Certificate of service

1918

Single Item

PD-1975-1

"Major Clyde McGilp, D.S.O., who died at Featherston from pneumonia on Wednesday, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. McGilp, of Birkenhead. He was 35 years of age. He entered the Post and Telegraph Department, and received a commission in the P. and T. Rifles at Wellington in 1900. On coming to Auckland he soon became a popular officer of the A Battery, Field Artillery. He served in the South African war, and was awarded the King's Medal. On the outbreak of the present war he enlisted, and left with the Main Body in command of the 1st Battery, N.Z.F.A., and served through the Gallipoli campaign, and was in command of the last gun in action at the evacuation. It was thought that some guns would have to be left behind, but Major McGilp managed to save all of them. On one occasion he was responsible for saving an Australian battery from destruction. Subsequently he discovered that the officer in charge of the Australian battery was Major, now General, W. L. H. Burgess, a former A Battery officer. Major McGilp saw continuous service in France, and while there was awarded the D.S.O. for conspicuous bravery and gallant conduct. He was the last of the Main Body battery commanders. Major McGilp returned to New Zealand last May owing to ill-health. He was discharged in July, and in October was appointed chief field artillery instructor at Featherston camp. While in Egypt Major McGilp married a daughter of the Chevalier D'Aquilina, who is ill at Featherston." [Source: 'The New Zealand Herald', Vol. LV, No. 17,008, 15 November 1918, Page 6]

Presented by Miss J.N. [Julia Naomi] McGilp on or about December 1975.

04 Nov 2022