A SOLDIER'S MEMORIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 127, 29 May 1918, Page 7

A SOLDIER'S MEMORIAL.

MONEY SENT BY COMRADES. A graceful tribute to the memory of a departed comrade hae been paid to a former Auckland boy, Private Robert Swinbourne Kelly, eon of Mr. and Mrs. William Kelly, of the Anchor Hotel, Queen Street. The parents received a letter containing a cheque for a considerable sum, and bearing the signatures of 97 of their son's comrades in the Ist Wellington Mounted Rifles, Maaecar, Ismailia, Egypt. The Utter states that his comrades wished a memorial to be erected to Private Kelly, their desire being in conic way to show their respect for him. It is, however, pointed out that, owing to war regulations, only a wooden cross can be erected at the present time. After the war private memorials will be allowed. The money was therefore forwarded to the parents, as it was thought best to let them make the necessary arrangements. The letter ends: "We -would suggest probably the better way would "be to erect come memorial in Auckland with the money collected, such as a church window, or any other memorial you may think fit." Private Kelly is a grandson of the late Captain Kelly, of H.M. 83rd Regiment. He was born in Auckland, but prior to the war resided at New Plymouth. He left with the 31at Reinforcements, in October, 1917, and died of meningitis, aged 22 years, last February. The best proof of his character is the testimony of his comrades as shown by the letter.