WHILE DOING THEIR DUTY

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 78, 28 September 1918, Page 6

WHILE DOING THEIR DUTY

CASUALTIES AT THE FRONT

Lance-Sergeant C. Clementson (killed in action on the 12th instant) was, prior to going to the front, a lieutenant of St. Anne's Cadete, not St. Andrew's, as previously stated.

Lance-Corporal Edward Gibbons, aged 25, elder and only surviving son of Mr. H. C. Gibbons, Salamanca-road, of the well-known firm of H. C. 'Gibbons and Co., Ltd., has lost his life at the front. His brother Walter was killed in action in September, 1916. Lance-Corporal E. Gibbons, who was a native of Wellington, and was educated here, prior to his enlistment had been for some years connected with the export and distributing department of H. C. Gibbons and Co., besides, being secretary of the Wellington Nurserymen's Association, which work brought him in contact with a large number of shipping and business people, among whom he was favourably known for his genial disposition. He was an enthusiastic member of the Orphans' Club. He went into camp in 1916, and qualified for a commission, but, there be-' ing no vacancy at the.time, he left with the 24th Reinforcements as a sergeant. On arrival in England he surrendered his stripes, and regained his first stripe in the fielril Lance-Corporal jGibbons took part in the severe fighting at Passchendaele and in a number of other subsequent battles in which the New Zealanders were engaged. Contracting trench fever, he was in hospital for a few weeks. His leave was overdue, but on account of the start of the Allies' great offensive, the leave was stopped. He again entered the firing line, and was killed in action on 12th September.

Prior to enlistment Private John Watling Newberry, killed in action in France on 13th September, was in the service of Messrs. Laery and Co. He was the youngest son of Mrs. Newberry, of lla, Somerset-avenue, Wellington. He left New Zealand with the Bth Reinforcements, and was wounded at Messines in June, 1917. One of his brothers is still in France, having been on active service nearly. four years.

Sergeant J. A. Rodwell (killed in action on 12th September) was the only son of Mrs. A. M. Rodwell, o? Piriestreet, who is a widow. He did duty at the forts for eight months from the outbreak of the war, and left New Zealand with the 4th Battalion ofthe New Zealand Rifle Brigade in February, 1916. He was twice woanded, and only a short time ago returned to France. Prior to enlisting he was employed in the Post and Telegraph workshops, and was for many years a member of the Petone Navals..

Mr. C. F. Worth, of Kilbimie, has received news that his son, Corporal Worth, who left New Zealand with the 22nd Reinforcements, and was severely gassed in August, 1917, is returning home shortly

When ho enlisted, Private R. I. Baillie (died of wounds) was in the Public Trust Office, Wellington. Previously he was a teacher under the Education Board, being stationed at the Upper- Hutt and Featberston. When he was 17 yeaTS of age he tried to get away with the Main Body, but on account of his youth he was rejected. On reaching the military age, however, he enlisted, and left with the 30th Pteinforcements as a member of the machinegun section. He was the second son of Mr. J. F. Baillie, builder, of Eketahuna. A brother of the deceased is with the New Zealand field Engineer* in France.