PERSONAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 5 January 1931, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

With the recent alterations throughout New Zealand in the Defence Department the retirement took place of Brigadier J. H. Whyte, O.C. Central Command, after a very distinguished military career. The Brigadier was born in Clevedon, Auckland, in 1876, and commenced his career with five years in the College Rifle Volunteers in the Queen City. He served in the South African War with the First, Seventh, and Tenth New Zealand Contingents. His first appointment was as a lieutenant on Ist May, 1909. In 1911 he received the commission of captain, and in 1914 major. Five years later he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, and in 1927 Colonel. In June, 1928, he attained his present rank of Brigadier. For service in the Boer War, Brigadier Whyte received the Queen’s Medal with four clasps, and the King’s Medal with two clasps. He sei-ved in the Great War from 1914 to 1919, seeing service in Egypt and Gallipoli with the Expeditionary Force. He was second in command of the Wellington Mounted Rifles in 1914-16, and Brigade-Major of the Second Light Horse Brigade in 1916-17. When General Meldrum, better known to the Australian troops as “Fix Bayonets Ball,” was* appointed commandin'”' officer of the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade, Colonel Whyte took command of the Wellington Mounted Rifles. As a soldier in the East during the Great Whir, Brigadier Whyte won great distinction. He was awarded t lie 1914-15 Star, • British War Medal and Victory Medal, D.S.O. and bar, D.C.M., and mentioned on six occasions in. dispatches.

Tiie following nurses trained at the Nelson Public Hospital passed with credit in the recent State examinations in maternity nursing: Misses Eva Field, Doris Wilmer, Rose Sbirtliff.

Recent guests at the Masonic Hotel include Air and Airs Dolamore, Mr and Mrs Steele, Air and Mrs Mahon, Air and Mrs Nelson, Air and Airs Baker, Air and Mrs Wood, Air and Mrs Baker, Mr and Airs Bonner, Air and Airs AlcLaughlan, Air and Airs Madden, Air and Airs Upham. Alessrs Alorgan (3), Sampson, Wood (2), AlcCausland, Rooksledge, Forrest, Hesseltine, Wilson, E. Reid, F. Reid, AVilson, Wastney. Dr. Luke. Misses Sampson, Alorgan, Holmes, Baker and Rooksledge.