The Brecon County Times Neath Gazette and General Advertiser for the Counties of Brecon Carmarthen Radnor Monmouth Glamorgan Cardigan Montgomery Hereford

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_2 -&. GOWUGcS OF THE GREAT WAR. Enthusiastic Brecon Demonstration. I — Presentations to Pte. John Williams, VIC., Brecon Boys who hava Won Distinctions, and Prisoners of War. Brecon Town Hall was more than crowded on Thursday evening last with an audience full of enthusiasm, eiiger to show approval of the action of the Brecon Post of the Comrades of the Great War in promoting presentations to j Brecon officers and men who have won distinctions in the war and to Pte. John Williams, V.C., the only survivor of the j famous band of South Wales Borderers j who won the Victoria Cross at Rorke's Drift 40 years. Pte. Williams has been doing duty at Brecon Barracks from the outbreak of the war, a fact which suffici- ently explains the Comrades' desire to include him in the company they deter- mined to honour. Advantage was taken of the gathering to make a further series of presentations, arranged by the Mayor (Mr W. F. Parry deWinton), to men belonging to. the town who have been prisoners of war and have recently returned home. The general arrange- ments for the meeting and for the Comrades' presentations were made by Mr T. Maund, hon. sec. of the Brecon ",Post," and were complete and excel- j lent. lie had the zealous and valuable assistance of many members in the col- lection of subscriptions, as stewards, and other ways. There was a big "platfprm," too numerous for us to mention everybody. The Mayor presided, and amongst those supporting him were the Mayoress (the Hon. Mrs Parry deWinton), Mr Sidney Robinson. M.P., and Miss Robinson, the High Sheriff of Breconshire (Mr David Powell) and Mrs Powell, Mrs Conway Lloyd, Dr. and Mn, Rett*, Mr. jLiivsey, Mrs C. E. W. Price, Miss Be van, Lieut, the Rev. J. Griffiths (organising secretary for the Comrades in Montgomeryshire), and, of course, the heroes of the evening. Before the meeting opened Miss Grace Maund played pianoforte j selections, including popular war songs and patriotic airs. On the invitation of the Mayor, the audience rose to do honour to the memory of General Sir J. Hilis-Johnes, V.C., a Carmarthenshire worthy who died on the 3rd inst. The Mayor, in his introductory address, remarked that they were met to give a send-off to the Comrades of the Great War, which was started to keep alive that spirit of comradeship which had brought men together amidst the dangers of the Front in a way that no other experience could have done. The cohesive power was there and it was for the organisation to make every use of it, so that men returning from the fight would find friends to help them, to amuse them, and talk with them over the dangers and excitements of the past. That was why they were assembled to do honour to the Brecon men who had served their King and Country in dis- tinguished ways. (Applause). But the first presentation they wished to make was to their old friend who had familiarised himself with Brecon during the last four years, Pte. John Williams, who won his Victoria Cross at Rorke's Drift. (Loud applause). RORKE'S DRIFT STORY. LETTERS FROM DISTINGUISHED OFFICERS. Mr Sidney Robinson had the pleasure of handing to Pte. Williams a wristlet watch and malacca cane, suitably inscribed. He said he remembered well as a boy at school reading the account of the œagi5!1t fet 0 nvmp ■»»» "'v'Hlcl"* Pte. John Williams took such distin- guished part but little did he think then that at any time he should have the great honour of making a public present- ation to him. Pte. John Williams joined the 24th JRpgimeut at Brecon on the 22nd May, 1877, at the age of 20 years, and went to the 2nd Battalion at Chatham the same year. He proceeded with the battalion to South Africa in the latter end of 1877 and took part in the Kaffir War. At the outbreak of the Zulu War both the 1st and 2ud Battalions were engaged. Early in January. 