LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 21, 19 October 1917, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

THE CASE OF GEORGE RENNER DENOUNCED BY A RELATIVE. Sir,—As the eldest 6on of tho lafo Captain F. \V. S. Itenner (than whom, in.his day, no one was held in higher esteem in maritime circles), kindly afford me space to vindicate the honour, and prove tho patriotism and loyalty, as true Britishers, of a family held in derision (maybe worse) in some quarters through, tho conduct of a young man named George Eenncr. In consequence- of his claiming to bo a German in order to escape military service, our family lias apparently become suspect. With tho view to absolving us (as a family) of calumny in the matter it is necessary that I should go back many years. The Kennel's are of an old Devonshire family, chiefly associated with its maritime affairs. Some 150 years ago my (.randfather, George 'llenncr, wna in tho British Navy. Being his first grandson I was named after him. I have his Curascoa Medal (his first), awarded the officers and men of tho Arothusa (and other British ships capturing tho island), my grandfather being acting-sailing-master (equivalent to navigating lieutenant to-day). Of his three sons, one (Henry) was a shipbuilder in Dovonport. He wiis engaged to manogo a shipbuilding yard in Altona, when that 1 place was Danish. His son Frederick (father of the George Eenner who claims exemption as of German birth) was born at Altona before its capture (as part of Schloswig-Holstein) by the Prussians in 18M. As the son of an Englishman, the late Frederick Konuer was really an Englishman, and as his son (the exemp-tion-claiming George .Bonner) was born .in this part of the British Empire he, too, is by parentage and birth a Britisher. His claim to be a German is, therefore, nothing short . of a brazen attempt to evade duty to jlie country of his infant nurture, from which he has derived all he now enjoys. Sons of ono of my brothers (Mr. William Eenner) have gone to the front like true Britishers and valiant New Zclnnders. The only son of another brother (John) is in the United States Army—to go, I understand, to France. Though nearly a quarter of a-century over military age, I have thrice offered my services to tho Minister of Defence "m any capacity they can be made use of." They have been refused acceptance, but are still "on offer." I have eight sans (sis married). With two exceptions (married men), all have enlisted. The eldest (married) enlisted, medically unfit; second, son (unmarried), now "Somewhere in France"; third and fourth, not enlisted; fourth has done a lot of honourary patriotic work; fifth, medically unfit; sixth went into camp, was discharged owing to rheumatic fever—an old trouble; seventh would have gone with t'he Wireless Party to Mesopotamia but for an injured leg; eighth (unmarried), offered for Main Body, but maternal persuasion induced him" to withdraw, subsequently enlisted, but was rjirued down for hammer-toe— would go now if passed as fit. Messrs. Nosworthy • and Payne are worthy of commendation for bringing up, in the House the! question of the loyalty of my son (Clarence), on the staff of Awanui Wireless Station; they did their duty to King and Country. I trust that wlien they know the truth of matters they will acknowledge the officer's ' Had my cousin lived I believe ho would have denounced his son's reprehensible conduct; Our family seal (which I possoss) represents Neptune (with, trident); tho motto is "Toujours fidcles"—always, or ever, faithful.—l am, etc., GEO. EENNER. Kailcoura, October 13, 1917. [This letter nas heen slightly abridged; certain very strong references condemnatory of the action of the George Eenner who sought to escape military service being excised.]