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Free Lance, Volume XVI, Issue 847, 29 September 1916, Page 9

Captain J. D. K.-Strang, who laid down his life in defence of his home and country during the great offensive in France, about the middle of September, was a bright, promising 3'outh of only 22 years. "Kay" was the second son of Miv John Strang, of "Glenside," one of the best-known station homesteads in the Wairarapa. situated at Gladstone. Reared on. the farm, Kay, as he was familiarly known, gave great promise as a' first-class stock-man. He always took the. keenest interest in the.''studs," and being' an excellent horseman he loved to follow the hounds when opportunityoffered. He commenced his education at the Gladstone. Public School under Miss Piggford, now of Mount Cook Girls' School, whose school gardens secured many prizes. Afterwards he passed through .Wellington College', and played wing. three-quarter in interpro— vmcial college- football. Before war broke out, he was an enthusiastic Territorial in the Ruahine Mounted Squadron, and had jnst sat for his lieutenancy when, his country made the first call to its manhood.. • Kay Strang went into camp' at Awa-' puni 'with the Wellington Mounteds, and after two or. three months learned that he had passed his examination and secured his commission. At the request of' his oominandiiig officers he was transferred to the Second Reinforcements, and' was attached to the Otago Mounteds. ..After some time in Egypt, the Mounteds were asked to volunteer as Infantry, and Kay was among the first to' offer. He exeprienced the thrills of several bayonet charges against the Turks, and gained the great, distinction of' being mentioned •in ''Sir lan Hamilton's despatches. He rejoined his companions after the evacuation, and proceeded to France as acting-captain: and shortly after his arrival- was given his full rank, and transferred to the 3rd Battalion of the 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade, ?nd took part in many raids./ •' . * * '■* . Only a week before the sad news of -'is death arrived he sent a cable stating that be was Avcll and having a good time. Captain Strang was of a. most likeable disposition, and was loved by his men, several of whom were from his own immediate neighbourhood. Kay was considered a real, good sport, and always lived a clean and upright life. The heroic manner'of his death is just what might have been expected of him, and though he is deeply mourned by a very wide circle of friends, .his noble sacrifice is matter for the greatest pride.. The family at "Glenside" has received hundreds of messages of sympathy to which "we desire to add ours. Here is a sad and strange case. Rifleman J. Stitt, of the 10th NewZealand Reinforcements, was reported •wounded a considerable time ago, and although his wife cabled • Home more than once she could get no particulars of his state''or where he was- Lately she had a letter from Nurse Campbell, matron of 3rd . Scottish Hospital,, Glasgow, telling her that he was in that institution, and being well cared for. He bad quite lost his memory and didn't know his name, where he came from, nor anything " about himself. Nurse Campbell was thus, unable to communicate with his relatives till a New Zealand lady calling at the hospital was somehow able- to find their address and supply the matron with it. Mrs. ,Stitt lives at 5. Manly-terrace, Wellington South.