2/1834 Corporal Peter Calder Durward MM, 14/12/1894-9/10/1918.

 FROM THE FRONT.

By the Home mail which reached Lawrence on Thursday, several letters were received from our boys who are now on the western battle front. Gunner P. C. Durward writes to his mother from "Somewhere in France," in a letter dated 19th April, says: 

"The weather is very cold and stormy, but we have fairly comfortable quarters, and, so far, good food. We had a rough trip from Alexandra to Marseilles and three days in the train. The country here defies description, I never saw anything so pretty and so fresh. After the sand of Egypt the fresh green fields were wonderfully refreshing. Looking out of the window as the train moved along, one would never think the country was at war. On Sunday the church bells were ringing and the people could be seen walking decorously along the beautiful roads, prayer book in hand, with all their Sunday finery. The French soldiers, in their blue kepi and cap, and red trousers (tucked into very small leggings), look very picturesque. There are a great many German prisoners to be seen working — big burly fellows mostly — and they took a great interest in our presence.  -Tuapeka Times, 3/6/1916.

Local and General

Among the New Zealanders who are reported as having received military medals for distinguished conduct in the field, we are pleased to note the name of Driver P. C. Durward, son of the Rev. Mr Durward, Lawrence.  -Tuapeka Times, 13/12/1916.

I have been unable to discover what, exactly, Peter Durward did to earn the Military Medal, but can note that two other drivers from his Battery - 13th - were awarded the MM at the same time.  He was awarded his MM after the Battle of the Somme - a busy and dangerous time for all involved.

The Rev. Mr Durward received a cable on Thursday morning from his son Bombardier P. C. Durward, who was some time ago awarded a military medal for conspicuous service, conveying the gratifying news that he had been transferred to Aldershot for several months' special training. 

"I really must say," wrote a soldier to one of the canteen workers, at one of the greatest munition factories in England, "I cannot imagine how soldiers could write to their friends if it hadn't been for the great work of the Y.M.C.A." And of the men this worker said: "They are magnificent, often under very trying circumstances. Knowing them has raised my opinion of humanity immeasurably" Wherever there is a crying need, the Y.M.C.A. goes, and it finds a way to help even those who seem beyond help. It is the universality of the Association's work thai makes it so appealing; that, and its object towards weak humanity.  -Tuapeka Times, 15/12/1917.

Local and General

By last Home mail Mr and Mrs Durward, Lawrence, received the military Medal awarded to their son, Driver P. C. Durward, for bravery in the field on the 16th November, 1916, on the Somme, and presented to the recipient by General Richardson at Aldershot. The medal is of silver and about the size of the old 5s crown piece, and bears the following inscription. On the face (around the raised bust of the King) "Georgius V. Britt. Omn. Rex. et Ind. Imp.": or translated: "George V. King of all the Britons and Emperor of India"; on the obverse side within laurel wreath and beneath the Royal Arms "For Bravery on the Field." Around the edge is the number, name and rank of the recipient and his unit. This is, we believe, the first Military Medal to reach Lawrence, and naturally is very much prized by Mr and Mrs Durward and family, who have every reason to be proud of the distinction won by their son and brother who, after going through the Gallipoli campaign, has been in every engagement in France.  -Tuapeka Times, 3/7/1918.

FOR THE EMPIRE’S CAUSE.

DEATHS.

DURWARD.—On October 9, 1918, died from wounds in France, Corporal Peter (Pat) Calder Durward, M.M. (5th Reinforcements, N.Z.F.A.), second son of the Rev. P. C. and Mrs Durward, Manse, Lawrence, aged 21 years.  -Otago Witness, 23/10/1918.

Peter Durward was wounded on October 8, with a gunshot wound either to the abdomen or the chest.  He died in a casualty clearing station behind the front the next day.

Lawrence Cemetery.

Roll of Honour.

CORPORAL DURWARD, M.M. 

On Monday morning the Rev. P. C. Durward received from the Defence Minister (the Hon. Sir James Allen) the sad intelligence that his son Corporal Peter (Pat) Calder Durward, M.M., had died from wounds in France on the 9th inst. The deceased, who was in his 25th year, was born in Stirlingshire, Scotland, and came to New Zealand with his parents twelve years ago, when the family settled in Leeston, Canterbury, where they remained between four and five years, when the Rev. Mr Durward received a call to the Lawrence Presbyterian Church. He received his primary education in the town of Denny, Scotland, and after coming to New Zealand, attended the Southbridge District High School and later spent two years as a student in Knox College, Dunedin. Before coming to Otago he spent a little time in farming, but relinquished this employment with the intention of taking up a profession and was on the point of taking up a journalistic appointment when the call for men came. He was an early enlister and left New Zealand with the 5th Reinforcements in April, 1915, and went direct to Gallipoli. Before the evacuation he fell ill and was sent to England where he spent some time in hospital in Birmingham, and in the convalescent hospital at Hornchurch. On being discharged fit he rejoined his unit in France and from then till his death had been in practically every engagement in which the New Zealanders took part, and in September, 1916, at the Somme, he was awarded the Military Medal for valour in the field. He was a sturdy type of young man with a bright and sunny disposition which endeared him to all with whom he was acquainted, and had he been spared to return had a promising career before him. An older brother (John), who happened to be in Scotland when the war broke out, is with the Imperial forces in Salonika. In their sad bereavement Mr and Mrs Durward and family have the heartfelt sympathy of a wide circle of friends both in Otago and Canterbury.  -Tuapeka Times, 23/10/1918.

UNVEILING CEREMONY AT LAWRENCE.

On Sunday, November 30, a mural tablet was unveiled in the Lawrence Presbyterian Church in memory of the soldiers connected with the congregation who fell in the great war. The Rev. J. Dickie took for his text Judges v, 2: "The leaders led, the people offered themselves willingly." 

Before unveiling the tablet, the minister of the church (the Rev. P. C. Durward) made a few remarks, stating that, it contained 36 names of young men either brought up in the church or more or less closely connected with it. As the Union Jack was withdrawn the congregation stood while the minister read the inscription on the tablet: "In memory of our boys who laid down their lives for King and country in the great war, 1914-1918. Greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends." "The Last Post," was then sounded by Mr Percy Browne, a returned soldier, after which Dr Dickie led very solemnly in prayer. The hymn "How Bright These Glorious Spirits Shine" brought to a close a very impressive and touching service.   -Otago Daily Times, 3/12/1919.