SOLDIER ATHLETES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24151, 18 December 1941, Page 4

SOLDIER ATHLETES

KILLED AND WOUNDED PROMINENT FOOTBALLERS FORMER BOXING CHAMPION Second-Lieutenant R. K. Anderson, reported to have died of wounds following recent actions in Libya, was well known in Rugby circles in Auckland, lie played for the Grafton Club and represented Auckland seven times in 1935, eight in I !>:»;, three in 1037 and four in 1938. A forward of powerful physique, he was good on the line-out and relished open play, where he displayed much dash and pace, being, in addition, an accurate handler. Anderson took part in the All Black trials in 11)37 and was emergency forward for the North Island in the annual inter-island match that year. He played in several matches at the N.Z.E.F. base in Egypt. Another former Grafton forward who is reported to have died of wounds in Libya is Second-Lieutenant G. Mills. Tall and fast, be was prominent on the line-out and in the loose. He represented AucklandNigainst Waikato in 1935 and was subsequently transferred to the Timaru branch of the National Bank.

Lieutenant-Colonel G. J. McNaught, who has been listed among those wounded in the Libyan campaign, is well known in Wellington teaching and sporting circles. He is first assistant master at the Hutt Valley High School, and earlier taught at Wellington College. Jn his active athletic, days ho was a splendid footballer, first at the Otago Boys' High School, then at Otago University, and finally with the New Zealand Army team which won the King's Cup in 1019 and later toured South Africa. A five-eighths, his career came to a premature end when he injured a knee severely in a match at Johannesburg. He did not play after his return to •New Zealand.

Captain Pareknra Tureia, of Gisborne, reported killed in Libya, will be remembered as an outstanding East Coast footballer in the early twenties. A centre-tlireequarter. he played with Army sides in the last war, and later for New Zealand Maori teams. He skippered the fifteen in the memorable match agninst the Springboks at Napier in 15>*«f 1. when the Maoris were very unlucky to lie beaten 9—B. The following year he led the Maori team that toured Australia. Private W. Japelh. reported wounded, has been prominent as a Rugby player for the Helensville Club in the Kaipara Sub-Union's competition for some years. He was also a regular competitor at swimming carnivals in Helensville, and also at the Tepid Baths in Auckland.

One of the most popular boxers Auckland has produced, Private Frank Bruno, has been reported injured on active service. Bruno won the amateur fl.v-\veight championship of Auckland in I OHO and the fly-weight and bantam-weight titles in l!).'i2. lie represented Auckland at New Zealand championship meetings and won the fly-weight title at I'aiinerston North in 10,'io. His perpetual smile during his contests, whether winning or losing, and his pleasing personality, made him a great favourite with patrons of boxing wherever he appeared. During a tour of Australia he took part in several professional bouts. More or less self-educated, Bruno has written many breezy articles and contributed humorous sketches to various New Zealand and Australian newspapers. Sergeant • Claude 11. Harper, who has died of wounds received in the Libyan campaign, took part in amateur wrestling contests at the Town Hall for three years and he was also a most enthusiastic yachtsman. His father. Mr. C. A. Harper, was connected with the Central 'Fire Brigade Station for several years, while his uncles, Mr, W. T. Harper and Captain Claude Harper, are both well known in boxing and sporting circles generally.