CASUALTIES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 867, 20 November 1916, Page 5

CASUALTIES.

SATURDAY'S LIST. AUSTRALIAN ARMY. The following casualties were notified on Saturday afternoon: —■ All those named are below noncommissioned rank, except where otherwise mentioned, and the names of nearest relatives are given within parentheses (the relationship being denoted by m. for mother, f. for father, s. for sister, b. for brother, and w. for wife): — MISSING. Helson (R. Helson, Wcstport, b.>; October 22. Prisoner of War in Germany. Bolton, J. (C. Bolton, Wellington, sorO. WOUNDED. Bruntou (Mrs F. Brunton, Auckland, in.) Moloney, ,1. (L. Moloney, Dune-din, f.> Sherwin (Mrs C. Sherwin, Oaroaru, m.) Progressing Favourably. Goldsmith (.1. R. Goldsmith, Paten, father). Mazengarb (A. V. Mazengarb, Duncdin). Wood, L. C. (E. Wood, Sumner). Now Convalescent. Lester, ,T. (F. ,T. Cassidy, Paparangi, Johnsonville). IMPERIAL FORCES. Proviously reported missing:, now reported killed in action. 13th Cheshire Begiment. Wilson, A., C.S.M. (Mrs Hyanis, 73 Kent Terrace, Wellington); July 10. SOME PERSONAL NOTES. Captain Douglas Playfair Fraser, of Timaru (killed in action), left New Zealand with the Main Body of the Expeditionary Force, as transport officer to the Canterbury Infantry Battalion. He served on Gallipoli, and at the conclusion of that campaign was promoted from the rank of lieutenant to captain. In France lie took command of a company, and it was while leading his men in a night attack on a most important trench, north of High Wood and west of Flcrs, that he was struck by a bullet on the breast and killed instantly. The attack had as its objective the capture J and holding of the trench to enable an advance in force to be made in the morning. Captain Fraser was an officer who was very popular with, and respected by, his men. Lieut-Colonel Hj. Stewart, commanding the 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, who also joined the Main Body, with the rank of a subaltern, thus writes of Captain Fraser:—"He was a great personal friend of my own, and I feel his loss very keenly. ... He was killed instantaneously" while gallantly leading his company in a night attack. His company was on the right flank, in the first wave. . . The attask was bitterly contested, and our casualties heavy, but we eventually gained our objective. . . . Douglas, I need hardly say, proved a most capable company commander. His loss is a heavy one to the battalion, and he will always be affectionately remembered."

Although no official advice has yet been received by his relatives, letters received by the last English mail state that Lieut. R. Hindmarsh had been killed in France. Lieut. Hindmarsh is an old Christ's College boy. His parents reside in Rertton. Advice has been received that Rifleman R. C. Walker, of Christchurch, was discharged from the Codford Depot as a hospital convalescent on November 7. He was wounded in the chest on September 15. Gunner Thomas A. James, who sustained shell-shock, has completely recovered and rejoined his battery on September 27. This advice has been received by Mr S. A. James, 389 Colombo Street.

A death from pneumonia at the Trcntham Military Hospital is announced. The victim is Private Richard Helmsley, J Company, 22nd Reinforcement, who died at 10.10 p.m. on Friday. Advice has been received that Private Fred Robinson, who is a brother of Mrs L. Clark, of 2G Bordcsley Street, Linwood, and who was wounded in the chest, is progressing favourably. He is at present in the 3rd Southern Hospital.