BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3250, 28 June 1916, Page 21

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Captain Herbert Henry Christopher (killed in. action on June 2, 1316) was the son of Mr Anthony Christophers, for 52 years and a-hail i:i the service of the Bank of Xew South Wales, latterly as manager at Invercargill. He was born at Dunedin and educated at Invercargill Central School and Southland Boys' High School. After leaving school he entered the District Railway Engineer's Office, Invercargill, and was moved to Wellington, Auckland, and Ohakune. When war broke out Captain Christophers held a

responsible position at Ohakune, and at onco. enlisted and went on active service with the Advance Body to Samoa as lieutenant. On his return to Xew Zealand he joined the Rifle Brigade (Earl of Liverpool's Own), and proceeded to Egypt eight months ago, and about three months aco was promote! to the rank of captain. Deceased was a prominent athlete, playing both for the Invercargill Football and Cricket Clubs. After returning from Samoa he married Miss Mamie Dodds, daughter of Mr Marshall Dodds, of Paraparautnu, near Wellington, fruit farmer. Ono of his brothers, Trooper Victor James Christophers, who left with the Main Expeditionary Force, was killed in actio.: on Uallipoli en May 31, 1015.

Lieutenant Tames Short, who died of wounds received in France on May 28, was, prior to tho war, station master at Havensbourne. He joined the railway; service l'i years ago. .After the outbreak cf war he left with the Advance Expeditionary Force, for .Samoa as lieutenant in tho Railway Engineers. After serving 10 months in Samoa "he returned to New Zealand, and was appointed first lieutenant with the Sixth Otago Mounted Bines, leaving with that body for Egypt,, and later for Gallipoli. After the evacuation of the Peninsula he was attached to tho Pioneer Battalion, ami was serving with the Pioneers when he mot his death. Lieutenant Short also saw service in South Africa and. had a medal and three clasps. Ifo left New Zealand with tha Eighth New Zealand Contingent, and afterwards was attached to (lie Seventh Now Zealand Contingeiit during the latter stages of tho South African war. Lieutenant Short was a son of Mr T. Short, builder, Dunedin, and wu3 S 4 years of ago when he died. Lieutenant Neville Stanley Joyce, who is reported to have died from wounds, received his early education nt the Gladstone School, Invercargill, and in 1904 he entered the Southland Boys' High School as (he holder of a junior scholarship. His scholastic career was marked 1 y industry, concentration, and brilliant achievolent, and he gave promise of ma'king a real mark in the "world. Though slight in physique, he possessed considerable powers of endurance, .nd showed much skill at both fives and cricket, while in addition he was of a most likeable nature, iind was extremely popular with his school-fel"

.Sows. IXo also spoilt some time at the Timaru High School, afterwards entering the service of tho South Canterbury rcducation Hoar.! for n »hort period, Lieutenant Joyce suiiserpionUy took \id tho Btvu'v of law, and accepted a position With the (irm of Mesar3 Smithsori and KayiiK.nd, W Timaru, flow known as Messrs itoymond, Raymond, and Campbell, relinquishing this position to enter the service ol his conn!:..-. Lieutenant Norman Hall was killed in action Jl) France en June LI. lie was a Fori oi Mr J. vi. Hall, oi Bay road, Invercargil), and wan born M Nightcaps in 18J2. As a boy ho attended tho

Xig!itea]j« Public School, and thcro passed the Junior Civil Service examination. l'eciding to follow tho |iniii's:don of a school teacher, he started as pupil teacher in the Middle School, Invereargill. About five years sifio ho was appointed to tho position of first assistant in ilie Orcpnki School, and he remained in that position ; until his enlistment with the Sixth Ucinforce- ! mentis. Tho doccas'td was one of liio mo.il popular | oi'.ieers in the Otago Infantry Brigade. George Li-more Lavie, first lieutenant of (ho Seventh Reinforcements (killed in action on June li) was in his 30th year. lie was the son of

the lute Henry Lavie, coffee planter, Ceylon, anil a grandson 01 Sir Tticnias Lavio. He w.s cducuted at Bedford Grammar 'ioLool, and studied engineering in Switzerland. H\ took up laud in 'Canterbury; but, after a serious illness, had to give up larmiug. Since then lie has been living in Snmner. He was Captain el' the Royal Lifesuving Society, second officer of the lifeboat crew, O.C. of the Sumner Cadets, and was connected willi many other bodies. He belonged to the DOth Middlesex in England, and was a keen soldier. Ho was greatly • esteemed by a very wide circle of friends, He leaves a widow ana two children.