1879, the 2nd Battalion Arrived at Rorke's Drift, which was made into a supply depot. When the bat- talion crossed into Zululand, B" Company was left as a depot garrison. The battalion came in contact with the Zulus on the 22nd January and were overwhelmed by the superior numbers against them. The enemy then came on to Rorke's Drift, where they arrived in the afternoon and engaged the garrison, repeatedly attacking it until 8-30 a.m. '6n the 23rd. During the attack they set fire to the hospital. Williams and others set about rescuing the patients, some of I whom were unable to move. Williams was recommended for and afterwards received the Victoria Cross. On the conclusion of the Zulu War the bat- talion proceeded to Gibraltar nnd after- wards went to India. Williams left it in India and on arrival home, in 1893, he joined the Volunteers at Cwmbran and served with them until 1905. On the outbreak of the present war he joined the depot at Brecon, where he was at present serving. (Loud applause). Mr Robinson, proceeding, said he would quote better words than he could use, t^e words of soldiers who knew what the great deed of Rorke's Drift was, who had known Pte. Williams personally. Field Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood— (applause)—himself a V.C., now almost the oldest V.C., wrote to Mr Maund, who had organised that meeting I can fully appreciate the enduring cour- age of the South Wales Borderers, then 24th, at Rorke's Drift January 22nd, 1879, for I, with a detachment from the Flying Column which I then commanded, met the late Lord Chelmsford between the Pest on the Buffalo River and Isandwhlana on the 11th January, 1879, and closely examined the surrounding ground in 1879, 1880 and 1881. Please note. however, that my senior in years, service, and in the V.C. Order is living in Carmarthenshire, General Sir Hills Johnes, V.C., G.C.B.—(Sir Evelyn's letter was written on the 2nd inst.)— who.st. courage at Delhi iu 1858 was as remarkable in disregarding numbers he attacked personally as was that of the heroic Welshman, David Gam, October, 1415, who reported of the enemy Enough to be killed, enoug to be taken prisoners, enough to fly,' before the Battle of Agincourt." Major-General George Paton, C.M.G., colonel-in-chief South Wales Borderers, after expressing his great regret that owing to the distance from London he would not be able to attend the gathering, wrote :—" At the same time will yon be so good as to convey to that gallant veteran, Pte. John Williams, one of the two survivors of the band of heroes who won their Victoria Crosses in the never to be forgoLten glorious defence of Rorke's Drift, my high appreciation of his fine patrotism in again coming for- ward amongst the very first and re- engaging for service with the Colours in Agustr 1914, on the outbreak of war. It is some time since I had the pleasure of meeting him, the last occasion being at the dinner of the Old Comrades of the 24th in April, 1914, when Pte D. Bell, V.C., was also present and I sincerely hope he will be spared to attend many more of these happy gatherings. I believe I am correct in saying that the only other survivor of those who won the V.C. for Rorke's Drift is Lt.-Col. Reynolds." Col. C. V. Trover, formerly com- manding the 1st Batt. South Wales Borderers and (during the present war) the 5th Batt., wrote I am so very glad to hear from General Paton that my old comrade-in-arms, Mr Williams, V.C., is to be honoured at Brecon on the 9th inst. I am one of those who owe their lives to the gallant band of heroes who defended Rorke's Drift until our little column returned from Isandwhiana in the early morning of 23rd January, 1879. Their gallantry has been equalled 1fy their successors in the present great war, but for all time it can never be surpassed. I wish it had been possible for lue to attend your meeting." The example of heroes like Pte. Williams (Mr Robinson concluded) and his personal example there in that town must have done a great deal to ensure the splendid recruiting which went on there. (Applause). Prolonged cheers marked the act of presentation. THE VETEilA.N S TviODEST REPLY. Pte. Williams, in returning thanks, said he hardly knew how to find words to express his feelings but he was very pleased to be there to receive that presentation and express his gratitude for the respect that had been shown to him in Brecon for the last four years. (Applause). He had been respected by J old and young in the town and anywhere I he had been in the neighbourhood. With those few words he thought he I had better sit down, (Laughter and Cheers), At this stage the Mayor read a letter of apology from one of the V.C. heroes of the South Wales Borderers who had won the distinction in the present war, Company Sergt.-Maior Williams, V.C., D.C.M., M.M., of Cwm, Mon. Sergt- Major Williams explained that he could not come to the meeting as his leave was expiring and he had to return to hospital to undergo another operation. His Worship also referred to the recent award of the V.C. to Colonel D. G. Johnson, an officer of the South Wales Borderers, and said he believed the regt. was now only one down in the number of V.C.'s held..

