DEATH OF ELUSIVE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3331, 16 January 1918, Page 56

DEATH OF ELUSIVE.

Dear Little Folk,—lt is with regret that I record the death of our old comrade Elusive, who died of wounds somewhere in France on December 20, 1917; nobly fighting, nobly fell. The following is a short account of a brief life givei for his King and conntry:—'lie was born and educated in Wallacetown, and was employed by the Underwood Condensed Milk Factory and Grieve and Binnie's chaffcutter prior to his enlistment with the Seventh Reinforcements. He first went to Egypt, then in April, 1915, he went to France, being wounded at the battle of the Somme. At the battle of Messines his machine gun was blown to pieces and his mates killed, but he escaped without a scratch; then, at the battle of Bellevue Spur, only four of his platoon were left. Somewhere about that time he was awarded the military medal and promoted to sergeant. He has been fatally wounded since, and died on December 20, 1917, at the age of 23 years. He was an active member of the Invercargill D.L.F. Club when it was in existence, and much sympathy will be extended to his parents and brothers and sisters in their sad loss.

Little Boy arrived home safely this week, and will doubtless report himself in due course. I cannot toll you anything more definite, as I only had three minutes' chat over the 'phone with him on his arrival in Dunedin. News of our other comrades is encouraging. Lex has been, in Belgium with the Red Cross men. Ivanhoe is in France and is well, according to a field-card received. Gramophone is still going etrong, like his namesake. Elbon is well and happy Safest news of' Francis, Bimbo VII, Charley Boy, and Solomon Slow is satisfactory. Keystone v has had a. royal time in Scotland, but is back in France again. Bert and Ivy Green and family have just returned home from a visit to our comrades Sheijah and Peter and family. AH are well. £'lnco last writing I, too, have had my holiday. I spent two delightful Weeks in the coal country—Taratu and Kaitangata. The scenery beggared description, for there is nothing to.be seen but hills and tussocks with an occasional sheep. Kaitangata is a nice little township, and looks rather well from the distance. Boslyn Soout is down there just now. •Ere I close I..want .to ask you to be to the traditions of the page. The following story speaks for itself:—lAn elderly man, was lying in the hospital, miles away from home. He had very few friends in the town where he was laid up; but one day a L.F. visited him. He did not recognise her at first, so she introduced .herself. No, the name did not seem familiar, so she mentioned her N.D.P. ' Instantly his face lit up. The magic name of L.F. changed a weary half-hour into a happy one. The time flew, chatting over L.F. past and present, at home and abroad. Thus, you see, my reason for asking you to be loyal. When sending letters or any information to Dot don't fail to put your own name and address as well as your N.D.P., for if you omit it you cause Dot endless worry. Her time is very precious just now, and by exercising a little cara and thoughtiulnes>a you can lighten her work and make it less tedious.—'Yours truly, POSSUM (Dunedin). [Consideration for another is synonymous with the N.D.P., Possum, and if the L.F. Will emulate your example it will be a great boon to. themselves and others.—DOT.]