The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-06-08
Victoria Cross Is Simple
Thing But Means Wearer Is
I All Hero, Private Peat Says

earth he knew he had won il, but saw
the giving of 1t.
There were perhaps fifty OF US, dele
gates from the provinces to the con
vention. Kings Sergeant Smith. ID. c.
NJ, and myself represented Edmonton
and the northern part OF Alberta prov
inee. Kings Sergeant Smith is man
distinguished himself, but of him a
story in another place.
The third day OF the convention was
drawing in, Some spirited discussions
were in progress. The atmosphere OF
our room was thick with tobacco smoke.
We carried on our deliberations with
all the case which veterans who had
had no case for three years could de-
wise. Yet our attitude was parliamen-
tary, our discipline the discipline Of
hard learning.
Sergeant Smith had left the gather
ing some little time, Casually ! won
wered where he was, ! would need him
shortly in consultation and | had half
thought OF Loing to look for him, when
the door opened and Smthie came in.
He was pale, and as he strobe up the
room and asked the chairman permis-
sion to interrupt, hi' manner was agi-
tated
The Mother of a Hero.
Comrades, the mother OF Sergeant
Hall is downstairs--you remember
himl Got the V. {. for saving three
OF the officers OF hi company. Out
owe. the top he went, when the charge
was finished, crawled across No Mans
Land thougt heavy fire peppered the
ground, half dragged, half carried one
officer badly wounded in to safety.
Back again, then over once more.
The same deed twice then three times.
He rolled the last Officer over the para
pet top, and III headlong himself
dead. You remember him, boysl"
Surely we remembered Some of US
had seen the happening, all had heard
of il.
His mother Is downstairs" repeated
Smithie. BY some oversight the Vic
toria cross of her son was sent her
through the registered mail instead OF
being presented in the correct and ac-
customed way by an accredited repre-
hCllldllNC Vi Ills majesty,
Smithie stopped moment
Boys, | want to bring Mrs. Hall up
here. We want to honor the mother OF
herol"
The chairman gave the formal per-
mission. We waited and talked to-
gethe brokenly Of the boys who are
heroes all whether decorated or not
tn. boys who won't come back
Put In Place by a Comrade.
Then she came. Mrs. Hall, comely
woman of early middle age She was
pale, her face tremulous with a faint
s.ile for H.. boys who had the luck to
come back to other mothers. Her gown
was heavy black.
We rose as she passed to the chair
mans seat, Kings % Sergeant Smith
keeping a steadying hold on her arm.
"Comrades-thc mother OF Sergeant
Hall"
We saluted and then she spoke.
II want" she hesitated and her
vol broke. 'T've the right to wear
my boys cross--I want il pinned on
me as il VOID have been on him.
want it put in place by one OF you, one
of his comrades-one of the heroes who
have gone and come again" She
paused then turned to Smithie.
will your" she asked and held out
the satin lined cass<With its treasure
enclosed.
Old Smthie stopped low. He is
big man, yet think he wanted to hide
the emotion hich was almost uncon-
trolable in us all.
Mrs. Hall was weeping quietly, but