BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3274, 13 December 1916, Page 21

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Private Joseph M'Laren, who died from wounds in France on November IG, was born in Duuedin, and educated at the Albany Street School. He was well known by the building contractors. He was working for Messrs B. Hudson and Co. when he left with the Twelfth Reinforcements. He has three brothers and two brothers-in-law fighting in France, and his eldest brother is in Samoa. He was :J7 years of age, and leaves a wife and four young children.

Trooper Wilfrid Joseph Ward, who was killed in action in France on September 1">, was the only smi of Mr Wilfrid Francis Ward, of * Paerata Estate, Tangitiroria, late of Gore, Southland. He was born in 1884 at Naseby, Otago, and was in his 33rd year. After leaving school lie took up farming and farm management. He belonged to one of the oldest pioneer families who landed in Nelson in 1842, his grandmother, Mrs Joseph Ward, being a sister of Archbishop Bcdwood, and his grandfather, Mr Joseph Ward, was one one of the most prominent public men of Marlborough. Lieutenant. Eric Claude Spedding (died of wounds) was the youngest son of the late Mr .1). M. Spedding. and was a member of the staff of the Bank of New Zealand in Dunedin when he enlisted for active service. 110 was educated at the Arthur Street School and at the Otago Boys' High School, and he took a leading place in the athletic life of the latter institution, being a member of the first fifteen and of the first eleven, of which latter he was

captain in 101 !. and being also the athletic champion of the school in PHI. After leaving'

sriieol he joined (he Carisbrook Cricket Club. nn-1 plaved for the junior representatives against Southland. Trooper AY. If. Stronaoh (killed in action) was the eldest sen of the Into Mr W. G. Stronaoh, of Mount Pisa Station. After leaving school lie was for some time in the Bank of New Zealand; but resigned from that position In follow farmjvto pnrsnits in Hie North Island, wher,. he enlisted in the October following the outbreak of war. Dis brother. Lieutenant D. G. SJrnuneh. ef the 23th Northumberland Fusiliers, is now at U," front in France, anil two of his sisters are nnr-Mng nt the front. Rrivntn Oorsre , vna Hip onlv sen of Mr P. fmm, of .\«hhuHon. Tho deceased soldier wns educated it the Hami;stead School, mid was 01 years of nsre. Pcrerennt fvan Bruce. Baxter Ckilled in action. September 1.1) and his brother Lnno"-r»ornornl T. Lindsay Hazier .'killed in action, kngntf. 21) were sons of Mr J. S. Baxter, of Tnycrcargill.