The Distinctions Record. Following are the names of the Brecon winners of distinctions present—(who each received a silver cigarette case bearing the borough coat of arms and a suitable engraved iiiscription)-and some details of their war careers :— LIEUT. GEORGE WARING ASHBY, M.C., Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, son of Col. G. A. Ashby, C.B., County House—Entered Sandhurst October, 1914 gazetted to Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry April, 1913 left for France in May, 1915, and joined 2nd Battalion on June 2nd, 1915 in France till end of November, 1915, when the Division (the 27th) was ordered to Salonica promoted Lieut. December 25th, 1916 awarded Military Cross, June, 1917. PTE. HERBERT ASHTON, M.M., son of Mr and Mrs David Ashton, Conway street—Enlisted in the King's Shrop- shire Light Infantry on Aug. 12th, 1914, at tke age of 21 went to France with his regiment in 1915 and served with the 14th Division. Wounded three times. At Delville Wood, on August 24th,. 1916, his I platoon was told off to capture a machine gUll pobt. Nfeaily u.11 were killed or wounded, and when there were only three left-of whom young Ashton was one-they dauntlessly continued the action, rushed the post, killed a lot of Germans and captured the two machine guns. Ashton was recommended by his C.O. for this most conspicuous act of bravery and I ,,awarded the Military Medal (Army Order of December 1st, 1916) and I afterwards decorated by Lt.-General J Sir Francis Lloyd. He was the first Brecon boy to win the M.M. After being in hospital for over 12 months he was transferred to the Royal Engineers, and, still suffering from a severe wound in his leg, discharged December 21st, 1918, after four years and 132 days with the colours. He is entitled to wear three war chevrons, and three wound stripes. One brother recently returned home after being a prisoner of war in Germany six months, another is serving in Mesopotamia. LIEUT. HAROLD LIVSEY, M.C., Duke of Wellington's Regiment, son of Mrs Livsey, Wellington Hotel—Entered Sandhurst for training May, 1915 i gazetted .I.tiI88Ø ia fào Duke of Wellington's Regt., Nov.. 1915 crossed to France September, 1910 hon-ie Deo.. 1916 returned to France, July. 1917 con- tinuous active service until wounded October 24th, 1918, near Valenciennes. Held the acting rank of captain for some time during latter period in all had nearly two years' active service in France. Decorated with the -ji.C..or work in the Cambrai action, August and September, 1918. Saw fighting on the Somme, Passchendaele, Arras, Cambrai and other places. LIEUT. C. W. NOTT. M.C., son of Mr W. J. Xott, Alexandra road-Enlisted as a private in the Breckuocks eight days after they were mobilized, joined the 1st Batt. in Pembrokeshire, and sailed with them to Aden October 29th, 1914. In July, 1915, accom- panied the battalion to India and came home to take a commission in July, 1 After passing through the Cadet Training School, was granted a commission as second-lieutenat, and posted to the South Wales Borderers.* Joined the 1st Battalion S.W.B. in France, March 7th, 1917, and went "over the top" with them on Nov. 10th at Passchendale ia the early morning. Wounded twice—being hit the first time in about ten minutes after going "over." Despite the two wounds remained with the battalion all day and did not go down the line to the dressing station until about seven that evening. Was one of only four or five officers left that day, and was "recommended" for gallantry and devotion to duty. Returned to England December, 1917, was gazetted M.C. 18th January, 1918, aud decorated by the King at Bucki ngham Palace I shortly afterwards. Lieut. Nott rejoined the 1st Batt. S.W.B. in France April, 1918, came home again in June, 1918, and was posted to 3rd S.W.B. at Hightown Liverpool, and afterwards to the R.A.F. LXC.