SERGEANT-MAJOR BOATE, D.C.M.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16592, 15 January 1916, Page 7

SERGEANT-MAJOR BOATE, D.C.M.

Sergeant-major Boato, D.C.M., has evidently had an adventurous career. He served in the South African war as an Imperial soldier, and had also seen service in other parte of the world. It is said that on his first volunteering with the New Zealand forces ho was " turned down," but, not discouraged, he tried again, and left with the Ot&go Second, and on hia arrival in Egypt was attached to the South Otagd Regiment Reinforcements, and was at the first landing at Gallipoli. He was accidentally wounded by a bayonet, and was taken to hospital at Alexandria. An interesting incident is related of his return to the Peninsula. On his arrival at Anzac his regiment was serving at Cape Helles, and, as one soldier who knew him well, relates, Boato went up to Wacher's Ridge to have a snipe "on his own." He was immediately accosted by a sentry, and ashed who he was. Boate replied that he was a member of tho South Otago Regiment, and the sentry thereupon asked him why ho was not at Cape Hellcs, and arrested him ab a spy. Boate was taken back to the beach, but had no difficulty in proving his identity. "He was jolly lucky that time," remarked a soldier who witnessed tho incident. Boate was of a cheery nature and rather accomplished as a flute player, and entertained tho boye in the trenches with martial music when things got a bit lively. The hall mark was placed on him by a returned soldier thus: He was a jolly good fellow." ANZACS' RECRUITING MEETING. Members of tho Anzac Club last night instituted tho first of a series of recruiting meetings. Headed by a number of pipers tho men marched to the fountain, where addresses were delivered by various returned soldiers. Addresses were also given at the corner of tho Octagon and at the junction of St. Andrew and George streets, and a return was then made to tho fountain, where the Mayor (Mr J. J. Olaxk) spoke. The venture was a very successful one, and six men answered to the call to enlist.