ROLL OF HONOUR

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 64, Issue 4533, 6 February 1942, Page 4

ROLL OF HONOUR

DROWNED AT SEA LANCE-CORPORAL R. D. SHILLING Formerly posted wounded and missing, Lance-Corporal R. D. Shilling, a son of Mrs M. Reay, of Mananui, King Country, is now reported wounded and drowned at sea while being transferred to a base. He was 23 years of age and, enlisting at the outbreak of war, he served in Greece and Crete. His brother, Private L. Shilling, was taken prisoner during the evacuation from Greece. DIED OF WOUNDS SAPPER RAY MARTIN A letter has been received from Sapper V. C. Potts, of the Middle East Forces, acknowledging and thanking Miss G. Arndt and Mrs C. J. Nicholson, of Te Kuiti, for biscuits sent for Sapper Ray Martin, which had been handed on to the writer after it had been reported that Sapper Martin had died of wounds. He writes: “ Ray was such a good chap, and liked by all. I was a prisoner of war with him, and through an arduous and trying time Ray was always the same always cheerful, with a hearty word for everyone. It was in trv>"~ to assist a wounded pal while we were escaping that Ray himself was wounded. We all miss him very much, and to those who knew him in ‘ civvy ” we extend our heartfelt sympathy.” The letter was written on 31st December, not long after the sad news came through that Sapper Martin, who was well known throughout the Te Awamutu district, had died of wounds. PRISONERS OF WAR NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS The names of further New Zealand soldiers who are prisoners of war were broadcast by the Vatican Radio, Rome, on Wednesday night. No indication was given whether the New Zealanders are prisoners of war in Italy or Germany. Local district names are as follows: Private K. C. Elliott, Pirongia. Private C. Staples, River Road, Otorohanga. Private A. V. Warner, Mandeno Street, Te Awamutu. LANCE-BOMBARDIER L. J. KELLY Private advice has been received from Lance-Bombardier L. J. Kelly, a brother to Mr Pat. Kelly, of Fowler’s Bargain Stores, Te Awamutu, stating that he is a prisoner of war in German custody. He is unwounded and quite well and at the time of writing was in a transit camp. Lance-Bombar-dier Kelly went through Greece and Crete campaigns and had been missing from Crete since the end of May. He left New Zealand with the First Echelon. He was a prominent representative footballer in Opotiki, Bay of Plenty and Waikato districts. He was living in the Waikato at the time of his enlistment. His wife is Mrs I. E. Kelly, of Otahuhu, and his parents Mr and Mrs W. M. Kelly, Opotiki. The letter was written on June 26, taking seven months to reach New Zealand.