PERSONAL NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17699, 28 January 1918, Page 5

PERSONAL NOTES.

Private .John Taylor, killed in action, was a son of Mrs Taylor and the late Mr Ewen Taylor, of Leeston. lie "as greatly respected in the district, and up to the time of going into camp was employed as groom. and gardener at “ Ravenshoume,” Leeston. Private George lumber, killed, was the cniy son of Mr F. Kimber, formerly railway engine-driver at Southbridge, but now resident in South Canterbury. A message has been received stating that Sapper J. H. Snell, eldest son or iur E. G. Snell, at one time a resident of Leeston, had died of wounds received in action in France, on January 3- Sapper Snell was born at Leeston nnd was twenty-five years of ago. He enlisted in the Fourth Reinforcements. In the earlier stages of tho war ho was twice wounded. About two years ago, while on furlough, ho married an English nurse. Before going to the front Sapper Snell was manager of a cheese factory in the North Island, where his parents reside.

Sergeant John Augustus Loffhagen (Military Medal), who was killed in action, on January 10, was the setaond son ot Mr and Mrs A. Loffhagen, of Ash let Bank. He was educated at the Ashley School, and was engaged in farming pursuits when he enlisted in the Eighth Reinforcements- He attained the rank of sergeant, and a few weeks ago was awarded the Military Medal. He was twenty-eight years of age at the time of his death. His namo being inscribed on the roll of honour of the Rangiora Presbyterian Charge recently unveiled, the congregation of the Rangiora Church, at the close of the morning .service yesterday, passed a motion expressing sympathy with Mr and Mrs Loffhagen in their bereavement.

Mr and Mrs J. Fuss, 45, Brougham Street, have been advised that their second son, Rifleman Vincent Joseph Fuss, was killed in action on January 4. Rifleman Fuss was educated at the Marist Brothers’ School. After being rejected four times, he was called up in tho ballot and passed. Prior to going into camp he was employed at the Central Dairy Company. He left with the Twenty-sixth Reinforcements. His brother, Private Leslie Fuss, is serving in France with the Twenty-seventh Reinforcements.

Mr and Mrs James Topping, 5, Ferry Road, Christchurch, have received advice from Sir James Allen that their second son, Private J. A. Topping, was admitted to the Military Hospital at Bethnal Green on December 28, suffering from- appendicitis (severe). Private Topping, who is-twenty-seven years of age, is a native of Christchurch, and prior to enlisting with the Twentyninth Reinforcements was a cutter in the employment of the Ivaiapoi "Woollen Company. Gunner C. E- B. Roper, who was reported to he severely gassed on December 29. is tho second son of Mr and Mrs C. Roper, Wairarnpa Road, Papanui. He was educated at the Richmond School, and left New Zealand on his twentieth birthday with tho Eleventh Reinforcements. Prior to enlisting he was engaged in fanning pursuits with his father at Papanui. Gunner Roper was with the 6th Howitzer Battery. He had been in tho firing Tine since the beginning of the Somme battle, and had just returned from fur-' lough to Scotland when he was gassedAdvice has been received by his parents, who reside at Park Street, Wools ton, that Private A. J. llowcs. N.Z.M.C.. Twentv-seventh Reinforce! j cents, has been wounded. He was educated at the Woolston School. On leaving there he .joined tho clerical staff of Hayward Brothers. He was a member of the St John’s Choir, Cricket Club nnd Gymnasium, also of t ie East Christchurch Cricket Club.