FIGHTING FAMILIES.

TWO NOTEWORTHY RECORDS.

Two outstanding instances of sacrifice in the cause of the Empire are to be recorded in connection with recent casualties.

Major Edward Sherson, T.D., who has been killed in action, was a well-known Auckland officer. He joined "A" Battery nearly thirty years ago, and .passed through every rank in turn from gunner to lieutenant-colonel, commanding the Auckland Field Artillery Brigade, being a commissioned officer for over twenty years. Ho held the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration and the Long Service Medal. At tho* outbreak of the war, although over military age, lie' offered to servo in any capacity the authorities desired. He was offered, an appointment in the infantry with tho rank of major, which he accepted, and left New Zealand in command of. the twentieth reinforcements in December, 1916. Major Sherson took up his new duties so thoroughly that he quickly qualified for and was appointed to tho position of chief musketry instructor in Sling camp, England, where ho' was kept till April last, when. he crossed to France. There he joined the Second Battalion, Auckland Infantry, with which he was serving at the time of' his death. Major. Sherson leaves a widow and had four sons and one daughter,, the youngest eon being 14 years of . age and the daughter 10. The two eldest sons are serving with. tho artillery in France, while tho third was on .the Antarctic ship Aurora whei. that vessel disappeared in the Pacific last year., . _ Lieutenant D. G. Blade, killed in action iii", France on September 30, was the (second son of Mr. and Mrs. .Slade, of George Street, ROcky Nook?'.' He. left New .Zealand as a private, in the 6t)i, Hauraki, Company, with the Main Body, and waa iin the Suez Canal battle. He was at.ltho landing at Gallipoli, and took part in the Peninsula campaign until lie was. wounded and contracted entcric fever.. Ho was invalided. to England, and /was . for some time at Homohttrch, as sergeant of the Military Police. After gaining his commission last year ho took part *of 'the twenty-eighth reinforcement® to : France, and afterwards returned to New Zealand on duty furlough, arriving in Auckland In. January last. He left again as officer commanding C Company of the thirty-sixth reinforcements. Lieutenant Slade was educated at the Marist Brothers' School and the Sacred Heart College, Ponsonby, andwwats t a well-known , footballer. Prior to enlisting, Lieutenant Slade' was employed on tne office staff of Messre.'Jaggef and Harvey. He was in his twenty-fifth year. His elder brother; Private . 11, "A.; Slade, was killed in action at Messing A younger brother. Private R. E. Slade, volunteered for activu service at the age, of 19, and left with the thirty-seventh reinforcements, joining his brother's company at Sling camp. He was accidentally wounded while training, and is now in Codford Hospital, England. The husband of Lieutenant Blade's only sister is also with the forpes.. He has been wounded, and is now iji hospital in England.