A Close Shave.

There were innumerable narrow escapes; for example an incident during trench work on Bezantin Ridge (September, 1917). Major Buck and Lieut. O'Neill were returning to camp down “Fish Alley” when a “whizz-bang” grazed O'Neill's right shoulder, knocking him down, and burst in the ground just in front of Buck's feet. O'Neill, who was walking behind the Major, sustained an abrasion of the shoulder. Twelve days later O'Neill was killed by a shell.

In June, 1917, the Pioneers had their share in the great battle of Messines; their casualties in three weeks were 17 killed, 88 wounded, 45 gassed. In October the New Zealand Division had its part in the third battle of Ypres, where the artillery hammering fell heavily on the Pioneers.

The New Year of 1918 saw the Maoris hard at work around Ypres; hard indeed, for the ground was frozen. On January 17, Major Buck left the Battalion on transfer to the New Zealand Medical Corps, after a period of most courageous and useful service with the Pioneers. All his comrades deeply regretted his departure. He was the ideal officer, never sparing himself, always looking to the welfare of his men, and often battling with the higher powers for decent treatment for them. Thenceforward to the end of the war he was on medical duty at the front with the Ambulance and in the New Zealand hospital. He received the decoration of the D.S.O. in recognition of his long and gallant service. At the same time Mrs. Buck's work in England was rewarded with the honour of Member of the British Empire Order.