GALLANTRY REWARDED.

Otago Witness, Issue 3397, 23 April 1919, Page 55

GALLANTRY REWARDED.

TWO BROTHERS.DECORATED.

Mr and Mrs P*. M'Meeking, of Hoslyn, Lave much reason to feel proud of their soldier sons, two of whom have gained decorations for gallantry in the field. A few "weeks ago word was received that Private D. T. M'Meeking had been awarded the Military Medal on November 1. While fighting with the Machine Gun Section ho was surrounded by the Germans, who called on him to surrender, but he refused, and continued firing his gun until there was no further danger of capture. The opinion was freely expressed by those who witnessed the exploit that Private M'Meeking was entitled to a much higher honour than the one he was awarded. A day or two ago Mr and Mrs M'Meeking received a letter conveying the pleasing intelligence that another son, Trooper G. J. M'Meeking, had received the Croix de Guerre, but, so far, they have received no information as to the particular act for which ho was awarded this coveted honour. Both of these soldiers went into camp at Tahuna Bark in 1914, and left the dominion with the Main Body. Private D. T. M'Meeking took part in the Gallipoli campaign, and afterwards saw service in France, while his brother, Trooper G. J. M'Meeking, fought with the Otago Mounted Rifles in Egypt, and later in France. Their father, who shows a justifiable pride in their exploits, states that neither of his sons has been wounded nor has suffered a day's sickness since leaving New Zealand. While in France the two boys were located close together, and they saw a good deal of each other. Trooper M'Meeking is on board the steamer Kia Ora, which is expected to reach the dominion about May 9.

Mr M*Mceking's third and yoiinjresfc son is a returned soldier, and thus the family record is a most creditable one.