NEW ZEALAND WAR MEDALS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144310, 27 January 1914, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND WAR MEDALS.

HOW THEY WERE AWARDED. In order to remove a misconception which exists as to tho manner of awarding New Zealand war medals to Imperial soldiers we arc asked to publish the following extract from the Queen’s Own Gazette, the regimental record of the Royal West Kents, of December, 1913: "Tho grant of a medal for services against the .Maoris, in Now Zealand in the years 181547 ami 1860-66. was notified by General Order No. 17, Horso Guards. March 1, 1869. Tho medal was conferred on every surviving officer, non-commissioned officer and soldier of the regular forces who actually served in the field against the enemy during those periods, but excluding those who may have been dismissed for subsequent misconduct or have deserted and arc absent.

"No clasps were given with tho medal, but the period (in years) of the recipient's service in the country was placed in raised figures between the sprigs of laurel on the reverse of the medal.

‘"A very large number of the medals wore issued without the date. From close observation it appears that the dated medals were only given to those applicants whoso names were returned a* being on the effective list when the claims were made out, while those who were non-effective at the lime received undated ones. These latter were also issued to those who lor some reason or other made late applications. There arc exceptions possibly to cither case.

"Dated medals for the earlier war arc consequently exceptional in the Army, it indeed any were issued, as all the claimants with perhaps tho exception of a few officers, would he non-effective at ihe time tin* medals were given. "Medals were also givi'ii to the Royal Navy. Tims© are dated, except in the case of late applicants or of a duplicate being issued. 50th REGIMENT.

"The services of the regiment in Now Zealand wore Irom 18011 to 1266, (lining which they took part in tho latter prut of tho Waikato campaign, and in tho campaign on tho West Coast. "Tho following interesting summary ot the services of tho regiment have hoon kindly writ ion liy Major R. Roche linmorly quartermaster, in a letter, additional inlonnation from tho Modal Roll Heine added in brackets;— " 'Tito regiment arrived Irom Colombo at Auckland (Nov. 15, 12(>:i), and after a short delay at Olalnihn Camp, took tho field and was entailed to the finish ol the (Waikato) campaign. Raugawhea and Waim were both 50th battles, absolutely, to say nothing of minor skirmishes. especially Rainranpa. whore the buildup; party were attacked in the river. " 'After wintering at Otahnhu, where (on Doc. 31) a draft jnineti (taking tho place of men who had hern withdrawn in tho previous October), tho regiment was moved by detachments and conveyed in gnnboats and n transport to Wanganui and at oneo marched up country and pushed on- till the coast to Taranaki was reached and intermediate posts established. This occupied the time till IStib, when hostilities ceased. Tito principal affairs to the credit ot the regiment during this latter petiod were;— Ntiknmant. January 'JI and 2(3. 15135. Kakara-meu. March 13, 1865. Putalii, January 7. 1806. Ivatarntari, January J.'l, L-’titl.’ "The medal roll shews the following numbers as claiming the medal:— Effective list (medals probably dated): Years ol N.C.O's.

Service, Officers. and men. 1S03-C4 l> 7 1863-65 2 1 1S63-66 l!0 322 180-1 1 * 1804-65 1 1864-0(7 3 99 1805-66 •j 1866 5 3 Totiils 34 434 46S ' A supplementary claim sent 1670 possibly not dated. Nou-oiTectivo (medals probably without date!— X.C.O’s. Officers. and men. 1863-6-1 4 44 1863-67) 1 1663-66 2 194 1804-66 I 2S 1865-66 1 Not given 1 — — Tl. 9 277 745