-CORPL. WILLIAM WYATT, M.M., son of Mr J. Wyatt, Church street, Llanfaes—Enlisted in the Brecknocks April. 190R Called up on mobiliza- tion in August, 1914, but owing to an accident in the pit where he was employed did not join his regiment in Pembrokeshire until October. He volunteered for Imperial Service, and in September, 1915, went to Bedford with the Imperial Service contingent of the Brecknocks and was attached to 7th Royal Welsh Fusiliers. In Aug., 1916, proceeded to France and joined the 1st. Batt. S.W.B.. and in the following month went "over the top" for the first time. "Over" four times altogether. November 10th, 1917, went over at Passchendaele with Lieut. Nott's platoon—(Both won their decorations in this action)—which was l1c'trlv w1nw out. Oplv th"ee r0ur!2- to the battalion, all the remainder being killed or wounded. Wyatt and another man named Lee, the only two Lewis gun survivors (Wvatt had taken his course at the end of 1916)-kept their Lewis gun going for 48 hours, actually until they were relieved on the following Sunday night. Both were recommended for gallantry and devotion to duty and awarded the M.M. early in December. In April, 1918, was taken prisoner when on Lewis gun duty, was kept by the Germans working clese behind the lines, and continually under shell Are, for six months. Transferred to Dulmen. Westphalia (there for two months) and then to East Prussia and Stettin, being treated very cruelly and having little and bad food. The High Sheriff, having made the presentations, remarked that he would like to express to the gentlemen who had received them their gratitude for the courage they had displayed. They had fought for us, he said, they had kept our homes intact we have wanted for nothing. They have suffered all the privations and miseries that war could entail. A toast suggested in John Bull for a public banquet I think we can apply here- Here's her.lth r.nd happiness to all who have fought for us Our undying gratitude to all who have bled for us And our everlasting reverence for all who have died for us. May we never forget them (Cheers). Presentations are to be made to the following Brecon officers and men who have won distinctions at a future date when they are at home :—Capt. Arden Coppage, Serbian Gold Medal Capt. W. L. Hughes, M.C. and Bar Pte. James, M.M. Capt. J. Conway Lloyd, M.C.; Pte. George Miles, M.M. Pte. Harold Norbury. M.M. Lieut.-Col. C. W. Price, M.C. Lieut. W. Palk, D.F.C. Pte. Arthur Tudor, M.M. with bar. The Mayor also mentioned that Major H. G. Fowler, D.S.O., South Wales Borderers, was another Brecon officer who had won distinction in the present war, and reminded the audience that the Bishop of Swansea had recently received the Territorial Decoration and Dr. Rees had been made an officer of the British Empire Order. (Loud cheers). He further stated that Mrs Maybery, of the Priory, had been informed that the grave- of her son, Captain R. A. Maybery, M.C. with bar, had been found in a wood in France. His Worship observed that Captain Maybery was one of the leading flying officers of his day and began that low flying which was so extremely dam- aging to the morale of the German Army. The names of three Brecon heroes who fell in action after earning distinction were also mentioned by the Mayor :— Pte. Edwia Trew, M-M., son of Mr T. E.

";7- THE DIRECTORS OF LLOYDS BANK LIMITED U IÆ:J' ile _Ii .e" a. desire to call the attention of their customers and others to the advisability of investing ail available moneys in NATIONAL WAR BONDS, the present issue of which will be withdrawn on the 18th January, 1919. ;b.

