PERSONAL NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17904, 25 September 1918, Page 8

PERSONAL NOTES.

Private Harry Allan Lake, who was killed in action in France on August 26, was the fifth son of Mrs A. Lake, of Upper Riccarton. He was educated at the Upper Riccarton School, and left New Zealand with the Twentysecond Reinforcements. He was in his twenty-fourth year. Rifleman Arnold Emmett, reported killed in action, was the eldest son of Mr A. W. Emmett, of Quinn’s Rood. He was born in Richmond twenty-four years ago. and was educated at the Richmond School. Prior to his enlistment he was engaged in farming pursuits. He was one of. the promoters of tho Mairehau Patriotic Society, and acted on the executive up to the time he loft for camp. He was also a member of the management committee of the Mairehau Cycling Club. On Sunday a memorial servieo was held in tho Shirley Methodist Church, of which the deceased soldier had been a prominent member. The Rev W. C. Oliver conducted the service, which was largely attended. Rifleman Thomas Mitchell Abernethy, reported killed in action, was tho eldest son of tho Rev O. Abernethy, 47, Matson’s Road, Papanui. He enlisted a considerable time‘ago, but was rejected on account of an injury .to iyd eyes. However, he made another attempt later, and was accepted, going into camp last year about the middle of August. He sailed for England with the Thirty-third Reinforcements, but on arrival there was in hospital for some time as the result of the effects of a severe cold- He 'had not been long in France before ho met his death. Rifleman Abernethy formerly lived in YVellington, where he was connected with the firm of J. W. Sharland and Co., and he was engaged to be marriedto a Wellington lady, Miss Bethel Fossette. A younger brother, Lieutenant R. S. Abernethy died of wounds in Flanders on August 16, .1917. Tho only remaining brother. Lieutenant C. Abernethy, M.C., is on active service in Persia.

In the course of tho report presented at the annual .meeting of the West Christchurch Cricket Club held last night, reference was made to the: death of the Rev G. Bryan Brown, a former member of the club, who was killed mi servim* Ar.rnw months

ago. The report stated: —“ The loss Ito _ the club and crioket generally of , this fine player cannot he l expressed. He was a true sport and an example to all players on and off 1 the field. ’

Advice has been received by Mrs G. Bennett, of South Springston. that her youngest son, Private F. N. Matthews, died of woiinds in France. This was the first intimation received that lie had. been wounded. He was bora in Springston and was educated at the local 'school. '■ After leaving school lie commenced working on a farm, and followed, that occupation until leaving for tho front. At the time of enlisting he was teahteter for Sir P. V. Bailey. Private "Matthews was very popular both in the Springston and Trwcll districts. He was a very keen footballer, playing for,, the Irwell Club for many years.; He also represented Ellesmere at coilnty matches. .: He enlisted and left New Zealand with the Ist Battalion of the, Rifle Brigade, and saw much fighting, going through the Somme in 1916 and many other battles. After tho Somme fight he was sent to England on sick leave. His eldest brother Ernest, is still at the front, having left with the Sixteenth Reinforcements. Mr C. H. Jones, Winchmore, Ashburton, has been advised that his brother, Rifleman IV. R. Jones, was killed in action in France on September 1. Rifleman Jones left with the Thirtythird Reinforcements. He is the second brother of Mr Jones to pay tho supremo sacrifice. Three other brothers are still in the firing line, another has been invalided to Canada, and another is in camp.

At last evening’s meeting of the Kaiapoi Borough Council resolutions were carried expressing sympathy with the relatives of Sergeant Wright and Private Keetlcy A killed in action, and Private Hopkins, wounded. The name of Rifleman Robert George Wotherall, who was reported in yesterday’s casualty list as having died from wounds, was incorrectly given as Metherall. His next of kin is Mrs I. C. Wotherall, wife. Cable advice has been received by Miss V. M. Baker that her brother, Rifleman E. J. Baker, has been admitted to hospital, England, suffering from a sprained back. This is the second occasion that Rifleman Baker has been admitted to hospital. He was previously wounded in the battle of Messines. Rifleman Baker left New, Zealand with the Twelfth Reinforcements. ,

Private Albert Charles Mead, reported wounded and admitted to hospital on August 26, is the eldest son of Mr, James Mead', Rakaia. He was previously wounded in the right arm last December, and was six months under treatment. He was born in Rakaia twenty-four years ago, and left with the Twenty-fifth Reinforcements. Mr Mead’s second son, ,Private Sydney James Mead, is suffering from trench feet, while another son is in khaki. Mrs L. A. Cobden, of Rakaia. has been advised that her husband. Rifleman Edwin Percy Cobden, was admitted to hospital on September 16, suffering from gunshot wounds in tho right wrist and right thigh. Rifleman Cobden is the second son of 'Mill. Cobden, of Ollivier’s Road. Christchurch. Previous to enlisting in the Twenty-third Reinforcement he was working near Hamilton in the Waikato district.

Mr R. J. S. Wilson, Fairfield, has received further advice that his brother, Rifleman H. J. Wilson, is seriously wounded, and has been admitted to \V al ton-on-Tiiamos Hospital.

Private E. F. Kimber. admitted to hospital in England on September 3, suffering from gunshot wound in the right shoulder, is the youngest son of Mr Charles Kimber, Springston South. Up to'the time of leaving with the 'Twenty-seventh Rbilaforcenients he was engaged in farming pursuits in the Irwell district. He is married to a daughter of Mr Eddy, Irwell. Mrs J. Moore, of Springston South, has received news that her husband, who left New Zealand with the Thirtysecond Reinforcements, has been admitted to hospital in England, suffering from a gunshot wound’ in the thigh. Private James Moore is a native of Cumberland, having been in New Zealand for only seven years. During his time at Springston he followed the occupation of farm labourer*, and at the time of going into camp was teamster for Mr M. F. Ryan. He has two other brothers in tho Imperial Army. Mr J. M’Lenn, Rakaia, has received advice that his eldest son, Gunner Thomas M’Lean, has been wounded and admitted to hospital on September 11. Gunner M’Lean entered camp on October 9, 1914, having enlisted with the Second Reinforcements. He went to Egypt, and afterwards took part in tho landing at Gallipoli, and was invalided to England suffering from a septic arm. He was under treatment for a whole year, but the arm gradually recovered, but is much shrunken. Previous to this lie had been in the Engineers, but was. transferred to theArtillery and went to France. He took part in the Somme battle, and after the Pnsschendnele fight was given three months’ rest. He has been at the front in most of the fighting since last March. During his four rears’ campaign this is the first time he has been wounded. He was born at Doric, nnd was educated at the Rakaia School Previous to enlisting he was employed on his father’s farm. Mr C. H. Bascand, of 151, Kilmore. Street, Christchurch, has received information that his son, W. A. Bascand, has been admitted to hospital in France, suffering from gas noroning. Mrs J. Whitmore, 36. North Avon Road, has received cable advice that her son, Sfergeant D. G. Whitmore, has been admitted to hospital in England, haring been gassed on September 11. Sergeant Whitmore enlisted in the Main Body, was wounded on Gallipoli, and evontually discharged. He reenlisted for service and went away with the Twenty-third Reinforcements. Mr Jame 3 Olds, of Ha-ast Street, Linwood, has received advice, that, his son, Lieutenant E. T. Olds, who was wounded on April 27, is returning to the Dominion. Lieutenant Olds, at the time of his enlistment, was a student in the Methodist Theologioal College.