BASSETT, Louis William - WWI 15651 (Awarded the Military Cross for gallantry). Second Lieutenant, 20th Reinforcements, Infantry 3rd Battalion, Otago Regiment. Louis was the school teacher at Meremere (near Hawera) of Henry D Williams and a cousin of Henry D Williams (REG # 13/759) and stayed at their farm house and taught them chess. Henry said he treated everyone fairly and gave Henry the strap when the boys raided a bee hive near the school for honey. They got back at Louis by putting a nest of bees in his school teachers desk drawer. Henry a few years later in 1918/19 took Louis his old school teacher for a flight in his bi-plane over England and Louis turned white. They were friends after the war. 07 Dec 1916 (enlisted). and in Feb 1917 the 3rd Battalion of the Otago Regiment had a strength of 20 officers and 580 other ranks. The new Battalion of the Regiment arrived in France in J