THE ROLL OF HONOUR

Southland Times, Issue 17858, 8 January 1918, Page 5

THE ROLL OF HONOUR

CAPTAIN J. W. H. BANNERMAN. One of Southland’s besteknown journal!ists’ and sportsmen in Captain Baonerman, of Bluff, closed his career in France on 23rd December, 1917, Captain Bannerman had followed the military avocation with that enthusiasm that characterised him in everything he undertook. As a pupil of the Otago High School and of the Southland High School, he entered on his military career as an officer of cadets. On leaving for the University his enthusiasm for the military was held in check for some time, but after an interval spent on the reporting staff of the Southland News, Captain Banneiman wa-i appointed to the editorial chair and Managing Director of the Bluff Press and Stewart Island Gazette, and on the introduction of universal military training he took charge of the Bluff Cadets, eventually at his own request being posted to the Bth Southland Regiment, B Company (Territorials) with headquarters at Bluff. His enthusiasm as a lieutenant was given full opportunity, and he took more than his share of the work in the latter company. He attended the different schools of instruction and all camps and was a first-rate officer. It was always his wish to gel to the front, but in this his desire for some time had to give way to other considerations, but eventually he entered camp with the 20(h Reinforcements with the rank of lieutenant. On the eve of leaving the south, he received intimation that he had successfully passed the examination for a captaincy end he was later gazetted a captain of Sth Southland Regiment. Captain Bannerman's enthusiasm stuck to him 1 through a long period of hard training and his many friends, knowing his nature, marked him, with ordinary luck in “getting through.” for speedy promotion. But he was fated for c. short career in France, and from what, is now known of his movements he must hat e fallen a victim to the enemy’s fire in his very first engagement. He died of wounds on 23rd December, 1917. Captain Bannerman was the eldest son of Mr Wm. Bannerman, of the Bank of New Zealand, Dunedin, and he leaves a widow and a son and daughter at Bluff to mourn his loss. In the world of sport, “Banny,” as his contemporaries called him, was a notable figure, and be did much to advance the standard of many local pastimes, both as a player end :v, a writer and scribe in the local press. He was best known as a representative cricketer, and he was equally at home with bat and ball, executing many a tine (lerformance for the home province both with the willow or when trundling. One of his outstanding performances in higher-grade cricket was his achievement at Christchurch on the occasion when Southland carried off the Jxird Hawke Cup. his score as first batsman being 40 runs and his two bowling averages being 6 for 20 and 5 for 103. Bannerman loved to delve into records of other days, and to him a much older cricket than that of the present day owes a debt, as does the lover of the game of cricket itself, for his publications: “History of Otago Representative Cricket,” and “Early Cricket in Southland.” But his sporting deeds did not stop on the cricket field, for he was of that metal that is at home in every sphere and he won renown as a hockey player, a game he also did much for locally, both as rep. player and scribe, while to a lesser degree he participated successfully in soccer, tennis, and Rugby. Captain Bannerman was a man of superabundant energy, and in addition to his other activities, he compiled a history of the known disasters to ships in these southern seas from 17Po up to 1913. This book was called “Milestones, or Wrecks of Southern New Zealand,” and is likely to become a reference book throughout the shipping world as it was widely sought after. Another volume was also in course of compilation when the writer sailed from the dominion. The extensive history of Southland, published by the Southland News on the occasion of its jubilee issue was also from Captain Bannerman’s pen, and at the request of the editor of the Southland Times he wrote Ihe History' of the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association which was published by this paper for the Jubilee Show. At Bluff. Captain Bannerman made his paper, the Bluff Press, or as he mid termed it, “The most southerly paper on the Universe,” a real live wire, and under his capable guidance it continued to be a staunch advocate for the welfare of the port of Southland. Like many another brilliant New Zealander who voluntarily answered the call of his country, Captain Bannennan has now gone West. He has sacrificed everything the world could offer in obedience to a higher call. As a man, an officer, and a sportsman. Captain Banncrnian was esteemed of all, and his relatives will have the deep sympathy of very many friends in their sudden bereavement.

