RUGBY FOOTBALL

Free Lance, Volume XV, Issue 798, 15 October 1915, Page 22

RUGBY FOOTBALL

The Late Henry Dewar. I have received the following communiication : —' 'Dear 'Touchline,' — Some unknown friend has sent me a copy of the N.Z. Free Lance of September 3rd, and in looking through it I came on an article by you on' Rugby football, in which you referred to one Henry Dewacr, who was killed at the front. "On looking at the photo I have come to think that the said Henry may be a nephew of mine. If so, his father, Alex. Dewar (my eldest brother) died at Palmerston North in March, 1909. I have also been told that there was a married daughter in Wellington—beyond these two facts I have lost all trace of the family for years. I would take it as a great favour if you would let me know what you know of the brave young man's people. If I am right, then he has two cousins fighting for their king and country, one in South Africa and the other from Dunedin.—Yours faithfully, I/uwan Dbwae, Waimate." There does not seem to be any doubt that the writer of this letter is "Norky" Dewar's uncle, for his next-of-kin is his mother, who is a widow residing in Palmerston North. I am making enquiries, however, and will verify this if at all possible. By the w&y, a friend has received a note from an officer with the New Zealand forces, who stated that Henry Dewar died! like a hero. He was sorely wounded, but would not de-

sert his gun, even when ordered to do so, and fought on till he was killed. "Norky'' Dewar proved himself a hero in the strife, displaying the corn-age that would be expected of him when the necessity arose.