WARRIORS BOLD

Otago Witness, Issue 3414, 20 August 1919, Page 6

WARRIORS BOLD

YOUTHFUL NEW ZEALANDERS. TWO INTERESTING RECORDS. The distinction of being the youngest soldier to enlist in New Zealand has been claimed for several youthful warriors who have taken part in the great conflict, but up to the present it has not been possible to definitely ascertain who is entitled to receive the honour. The record of Private James Dunlop, second son of Mrs Dunlop, of 61 Huxley street, Sydenham, is the best that has been brought under notice up to the present (says the Lyttelton Times). Private Dunlop was fifteen years and five months old when he entered camp on June 1, 1916. With the exception of a slight attack of influenza, Private Dunlop completed his training at Trentham and Featherston without difficulty, and he left New Zealand as a member of the Seventeenth Reinforcement, on board the Pakeha, which sailed from Wel : lington on September 15, 1916. At the time of his enlistment in Christchurch Private Dunlop was wearing knickerbockers, and it is stated that ho borrowed a pair of trousers to wear when he went up for medical examination. He was about sft 9in in height at that time, and got through the medical examination without difficulty, although the doctors were a little dubious about his age. But he was so keen to get away that neither the medical authorities nor his employers placed any obstacle in the way of his getting into camp. Before enlisting he was an apprentice at electrical engineering, employed by the Christchurch Tramway Board. Private Dunlop joined the 2nd South Canterbury Regiment of the 2nd Canterbury Battalion in France, and remained with his unit continuously until the armistice was signed without getting wounded or becoming sick. The battalion was at Fleurbaix, near Armentieres, when he joined it at the end of 1916, and he served with it through Ploegsteert, Messines, La Bassee Ville, Passchendaele, Ypres, Mailly Maillet, Hebuterne, and the British offensive which culminated in the defeat of the Germans. For part of the time that he was in France he was employed as brigade runner, but he was never away from France except when he went on leave to "Blighty." When the armistice was signed Private Dunlop was sent across to England, and he returned to New Zealand by the Corinthic, being discharged on June 4. He is at present only 18 years of ago, his nineteenth birthday not being until January, 1920. He has now resumed his indentures with the Christchurch Tramway Board, and is quite fit and well, and not in receipt of a pension from the Government. ANOTHER YOUTHFUL WARRIOR. What is claimed as being the absolute record for New Zealand was mentioned to a reporter on Friday, but the particulara of the young hero which were supplied are very vague. A certain Private Webber, of Otago, who went away very early in the war, returned to New Zealand by the transport Ruahine, arriving on January 5, 1918. It is stated that at the time of his return to New Zealand Private Webber, Vvho' had been a member of the Bth Southland Company in France, was only 16 years of age, and ho had then had over two years' eervice to his credit. The particulars of his case which were supplied to the reporter were that he went away from New Zealand as a member of the Expeditionary Force without letting his parents know of the fact, and it was not until his father, who was also on active service, saw the young warrior near St. Omer, in France, that any trace was found of him. Shortly afterwards the father was wounded and evacuated to England. On leaving hospital Aie was boarded for New Zealand, and he then went to General Richardson, in London, and asked that his son should be allowed to return with him, and this request General Richardson granted on account of the boy's age and his long service up till then. The result was that father and son returned by the Ruahine. It is stated that Private Webber was so small that it is marvellous how he managed to get passed, but it is supposed that his keenness and cheerful nature helped him considerably in getting away.