Railway worker who received VC in WW1 honoured with plaque

A plaque honouring a New Zealand Victoria Cross medallist was unveiled this morning at Wellington Railway Station.

First World War hero Corporal Leslie Andrew, who was a railway worker, was awarded the honour for his bravery and leadership during an attack on the French village of La Basseville on 31 July 1917.

He was instrumental in the capture of three German machine-gun posts, leading two sections of soldiers under a continuous barrage of gunfire to capture two of them.

The third was taken when Corporal Andrew and another soldier stormed a German trench, risking their own lives.

Corporal Andrew's VC was one of 11 awarded to New Zealanders in World War One.

The plaque was unveiled by Corporal Willie Apiata, who became the first recipient of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand, an award under a new system instituted in 1999 to replace Commonwealth honours with New Zealand awards.

Brigadier Andrew's eldest grandchild, Wendy Jenkin spoke at the gathering and said she could still remember him marching down Lambton Quay in an Anzac Parade in the 1960's.

"He was an imposing figure with an upright stature, a thick mop of white hair, neatly trimmed moustache and impeccable manners, marching proudly... leading the remnants of his boyhood company."

She said her grandfather had come back from the war with a piece of German shrapnel embedded in his throat, and as children they used to play with it, prodding the lump in his throat.

"For medical reasons it was never removed, so there is a small piece of German memorabilia buried with him in Levin Cemetery."

Defence Minister Mark Mitchell told the gathering it would be a considerable understatement to merely say that Corporal Andrew showed valour in the face of the enemy.

"The citation for his award refers to 'most conspicuous bravery, cool daring, initiative and fine leadership' and [says] his magnificent example was a great stimulant to his comrades."

KiwiRail head Peter Reidy addressed the gathering, saying in many ways Corporal Andrew was typical of railway workers of that time.

"[The rail service] had over 20,000 employees and over 40 percent of them gave up service to go and defend this country in World War One. It's an enormous contribution of one organisation to that war effort."

His grandson Jeremy Matthews spoke at the unveiling, paying tribute to his forebear's bravery.

"Just like the rail lines have lasted all this time for New Zealanders so too will this plaque, a treasure for all New Zealanders to stop for a moment on their travel, and remember the sacrifices made for them all those years ago and enjoy the society we live in today."