i'rivate Eric Bowden, who was killed in action in France on Juno 11, was a brother of Mrs David I'hillips, of Dunediu. The deceased, who was in his alst year, was born in Melbourne, but lived lor some years in Queensland. He came to Duncdin about it> montlis ago under engagement, to Messrs Michnelis, Hallcnsteiu, and Farquhar. He left the Dominion with the Ninth Reinforcements.

I'rivate Thomas Cliarles Armstrong was killed in action in France on June 7. lie was born in Duncdin, and educated at the Albany Street and Union screet Schools, afterwards serving his apprenticeship to the engineering at the Hillside Workshops. He left with the to aikato Regiment in the Third Reinforcements, and on arrival in Egypt lie was transferred to the Main Body, lie went right through the Ualldpoli campaign (.being slightly wounded on one occasion), ami went to France with the Main Body. Mrs Armstrong, who is living m Wellington, has another son in i-rauce, who loic with the Tenth Reinforcements. Private A. Li. Anty (killed in action) left with the sixth Reinforcements, but afterwards joined the machine gun section of the First New Zealand Infantry Brigade, lie was a member of the Legion of Frontiersmen, and before enlisting was working at Kaikcura.

Trooper Thomas Patrick White (killed in action) was the fifth son of Annie White, of Stillwater, and left New /.calami with the Fifth Reinforcements, lie fought at the Dardanelles, but was afterwards killed in action in France. Mrs White, vvlio is a willow, has three other sons in tin- firing line, while another enlisted but failed to come up tc the medical standard.

Private 0. \V. Dawson, Australian Infantry (reported missing, now believed to be killed), was born :it Shag Point, and was tha son of the late A. G. Dawson, Kahuika, and grandson of the late W. <!. Dawson, New York. He was bushfelling in the North Island and went (o Australia about four years ago, joining the first Australian force when war broke out. Private Edward .lack Taylor, who died of pneumonia in the Devonport Hospital, Plymouth, England, was just 20 years of age, and went to the front with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade. Enlisting as a private in the infantry, he was appointed orderly to Dr Vogle, in which capacity he proceeded to Egypt. Jt is supposed that he ccontracted penumonia on the trip to the Old Country. Private Taylor was educated at the East Christchurch School, where he distinguished himself as an athlete, and at the Christchurch Boys' High School, where he remained five years. Leaving school in EU-f, he joined the staff of Messrs A. S. Peterson and Co., where he was employed ut the time of his enlistmnt. Ho was a brother of IT. M. Taylor, the New Zealand representative half-back and Canterbury cricket 'representative, and of E. 'Taylor, the" well-known Old Boys' first grade player and member of Linwcod senior eleven. Sergeant G. M. Moffitt, of the Otago Mounted Regiment, who was reported wounded on May 20, was born at Waikaia, and is 21 years of age. He left New Zealand with the Main Body, and was wounded in the knee at Gallipoli on August 8, 1915, and was invalided to England. He returned to his regiment in December, and was wounded again on "May 20, but the nature of his wounds has not been" reported. Dp followed the occupation of shepherd on the Waikaia Plain Station until the outbreak of war. His vounger brother, Corporal D. Moffltt, left with the Eleventh Reinforcements.

Rifleman George Parker, N.Z.R.B. (wounded") was born at Stilling, and is 21 years of age. Ho was educated at Stilling and "Brydone Schools. Since leaving school he worked on his father's farm. He enlisted in April, 1915. Rifleman Walter Heenan, N.Z.8.8. (reported wounded) is a son of Mr and Mrs E. Heenan, of 7 Onslow slice!, St. Clair. He was born and educated at Maungatua. Taieri, and followed farming pursuits until four years» ago, when he learned cheesemaking, and at the time of enlisting was manager of the Grove Bush Cheese Factory, Southland. He was 27 years of age when he left for the front. Trooper Thomas James Mee has been severely wounded in the face and feet while fightdng in France. Xronper Mee is the youngest son of Miami Mrs E. J. Mee, Benevolent Institution, Caversham. Do left New Zealand with the Eighth Reinforcements. He was in the employ of the Government up to the time of his enlistment.

