AUCKLAND’S V.C.

Southland Times, Issue 17657, 15 February 1916, Page 7

AUCKLAND’S V.C.

LONDON ENTERTAINMENT. ENTHUSIASTIC COMRADES. MAJOR DAWSON’S TRIBUTE LONDON, December 21. “The Dug-out’’ was the scene of a happy party last Saturday afternoon, when more than 200 New Zealand soldiers assembled in the club-room in Victoria street to give a hearty welcome to Corporal Cyril Bassett, V.C., of Auckland New Zealand Engineers. The club has been warmly welcomed by the soldiers, whose duties call them to the Record and Pay Offices, and it is a popular rendezvous for tea and social meetings. Miss Williams and her friends, who are controlling the club, hit on the happy idea to give the men a chance of meeting Corporal Bassett and at the same time afford all the excuse for a little Christmas jollification. The room was packed with enthusiastic soldiers, who held an impromptu concert, and the greatest merriment reigned. Corporal Bassett, V.C., was, of course, tho guest of honour, and was supported by two D.C.M. men, Sergeant Bennett and Sergeant Tilsley. At tea time Miss Williams produced an iced cake. It was large enough for several parties, and was decorated with pink and yellow roses made of marzipan. Tho cake also bore the name in coloured icing of “Corporal Bassett, V.C.,” and round it were the ribbons of the V.C. and the D.C.M. On the young Aucklander, modest and unassuming, devolved the duty of first cut. Major Dawson, Auckland Infantry, and Major" Spragg, Wellington Mounted Rifles, represented the commissioned ranks, and during the proceedings the former said they wanted by that gathering to show Bassett what they thought of him. It was not a bayonet charge that won him the coveted honour, and there was no excitement of the charge. It was just an ordinary one man’s job done quietly. It was his duty to go out and lay a telephone wire, and he merely went and did it. Major Dawson referred to what the New Zealanders in this countrv were doing for the sick and wounded soldiers, and he particularly thanked the Ladies’ Committee of the War Contingent Association. The ladies, too, who had opened that club were deserving of hearty thanks. (Applause). Altogether the New Zealand soldier in this country could not have had a warmer welcome even from his own relations in his own. land. (Applause).