THE ROLL OF HONOUR

Southland Times, Issue 17819, 19 November 1917, Page 3

THE ROLL OF HONOUR

RIFLEMAN T. J. BRYDEN. Rifleman f. J. Bryden, of the 25th Otago Reinforcements, is reported to have given his life for King and Country during the recent fighting in France, lie is a native of Invercargill, where he spent his earlier years, being a pupil of the Middle and North schools. He learned the cabinetmaking trade with Messrs Wm. Smith and Co., atterwards settling in Dunedin, where he was employed by Messrs Nees and Sons. He was 39 years of age and unmarried, and leaves seven sisters and one brother to mourn his loss. It was owing to his having the care of an invalid sister that he did not enlist earlier. A nephew, Private G. D. McKenzie, of Clifton, was killed on the same date as deceased, viz., October 12, Brought up in Invercargill in association with a number of young fellows of athletic tendencies the deceased soldier became an enthusiastic follower of outdoor sport and the open-air life, and speedily became known as a cricketer in the summer season, and an active participant in Rugby football during the winter months. He ranked as a very fair cricketer in this district, but it was not until after he took up his residence in Dunedin that he reached the front rank. For quite a number of years he held his place as a senior player in Otago’s capital as a member of more than one club in turn, and was latterly a representative of the Dunedin C.C. He was a clever patient batsman, and wore the rep. cap for Otago in a number of Plunket Shield and other interprovincial games, on one occasion leading his side against Southland. As a Rugby footballer he graduated as a member of the Britannia F.C. in Invercargill, and proved a clever half-back, but, unfortunately, had to act as understudy to a cleverer player in P. Fraser. It was during his early Rugby days that he became known to his friends as “Scrummy,” and the name remained with him in cricket and football circles up to the time of his departure from New Zealand with the troops. He was recognised in Dunedin as an ardent supporter of the Alhambra F.C.