Private Colin X. Stewart, Otago Infantry (reported wounded) is tlie youngest son of Mr Archibald Stewart, Mount Stoker, Middlemareh, and is a member of the Sevo3ith Beinfurceuients, having joined that body at the age of IS years. He received his injuries while fighting with his regiment in France, where his brother, I'rivate Jas. Stewart, is also serving with the same reinforcement.

Private Latham Bodgers, Seventh Battalion, Seventh Beinforeements (reported wounded in Prance) is 28 years of age, and is a good all-round athlete. He lias three brothers in the New Zealand Keinforcemeuts, Victor, Murray, and Stanley.

Private h>. (t M'Callum, Canterbury Infantry, Ninth Keinforcemeuts • (wounded), is 22 years "el age, and was born at Ashburton. He was educated at the Ashburton High School, and, prior to enlisting, was a clerk in Auckland. Bandsman J. A. West (wounded) was a member of the Second Battalion, New Zealand Bille Brigade. He was brought up at Waitahuna, and now belongs to lUchmond, Christchureh, where his wife resides.

Kifloman Peter A. Scully, who is reported wounded in the forehead in action in Prance, was born at Georgetown, Invercargill, and is the son of Mr and Mrs M. Scully. Be was educated at the Marist Brothers' School, Invercargill. and on leaving joined the railway service, being employed first at Invercargill and then at Heriot. He enlisted on May 21, 1915, and joined the Second Battalion of the Bifle Brigade (Earl Liverpool's Own). Biflcman Scully was prominently associated with Rngby football in Southland as a member of the Athletic Football Club. He was captain of the Athletic team for several seasons, and represented Southland in 1011-12-13-14. His many friends in football and private circles will hope for Bifleman Scully's rapid and complete recover v. Private Christopher Henry Boldt, Eighth Beinforeements (wounded), is 3d years of age, and followed farming on the West Coast before he enlisted. Private Claude Boland Ailken (wounded) was born in Hawera, Taranaki, and is 21 years of age. lie Jias always taken an active: " interest in military mailers and athlctio games—football, tennis, hockey, etc. Private Keg. \V. Cooper (wounded) was born at Forty Mile Bush, Pahiatua. He was 21 years of age last Februnry, and was farming with his brother in the Waikato when he enlisted. He was goalkeeper for the liiako hookev team, and was considered the best goalkeeper in'the Waikato. Corporal J. M. Graham, Olago Infantry Battalion (wounded) left with the Main Body," and was en Gallipoli from tlie landing on April 25, 3!>15, until September 10, when lie was invalided to Malta. He. belonged to I) Company, Olago Battalion, and had only recently returned to duly when JiO was wound, d. Lanee-corporal James Swanson (wounded) was born at Se.lwyn in 1-Ybruurv, 1800. He is the fifth sou of the late James Swnnson, and was educated at the Wunsaiidcl School. Foi several years Lance-corporal Swanson followed the occupation of farming until he volunteered for aclive service in the 'third Battalion, New Zealand Hide Brigade, leaving New Zealand in February, 1910. lte was wounded in action "somewhere in France" on .Tune 1. He has a brother training in Xrenlluim for active service. Private J. M'Hroy (reported wounded and. khr;r-r----ing from shock) is one of the famous Anzaes. He left Now Zealand with tho Third Keinforcemeuts, and is 1!) years of age. He was educated at the Christian Bros.' School, and is tho eldest son of Mr C. M'Hroy, Punedin (late of Olago Central). Bifleman E. J. Bugg (seriously wounded, and now in Southern General Hospital) left New Zealand with Earl Liverpool's Own. He was born at Eaiapoi, and is 20 years of nge. He was a

