A BATTLE-SCARRED FLAG

Otago Witness, Issue 3403, 4 June 1919, Page 43

A BATTLE-SCARRED FLAG

MEMORIAL TO A BRAVE OFFICER.. An interesting ceremony took place a* the Garrison Hall, Port Chalmers, on Monday, 26th vlt.j when an historio and warscarred Red Cross Union jack was presented to the District High School in memory of an ex-pupil—Major Bernard Charles Tennent —who sacrificed his life in tike cause of freedom during the great war. The presentation of tho flag wae made by Colonel O'Neill, 0.M.G.. D. 5.0., who said that he regarded it as an honour to participate in any ceremony such aa tho present. Before the war Major Tennent was a medi. cal student in the Edinburgh University, and subsequently held a position in London before he returned to New Zealand. Not long after his return war broke out with the Central Powers, and Major Tennent was one of the first to answer the call of the Empire. On his arrival in the Home Country he was granted a commission in the R.A.M.C., and throughout the whole period of his active service he showed himself to be a gallant officer and gentleman. His devotion to duty was rowarded with promotion, and he won the Military Cross and bar. In August of 1918 he fell, serving his country on the battlefield in France, Colonel O'Neifl. then read copies of the despatches which resulted in bringing him his decorations. The description of the flag is as follows:—" This Union Jack belonged to Headauarters, A Section, Second London Field Ambulance, the 84th on active service. It was taken to France on January 9, 1915, and for two months flew over Ambulance Headquarters at Ypres. During the second battle of Ypres it flew at Poperhingho, in Belgium, and when the battle of Loos was fought in September, it was unfurled at Bethune. A little later the flag was placed at the entrance to the communication trench at La Bassee, and there received a liberal sprinkling of shell splinters and bullets. It was then taken to Egypt and Salonika, and was continuously used until June 1, 1916, when it was replaced by a new flag at Hadji Byraniti, in Upper Macedonia." On the cabinet enclosing this historio piece of bunting is tho following inscription:— "In memory of Major Bernard Charles Tennent, M.C., R.A.M.O. (a pupil of thia school 1896-99), who fell in action in France on August 2, 1918. This flag, which flew for 18 months over his ambulance in France, Egypt, and Salonika, was presented to thia school'by his widow." Other speakers were the Mayor (Mr J. M. Stcienson, Mr J. M'Lachlan, ani Mr G. F. Booth (rector of the school). ■ Mr Booth, in accepting the flag on behalf of the school, said that 314 pupils had gone to the war, and of these 48 had laid down their lives for their country.