OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24235, 18 April 1944, Page 6

OBITUARY

■ -»■ ■■ ■ LANCE-SERGEANT J. R. P. O’SHAUGHNESSY

Lance-Sergeant Joseph R. P. O’Shaughnessy, who has been killed in action in Italy, is the fourth former member of the literary staff of “The Press” to lose his life in this war. At the time of his enlistment in 1939 he was “The Press” representative at Greymouth. He was a pupil at St. Bede’s College from 1917 to 1921 and was prominent in all school activities. For two years he was a member of the senior Rugby football team, and he also played in the cricket first eleven. He was a company sergeant-major in the college cadet corps. After leaving St. Bede’s he continued to take’ a keen interest in the college and was for a period secretary of the old boys’ association, He also continued to take an active interest in football and played in Rugby, and later in Rugby League, competitions.

Lance-Sergeant O’Shaughnessy entered camp early in 1940 and was employed as an instructor for some months before being drafted to Fiji on garrison duty. After serving in the Pacific for about nine months he returned to New Zealand and later went to the Middle East as a member of the 6th Reinforcements. For a short period he was on the staff of the Public Relations Unit of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Middle East, but subsequently was transferred to a South Island infantry battalion. He served throughout the latter half of the campaign in North Africa and accompanied his unit to Italy. His mother is Mrs M. M. O’Shaughnessy, of Christchurch. Other former members of the reporting staff of “The Press” who have given their, lives in this war wer# Lieutenant Nevile Barker, who was killed in action in Italy last February, Flying Officer G. H. Jacobson, who was lost in air operations over Germany in December, 1942, and Gunner John Allen, who was killed in the Western Desert at the end of 1941. MR R. L. JAMESON Mr R. Leslie Jameson, who died recently at his home at “Nukiwai,” Rotherham, North Canterbury; was well known in’ farming irid business circles for many years. He was born at Ashburton 61 years ago, and was educated at Christ’s College. For some years he was associated with his father, the late Mr George Jameson, who was a leading businessman in Christchurch. Later he took up farming in Hawke’s Bay, eventually purchasing a property at Rotherham. He was a director of Mason, Struthers and Company. Ltd.. Christchurch

Mr Jameson took a keen interest In church matters and was churchwarden at Rotherham, and secretary of the Amuri parish, besides representing the parish on the Synod during the last few years. He is survived by his widow and by two sons, both of whom are in the Air Force. The eldest son. John Waterhouse Jameson, was killed in action in Tunisia. There is also one daughter. Mrs Denis Anderson, whose, husband is on active service in the Middle East. MR W. R. J. SMYTHE The death has occurred of Mr William Richard John Smythe, of Awatea road. Parnell, a well-known figure in insurance circles in Auckland and centres in the South Island. Born in Christchurch 60 years ago. Mr Smythe was educated at the Christchurch Boys’ High School and joined the A.M.P. Society in 1899. He was manager at Greymouth and Invercargill before coming to Auckland- in the same capacity eight years ago. In his earlier years Mr Smythe was a keen tennis player and later took up golf and bowls. He was a lay reader in the Anglican Church for 30 years and was a member of the vestry of St. Mary’s Cathedral. He was a director of Rotary in Invercargill and in Auckland a member of the Northern Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Victoria League. His other interests included philately. Mr Smythe is survived by his wife and three sons, one of whom is serving in Italy. MR T. WOODS The death occurred recently of Mr Thomas Woods, of Papanui. Born at Christchurch in 1874, he was educated at the West Christchurch School, and later became one of the late Mr T. E. Taylor’s first secretaries. From then on he always took a keen interest in politics. He was in business as a boot retailer in Colombo street for more than 40 years. He is survived by his widow and two sons, Messrs S. Woods and R. Woods.