PERSONALS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1360, 22 June 1918, Page 7

PERSONALS.

Dr 11. T. ,T. Tkaclcer, M.P., lias left on a visit to Australia. Mr W. G. McDonald, Government Wheat Controller, left for the south yesterday. Mr Walter Martin, of (he Administrator's Staff, Samoa, who has been on furlough on account of ill-health, left last night for Auckland, en route for the Islands.

Prior to his departure for England to join the Royal Flving Corps, Mr Roland Hall, son of Mrs 11. M. Hall, of Bexley, Now Brighton, was entertained at a farewell evening at the residence of Mr F. Christian, Lonsdale Street, where he was the recipient of presentations from the Methodist Church organisations. At the monthly meeting of the Christchurch Bootmakers' I'nion a presentation of a morris chair was made to the retiring president, Mr .1. Ballantine, in appreciation of his services as president for I.'! years. A copper vase was also presented to Mrs Ballantine. The presentation was made hv the president, Mr W. Tavlor.

Air Win. Keith, of: .".0 .lames Avenue, Pnpnnni, has been advised that his second son. Private Gordon Keith, of the 14th Reinforcement, has been slightly wounded and is remaining with his unit. Private Keith was severely wounded at Messines, and had, returned to the front only a month when lie received the second wound.

Mrs IT. Hairy, of Hfl Durham Street has been advised that her fifth son, Pri

vale Benjamin Harry, died of wounds received in action in France on May 14. Private Harry was :.'."! years of age, and was born at Sydenham and educated ar lie 1 Sydenham School. For many years after leaving school he was employed at Taylor Bros.' warehouse, while later he worked for the Union Brewery. Private Harry was interested in all sports, and had played in several representative cricket matches, Inning played for Sydenham juniors in MM I and I'.Hl.' against Qtago, at Lancaster Park, in I'M:: lie played for Sydenham seniors. lie left Now Zealand with the I'.'lnl Reinforcemeut, with his brother William, who was killed in action in December last.

A welcome-home social was tendered in the Drill Hall, Kaiapoi, last night to Corporal C. Mcrrin and Privates .1. Tribiecoek, R. Ellen, and .7. Francis. The Mayor of Kaiapoi (Mr .1. H. Blackwell) presided over a large attendance, and welcomed the men on behalf of the' town, presenting each with a gold medal in the form of a Maltese Cross from the residents of the district. Corporal Merrir- returned thanks on behalf of himself and comrades. Captain J. IT. Crawshaw. N.2.M.C., gave an interesting address on his two trips with a hospital ship, and musical items were contributed by Misses ]■]. Dunn, dull, A. Tcurelle. and Mr 0. Eyres, duets by Miami Mrs Martin and Misses E. Thome and I. IToskin, and a recitation by Mr .1. Hurst. The evening concluded with a dance.

That coveted distinction, the Victoria Cross, has been awarded Lieutenant V. F. Storkey, son of Mr and. Mrs Storkey, of Nelson Crescent, Napier. Lieutenant Storkey left Sydney in December, MMS, and since then he has been wound, ed twice. The deed which won the distinction is officially described as follows: —When commanding an attacking platoon he observed, on emerging from a wood, 80 or 100 Germans, with several machine-guns, holding up the advance of the troops on his right. He had only six men, but Lieutenant Lipscomb, with four men, joined him, and he decided to attack the enemy flank ami roa.i:. The two officers and the 10 men charged with the boyorfct, Lieutenant Storkey in the lead, and expelled the enemy. They killed or wounded HO, ami captured three officers and 50 men and the machine-guns. Lieutenant Storkey's courage and promptness, and the skilful attack, removed a dangerous obstacle to the advance, and were a gieat inspiration to the remainder of the party. Lieutenant Storkey was born in Napier 26 years ago, and was educated at the Main School there. He went to Australia about six years ago. and was employed as a clerk in the University at Sydney while studying for the law.