PATHETIC MEETING

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9096, 15 July 1915, Page 7

PATHETIC MEETING

GREETING AND GOOD-BYE

Special to the “Times.” CHRISTCHURCH, July 13,

A pathetic incident is reported in a letter received in Christchurch today from the Dardanelles. Two cousins, Harold and William Anderson (the former being a brother of Mrs Lopdell, New Brighton), whose parents ’ reside near to each other in Melbourne, answered the call for recruits, William joining a Victorian regiment and Harold (who was holt-day-making in Zealand) enlisting with tho i3th (North Auckland) Regiment. They had not seen one another for three years, when they were growing lads of seventeen, and their parents were naturally desirous they should meet in Egypt. However, they did not find an opportunity to do so. Both regiments were ordered to the front, and took part in the memorable landing on Gallipoli Peninsula on April 25th, and in succeeding battles. Both wore in reserve on May Bth, when that fierce hattie which exacted such heavy toll among the colonials was raging. Each lad was unconscious of the other’s presence in the locality. Both were ordered simultaneously to reinforce tho fast thinning firing line, and in the rush up the hill, while taking a breath, the cousins saw one another for the first time/ They shook hands, exchanged greetings, were swept on with the rush, and did,not meet again. Harold was killed in that battle, and William (who is now in hospital) was shot through the neck and shoulder. Considering the circumstances and the thousands of khaki-clad men on the Peninsula, the meeting was a remarkable one.