MAJOR DEXTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3339, 13 March 1918, Page 52

MAJOR DEXTER.

"THE PINCHING PARSON." Major Dexter, D. 5.0., D.C.M., popularly known among the Australian troops in Franco as the " Pinching Parson," is as brave as ho is devoted to the welfare of the Anzacs (says the Sydney Sun)._ Chaplain Hall, who is a personal friend of Major Dexter, has written of him as follows : " The major went to sea as a boy, and later had his own ship, which ran from India to Mecca. At the beginning of the South African war he laid up his ship in Bombay, and joined LumsdoWn's Indian Horse. As a despatch rider to Lord Roberta ho won the D.C.M. After the Boer war he went to Durham University, and took holy orders when about 40 years old. He then travelled to Gippsland about 1910, and later lived in South Melbourne. "Immediately war was declared he volunteered, and went to Gallipoli, winning the D. 5.0., and was promoted to major. He was wounded six times at Gallrpoli, but refused to go further back than his dugout. The wound that caused him the greatest mental depression was received from a high explosive shell, which injured his jaw, and prevented him preaching for a while. "Prom Gallipoli he was transferred to France, and worked in conjunction with the Australian Comforts Fund, instituting the coffee stalls, which are now known everywhere for the comfort'they provide for soldiers. • "The major has a 'taking way' of his own. When the soldiers arc in need of comforts this brave padre does not spend his time in discussing the matter, but 3imply, as the soldiers say, ' pinches' what is required, and the military authorities wink at such commandeering."