SOME OF OUR DEFENDERS.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14139, 15 July 1916, Page 3

SOME OF OUR DEFENDERS.

Arthur Purchas G. Brookfield v died of wounds) was 33 years of age, and was tho second eon of-Mr F W. Brookfield, solicitor, of 'St. Heliers Bay, Auckland. Sergeant Brookfield was educated at St. John's College, and afterwards at the' Auckland Grammar School. He subsequently adopted engineering as a profession. His brother Leonard was killed at Gallipoli while serving with the New Zealand forces.

Lieutenant Harold Filzkerbert, Sussex Regiment, of Wellington, who was killed iv action in France, was a son of the late Mr Henry Fitahci'bert, who formerly practised as a solicitor in Wellington, and was later a Magistrate at New Plymouth.

The "Hawke's Bay Herald" says :— "Wo regret to announce that, a cablegram was received in town from the War Office announcing that-Lieutenant J. H. G. Murdoch had been killed in action in France. Tho deceased, a son of the late Mr H. M. Murdoch, of Hastings, entered the office of Mr E. H. Williams- in that town, ■ and on tho amalgamation o£ ±hat business with that of Sainsbury and Logan was transferred to Napier. He entered the firm as a partner some eight years ago. Shortly after the outbreak of the war lie felt it his duty to offer his services, and proceeding home entered the officers' training school and received a commission in the Royal Field Artillery He had been six months at the front. Mr Murdoch came of a fighting stock, .and his letters showed that he had entered into his new duties with characteristic energy and enthusiasm. His many sterling qualities had secured him not only success in his profession but a wid_o circle of friends, who will regret his Joss and feel much sympathy for his widow as well as his mother and sisters.'"'

Sergeant Clifford Mather, reported died of wounds, was a son of the Rev. J. J. Mathej, of Mount Eden, Auckland, and formerly minister at. Palmerston North. He spent part of his boyhood in Palmei-ston. and was for some time a scholar at Terrace End school.

The death is announced of Captain and Adjutant Alexander McColl, son of Mr. Peter McColl, superintendent of the Wellington corporation tramways and lighting department. He was killed in action in France on Sunday, July 2nd. When war was declared (says a Wellington paper) he was surveying in the Tauniarunui district. On account of his previous experience in the Territorials he easily obtained a con: mission on enlisting, and was appointed a lieutenant to the Taranaki Company of the Wellington Battalion. He left the Dominion with the Main Body, and took part in the historic landing % at Gallipoli oh April 25th, 1915. After being on the peninsula for five elfins he was struck in the shoulder by a bullet and was compelled to return to the base. After making a rapid recovery he returned to the front on May 26th and took part in some of the principal engagements there. Whon Colonel Malone died he was acting captainadjutant, and the appointment was confirmed in December last.