A HERO’S DEATH

Evening Star, Issue 15892, 26 August 1915, Page 8

A HERO’S DEATH

[Special to the ‘ Siar.’J CHRISTCHURCH, August 26. Mrs J. M'Arthur, of Papanui, whose son, Corporal Jas. M'Arthur (who enlisted from the Union Steam Ship 'Company's service, and was well known as an engineer on several of their steamers), died of wounds on the hospital ship Sicilia on June 5, has received tho following letter from a comrade who was wounded in the same engagement, and is now in 1 St. Andrews Hospital, Malta:—“ Dear Mrs M'Arthur, —As I was on old friend of your son, whom we were all so sorry to lose after our night attack on the Turkish trenches on June 4, I thought perhaps you would bo pleased to have a few lines in token of smoerest sympathy. There were &even_ of us, officers and engineers, from the Union, Company, and we were always together. Poor old Mac, as we called him, was a, great favorite with us, always patient and cheery during times of hardship, and always ready to lend a helping Lund to those who needed it. Our position at Gaba Tepo was a position known as Quinn’s Post. It was a particularly difficult post to defend, as the Turkish, trenches were only 15 yards away, so on the morning of- Juno 4 volunteers were called for from the men of the Canterbury ■ and Auckland Battalions. Of course, the nautical division, as we seven were called, had to bo in it. and we were duly picked to make up the party, numbering 100 men. The charge took place punctually to .time — 11 p.ra. We soon made short work of the Turks who occupied the trench, bub unfortunately our losses were pretty heavy. Poor old Mao was badly hit, and was Immediately conveyed on board the hospital ship. W© six remaining joined him there later, along with most of the others from .our regiment. Mac’s case was considered hopeless from the first, and he passedaway quietly on the evening of June 5. It came as a great shock to us, because they did not tell us at first that there Jffas no chance £«• hies life.,”- "