PRIVATE J. D. HAUGH. Missing since November 24, Private James David Haugh is. a son of Mr David Haugh, of Wyndham. He was born at Dunrohin 34 years ago and attended school there. For the 10 years previous to his becoming a soldier of the Twenty-sixth Reinforcement, Private Haugh had been shepherding in the North Island. He was married just before sailing, bis wife being now resident in Hawke's Bay. PRIVATE F. GEARY. Private Frank Geary, previously reported missing, is now reported to have been killed in action on October 12. He was a sou of the late Mr Bartholomew Geary, and was born in Riverton 37 years ago. Leaving the Riverton school, he became a farm labourer and later a coal-miner at Nightcaps, where he played with the Association football club. CORPORAL F. F. BURN. Missing since December 5, and believed to have been killed, Corporal Frank Fraser Burn, son of Mr and Mr? Geo. Burn, Linwood, Christchurch, is 26 years old. A native of Dunedin, he received his education at the East Christchurch primary and West Christchurch District High Schools. He commenced business with Messrs H. Watkins and Co., Christchurch, then secured an appointment on the Southland j Farmers’ Co.-op. staff from which he enlistied in the Machine Gun Corps in August., i 1915. Corpl. Bum was greatly interested ; in cricket., and at one. time was a member |of the Invercargill C.C. XI. He played also hockey and tennis, and was an active member of the St. Paul's Bible Class. CORPORAL A. R. DICKSON. Corporal Alexander R. Dickson, who was admitted to hospital in France on 20th December suffering from a severe gunshot wound in the left knee, is the son of Mr and Mrs George Dickson, of Panthon street, South Invercargill. Corporal Dickson, who is 21 years of age, was born at Hedgehope and educated at the Riverton School! On leaving school he entered the employment of Mr Philp, plumbbr, of Riverton, and was so engaged when he enlisted in October, 1916, in the Otago Infantry'. Corporal Dickson was a keen oarsman and rowed successfully with crews of the Riverton Rowing Club. PRIVATE M. HISHON. Private Michael Hishon, missing since December 3, is 37 years of age and a son of F. and the late D. Hishon, of Win ton, where the soldier was bom and educated. Private Hishon, who is of a quiet disposition but a general favourite, was a grocer for Mr A. E. Pittendrich before joining up with the Twenty-seventh. RIFLEMAN P. ELLIS. Rifleman P. Ellis, reported a? missing since October 12, is the third son of Mr and Mrs P. Ellis, of Wairio. He was bom at Spar Bush 22 years ago and attended the Nightcaps school. He was farming with his father until be joined the Twentythird. Rifleman Ellis was a keen sportsman and follower of the Birchwood Hounds. He was of a quiet disposition and a general favourite.

SERGEANT F. C. LOPDELL, Sergeant F. C. Lopdell, wounded on December 16, is a son of Mr and the late J. F. Lopdell, of East road, Invercargill. He was educateid at the Invercargill Park and Southland Boys' High Schools and the Otago University. In turn he was a master at the Geraldine High, Invercargill Middle, and Invercargill South Schools, leaving the latter to enlist with the Nineteenth lleinforcemente. As an athlete, Sergeant Lopdell represented the Southland Boys’ High School at Rugby and later played for several seasons in the I.F.C. lively. At the ’Varsity he won his hockey “Blue.” He also took a keen interest in coaching his school athletic teams. A brother, Captainchaplain J. E. Lopdell left attached to the Twenty-firsts, and a younger brother, Trooper Len. R. Lopdell. is now in camp as a volunteer. LANCE-CORPL. J. TURNBULL. Lance-corporal John Turnbull, wounded and gassed on December 16, is 36 years old and a son of Mrs Ralston, of Spey street, Invarcargill. His wife resides in Yarrow street. Lance-corporal Turnbull was born in Invercargill, but received his schooling at Orepuki. Formerly a well-known goldminer in Orepuki, he was latterly in the Invercargill gasworks, from which lie obtained leave of absence to enlist, in October, 1915, with the first Tunnelling Engineers. The soldier took an interest in most kinds of sports. PRIVATE D. McDERMID. Died of wounds on December 27, Private Duncan McDermid, aged 35, son of Mrs P. McDcrmid, of South Invercargill. He was horn at Ryal Bush and educated at Tisbury. Before he enlisted in the Twentysecond, he was a carrier for Thomson and Bridger. A brother, Private W. McDermid, left with the Fifth and has been wounded once but still remains with his unit. Two other brothers, Peter and Archie, are at present on final leave. PRIVATE E. J. RAM KIN. There died of wounds on December 21, Private Edwin John Rankin, son of Mr and Mrs John Rankin, now of Mary street, Invercargill, but formerly of Wyndham. Private Rankin, who fell at the age of 34, was horn and educated at Wyndham, where he later worked in his fathers shop. When the father sold out, Edwin secured an appointment with Hallen.-tein Bros., Christchurch. The late soldier was very keen on running ,aud had developed into a very fair sprinter before leaving Southland. He left with the Twentieths, was wounded last, June, hut returned to his unit after a few days in hospital.