PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 197, 9 May 1918, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

The !{on. G. W. Russell will arrive in Wellington by the llain Trunk to-day, and will proceed south in the ovoning to Chris tchurch. A. Press Association from Chrislchurch 'states that privato advico has been rocoived that Sergeant Brie Hnrper, who was a mcnibor of the famous All Black football team, has been killed in action in Palestine Ho was a married man about 37 years of age, ami went away with a mounted reinforcement about a year ago. Ho was a son of Mr. George Harper, the well-known Cliristchurch solicitor, who lost another son, Lieutenant Gordon Harper, in tno fighting in Egypt early last year. Another son, Captain Kobin Harper, M.C., returned to New Zoalund a couulo of weeks ago, badly wounded.

Captain J. L. M'Alister, who was vepcu'ted on Tuesday as having been awarded tiro Military 'Cross, ia a eon of Mr, J. H. il'Alietor, private eecretar.v to tha Minister of Public Works. He was educated at St. Mary's Convent and Wellington College, and at tho time of his enlistment wan a member of the Eduoation Department's staff. Ho went to fciamoa as a lieutenant, and, returning, went to Egypt with a commission in tho l\ew Zealand Kille Brigade. After necingactive service there in tlio operations against the Senussi, he went to Franco, and has been engaged, without receiving injury, in all tho operations that have taken placo since. On his 23rd birthday (May 6, 1917), ho was promoted captain, and now on his 24th birthday the coveted distinction has been bestowed upon him.

Major Clivo Willoughby Garsia, 11.C.'., who has boon warded the D.5.0., is u son of the late Captain C. Gavsia, who was at ono time a member of the Cantorbury College Board of Governors and president of the Canterbury Art Society. Major Garsia is an old boy of the Chrislchureh Boys' High School, and has had a distinguished military career. Three of Major Garsia'e brothers entered the Army, and another brother was n. lieutenant on H.M.S. Now Zealand when she visited Wellington some years ago.

Second Lieutenant W. T. Nelson, third son of Mr. W. T. Ne'.son, of Napier, haa been killed in aotion in France. He was a member of the Main' Body, and saw service on both tho Eastern and Western fronts. Hβ was 24 years of age.

According to a cable message from Now York, tho "World's" Washington correspondent states that Lance-Corporal Skeyhill has regained his sight after a eligiit operation on the vertebrae of the neck. Lancc-Corporal Skcyhill, the Australian soldier-poet, joined tho Victorian Forces on the outbreak of the war, and was,wounded on Gallipoli, his injuries making him completely blind. On his return to Australia he threw himself very hoartiiy into tho recruiting campaign, and socured many reoruite for tho reinforcements. Ho subsequently wont to America on a lecturing tour.

Corporal Vivian B. llnlioy, reported "missing, believed to be prisoner," is a nephew of Mr. ,T. H. Pagni, Consul for Italy in Auckland. Corporal Halley, who is 20 years of ago, was educated at Wellington College, and prior to enlisting was in tho employ of Messrs. Bins, Harris and Co., Wellington. Hβ went to the front with the Seventeenth Reinforcements.

Corporal F. W. Willis, of the Field Artillery, who was killed in action on April 8, was a eon of Mr. John Willis, of Otorohanga. He was just 23 when he died. Hβ was born at Fernside, Canterbury, was educated at Southbrook and Hawera, and with his parents went to Otorohanga eight years ago, following farming pursuits. He was married, and had one little son. A brother, SergeantObserver A. E. Willie, returned invalided from Gallipoli; a third, Trooper P. A. Willie, was killed on tho Peninsula; and . Sergeant R. L. Willis is fighting in France.

Private Fred. Closey, of the Ist Wellington i Infantry, who has been awarded the Military Medal, is a son of Mrs. Closey, of Otorohanga. When he first enlisted ho was rejected as being too short. Another brother, Captain I. J. E. Closey, who also had difficulty in getting accopted, won tho M.C. last year. Oolour-Sergeant-Major I?. V. Closey is in England eitting for his commission on General Godley's recommendation. Privnto A. E. Closey is in camp at Trentham, and Private Tom Closey is on service in India.

Corporal Walter Charles Cropji, who was Town Clerk of Riccarton for about four Tears -until he joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Reinforcement about March of last year, has been killed in action. Corporal Cropp, who was married about two yoars ago, leaves a widow.

News has beon received by Mr. S. L. Hall, of Lyall Bay, that hie brother, Sergeant Prank Hall, of the Australian Forces, has been wounded, but is now convalescent in England. He has been on active service for about three years. A younger brother, Sergeant Harold Hall, of the Australian Forcos, died of wounds received at Bullecourt in May, 1917.

Mr. Geo. A. Highland, producer for J. C. Williamson, Ltd., is spending a, few days in Wellington. Ho will rejoin the Hoyal Comic Opera Company in Auckland.