AFTER SIX YEARS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 19 July 1924, Page 4

AFTER SIX YEARS.

— - A MISSTNCI SOLDIER. GRAVE LOCATED. Mi- F. Brisco, Eitham Road, has received an interesting eoimnunication-n-oui the Imrxirial Uar Graves Commission, thro.igii the JNew Zealand Records Office. The letter states (says Ar,tins) that a grave was discovered in Trance bearing the inscription “Prirate F Brisco, -v.Z.E.F.” As the records disclose the fact that Private F. Biisco was not killed, the Commission wished to know if he could furnish any < uformation likely to identify the' body auried under the cross hearing hi's name, and which was identified In the hist place by a cigarette 'case bearing die name “F. Brisco.” Fortunately Mr Brisco has a lively recollection of the circumstances, and the information be •.applies should establish the identity <>l another man who has been mourned as missing icv,- over six years. *’* May Mr Brisco met Private Richard .James Maddoak, who formerly vorlced as a blacksmith in the employ Mr F. Casey, High Street, Eltnam. Private Maddock scratched/ the name* ‘‘h. Brisco” on a cigarette case lie carried. .On May 13, Private Maddock was picked to join a iraiding pai ty. (incidentally, he took the place ol Private Brown, who, it is understood, lives at Mangntoki), and, as is well known to all “Diggers,” the men lorming the raiding party had to remove all division colours shoulder plates or buttons which would serve to identify their unit should any of its number lull into the hands of the enemy. The raid was carried out, hut Private Maddock was missing when the party returned to their own trenches. At a subsequent Court of 'lnquiry' Maddock was posted as “killed in action.” His body must have !>een iliseovered and. buried by a burying jiarty, and the cigarette case, hearing F. Brisco’s name, being the only identification mark, a cross was erected bearing that name. Several years ago the next-of-kin of Private Maddock advertised extensively seeking information that would confirm the report of his death. The body was found 2000 yards east of Colincamps, in the Hebuteirne sector, on the Somme.