prominent member of the ..13th Regiment Band in ivaiapoi, and always took a keen interest m baud affairs. Riiiemau liugg was also a member ol the Kaiapoi Riiles and Kaiapoi football team. BillcimiD 1(. E. Rowlands, who was recently WOUUUcd in France, is a. son ol ill' E. T. L. Rowlands, Tokomaru. He was born in Wellington, and educated at the Palmerston North Hlgtl School, and was a prominent member of too rugby club. He followed the pur-uit of farming, and enlisted for active service shortly alter ti.e out!.real; el war, and left with tne Eighth Reinforcements. He is a member of tnu Ancient Order of Druids, and is 21 years of ago. i'rivate P. Dully, Third Auckland Regiment, Infantry Battalion (wounded), is well known in Auckland, where he was engaged with the Kauri '.limber Company at I'iah aim Mercury Bay. He is 35 years of age.

Private J. Bristol (wounded), who left with the Ninth Reinforcements, is 20 years of age, and was engaged m fanning in the Turakina district before enlisting. He is" a son of T. S. Bristol, oi Wanganui. Private John Edward Stokes, Wellington Infantry Battalion (wounded), is the eldest sou of .Mr J. 1(. Stokes, of Wanganui. Prior to enlisting he was engaged in lnmnug up the Wanganui River. He kit. with the Sixth Reinforcements, and was engaged on active service at the Dardanelles until tiie evacuation. i'rivate Tom Price (wounded) is 20 years of ago, and a member of A Company, Seventh Reinforcements. He came to New Zealand four years ago and followed the occupation of a gardener. Rifleman JamesWiirklaud (wounded) was born in Fairfield 22 years ago, and was educated at the Saddle Hill and Walton Schools. fie served his time at the engineering trade, and enlisted with the X.Z.R.B. Private cable advice from Lincoln. England, states that he was wounded in the log. Rifleman L. A. Bourko, Third Battalion (wounded), is the son of Mr J. Bourke, Ka.ikorai, and was educated at the Christian Brothers' School. lie was engaged in farming when he enlisted, and celebrated his twenty-first birthday on the troopship. Corporal R. Leppcr (reported wounded) is the second son of W. D. Lopper, Centre bush, Southland. He was educated at the Limehills School. After leaving school he was farming up to the time he enlisted. He took an interest in all kinds of sport and in his cadet corps. At IS years lie enlisted and went, to Trentham as a private, subsequently becoming a rifleman, ami after that lance-corporal. He left New Zealand with the First Battalion of the N.Z.R.8., attached to the Seventh Reinforcements.

Private p. j. Pester (wounded) is the eldest son of Mr Fred Foster, W'aiau, ami was bom m Ohnti. After finishing his education he put in four years learning farming on his father's farm, Waiau. lie was a prominent member of the Waiau football team last year, lie won the gold medal for the best forward in the first fifteen. He is also a first-class shot with both rifle and gun. Private Sidney Norris, Twelfth Nelson Regiment, Canterbury Battalion, Eighth Reinforcements, (wounded) was born at Otakeho, Taranaki, and was farming for his father when he enlisted, lie attended the Awatuua School, in which he won

several prizes, and later settled at Aongatctc, Tnuranga district.

Corporal James Danger (FTcmi Uiu te, Miha), Field Ambulance, of Uiu to Miha (wounded), was born in Greytown on May 20, ISti.'i. He left New Zealand with the Second Maori Contingent for Egypt. Private Reginald Kewer Alderman Dunsford, Fourth South African Horse (reported seriously ill) was born in Invercargill. He has been iii Africa for some years, and was recently in Madagascar. He joined in Johannesburg the Expeditionary Forces for service in German East Africa. Private E. J. P. Frew (reported seriously ill) is the only son of Private R. S. Frew, of the Ninth Reinforcements, New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He was educated at the Upper Riccarton District School, and is 18 years of age. Prior to enlisting he was employed" by Mr N. L. Price, who keeps a training establishment at Upper Riccarton. A CORRECTION. It was stated under a photograph in our issue of the 21st inst. that Private E. George, son of Mr W. H. George, of Naseby, had been killed in action. It is satisfactory to learn that this was an error, and we are gratified in being able to announce that his father has received a telegram from the Defence Minister stating that his son was onlv wounded.