POPULAR WHANGAREI OFFICER.

Northern Advocate, 10 May 1915, Page 5

POPULAR WHANGAREI OFFICER.

The news of the death of Sefr£t,Major J. E. Partridge, which occurred from wounds sustained in action at the Dardanelles, was received in Whangarei on Saturday with general and profound regret.

The late officer, who was formerly in the Warwickshire Regiment, came to the Dominion about four years ago from Dover.' After being in Auckland twelve months he was appointed instructor to the loth North Auckland Regiment at Whangarei. He was a fine-looking man, about 30 years of age, smart in his work, and he was soon popular with the men who came under his instruction. In addition to his regimental duties he taught drill at the High School. When he had been here about six months he was joined by his fiancee, a Miss Neiles, also of Dover, and they were married in the Anglican Church by the Rev. G. C. Cruickshank. The serg..-major was the possessor of a good voice, and he sang in the church choir. Both he and his wife were members of the Choral Union, and they took part in the Union's production of "The Mikado." Sergt.-Major Partridge was also a member of the Whangarei Lodge of Druids. When the war broke out, he was called to the colours and he left for the front With the first contingent of the 15th North Auckland Regiment. His wif e and child went home to England, where another child was born to them about a month ago.