PROUD RECORD

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24102, 22 October 1941, Page 9

PROUD RECORD

FAMILY'S WAR SERVICE FOUR OF FIVE SONS A PARENT CONGRATULATED Because of his family's excellent war record an appellant was warmly congratulated by the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board at a sitting yesterday. The appellant said four of his five sons and a son-in-law had volunteered and were serving overseas, while two daughters had trained as nurses and had offered to go abroad. Appellant was Mr. F. H. Leonard, accountant, who sought exemption from service for his son, Kenneth MacFarlane Leonard, on the ground ot undue hardship. The son appealed to have his service postponed, but only until the beginning of December, so that he could complete university examinations. Worked Passage Home "This is the only one left," said Mr. Leonard, sen., in asking that the reservist be allowed to remain in New Zealand. The reservist was needed to carry on the accountancy practice which was the sole means of livelihood of witness and his wife and the dependants of the boys already serving. As he was 70 years of age, witness did not feel competent te do this. Witness said the eldest son, who was the founder of the accountancy business and possessed arts and commerce degrees, had worked his passage to England and joined the Royal Navy. He had had command of a trawler based on the Shetlands, and since last Christmas had been in charge of a vessel doing patrol and convoy work in the English Channel. At the outbreak of war the second son was surgeon in charge of a North London hospital. As the anticipated bombing of London did not eventuate in the early months of hostilities he gave up a £IOOO a year and sought more active work in the Navy. With the rank of surgeon-lieutenant he had seen service at Narvik and was later stationed at Portsmouth. Army and Air Force Another university graduate, the third son was in England when the war started and joined the New Zealand anti-tank battery. He fought in the Greece campaign and was now in the Western Desert. His wife was doing confidential work for the Admiralty. The youngest son also worked his passage to England and joined the Royal Air Force, while a son-in-law volunteered and was now in the Middle East. Two daughters had trained as nurses and had volunteered for overseas service.

The chairman. Mr. C. R. Orr Walker S.M.: An excellent record.

Mr. F. J. Cox. Crown representative: The hest that has come before the board.

In congratulating Mr. Leonard on the family record, the chairman said the board had no hesitation in granting an adjournment sine die.