SOLDIER’S DEATH PRESUMED

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25606, 22 September 1948, Page 6

SOLDIER’S DEATH PRESUMED

DISAPPEARANCE IN PALESTINE

NO WORD OF HIM SINCE AUGUST, 1943

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 27. In August. 1943, a New Zealand soldier, Private Thomas Francis King, of Wellington, disappeared after he had set off alone to visit a monastery on Mount Tabor, in Tiberias, Palestine. Inquiries over the years to establish his fate have been fruitless, and the New Zealand Army recently issued a casualty list in which Private King was officially presumed dead.

The outcome was a motion before the Chief Justice (Sir Humphrey O’Leary) in the Supreme Court to-day for leave to swear death. Private King was originally posted formally as a deserter and subsequently classified as missing. About two years and a half ago Army Headquarters in Wellington examined the question of presuming death and, because Private King’s disappearance was not the result of battle action, it was decided the military authorities should not assume the responsibility of officially presuming death. The Army provided all available evidence to enable a Wellington legal firm, as executor of the soldier’s will, to make the necessary application to the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice, in approving the motion for leave to swear death, said the evidence made it practically certain that on or after August 8, 1943, Private King met his death. The only possible alternative to his death was that Private King deserted, but he could see no indication of such a happening being likely. “The information given in the affidavits filed at my request indicates tc me that King was a good combatant soldier, a man of integrity, and one who was firm in the practice of his religion,” he said. Private King’s letters to his sister towards the end of July, 1943. indicated at that time he had a pleasant, optimistic outlook on life, continued the Chief Justice. It was difficult to believe he would suddenly, of his own volition, wholly disappear and from then onwards cease to have any communication with his relatives and friends in New Zealand.

The Chief Justice made an carder accordingly for leave for the swearing of death. Private King, who was employed by the Government in Wellington before the war. belonged to a well-respected West Coast family. He was educated at Greymouth. Timaru, and Wellington. He was single, and is survived by a sister and four brothers.