Youngest Of Three Soldier Sons Missing

Northern Advocate, 27 May 1941, Page 6

Youngest Of Three Soldier Sons Missing

Private Frederick Ruddell One of a family of four sons who enlisted on the Monday after war had been declared on the Sunday, Private Frederick Ruddell is missing, advice to this effect having been received by his father, Mr. W. W. Ruddell, of Whangarei. Private F. Ruddell went overseas with the First Echelon and two other brothers, Privates E. W. V. and J. L. Ruddell, followed in the Second Echelon. They cabled yesterday to say that they were s©fe and well. The fourth brother stayed behind to conduct two large farms on the understanding with his brothers that when one returned he would go to the war, Private F. Ruddell, the youngest son, was born in Whangarei and educated at the Tangowahine School, taking up farming at Kirikopuni when he left school. After arriving in Egypt he was in hospital for some time and only recently his father was advised that he had returned from Greece suffering from an illness, the news that he had again been at the battlefront coming as a surprise. Lieut. Eric Blow

Reported wounded earlier this month, Lieutenant Eric Harold Blow, formerly of Whangarei, has now been posted missing. Lieutenant Blow, who is 32 years of age, was educated at the Auckland Grammar School and the Auckland University College, where he graduated in arts, and came to Whangarei as a teacher at the High School. Going overseas he was attending' a university in Paris and taking a course in French when the war broke out and he immediately crossed to England to enlist with the New Zealand Anti-Tank Unit.

Gunner Keith Waters

Advice has been received by Mrs Rose Waters, of Ngunguru and formerly of Whangarei, that her husband, Gunner Keith G. W. Waters, is missing. Well known in the Whangarei district, where he had lived for the past 15 years prior to his enlistment, Gunner Waters spent his boyhood in New Plymouth, where his parents resided. A son-in-law of Captain and Mrs W. R. Patterson, he went overseas with the Second Echelon.

Driver A. F. Lennon

Included in the official list of those posted missing today is the name of Driver Alfred Francis Lennon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lennon, of Kamo Springs Flat. For many years prior to his enlistment, Driver Lennon worked at Maungaturoto and Paparoa as a butcher’s assistant. He was well known and highly popular throughout the whole of the Otamatea. He went overseas with the Second Echelon. After farming at Avoca for many years, his parents recently acquired a property at Kamo Springs.

Sgt. Gnr. R, Ashby-Peckham

Sgt. Gnr. R. Ashby-Peckham, of Mititai, is again on the dangerously ill list in England, his wounds having again given trouble. Recently his mother had advice that her son was on the mend, and this latest news will be received with regret.' His father went into camp this week. Private J. W. Girvin Bern at Whangarei and educated at Moerewa School, Private J. W. Girvin, who went overseas as a Bren gunner with the Second Echelon, has been posted as missing. Aged 23 years, Private Girvin was held in good repute wherever he was known. His parents, Mr and Mrs J. F. Girvin, reside atf Moerewa.