Commissioner for New Zealand, representing the New Zealand Prisoners of War Committee, has advised that extra comforts in fho way of tinned meaft and preserved milk would bo very acceptable for New Zealand prisoners of war interned in Germany and Turkey. The infoi'mation is accordingly made public, so tl»t patriots societies and the public generally may, if 'they so desire, make a contribution of each for the purpose. Any such parcels should bo marked 'For New Zealand Prisoners of War Committee,' and addressed to Captain Bilton, ,K Shed, Wellington. Tho goods will be forwarded as early as possible." OVERSEAS CLUB. Work has gone on continuously during the week, with the result that many comforts have been made up for invalided soldiers in England. Parcels of" dainties have been packed for transport for the boys in the trenches and clothing has been prepared and packed for the British poor. The committee will be glad to receive donations in money or in goods so as to carry on the work. Parcels are sent through the club regularly to boys in the trenches. Senders are requested to limit the parcels to about 3?lb. The committee returns thanks for all donors for their generosity. JOTTINGS. Mr C. Fynmore, of this city, has received a cablegram from the High Commissioner stating that his son; Lieutenant N, Fynmore, R.F.A., would be leaving England on February 27 for Mesopotamia. . Lieutenant Fynmore was wounded in France in November, 1916, and after a long convalescence was on duty at various camps on the East Coast of England. The Otago Women's Patriotic Association conducted a stall sale at Jacobs's corner on Saturday. Branches and friends forwarded large quantities of goods,, and a most satisfactory sale resulted. The takings amounted to over £73, including £5 5s for the sale of ro£*s made by Mass Armour during February. _ ' The Returned Soldiers' Association is' about to start an association newspaper. The Outram Pateiotic Committee has decided to circularise residents intimating that they will be waited upon for donations in money or kind to enable the committee to carry on work. At a meeting of the Taieri Women's Association £SO was voted to the Y.M.C.A. Fund. The family record of Mrs W. R. Cameron, of Mornington, is an excellent one. Keith, the eldest, loft with the Main Body, and Went through ths Gallipoli campaign, where he was injured by shell concussion. Ho was about to sit for a commission when news was last received from him. Lieutenant Alick Cameron left with the artillery section of the Eighth Reinforcements, and has been through all the hottest fighting in France. Lieutenant dive Cameron left with the Twenty-fourth Reinforcements. Corporal Stuart Cameron, the youngest son, joined up as soon as he came of age, and went away with the Twentyeighth Reinforcements. Of the two daughters one, a certificated masseuse, has been 'accepted fer hospital service in England. The eldest daughter, Miss Gladys Cameron, M.Sc, is engaged _ assisting JDr Champtaloup in bacteriological work.

"PACK TJP YOUR TROUBLES IN YOUR OLD KIT BAG." The following extracts, taken from letters received by a relative of Lance-corporal R. Newton Hawthorne, of Kurow and GJenavy, who made the- supreme sacrifice on December 21. show the fine spirit in v.-h New Zealand lads face the hardships of modern warfare: September 14.—A1l the New Zealand Brigades are out of the lino for a spell. Of coures wc do a lot training, but it's a change from the line, no guns or gas to bother us. Wo marched about six miles yesterday to a certain place, where we joined up with tho other New Zealand troops—such a mob, too. We were inspected by Field Marshal Haig, who was accompanied by all the heads —the King, Lord French, General Godley, and Genera] Russell. Wo ai-e having lovely weather at present; to-day is splendid, so wo are haying sports, etc. Anything to pass tho time pleasantly. This is a great place for fruit, which we can buy very cheap. Hedges are clustered with blackberries and hazel nuts. I pick a tin full and then buy some cream . at the farmhouse.. September 29. —Well, our spell is over; wo have been marching several days now. you can easilv sniess where we are bound for. The guns have been making a great row lately, so I hope to be right amongst the Huns in a very short time. You will see by the papers that the Australians have been doing good work, so keep a lookout for the old New Zealand boys. October 28.—At last I have the opportunity of writing. We were no sooner out of the stunt when we had to go back in again in support of the other New Zealand brigades, who wero going to advance from where we left off. This is a hard war, but my policy is, "Pack up my troubles in my old krfc bag, etc." We put in the worst fortnight in the mud I over wish to see. When we came out we were all wcll_ settled, half of us have not regained our voices yet, from the severe cold. Just imagine sitting in shellholes all wet and miserable for days at a time —it's marvellous how a fellow

stands it! Nevertheless my luck is right in as far as getting hit is concerned. Our brigado has mado a great name for itself. .We mado a big successful advance, took some thousand prisoners, and forced Fritz to retire. There Were a good many casualties in our battalion, but our old! company (12th, Nelson) was fairly lucky. Two other New Zealand bridages (2nd Brigade and the "Dinkums") tried to advance after us, but for tho first time in this war the New Zoalandcrs failed. There have been very heavy casualties, and the 2n<] Brigade got a terrible smashing up. Wo had to go stretcher-bearing for a day to get all the woundod out, and a number of them died of exposure. This is Sundav morning, but there is no ohurch, as our minister was. killed going over the top. PERSONAL. Sapper A. W. Morrison, severely wounded in the left arm and admitted to the military hospital at Tooting, left with the Twenty-first Reinforoements. He is the youngest «on of Mrs E. Morrison, Deveron street, Invercargill, and was engaged as. a telegraph linesman prior to enlisting. Private Harold P. Boreham (awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal) is the son of Mr James A. Roreham, the ex-cham-pion draughts player. Born at Oamaru, he came to Dunedin with his and was educated at the Macandrew Road and Kaikorai Schools, and for two years at the Boys' High School. He was working for his father when ho enlisted. He was a member of the Kaikorai Football Olub, and was known as a light-weight boxer. Mr David Wratten, Owaka, has received a letter from his son, Sergeant James Wratten, who has been wounded for the third time, and was at the time of writing (December 24) in Shrewsbury Hospital, England: Sergeant Wratten was in Scotland when the war broke out, and at once joined tho Seaforth Highlanders, in which regiment he served till he was wounded at the battle of Loos. After this he was transferred to the Machine 'Grin Section, where, with the exception of six days, when he was slightly wounded with shrapnel, he has been ever since. The letter runs: —" I was wounded again on the third of this -month, during an attack we made near Ypre3. Out of 31 of us only two escaped, 13 were killed, and 16 wounded. It is good to be ba-ck in ' Blighty' again, if only for a short spell, away from it all. They treaH; us very well here—nothing is too good for us; I have had my middle right finger amputated, and also had a piece of shrapnel in my left eye. The eye is going on all right and I don't expect to be in hospital long, then a few weeks of convalescence and .back to the front again, I someone hae to do it, and we said we could, didn't we?"