Presentations to Prisoners of War. The Mayor afterwards presented £ 1 Treasury notes to a number of prisoners of war. He said 12 prisoners had re- turned to Brecon after experiences of an appalling nature. The Germans had treated them as badly as they could possibly treat men and keep them alive. They welcomed them and wished them to feel that they appreciated their suffer- ings. He was certain in his own mind that the extraordinary cheerfulness and I pluck the British soldier had shown even when he had been robbed of his arms had helped to break the German nation. (Applause). His Worship read the following names of returned prisoners I' and gave some details in each case :— Lieut. D. GWYXNE POWELL, R.A.F., son of the High Sheriff and Mrs David Powell, who was captured on October I 9th, 1917, having to descend near Ostend ¡ through damaged engine and loss of petrol in night flying, and who was in eight different camps. Sergt. PERCY PRITCHARD, M.G.C., son of Mr and Mrs B. L. Pritchard, Harddfan, Brecon, who fought on the Somme, at Arras, Ypres, and again at Arras and was captured at Hardicourt, where he stuck to his gun single-handed and slightly gassed, after his company had retired. Corpl. KIXG. Welsh Regt., son of Mr E. King, Midland Railway agent, who was wounded in France September 20th, 1917. and captured on May 28th last! near Soissons. Corpl CHILDS, South Wales Border- ers, who went to Aden and India with the Brecknocks, then to Mesopotamia in August, 1916, was captured by the Turks at Samara on April 30th, 1917, after being wounded by a bullet and shrapnel, and subsequently had typhus after living on Indian corn and wheat whilst work- ing on the Constantinople-Bagdad Rail- way. Corpl. GEO. SMITH, Durham Light Infantry, who fought at Ypres and Cambrai, and was wounded three times, and captured at St. Quentin. Lance-Corpl. W. WYATT, M.M. (re- ferred to above in the distinctions list). Lance-Corpi. G. BROOKES, Brecknock Territorials and Worcestershire Regt.. who was wounded and captured on March 21st last in France at night, after his battalion had expended all ammunition with deadly effect all day has fire brothers serving. Lance-Corpl. THOMAS, R.W.F., 1914 ribbon, fought at Ypres, Neuve Chapelle, Festubert, Loos, Somme, Fermicourt and Zonnebeke and was wounded four times, captured on May 30th last in the fighting round Soissons. Pte. W. G. ASHTON, Lincolnshire Regt, wounded and captured in France, May 27th last. Pte. R. V. WILLIAMS, 7th Buffs. fought on the Somme, early in 1917, and in the assaults on Arras, at Passchendaele in October, 1917. and was captured in March last after two days' fighting. Pte. EVANS, Shropshire Light Infan- try, fighting more or less continuously in France from October, 1914, till Dec., 1917 (has Mons ribbon), wounded in August, 1915, captured outside Cambrai, where his battalion suffered severely. His experiences as a prisoner included three days shut up in a railway van with- out food or light on a train carrying 1,500 people, of whom 35 were taken out dead at the end of the three days. He walked 60 miles to Stettin after the armistice. His two brothers were killed on the Western Front. Pte. WILLIAMS, Middlesex Regt., son of Mr Williams, Slwch Farm, who was wounded and captured at Cambrai on March 25th last. Capt. M. F. Thomas proposed a com- prehensive vote of thanks, which was seconded by Mr Evan Morgan, and Mr Robinson replied.

