ROLL OF HONOUR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 10485, 25 September 1916, Page 5

ROLL OF HONOUR.

MAJOR CHILDS. Mr 1. Childs received the sail news to-day that his nephew, Major Childs, of the Rifle Brigade, was killed in action in France on September 15. Major Childs was in camp at Rangiotu for some weeks and made a number of friends during his stay m Inis district. He leaves a wife and live children to mourn their loss. The deceased oflicer enlisted from Ashburton, where his family are at present residing. GUNNER A. J. GITTINGS.

Very sincere regret was expressed throughout Messrs Collinson and Cunninghaine’s staff on Saturday, when news was received that Gunner A. J. Gittings hud died of wounds. He is the first of the firm’s staff, who have so well responded to their country’s call, to lay down his life. Early in the war Gunner Gittings expressed u keenness to serve his country, but youth was his barrier. Last year ho turned 19 years, and his opportunity came to go into camp with the Ninth Reinforcements, with whom he left for Egypt and then France, where lie received Ids death wound. Gunner Gittings came from England about five years ago to work on the staff of Messrs Collinson and Cunninghume, .Ltd. His parents are residing in London and the deceased lad was their eldest son. Another boy, -according to recent advices, is lying dangerously ill. While iu Palmerston lie took an active interest in sport, being a member of the hockey and cricket clubs formed by Ids fellow-employees. In church work ho took a profound interest and waf a choir member of All Saints’, Sunday School teacher and lay reader. His soldiering commenced with "J” Buttery, which has given its share of men in the hour of need, and ho was amongst the smartest gunners in the battery. Though fits young life has been cut off, its ending could not have been liner. He was a nephew of Mrs H. C. Collinson, of Boundary road, with whom ho resided during the years lie was in Palmerston. Reference to Gunner Gitting s death was made by Rev. H. G. Blackburne at the memorial service at All Saints’ Church yesterday morning. The preacher said that Gunner Gittings had served his Church and God as a member of All Saints’ choir and as a valuable teacher in the Sunday School. He also in losing his life has gained it. “Wc arc proud of him also us wo are of Major Martin. Wo thank God for his life also as all who have given their lives in this cause. May their souls rest in peace.” Among the list of officers killed in action on the Somme is Lieutenant G. B. Sheridan, who before responding to the call of Empire was completing his theological course for the Methodist ministry at Auckland, He was in the officers Paining camp at the Showgrounds for a time and occupied the pulpits of both the local Methodist churches on more than one occasion, showing considerable ability as a preacher. Feeling reference \yas made bv Rev. J. H. Haslam at the Cuba street church last evening to the loss the Methodist Church ha’s sustained by the death of a promising young minister. THE WOUNDED. Among the wounded and missing with the Australian forces is Private J. Sexton. His next-of-kin is Air J. Sexton, ot Long Melford road, Palmerston North. • Advice lias been received by Sub-inspec-tor Mursack that his son, Lieut. Marsack, was wounded in the offensive on the Somme front. T . , ~ A Captain J. B. Bennett and Lieut. R. A. Bennett, sons of Mr A. E. Bennett, of Palmerston, arc among the recently wounded in Franco. M • The news has come to hand that Majoi Rose has Leon wounded. Major Rose was attached to the N-Z. R ! flu Brl S d ‘ lc : Mrs Rose, who with her husband resided in Palmerston for some time, left loi England some weeks ago. Acting-Sergeant A, L. Aj m =» . Thames, who is reported wounded, s son of Mr Aylmg, formerly chief cleik in the Palmerston Post Office, and i.vii Postmaster at Thames. T W p,-ii Private T. Bell, son of Mr J. Ml* c f ior gbuni, is included m to-days Ist of wounded. .