N.Z.E.F. CASUALTY LIST

Southland Times, Issue 25328, 1 April 1944, Page 4

N.Z.E.F. CASUALTY LIST

INVERCARGILL MAN’S DEATH (P.A.) WELLINGTON, March 31. The following N.Z.E.F. casualties were announced today (the rank is private unless otherwise stated):— SOUTHLAND DIED OF WOUNDS STEWART, BRUCE KENNETH; mother, MrsE. K. Stewart, Beatrice street, gillOTHER DISTRICTS KILLED IN ACTION Brennan, M.; Auckland. Harvey, J. T.; Gisborne. KILLED IN ACTION, PREVIOUSLY REPORTED MISSING Pollock, N. E.; Pukekohe. DIED OF WOUNDS Dette, Spr C. F.; Oara. Yeates, Spr B. H.; Glentunnel. DIED ON ACTIVE SERVICE Wood, Capt V/. N.; Dunedin. SOUTHLANDERS IN CASUALTY LISTS Second Lieutenant Carson Walker Welsh, M.M., who has'been killed in action, was the son of Mr W. Welsh, of Seaward Downs. He was born in Invercargill, and received his education at the Edendale and Seaward Downs schools and the Gore High School. While at Seaward Downs he was a member of the district football team. At the time of his enlistment he was working on the West Coast and he went overseas with the 3rd Echelon. In July 1943 he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery during the fighting at Enfidaville and subsequently he gained his commission. Gunner James Alister Watson, reported killed in action in Italy, was the fourth .son of Mr and Mrs James Watson, Ness street. He was born at Winton and received his education at the Winton District High School and South school. He was keen on sport of all kinds and twice represented Southland in school football. He went from fifth to first grade 'in the Invercargill Football Club and was captain of the second grade team about four years ago. He was also a member of the Appleby Cricket Club. While in Dunedin at the O.C.T.U. he played for Army. Before going into the Army he was employed by the Calder Mac Kay Company as a french polisher. _ Private Bruce Kenneth Stewart, who has died of wounds, was the second son of Mr and Mrs W. Stewart, of 32 Beatrice street, Invercargill. He was born iri Dunedin 22 years ago and received his education at the Middle school and the Southland Boys’ High School. He was employed by J. J. Niven and Company, Ltd., before going into camp. Private Stewart was interested in band music and was a member of the Boys’ Battalion - Band> and later became a foundation member of the Southland Boys’ High School Drum, Trumpet and Bugle Band. Before leaving the band he held the rank of bugle-major. He was keenly interested in all outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing and deerstalking. Private Stewart was an enthusiastic swimmer and hockey player. Private Robert Harold Kerr, who has died of wounds, was the second son of Mr and Mrs G. Kerr, Riversdale. Born at Gore 22 years ago, he received his education at Riversdale and tire Gore Public School. Before entering camp he worked as a shepherd on the Fair-? place Estate, Riversdale. Going overseas 18 months ago with the Bth Reinforcerrients, he took part in the final stages of the Tunisian campaign, later being transferred with his unit to Italy. He was a member of the Riversdale Oddfellows’ Lodge and the Riversdale Football Club.

Second Lieutenant Geoffrey Robert Hargest, who has been wounded in action in Italy, is the second son of Brigadier and Mrs James Hargest, He was born at Rakauhauka in 1922 and was educated at the local school and the Southland Boys’ High School. He was employed' at the National Bank in Invercargill. Before the war he was a member of the Territorial Force. While serving in New Zealand he held the rank of second lieutenant, but like many other officers he, was deprived of his commission on going overseas. Subsequently he was commisisoned in the field during the Sangro River battle. Private Donald C. Sutherland, who has been wounded, is the son of Mr and Mrs W. T. Sutherland, 85 Alice street, Invercargill. He was born at Invercargill 22 years ago and was educated at the Waihopai school and the Southland Technical College. Before going into camp he was employed in a grocery business in North Invercargill. He went overseas in May 1943. Corporal Walter R. Crighton, who has been reported wounded, is the elder son of Mr and Mrs W. Crighton, Menzies Ferry. He was born at Wyndham 30 years ago, and on finishing his schooling at the 'local school he entered his father’s butcher’s shop at Wyndham. He later entered the employ of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., at Wyndham. Private Albert James Harvey, who has been wounded, was born at Invercargill and received his education at the Middle School and Southland 'Boys’ High School. Before going overseas with the 10th Reinforcements he was employed by Thomas Bros., Ltd. He was a well-known member of the Rugby Park Tennis Club. Private Harvey is the third son of Mrs M, Harvey, Dublin Street, and his wife is Mrs C. J. Harvey, Awarua Plains.