Local War Honours. The gallant service for which Major (acting Lieut.-Col.) the Hon. Wilfrid Russell Bailey, 1st Grenadier Guards (Lord Glanusk's only surviving son), won a bar to his D.S.O. is thus officially des- cribed It was necessary to capture some high ground overlooking a village before dark. This officer in command of the battalion commenced the advance at j 3-15 p.m. By 5-45 p.m. all objectives* had been taken. In carrying out this task the battalion advanced on a front of 1,000 yards with both flanks -An the air, penetrated the enemy's lines for a dis- tance of 4.000 yards, and captured 197 prisoners, fifteen machine guns, and many trench mortars." Capt. D. T. Raikes, D.S.O.. M.C., South Wales Borderers, has been awarded a bar to his Military Cross. It is hardly necessary to remind our readers that Capt. Raikes is one of the fighting family of Treberrydd. Lieut.-Col. D. G. Johnson, V.C., D.S.O., M.C., South Wales Borderers (attached Royal Sussex Regt.), has been awarded a bar to his D.S.O. Major A. R. Sykes, M.C., Liverpool Regt. (attached 14th and 10th S.W.B.), has been awarded the D.S.O.

EOW TO XIOAST BUTTON. Lucky is the betiqewite who has a gte Stove; country women have much mere labour and trouble in cooking their Star- day joint. But whether ess or coal it ttsed for the purpose, it must be romeno be red that the ovee must be hot when tile meat is put in. This is the time when MW greatest heat is necessary; after this tfter gas can be gradually lowered and the fipfr allowed to get down. Before putting tbtf meat in tbe oven, rub the joint over wSML flour in which has been mixed a HMH pepper and salt. This makes the gravy sc) much nicer titan if the flavouring has beefc done after the joint is cooked. We use# to be told that a joint wanted a quarter of an hour for each pound and a quarter c§ an hour over. ]Le ally this is not s. cient if the meat is cooked slowly, as it should be in these days when it is eff- precious and has to go its farthest, an hour over this is none too much, 9M underdone inntton is not only unpleasant but kxheesiible. A mistake one often qgow [ earrens make is to stick tbe carving fafflr- right into the juiciest part of the leg dft arotton. This causes the juices to run oafi &t oooe. The meat should be turned wiifr eo fork either from the knuckle bene irom the bone which protrudes at JW other end.

NUT AND FRUIT PUDDINGS. This pudding can be made with cd- IOODU, raising, dried apples, or other dried fruit, or even jam. Mix together half ft pound of flour with two ounces of sue* ■qr three if you can spare it. Add half a? leaspoonful of mixed spice, three ounoeeofi ground nuts (any kind will do), and oof hoaped teaspoonful of bakin? powder, JWiroNI. well mixed, add the dried fruit, ad- lift k up well with the hands to make amTO it ie dry. Then stir in some milk or water to make a stiff dough and roll out on the pastry board. Scatter sugar over it an& won it into a roly-poly. Tie in a flowed tloth and boil for three hours. If pre- ferred, the mixture can be put into a basin.

RICE FRITTERS. Boil a quarter of a pound of rice witlf twiee iLs tuuouiu oi waber, miik, or stock till it ie quite tender, putting in a snail ebopped onion, and a bit of perski shopped. When the rice is done and feiflr soaked up all the liquid, put it into a baflift and add some finely chopped ham, baeoaf or meet, fish or grated cheese, with a liflfe margarine or dripping and some P«Pf« and salt. Mix all well together and into fritters or cakes, flouring the ha&fis or dipping them into oatmeal before txssdbL- ing tne cakes. Fry in a little fat on feid&a, taking care to lift them gently, bey break very easily. Or they may bfll put in a shallow tin in the oven mMk 9 few pieces of dripping dotted round tbedL^ Wheal nicely brown they are ready « tfiey break very easily. Or the mag to i haDded with them Mid some cabbage I

Mr Oscar Watkinsthen gave a spirited rendering of the old song The Noble 24th," composed after the stirring events of Isandwhiana and Rorke's Drift, Mr H. Marshall accompanying, THE COMRADES' WORK. j Lieut. the Rev. J. Griffiths delivered all able ddrcs3 on tiie aÎU13 and achieve- ments of the Comrades of the Great War. Of several objects, he said, the chief was the welfare of discharged and disabled soldiers and the dependants of those who had fallen. It was a world- wide association, with branches in South Africa, in Australia, and in Canada, and it was hoped in the near future to have a branch in every country which had partaken in the war on our side. It was non-party. It was not going to have anything to do with any party, it appealed to the public