iTHEVit^RiAriECORAT.ON.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 1350, 12 June 1907, Page 7

THE VICTORIA DECORATION.

PRESENTED TO CAPTAIN' F, W.

At the parade of the Taranaki Guards . ksticJ2ninsßo!^OW ffc&B*«stthc« ColonM Auxiliary' Forces Officers^ Docpration ,(^he, equivalent of the Victor in Decoration), to Captain .P. W. Saijdford, late qf the^ Christchurch City Guards. Captain gapdford having left the Canterbury district ( to take up the position of woodwork instructor under the Taranaki Education' Board, the officer commanding that district deputed Colonel Okey to iriake the presentation. The, decoration is given for twenty years' service as an officer. Captain Sandford first joined the volunteers in 1868 as ,a private in the old No. 8 Heathcote Rifles, afterwards in No. 2 Engineers. In 1870 he was a member of the company's rifle team. After rising -fco the rank of corporal, he left tho district, and severed connection wiLh volunteering for a time. Jn 1885 he again* enlisted, and his services since then has been continuous. He joined the Christchurch Rifles as *» privafp under Captain Richards. In 1888 and 1889 hg won the company's rifle shooting championship. In '89 he was promoted to the rank of sergeant. In 1891 ho was elected lieutenant of the company. Thattfear the Rifles amalgamated with the Christchurch City Guards, adopting their name. In '92 Lieut. Sand ford "\*<as appointed Adjutant for the district under Colonel Gordon. Subsequently he' was Adjutant to the battalion under Colonel Francis. After, a time be resigned that commission. Two years ,'later^ in, 1900, he was appointed QuartefmksteV of the Battalion. He held that commission for two years, and was then elected captain of the Guards — a position which he held during 1902 and 1903- .-Then ho bad to re&ign on i account of his work. He took up school cadet wbrk^in the No. 2 Battalion and still holds the position of Major, of the, No." 3 Battalion of Canterbury. This cpnimission.be. will now, have to resign.