'For distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty during the period September 25th, 1917, to midnight, February 24/25th, 1918. Sir D. Haig's despatch of the 7th April 1918.'
Source: London Gazette
Date: 28 May 1918

'Near Houplines, on the morning of 8th June. The enemy engaged (observing by aeroplane) the 1st and 8th Batteries with 4 guns about 8" and one larger, firing in all about 250 rounds. About halfway through the bombardment by the enemy the woodwork of a shelter in which was stored a lot of ammunition, high explosive and shrapnel, caught fire, 2nd Lieut Vernon and Gunner Osmers ran some distance through the shell swept zone and pit out the fire, Osmers filling a bucket from the creek and handing to Vernon, who threw the water on the fire. During the rush across the open Vernon was struck by a large piece of earth and thrown to the ground. He got up and continued.'
Source: London Gazette
Date: 4 January 1917

Regimental number	2/353
Date of birth	31 August 1889
Religion	Presbyterian
Occupation	Carpenter
Address	Canberra House, Gisborne
Marital status	Single
Next of kin	Jesse Vernon, Owens Road, Epsom, Auckland
Rank on embarkation	Corporal
Enlistment status	Volunteer
Unit name	New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, New Zealand Field Artillery
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Wellington on 16 October 1914
Medals	Mentioned in Despatches 'For distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty during the period September 25th, 1917, to midnight, February 24/25th, 1918. Sir D. Haig's despatch of the 7th April 1918.' Source: London Gazette Date: 28 May 1918 Mentioned in Despatches 'Near Houplines, on the morning of 8th June. The enemy engaged (observing by aeroplane) the 1st and 8th Batteries with 4 guns about 8" and one larger, firing in all about 250 rounds. About halfway through the bombardment by the enemy the woodwork of a shelter in which was stored a lot of ammunition, high explosive and shrapnel, caught fire, 2nd Lieut Vernon and Gunner Osmers ran some distance through the shell swept zone and pit out the fire, Osmers filling a bucket from the creek and handing to Vernon, who threw the water on the fire. During the rush across the open Vernon was struck by a large piece of earth and thrown to the ground. He got up and continued.' Source: London Gazette Date: 4 January 1917
Discharge date	20 December 1918
Other details	War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Embarked, 16 October 1914. Appointed Acting Sergeant, 20 June 1915. Appointed Acting Battery Sergeant Major, 19 August 1915; promoted Sergeant, 20 August 1915. Reverted to rank of Sergeant, 13 September 1915. Transferred to 12 Battery, 28 February 1916. Promoted 2nd Lieutenant, 1 March 1916. Posted from 8 Battery to 2 Battery, 2nd Brigade, NZ Field Artillery, 26 January 1917. Promoted Lieutenant, 1 September 1917. Detached to 4th Artillery School, 3 November 1917. Wounded, 17 April 1918 (severe jaw wound). Admitted to No 2 NZ General Hospital, Walton-on-Thames, 1 May 1918. Transferred to Officers Convalescent Home, Brighton, 2 May 1918. Admitted to Military Hospital, Fargo, 9 May 1918 (influenza); discharged 28 May 1918. Discharged to Sling Camp, 11 July 1918. Seconded for duty to New Zealand, 6 August 1918. Marched into NZ Field Artillery Reserve Depot, 11 August 1918. Marched out of NZ Field Artillery Reserve Depot, and marched in to NZ Discharge Depot, Torquay, 22 August 1918. Commenced return to New Zealand from Liverpool on board SS ?Remeura?, 7 September 1918; disembarked 22 October 1918. Discharged and placed on Unattached List with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, 20 December 1918. Total war service: 4 years 125 days (of which 4 years 8 days were abroad). Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous details	Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Field Artillery/Main Body