ARMY CASUALTIES

Waikato Times, Volume 131, Issue 21800, 6 August 1942, Page 2

ARMY CASUALTIES

PRIVATE E. C. KEYTE Private E. C. Keyte, son of Mrs A. M. Keyte, of Cambridge, has been reported killed in action. He was farming at Te Miro until his enlistment and went overseas with the Third Echelon. As the holder of an amateur riding license, Private Keyte won races both at Ellerslie and Te Rapa. He was also very successful at point-to-point races and hunt meetings, particularly with Whistling Rufus, at one time owned by Dr. A. McGregor Grant. He was a member of the Waikato Hunt Club. HOCKEY PLAYERS IN LISTS Two Waikato and Waipa representative hockey players figure in the latest casualty lists. Mr Chas. Hinton, of Te Awamutu, has been advised that his youngest son, Private Roy Hinton, has been severely wounded and placed on the seriously I ill list. Mrs M. L. Gibson, also of ! Te Awamutu, has been advised that her husband, Private J. Bernie GibI son, is posted missing. 'SERGEANT DAVID MELVILLE Mr D. H. Melville, Tokanui, has i been officially advised that his son, Sergeant David H. Melville, has been j reported missing. Sergeant Melville ! prior to enlistment toward the end of 1940 was employed by the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited, at Te Awamutu. He served in Fiji for a few months and went to the Middle East in June otA last year. TWO BROTHERS MISSING THIRD A PRISONER OF WAR Mr and Mrs W. A. O’Heam, of Gordonton, have been officially advised that two of their sons are reported missing, this making three ; brothers who were on active service similarly reported, for Private John O’Hearn was first reported missing over a year ago and later officially declared to be a prisoner of war in Italy. Private Norman O’Hearn enlisted at the age of 19 and left New Zealand with the Fourth Reinforcements, and Private Walter W. O’Hearn, enlisted at 21, left with the Third Echelon. Both were educated at Gordonton School, and afterward worked with their father on road transport services. Private John O’Heam, who is now a prisoner of war in Italy, was a prominent Rugby player, representing Waikato on several occasions, and while serving overseas he was a member of the Army All Black team which played in England before the New Zealand Forces left for the Middle East. PRIVATE E. J. PRINCE Official advice has been received by Mr and Mrs Jas. F. Prince, Hamilton East, that their son, Private E. J. (Buster) Prince, is missing. Private Prince, before going overseas last September, was employed by a hardware in Te Awamutu. GUNNER LAWRENCE MANGNALL Gunner Lawrence Mangnall, who is reported missing, is a son of late Mr James and Mrs E. Mangnall, of Seddon Road, Frankton. Educated at Whitiora School, Gunner Mangnall played lower grade Rugby and soccer and prior to leaving for overseas with the Third Echelon was employed by the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company. A brother, Leslie Mangnall, is also serving overseas. LANCE-CORPORAL T. M. ROPER Lance-Corporal T. M. Roper, who is reported missing, is the only son of Mr and Mrs T. S. Roper, of Ruakura Farm. Born at Hastings, he was educated at Hamilton East Primary and Hamilton High Schools. LanceCorporal Roper was a prominent athlete, competing on several occasions in the South Auckland amateur athletic championships, filling the role of runner-up in the 100 yards championship, and later winning the Hamilton championship over the distance. He was keenly interested in cricket both at school and when playing for the Hamilton East Club in senior grade. He was also a Hamilton junior Rugby representative. It is recalled that when his unit was surrounded and the majority captured in the early Libyan campaign Lance-Corporal Roper’s running prowess stood him in good stead when he made a dash for it and despite bullets, which whipped up the sand all about him, he managed to make good his escape unscathed. Lance-Corporal Roper, who is married, left with the Second Echelon.