HONOURING THE BRAVE

Otago Witness, Issue 3399, 7 May 1919, Page 37

HONOURING THE BRAVE

PRESENTATION OF MEDALS. At 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon Colonel Sir ! James Allen was present at Kensington Drill Hall and presented military medals to a number of returned soldiers who had gained distinction on the field. Considerable interest was taken in the ceremony, quite a .crowd of spectators lining - the balcony that extends right round the Senior Cadets were present •in strong force, and various other corps were represented. The parade state was as follows: Headquarters Staff : Two colonels, one lieutenant - colonel, three majors, two capla-ins; total, 8. New Zealand Permanent Stall: Two majors, one lieutenant, one warrant officer, seven sergeant-majors; total, 11. B Battery, N.Z.P.A.: One lieutenant, one sergeant-major, one corporal, 11 rank and file; total, 14. No. 2 Field Engineers : One sergeant-major, one sergeant, one bugler, 14 rank and file; total, 17. Divisional Signal Company: one Bergeant, two corporals, six rank and file; total, 9. P. and T. Corps: One captain, two sergeants, two corporals, 12 rank and file; total, 17. Fourth Otago Regiment: One lieutenant, two sergeants, 4wo corporals, 17 rank and file; total, 22. Coast Defence Detachment: Two captains four sergeants, three corporals, 29 rank and file; total, 38. Army Service Corps! One captain, one sergeantmajor, one sergeant, two corporals, two buglers, 16 rank and file; total, 23. No. 2 Field' Ambulance: One ftiajor, two rank and file; total, 3. Senior Cadets: One captain, six lieutenants, 23 sergeants, 25 corporals, 543 rank and file; total, 598. Returned Soldiers: One lieutenant-colonel, two majors, one captain, one sergeant-major, two sergeants, 20 rank and file; total, 27. Grand total, 765.

Following are the names of the men who had won military medals: —H. Boreham, St Kilda; Corporal J. H. Simon, Dunedin; Corporal D. Falls, Herbert; D. Howie, Palmerston; Corporal R. H. Home, Morton Mains; Private M'lntyrc, Be.nio; Corporal G. Mitchell, Mosgiel; Corporal J. H. Mains, Sawyers Bav; R. A. Weeds, Oamaru; O. Ci-ighton, Dunedin; Sergeam R. T. Burnett, Invercargill; Sergeant R. W. Steel, Dunedin • Corporal J. F. Baker, South Dunedm; Corporal Kay, Balfour; A. D. Clydesdale, Dunedin; S. A. Aitken, Waikokji; Corporal W. Cousins, South Dunedin; Corporal R. W. Hawkes, Wallaeetown; Sergeant Q. Jackson', Invercargill; Corporal R. S. G. Jefteries, Oamaili: Lance-corporal W. Somcrville, Milburn North; Bombardier W. Maudsley, Edendale; W. Pullar, Groves Bush; Sergeant A. Hall, Dunedin. Colonel Sir J. Allen, before presenting the medals, stated that he had very little to say. There were a large number of distinctions wen to be presented that afternoon in a little time, and these had been won for bravery and distinguished service m the field. Somo of the men would not come back to us, and their kith and kin would receive the medals on their behalf. He admired the courage that permitted them to be present. He desired to<«ay to tho Territorials and Cadets who had not been called away that they should mark an occasion like that in their memory; especially the Senior Ca-dets. He hoped that they might never be called Upon to go through the difficulties and perils of the past four or five years. If they he

hoped they would uphold tho honour or Uieir country; the traditions of their country; as tliese men hud done for Uio honour 01 New Zealand and the honour of the Empire. 'ilie presentation of tho medals (D.C., Military, and Meritorious Medals) was then made. Sir James Allen also presented Private J. Tannage with the cup won by him as tho best shot in tho Coast Doienca J&egiment.