MODESTY OF A VETERAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 133, 8 June 1931, Page 2

MODESTY OF A VETERAN

MEDAL NOT APPLIED FOR. I GRANT AFTER 60 YEARS. I To receive a war medal more than 60 years after it was earned was the unusual experience of Air Janies Thompson, an inmate of the Veteran’ .Home, .Yucklaml, a few months ago. Mr Thompson, who is 81, fought in tho Maori War with the 3rd Waikato Hegimcnt, but neglected to apply for the medal to which he was entitled. It was only in old age after he had established his right, tc enter the Veterans’ Homo that his lack of either a medal or a Alaori War pension was brought to light. Alajor J. A. AVallingford, superintendent of the home, took the matter tip and forwarded tho old veterans’ credentials fo the War Office. It then appeared that the latter had had all the necessary particulars of his war service on file for over half a century, and the medal was tout to him without the least delay. On receiving it, Mr Thompson immediately became entitled to a New Zealand Government pension of betwoen £4 and £5 a month, which was duly paid. Unfortunately, through having failed to make any earlier claim, ho had no right to the arrears, wLich would have amounted to a large sum. At tho annual luncheon to the King’s Empire Veterans tho Governor-General, Lord Blediskc, remarked upon the extreme modesty Mr Thompson had shown in not applying for his medal long before. His Excellency said he was glad that af*er so long an interval it had bon forthcoming, and he congratulated Mr Thompson upon its belated possession.