PERSONALIA

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10073, 11 September 1918, Page 3

PERSONALIA

Sergeant-Major C. B. Gibbs has been appointed stab-quartermaster-serge ant. Mr Phillip Myers, who has been on a trip to Australia, returned by tno tUvenna from Sydney yesterday.

Mr Pike, of Messrs Philps and Pike, who ha s been visiting Sydney, arrived back by the Riverina yesterday.

Dr C. Smith, of Sydney, who has spent two years and a-half on active service with the Australian troops at tho front, arrived at Wellington by the Riverina from Sydney yesterday. Dr Smith intends to visit some friends at Cambridge.

Mr F. Moadowcroft, accompanied by hi s son, Mr C. Meadowcroft, returned to Wellington by the Riverina yesterday, after a month’s business trip to Sydney. _ . A motion sympathising with Mrs C. H. Williams, an old resident of Karon, but at present residing in Kaitoke, m the loss of her two sous at the front, was passed at last night’s meeting of the Karori Borough Council.

Mrs F. Mackay, of Hawera, received word yesterday that her brother, Rifleman J. A. Wiseman, was killed in action on August 26th. Rifleman nisoman, who was engaged in the teaching profession, was attending the Wellington Training College when he enlisted with the 13£h Reinforcement.

Mr and Mrs F. R. Goddard, of Tasman, have been advised that their eldest son, Private It. W. Goddard, has died of wounds in France. Private Goddard, who was about twenty-four years of age, left New Zealand some twelve months ago, and leaves a wif# and child.

The many friends of,Mr H. J. Obey, M.P., will be sorry to learn that his condition last night was such as to cause anxiety (stated yesterday’s “Taranaki Daily News”). Mr Okey has been a patient at the hospital for over a week owing to serious Internal troubles and yesterday there was a decided change for-.the worse. • Second-Lieutenants T. Stockdill and C. E. Holmes have been transferred from the Featherston Details to the Trentham Details; Second-Lieutenant A. F. Thomson (A Company, 45th Reinforcement) has been transferred to details pending his discharge. Cable advice, dated August 30th, 1918, has been received at Base Records stating that Corporal J. Bell, M.M. (Royal Fusiliers), who is a New Zealander, at present attached to the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, has been awarded a bar to the Military Medal for gallantry in the field of action. His next-of-kin is Mr Frank Bell, Forest Hill, Winton, Southland. Mrs A. T. Wasley, Hawera, has been advised by the Minister for Defence that her son, Alfred Thomas Wasley, died of wounds on Angost 31st. For some years before enlisting he was employed at Symcs’s mill, and was highly esteemed by his many friends. Private Wasley went with the 16th Reinforcement, and was wounded once before, in the Messines battle, but was able to go back to the trenches. At- a meeting of the Wellington Harbour Board Permanent Employees’ Association, held recently, it was resolved that a motion be forwarded the board, expressing the association’s regret at the resignation of Mr Newton, tally clerk, having in view the tael that Mr Newton felt that he could not further discharge his .duties satisfactorily to the board without stronger support from his executive officers in the enforcement of the rule s strictly laid down by them. The resolution further referred, to Mr Newton 8 many excellent qualities and to his earnest endeavours in the board’s -interests. This resolution wa s duly forwarded to the board, and a reply has been received to the effect that it was read and received. Mr B. Wooldridge, of New Plymouth, received word recently that Ins brothoi-in-Taw Rifleman H. (Bert) Baker, of Rahotu, had been killed m France. Deceased, who was vears of age, was the eldest son of Mr Ind Mrs A. Baker, of Rahotu. Ha enlisted in Lord Liverpool s » sarly in the war, and hasheen attach ed thereto ever since. He was twice slightly wounded. For some time past ho S had been in charge of a Lewis gun section. Deceased, who was well known and highly respected throughout Ta . naki, was a very prominent rifle shot, having been a member at various times of the Kaitaki, Rahotu, and Opunake Clubs. Ho was a very consistent- and regular competitor at the local tournament- also competing on several occasions at Trentham and other 'tournaments. His parents have three other sons at tho front.

Lieutenant Tom Norman, son of Mr and Mrs A. H. Norman, of Mosman Sydney (for many years the musical .director of the Mosman Musical Society), enlisted as a private in• 1910, and eventually rose to the rank of ser-geant-major, and was appointed musketry instructor during his ing ‘in England. He n-as promoted to lieutenant while on active BeTOCe,a» has now been awarded the Military Cross. Ho, has received the follow mg letters:—Australian . Corps, France Mnv 27th, 1918, -Dear -vorrn«n I am'very glad to see that-you in recognition or your gallant and good service during our attack near Morlancourt on tho night of the .otb instant, and 1 congratulate J 0« ™ heartily upon this 1 know you led your platoon to the objective with great dash and courage, and rendered further valuable service m the work ot consolidation. At daybreak, when the enemy, in a counter-attack, succeeded in gaining a footing in a trench on the right, thus endangering the flank, vou promptly attacked with your platoon and re-established the position. Thank you so much for your good work, which throughout was a fine example of good leadership and initiativo under trying conditions. With good wishes, yours sincerely, W. L. Birdwood. 9th Australian Infantry Brigade, Brigade Headquarters, May 29th, 1918. —Lieutenant T. B. Norman, M.C., 34th Battalion, A.l.F.—Please let this convey to you my hearty congratulations upon tho award to you of tho Military Cross in recognition of the good work done by you in - recent, operations.—H. Goddard, Lieutenant-Colo-nel, commanding 9th Australian Infantry Brigade. It may be mentioned-that Lieutenant Norman is a nephew of Air ,J. C. Norman, of the “Times" literary staff.