THE LATE PRIVATE SHANNON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16591, 14 January 1916, Page 8

THE LATE PRIVATE SHANNON.

Private Leslies Richard Shannon, whoso funeral took place at Dunedin on January 11, was 30 years of as?o. lie was a member of' tlio Sccond Reinforcements, joining; at Taurangn., Bay of Plenty. Ho was a son of Denis and Mary Shannon, of Wostlwry, Tasmania, and took part in the operations at Gallipoli until August 8, when ho was invalided back to New Zealand on the hospital ship Willoclira. His death occurred at the Duncdin Hospital on January 9. Owing to Private Shannon's relatives all residing in Tasmania it was impossible for them" to attend the funeral. The only lelative present was his sister (Mrs J. Riva), who arrived at Duncdin a week before her brother died

MAT AURA 13 OY AT ANZAC. Writing to his father, Mr James Mitchell, "Burnbrae," Mutaura, Irom Anzatf Cove, Surgoiint Frank Mitchell says: "i<or tho last two weeks we have been engaged in heavy fighting, and there has keen 110 chance ot Retting letters posted. We are now back lrom the tiling line tor a low days' well-earned rc»t. We have been going ste;ulily, and I Ilu.vo oome through it all. JJavio (a brother) received >'i shglit wound in tho knee, but he is quite cheerful, and will soon ho bettor. His battalion had " hard task, so he wae very lucky. As lor myself, on tho first night of the charge our colonel ordered me to take the cornei of a hill with a machine gun on it with 20 men. I did not hko to tackle it at first, but tho colonel told me to get into if quick and lively, and I nothing els*) to do but go. We got the hill and the gun, and iiite.r that you could not hold mo back; my fighting blood was up. Before wo stopped we took four distinct trenches vritn the bayonet, never a shot being fired on our side. A bayonet is tho most effective in close quarters. I believe I did some mad things that night, but_ 'go'_ was, the word, and now when I think :t over I would not have missed it for worlds. I had a rough timo again when the Otago men took a hill that was held by the Turks. Wo held it for two nights and i a day under heavy artillery fire and snipers on three sides. I had charge of tho right flank, and the Turks attacked us four times, but wo managed to drive them b.ick. I believo I am 10 years older looking r-.ow, but still have a whol'"" skin, /and am us proud as a prince, and ready for <%nothcr 'go.'"