'For gallantry and devotion to duty. Near Gravenstafel on 4th October, as a Company runner showed great gallantry and determination in bearing messages from Company Headquarters to front line posts under heavy shell fire. When signal communication to the rear broke down he took numerous messages back to Battalion. During the attack, when touch had been lost with the right platoon, he passed through heavy fire to flank it and finally directed it to its correct position in the line.'
Source: London Gazette
Date: 17 December 1917

Regimental number	32029
Occupation	Grocer
Next of kin	Wife, Mrs A Mitchell, c/o R Purcell, Rotorua
Rank on embarkation	Rifleman
Unit name	New Zealand Expeditionary Force, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 13th Reinforcements to 1st Battalion, E Company
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Wellington on 15 November 1916
	The Infantry component of the 19th Reinforcements left New Zealand on board two ships, 'Maunganui' and 'Tahiti'. It is not possible from the Nominal Rolls to determine on which ship an individual embarked. Harbour records indicate that the actual date of sailing was 16 November 1916.
Medals	Military Medal 'For gallantry and devotion to duty. Near Gravenstafel on 4th October, as a Company runner showed great gallantry and determination in bearing messages from Company Headquarters to front line posts under heavy shell fire. When signal communication to the rear broke down he took numerous messages back to Battalion. During the attack, when touch had been lost with the right platoon, he passed through heavy fire to flank it and finally directed it to its correct position in the line.' Source: London Gazette Date: 17 December 1917
Sources	Nominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 45, p. 24