SOME PERSONAL NOTES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1053, 27 June 1917, Page 3

SOME PERSONAL NOTES.

Sergeant J. N. ("Jimmy") Penrose, who has been killed in action, is another of the Dominion's prominent boxers to make the great sacrifice. Penrose, who was one of the best known boxers in Christehurch and in New Zealand, had a very successful ring career, both as an amateur and as a professional, and his gameness and great hitting power made him a dangerous opponent to other New Zealand lightweights. He represented the Dominion at the Australasian Championships in 1912, but a broken nose just before the meeting prevented him showing his true form. Shortly afterwards he became a professional. On May 15, 1915, he met Peter Cook for the lightweight championship of the Dominion, but lost on points. This contest was stopped by the police in the seventh round, when Penrose, who was by no means exhausted, was endeavouring to wear his opponent down. His most memorable fight was that against the ex-amateur Australian and New Zealand champion, "Jim" Hegarty, who fought his last splendid fight on Gallipoli for his country and took the last count. Penrose went to the front as a machine gunner, and was killed at Messines. The ring that has already suffered so severely and has given so many fine fighters in the Empire's cause will be yet poorer for his going. He was clean and keen and honest, and deservedly one of the most popular men ever seen in the ring here. Private A. D. Reese, who has been killed in action, was a son of the late Mr D. Reese, M.P., and a brother of the well-known Canterbury and New Zealand cricketers, Messrs "Dan" and T. W. Reese. Private Reese, who was 30 years of age, was educated at the West Christchurch School and the Christchurch Hoys' High School, and played for the latter's first eleven in 1901. After leaving school he was for some years with Ring, Harris and Co., and was afterwards with Coulls, Culling and Co., of

Wellington, eventually returning to Christchurch, where he entered the School of Art and studied architecture. He was for some years in the oflice of Mr Cecil Woods. Eventually he set up a partnership with Mr George Hart (formerly of Hart and Sons), under the style of Hart and Reese. He was a prominent member of St. Paul's Church and Bible Class, and a member of the West Christchurch Cricket Club, being captain of the club's president's eleven. He went into camp with the 9th Reinforcement, but an operation for appendicitis resulted in his being put back to the 18th Reinforcement, with whom he proceeded to England. An attack of influenza saw him put back again to the 19th Reinforcement, with which force he went to France. In France he suffered an attack of gastritis, and as far as is known he had not been into the trenches up till the middle of last May. His stay in the fighting line must have been short, as he was killed on June 14. Sergeant Wallace William Simmers, who has been killed in action, was the eldest son of Mr George Simmers, late rector of the Timaru High School. He received his primary education at the Waimataitai School, and then went to the Timaru High School, where he was one or the most distinguished of recent scholars. He was captain or the first fifteen, and was in the first cricket eleven. In his last year at the High School, in 1910, he gained a junior university scholarship, and went to Canterbury College, where he took the engineering course. In 1913 he gained his B.Sc. degree. He was only three months off his final examination for B.E. when he enlisted. While he was at the college he was captain of the college first fifteen, a member of the Canterbury representative team, president of the Students' Christian Union, and secretary of the Students' Union. On leaving for the front he went first to Egypt, where he spent some time, and then went to France. Some months ago he won the Military Medal. Mr Simmers has received a cablegram from his second son, Robert, who is now at Sling Camp, stating: "Well. Have gained a commission.' This son has also seen a lot of fighting, and has won the Military Medal, a bar, and a Russian decoration. Private R. D. Henley, who has been wounded and had his left arm fractured is a son of Mr and Mrs F. W. Henley, of Woolston He was educated at the Woolston School and the Technical College. At the time of his enlistment with the 15th Reinforcement he was employed by Messrs Jackson and Yeatman, of Ashburton. A private message received by his parents states that Private Henley is doing well. Private Jack Selby Street, whose death in action has been reported, was the fourth son of Mr Walter Street, of Rakaia. Private Street was born in Rakaia 21 years ago and was educated at the Rakaia School. Before enlisting he was engaged in farming, and was for a considerable time with Mr Geo. Boss, of Carew, and with Mr Geo. Watson, of Kyle. He enlisted with the 11th Reinforcement, but being under 20 years of age he was put back to the 15th Reinforcement. He spent only about a week in England, and bad been in France about a year. A Press Association message from Wellington states that advice has been received in Wellington of the death from wounds of Private Paul Freyberg, a member of the well-known fighting family, and a brother of Brigadier-General B. C. Freyberg, V.C., D.S.O. Private Paul Freyberg was 33 years old, and is the second of the family to lay down his life, the eldest brother, Oscar, falling on Gallipoli. Paul was educated at Wellington College, and afterwards studied for the law in the office of Findlay and Dalziell. He then joined the city solicitors' staff, whence he enlisted in the 12th Reinforcement. Though only a youth at the time he saw service in the Boer War. In private life Paul Freyberg was an enthusiastic and daring yachtsman. He was a frequent contributor to the "New Zealand Yachtsman," his articles under the pen name of "Boat 'Arbour Bill" being much looked for. Private Leslie Libeau Hunt, who has been killed in action, was a son of Mrs V. Hunt, of 121 Fitzgerald Street, St. Albans. He was in his nineteenth year, and was the youngest of four brothers at the front. He was the eighteenth son of the late Mr Stephen Hunt, of French Farm. Private Hunt was educated at the St. Albans School and the Technical College, being later employed by Messrs Ballantyne and Co. and Taylor and Oakley. He was a prominent member of the St. Albans Hockey Club and Young Men's Guild. He left with the 16th Reinforcement, and had only been in France a few weeks before he was killed, as he had been in hospital after reaching Home. Mrs Hunt has three other sons at the front, Wilfred, Oliver, and Lucien. The late Private Hunt was the second youngest son in a family or 28, 27 being born at French Farm. The late Mr Stephen Hunt was married twice, there being 13 children in the first family, and 15 in the second, the latter being grandchildren of one of the remaining old French pioneer settlers, Mr J. L. Libeau, of Duvauchelles Bay.

Private James Thomas Riddle, who has been killed in action, was the only son of Mr and Mis James Riddle, of 38 Ollivier's Road, Linwood. He was born in Dunedin 21 years ago and educated at Fairlie. Prior to enlisting he was employed by Barlow Bros. Private advice has been received that Private Hugh T. Falla, of the N.Z.M.C., has been slightly wounded. Private Falla was one of the complement of the hospital ship Maheno in her first commission, and returned to the Dominion in the ship. After serving for some time at Awapuni he left with one of the reinforcements, and was acting in France as a stretcher-bearer. Before enlistment he was employed as a traveller for Messrs Sargood, Son, and Ewen. In a cable message to his parents, Mr and Mrs Falla, of Worcester Street, Linwood, Private Falla tells them that he is "doing well, and don't worry." Advice has been received by Mrs W. H. Woodham, of Elgin Street, Sydenham, that her husband. Private. W. H. Woodham, has been again wounded. Private Woodham was wounded in the early part of the month and had evidently rejoined his unit. His first wound could only have been slight, but on this occasion it is of a more serious nature.

Mrs E. M. Willis, or 192 Montreal Street, has received advice that her husband, Private Harry Francis Willis, was wounded on June 7. Private Willis is 24 years of age. He left as orderly clerk with the 15th Reinforcement. Prior to enlisting he was employed as a draughtsman in the Christchurch City Council office. He is the eldest son of Mr and Mrs H. Willis, of St. Albans.