COMMANDER OF AUSTRALASIANS WOUNDED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15931, 31 May 1915, Page 7

COMMANDER OF AUSTRALASIANS WOUNDED.

NEWS DISCLOSED IN SPEECH BY HIGH COMMISSIONER.

AUSTRALIAN CASUALTIES TOTAL NEARLY SIX THOUSAND.

'. (Received May 30, 3.35 p.m.) - t , * Melbourne, May 29. Though the authorities are making every. endeavour to, expedite the compilation of the casualty lists, there are indications that the lists already received are far in arrears. . While , the local -lists total 4539 names, Sir .George Reid, Australian High Commissioner, in . a ' cable message, states that the Australian casualties include 650 dead and 5200 wounded. ' ' ! » Speaking at a .London function, Sir George Reid said that he was glad that the wound received by General Birdwood, officer in command of the ' Australian • and New Zealand Army Corps, waß not serious. Beyond this no information has been received that General Birdwood has been wounded. • Senator Pearce, Australian Minister for Defence, >announces that Colonel McCoy, second in command of the Australian forces at the Dardanelles, has been wounded above the knee. The wound is not serious, and it is expected that he will shortly be able to resume his duties.

' . ' ' . ." v ' ' / . General Birdwood, before being appointed to the command of the AustriJian and New Zealand ; Array Corps, was secretary to the ; Government of India in the Army Department and member of the Governor-General's Legislative Council, He was military, secretary to Lord Kitchener in South Africa in 1902 and again ' in India in 1905. - He was severely wounded in South Africa and was mentioned in despatches .five times.