LANCE-CORPORAL DICK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16542, 16 November 1915, Page 6

LANCE-CORPORAL DICK

Lance-corporal Robert W. Dick, second section of the 3rd Divisional Signalling Company, sth Brigade, 2nd Australian Division, was admitted to hospital at Malta on September 16, suffering from deafness, caused by concussion through the bursting of a '75mm. shell. The shell was so close that it lifted his helmet off his head. He xias since arrived in London convalescent, but is in hospital there. Lance-corporal Dick is a Dunedin boy who joined the Australian Expeditionary Force in Sydney, where he was employed in one of the business houses. PRIVATE MNEIL.

Mrs A. M'Neill, of Russell street, received! a cablegram on Saturday stating that her son, Private Alexander William M'Neill, who was -wounded on Hill 971 on tlie night of August 7, was convalescent, and would be coming home shortly. Private M'Neill, who left New Zealand as a member of the Otago Battalion of the Main Expeditionary Force, has been in the Pont de Koubbeh Hospital, Cairo, since he was wounded. He received l a gunshot wound in the left foot, which gave the doctors a good deal of trouble. Finally, it was decided to amputate the foot just above the ankle. In a letter to Mrs M'Neill, Major-chaplain Mackenzie Gibson says: "The lad is doing as well as can be expected, and is bearing up bravely. The splendid courage and cheerfillness of our dear New Zealand lads under pain and torture are a matter of daily and hourly amazement to chaplains, doctors, and nurses. You may rest assured that your lad is thoroughly well cared for, and has every bit as much skill and attention given to him as would be possible at home. His loss is not .to be -compared with that of many, many others, and by the by he may be able to get a new foot—such are the wonders of modern surgical science,—and only his intimate friends will know of it. We parents have every reason to be proud of our New Zealand boys. They have fought magnificently, and, what is more, they suffer and die magnificently." Prior to joining the colours he was apprenticed to the iron moulding trade at Messrs Cossens and Black's.

TROOPER -ERASER. Mr William R. F. Fraser, Bank of New Zealand, Mosgiel, has received advice from, his son, Trooper Norman D. Fraser (who was wounded on August 13), from Fulham Hospital, England, where he was under treatment for wounds sustained during the fighting at Bauchop's Ridge, consisting of a bullet wound in the left forearm and injuries to the right hand caused by splinters from a bullet after striking .a rock. He has also been subject to feverish attacks, but is making satisfactory progress towards recovery, and hopes soon to be discharged l from hospital. After a short period of leave for sight-seeing, he expects to be able to rejoin his company at the Dardanelles. JOTTINGS. Major Hart, D.5.0., of Carterton, has been promoted to the rank of colonel. Lieutenant R. F. R. Beetham, of Master ton, /Who is at the Dardanelles, has been promoted to the rank of captain. The proposal taken _in hand by Miss Nicolls for the formation at Oamaxn of a Bandage League, having for ita object tho making of. bondages for wounded soldiers, is well conceived; and is certain to meet with strong and instant support. The idea is (says tho North Otago Times) that each member of the league should contribute Is per month for the purchase of bandage materials.

At a farewell meeting of the staff t<f the National Bank at Oamaru on Thursday to Mr O. L. Ferens, who ie leaving for the •front, the manager (Mr A. Hamilton) mentioned (says the Mail) that six out of 13 men on the staff had gone to the war, arid another was to go this week. Lieutenant J. T. Steven, who is at present commander of A Squadron, South Canterbury Mounted Rifles., has been appointed an officer in the 12th Reinforcements. Ho comes of a race of keen volunteers, his father having held a commission in the Clutha Rifles, and his grandfater (the lata Mr James Thomson, of Timaru) a commission in the Dalkeith Rifle Voluntoers. Lieutenant Steven is a capital athlete, and is quite at home in football, cricket, tennis, and golf. He will be much missed in Totara Valley and Pleasant Point (says the Timaru Herald),, and his comrades in arms wish him all success and prosperity. Lieutenant Sten Hurle (sth Battalion, Middlesex Regiment), in a letter to hie people in New Plymouth from Fort Horsted, says he returned to his regiment on Sunday, August 27 (says the Taranald Herald). Ho had quite a good record for the School of Instruction, having done the course in two weeks under standard, and 'obtained third place, with 91 per cent., in the final examination. " Thero are still a few officers to go to France in advance of me, but I am much nearer now than I was a week ago. We have a very slack time here at Horsted, there being practically nothing to do' but wait until called upon to proceed to the front. I had one week on the river at the Richmond, and had a glorious time. It is beautiful up there, especially if one happens to strike a nice, bright day." Cabled advice has been received in New Plymouth since the letter that Lieutenant Hurle was proceeding to the Dardanelles with the Hampshires.