as a whole——+o see that generous treatment was given to every man who had been disabled in the service of his country. It was democratic on the general committee in Lonaoa a gciieral sat by a private and an admiral by a sailor. (Applause). It did not matter whether a man had served as a general or a private, he had the same privileges in the Comrades of the Great War. (Applause). Coming to the question of what the association had already accomplished, Lieut. Griffiths said that in Montgomeryshire up to the end of December they had dealt with I 560 cases and they had secured increased pensions to the amount of £ 1,500. They had secured grants for widows, for I removal of furniture, to start men in business or stock a farm-in those grants alone up to the end of 1918 they had obtained in Montgomeryshire £ 1.000. (ApplnnseY Tf mi<»V>f jyrguec! that v:c had a Ministry of Pensions and local war pensions committees, but there was a great deal of work to be done for cases pensions committees, but there was a great deal of work to be done for cases which were overlooked both by the I' Ministry and the committees. The Comrades came in there, taking up those cases, and bringing them before the proper authorities, to see that proper treatment was given. After quoting I several individual cases of successful action in Montgomeryshire, the speaker said that was what the Comrades were going to do in every county in the country. They were going to make it a legal right that every man wao was fit to fight for liia country was also flfc to (Law a pension if he needed it they were a pension if he needed it they were going to make pensions payable not as charity but as a right of law. (Applause). The pension for totally disabled men was not enough, and they were going to see that every totally disabled man had a minimum pension of two guineas per week. (Applause). They wanted the alternative pension based not on pre-war earnings, but on what the man would be earning now if he had not been killed or disabled in the war. (Applause). They only asked that these people should be made as well off as the men who had shirked their duty and stayed at home. Compensation for parents who had lost a son in the war was another point the Comrades had taken up with the Govern- ment, Many a mother had spent hxmdrede of pounds on the education of a son who had been killed in the Wfii*, and her investment was gone. Were we going to leave that woman worse off than the one who kept her son at home and made a fortune out of the war ? (Loud applause). The Government had con- ceded a variable pension up to 15/- per week in such cases, but it only met the need to a certain extent. The Comrades also claimed that the Government must be responsible for the employment of every man who had been disabled in the service of his country, that preference should be given to disabled men in State employment. (Applause). It was now a rule that all vacancies in the Ministry of Pensions should be filled by discharged soldiers and sailofa-(Hear, hear)—they wanted to see it made a Jala to give a preference to the discharged eoldier and — I sailor in every Government department. I (Applause). There were no end of forms for discharged men to fill up the Comrades would help them to fill up those forms correctly. They were also going to see to it that there would be a place for discharged men to go to, a club room, and not as in previous years the workhouse. (Cheers). I The High Sheriff, before proceeding with the presentations to Brecon boys who had won distinctions, remarked, as a member of the Breconshire War Pensions Committee, that he thanked God they knew of no extreme cases of the kind Lieut. Griffiths had mentioned in this county. (Applause). If any such cases did come before the committee they would readily deal with them. War was a great evil and entailed great ei-ilg, but I it gave room for the exercise of noble qualities, and it for exercising those noble qualities that they were there to pay. homage to those Brecon boys who had won distinctions in the war. (Applause). He hoped that was only a start. It had been said many times in Brecon that they had not done enough for their soldier boys. It had to be remembered that they were living in a Depot town and men were coming in and going out day bv day but present and past mayors had felt that the time would come when all the boys would be honoured, and he was hoping that night's proceedings were only a prelude. (Applause). #

Trew; Capt. D. Webster, M.C., son of Mrs Webster, so well-known to them as a W.A.A.C., and Capt. W. Hardwick, M.C., who came over with the Australian Force.