SERGEANT BASSETT, V.C.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 177, 26 May 1916, Page 3 (Supplement)

SERGEANT BASSETT, V.C.

HONOURED BY THE KING

AN INTERESTING LETTER

Writing from the New Zealand camp at Horr.churcli, England, to h:s mother (wno is at present in Wellington), Sergt. Cynl Bassett, V.C., of Auckland, says, under date March 13:— "I have received my medal at last, and it's all over now. ] drove to Buckingham Palace in a motor car, with Captain Shera and L'eiits. Bishop and 'lurnbull, three Military Cross men, and there His Majesty the King p'nned on my decoration. 1 had to stand iit attention facing him whilst Hie account of my action was read. Then I advanced up to within about three paces, and then bowed. The King to me: 'You are the firstNew Zealander to receive the decoration?' I said, 'Yes, your Majesty.' Whereupon he said, ' I am proud to congratulate you,' and at the same time shaking hands with me. He then 6a:d something about the gallant way the Colonials had gathered round the flag, after which I backed out of tho chamber.

"When f got to the gates of the Palace 1 was met by a lot of my pals and officers, who congratulated me, and then J I ad to undergo the ordeal of having my photograph taken by a battery of thirty or forty camera men, who pushed and jostled to get a snap and men. The 'movies' were there ton, and we had to stand for them. People. perfect strangers, came up and shook hands with me, and at last 1 arrived at tin l place the hoys had guided me to, with the camp band and fifty men a. my esoortfl 1 had to fall in in t'iie phno of honour, and away we marched to the Hotel Windsor, in Victoria St , where Sir Thomas Mackenzie was giving me a complimentary luncheon. We had a decent lunch, hut I'm afraid my speech wasn't the most brilliant. You know as soon as 1 stood up to reply to Sir Thomas's words the boys cheered and stamped and roared, so that all the lovely speech 1 had prepared went. Goodness, I nearly broke down, but managed to thank them all in about a sentence, and then sat down. Major Dawson was as 1 proud as punch.'

"After the luncheon he took me down to camp, and to dinner at the officers' iiti'ss. The officers all drank my health, bin at last it was ail over, and I wasn't sorry. My photo was in all the papers the next day. and 1 am sending some of them to you. "The Nat onal Hank of' New Zealand directors gave me a p'easani surprise about a month age. They gave me CUM) worth of bank shares as a token of their appreciation. Mr James ("nates was, T think, at the bottom of it. 1 have ju«t had another promotion to sergeant. (TJas<ett was a private when he won his V.C.) I am having the (amp mi March 13th for Tunbridsro Wells io undergo a com so of signaling. I am billeted with a lady named Mrs. and her daughti r and son. It's a tegular hone" from home. They can't do enough for inc."