Little Victoria cross winner remembered

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Thu, 01 Apr 2010 6:02p.m.

Cyril Bassett

Cyril Bassett

By Emma Joliffe

One of New Zealand’s smallest and bravest soldiers has been remembered at the national war memorial.

Cyril Bassett was only one hundred and fifty centimetres tall, but he won a Victoria cross at Gallipoli.

His exploits and those of his fallen colleagues were the inspiration for a speech competition at the memorial.

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Comments

03 Apr 2010 09:12a.m.

Now I digress... wrote:

If we don't positively and repeatedly reinforce the decent values associated with our country's great efforts and sacrifices we will surely reap what we sow. Take heed: "Britons are losing their grip on reality, according to a poll which shows nearly a quarter think Winston Churchill was a myth, while the majority reckon Sherlock Holmes was real" [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/04/2153628.htm]. Now I digress... the thing is, are we getting the messages through to those who need to hear them the most? Chances are those who are listening already probably are concerned by e.g. rises in violent crime. If we can advertise liquor nearly everywhere why don't we do the same to literally popularise decent behaviour? Imagine billboards saying outright that only cowards outnumber or attack people weaker than themselves, or scare of injure women - it's about time we left no uncertainty in these matters and start actively supporting the values underlying what many stand up kiwis have served in (all of) our uniformed services for.