VICTORIA CROSS HOLDERS

Southland Times, Issue 23227, 16 June 1937, Page 15

VICTORIA CROSS HOLDERS

CORONATION MEDALS RECEIVED (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 15. Two of the first Coronation medals to arrive in New Zealand were received this week by two Auckland holders of the Victoria Cross, Captain Judson, ot the New Zealand Staff Corps and Lieutenant Bassett, who is manager of the Upper Queen street branch of . the National Bank of New Zealand. Neither Captain Judson nor Lieutenant Bassett was on the New Zealand medal list and their medals were posted direct to them from Buckingham Palace, the envelopes bearing a crown and the royal monogram and palace date stamp. The enclosed sheet states that the , medal is forwarded “by command of his Majesty the King. To be worn in commemoration of their Majesties’ Coronation on May 12, 1937.” Neither of the recipients expected to receive the medal and its arrival was a pleasant surprise. Apparently they had been left out of the New Zealand list because the authorities were aware that the medals would be sent direct from England to all holders of the Victoria Cross throughout the Empire. This information was not, however, communicated to Captain Judson an! Lieutenant Bassett. It is thought that Victoria Cross holders were singled out for a special honour, in having their medals despatched from Buckingham Palace as it is unlikely that all of the thousands distributed in Britain could have been sent out in that way. This, however, is only conjecture.