KILLED IN ACTION

Opotiki News, Volume VI, Issue 426, 21 December 1943, Page 2

KILLED IN ACTION

MAJOR ROBERT PARKINSON The announcement- of the death in action; in hie thirtieth year, of Major Robert Gordon Parkinson, third son of Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Parkinson, Otara, Opotiki, was keeirly felt- in this district. Joe, as he was commonly known, was one of. the first Opotiki.boys to volunteer when war broke oat, being at the time a sergeant in the Territorial Force. After a period cf training in New Zealand he left these shores with the First Echelon as a second lieutenant.

Major Parkinson, experienced the ordeals of Greece and Crete an'i was fortunate in returning to Egypt unscathed by these campaigns. He was with the New Zealand troops in the heavy desert fighting that followed. Borne tune ago he transferred from the infantry to a tank unit and he was with this unit at the time of his death. One of two New Zealanders selected to attend a Turkish conference, Major Parkinson found the experience an interesting one. He also ■had the privilege of attending the welcome back to G v airo of General Freyberg. Recently the engagement was announced between Major Parkinsonand Rona Catherine Eaves, youngest daughter of Mrs. Eaves, Riccarton, and the late Mr. Charles Eaves.