ROLL OF HONOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 246, 15 October 1918, Page 2

ROLL OF HONOUR.

MAJOR E. SHERSOK. TJJ. Major E. Sherson, T.U., who was killed in action in-France on September 30, was a veteran officer widely known and esteemed by members of the Territorial Force and by the volunteers of earlier days. Major Shcreon, who was about. 51 years of age at the Time of his death, went into camp in July. 1916, and left in command of a reinforcement draft in Christmas week following. He ■was retained at Sling Camp on instructional duty for a considerable time, and was then transferred to the transport service, in which his duties were mainly connected with the shipping of New Zealand troops across the Channel. Later he was 6ent to France on duty, and fell in action during the victorious advance of the New Zealanders it the end of last month. Major Pherson leaves a widow, who resides in Haydn Street, City., and a grown-up family, including two sons now fighting in France. While in Sling Camp he received news that his third son had I>een lost at sea with the illfated Arctic exploring ship Aurora. From early manhood Major Pherson was an enthusiastic volunteer. He joined the A Battery, N.Z. Field Artillery, and his connection with the corps lasted till his death—a period of nearly thirty years. Joining as a gunner, he liecame eventually r. iicer commanding, with the rank of major, nud in 1014 ho was promoted to lientenant-colonel and appointed to command the Auckland Field Artillery Brigade, receiving not long afterwards the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration (T.D.) for long service. He was anxious to serve in the present war with the field artillery to winch he hud been attached so long, but as there were no vacancies for senior artillery officers he reverted to the rank of major and joined the infantry, holding the lower rank till his death. Major Shcnson was a man of a very retiring disposition, and held an extremely modest opinion of his own attainments, but his soldierly spirit and quiet devotion to duty will he long remembered 'by all who served with him. In civil life lie was a sanitary inspector ,in the employ of the Auckland City Council, a position which he took up in 1011, after many years as a joiner and cabinetmaker. He was a member of the Ponsonby Lodge of Druids, and for a conpirlerahle time bad been an officer of the Alexandra Street Methodist Church.

MAJOR DEVEREUX, M.C. Major Geoffrey de B. Devoreux, whose name appears in flic casualty list as having been killed in action on September 30, is a son of the Hon. Mrs. Devereux. of One-tree Hill. Another son died for the Empire during the South African war. and a third is now at the front. Major Devereux. prior to the war, was on the staff of the Fanners' Union Trading and Indenting Association, and an officer in the Third (Auckland) Regiment. He left New Zealand with the Second Reinforcement, was through the Oallipoli campaign, and has been for a long time on active service in France. He was promoted to major whi'e on active service, and at the same time awarded the Military Cross. He had been invalided home to New Zea land and then returned to the front. Major Devereux was a married man. SEC.-L.tKUT. W. R. MULGAN*. Second-Lieutenant W. K. Mulgan, killed in action, was the eldest son ol Mr. W. V. Mulgan, chief engineer of the Blackball line of steamers, and a grandsou of. the late Rev. \V. E. Mulgan, vicar of Ouelnmga. Lieutenant Mulgan, who was twenty-six years °* age, was educated at St. fa-trick's College, Wellington, and entered the Justice Department, being a clerk in the Auckland Supremo Court when he enlisted in 1!)14. Re went with the Main Body to Gallrpoli, as v sapper in the Divisional .Signalling Company, and was invalided back in 1915, after' an attack of enteric, and discharged. He volunteered again for service, and was given a commission in the 36th Specialists.