BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3276, 27 December 1916, Page 22

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Sergeant Walter Thomson (killed in action) was the youngest son of Mr William Thomson, Maungatua. He was educated at the Maungatua and Otago High Schools. After passing his matriculation examination he served for two years as pupil teacher at the Kaikorai and Wakari Schools. He then entered the Training College, and attended classes at the University. When 20 years of age he enlisted in the Third Battalion, N.Z.R.B. In a few days he was made lance-corporal, and by the time they had reached France he had been promoted to the rank of sergeant. In France he and another were sent to a school for instruction for physical and bayonet exercises, afterwards becoming instructors. After the Rifle Brigade suffered so severely, lie was reported wounded. When time passed and no word came from him his friends became anxious, and made inquiries at the Defence Office in Wellington; but could get no information. The news concerning his death was first received from letters written by his comrades. One comrade in the same company said he was shot when they were storming the third German trench. A letter came from the chaplain of his battalion saying that he was buried on the field with some of his comrades. In a fortnight Mr Thomson received official notice that a mistake had been made, and that- Sergeant Thomson had heen killed, and not wounded. He was a lad of great promise, of a most cheerful disposition, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. Mr Thomson has two other sons at the front. Trooper Aleck Thomson left, with the Main Body. He contracted enteric on Gallipoli, was invalided to England, and is now with his old regiment in France. Private Frank Thomson enlisted in Australia, and is now in the motor transport service with the Australians in France. None of the brothers had met, and six weeks afterwards did not know of Walter's death. On Saturday Mr Thomson received a cnblojrrnTn from a friend in London saying that Walter's grave was registered in Flers

Private John Leo O'Carroll (reported killed in action in France on September i<l) was 21 years of ace, and second son of JTr Thomas O'Carroll. of King street North, Rangiora, and formerly of Ashburton. Tie was born at Waiau. where he received the first stages of his education, and was later educated at the Ashburton Convent, and High Schools. Shortly after the outbreak of the war he oheved the call of his country, and left New Zealand with the Third Reinforcements. After beins in Ecypt for a few woeks he went to Gallipoli a few days after the memorable landing of the Anzacs. where he remained, taking part ill several of the bier encasements, for threo months, when he was invalided to Malta with enteritis in .Tnlv. int.". Having recovered ho returned to the Peninsula until the evacuation, afler which he had n bad attack of rheumatism, and was sent to Egypt. Just as his battalion was about to leave for France in May, he contracted rUnhtheria. sn wont with a: Inter contingent in .Tnlv. whore he remained up till the time of his death. Mr T. O'Cnrroll'e eMost son Thomas, who enlisted some considerable time ar*o. was. after havincr entered ennvn. retained on the'Homo Service Starr, anil is at present in the Base Records Office in Wellinston.