“NOT A CASUALTY”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20493, 1 March 1941, Page 4

“NOT A CASUALTY”

ERROR IN IDENTITY RELIEF FOR MOTHER FIRST REPORT CORRECTED “A message from the New Zealand High Commissioner in London states that because of mistaken identification the parents of Sergeant A. M. Brodie, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, may have heard indirectly he is a prisoner. The message says he is not a casualty. Sergeant Brodie’s next-of-kin is Mrs. J. M. Brodie, Gisborne.” This statement issued by the Press Association, was received overnight from Wellington. It confirms a notice received by Mrs. Brodie yesterday afternoon, in correction of an earlier message which expressed the deep regret of the High Commissioner in London in having to convey the information that her son, Gunner-Ser-geant A. M. Brodie, Royal New Zealand Air Force, was reported missing as a result of air operations. Keen satisfaction will be felt at the later message, and Mrs. Brodie will receive the warmest congratulations upon the advice now received. Gun-ner-Sergeant Brodie has been with the Royal Air Force about a year, and has served with the Bomber Command throughout. In a recent letter he expressed his satisfaction of being with a bomber crew composed entirely of men from the Dominion. He has taken part in a number of raids over Germany and over epemy-occupied territory. His relatives in Gisborne have received gratefully the news of his being unharmed. Nevertheless, the latest message, which came from the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, has left some points obscure. In the first place, Sergeant-Gunner Brodie’s family were advised directly by the High Commissioner that he was missing as a result of air operations. The latest message, from the Defence Minister, quotes the High Commissioner as saying that the Royal Air Force man’s next-of-kin may have heard indirectly that he was a prisoner. Incidentally, the Defence Minister’s telegram refers to •‘Sergeant A. M. Brodie, New Zealand Expeditionary Force,” and quotes the High Commissioner as saying further that he is not a casualty.