N.Z.E.F. CASUALTIES

Evening Star, Issue 24297, 11 September 1942, Page 6

N.Z.E.F. CASUALTIES

ONE OTAGO NAME (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sopt. 10. The following 2n<l N.Z.E.F. casualty list was issued to-day;— OTAGO. —Wounded. — Chance, Lieutenant George Rogers; father, Mr G. Chance, Dunedin. OTHER DISTRICTS. —Killed in Action.— McKenzie, Signalman Donald lan; wife, Mrs M. C. McKenzie, Sandringham. —Died of Wounds.— Peart, Lieutenant-colonel Joseph Norris; wife, Mrs A. H. Peart, England. —Presumed Dead. (Previously Reported Missing.) Cole, Gunner Owen, Auckland. —Missing, Remains on. Wounded List.— Underwood, Private Thomas Edward, Dargavillc. —Prisoner of War.— (Previously Reported Missing.) Brocldchurst, Driver Philip, Pigeon Bay. —Wounded. — Dixcn, Private Broderick Henry; father, Mr H. E. Dixon, Wellington. Ellis, Signalman Maurice James; friend, Mrs M. Champion, Wellington. Garvey, Sergeant John Joseph; mother, Mrs A. Garvey, Tanranga, Koherc, Private lan Tawhai Kure; mother, Mrs E. Kohcvc, liangitukia. Matthews, Gunner John Ngailu; wife, Mrs E, Matthews, Waipukuvau. Stevens, Sergeant Erie John; wife, Mrs A. R, Slovens, Milford: Wacre'a, Private Robin; son, Mr B. Waerca, Auckland. COLONEL PEART'S CAREER AUCKLAND, Sept. 10. The death from wounds of Lioutenanleolonel J. N. Peart, D. 5.0., who in civil life, was head master of King’s College, Auckland, is announced in the casualty listissued to-night. Lien tenant-colonel Peart volunteered for overseas service almost, immediately after the outbreak of war. He loft New Zealand with the infantry of the First Echelon, and served through the campaigns of Greece and Crete, being mentioned in despatches. He was promoted last January to lieutenantcolonel. Lieutenant-colonel Peart was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in August after the battle for Egypt. The award was made “ for , outstanding leadership, bravery, and determination ” while in the command of the South Island battalion in a night attack in which 18 enemy tanks were encountered and three knocked out with sticky grenades. Lieutenant-colonel Peart kept control of a difficult situation until seme tanks of a British armoured -brigade appeared. “ During the fighting,” the citation slated, “ he was constantly moving about among his men, encouraging them and at all times setting a high example of courage and perseverance. It was due to his outstanding leadership, discrimination, and sound judgment that the battalion remained a lighting unit.” Lieutenant-colonel Peart was appointed head master of King’s College in 1935, and took up his duties early in 1936. He was born at Collingwood in 1908, and attended the Auckland Grammar School and Auckland, University College, where he graduated B.A. He entered Emmanuel College, Cambridge, in 1924, obtaining his B.A. in 1926, and M.A. in 1931. He was also a Rugby “ blue.” Before returning to New Zealand he was second master at Epsom College. Lieutenant-colonel Peart is survived by his wife and three children, who are in England.