OBITUARY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 44, 30 January 1945, Page 5

OBITUARY

DRIVER RAYMOND L. CRAPP There passed away on Friday., January 12, 194.5 } at the Military; Annexe Auckland Raymond L. Crapp y after a very long, illness. He was the fourth son bi; Mr.s Elizabeth and the late Jack Crapp, Toroa Street, Wliakatane. I Since his return from the Middle: East as an invalid in June 1943 he has been in and out of hospital. Then followed a long period of ten months ending with his death. Enlisting with the A.S.G. at the outbreak of war he missed going overseas with his brother in the Ist through sickness. He left with the 2nd Echelon and saw service in Greece Crete and then in the whole of the North African campaigns. He was untouched throughout these campaigns, but sad to relate he contracted an illness which necessitated his being invalided home in" June, 1943. He failed to pick up in health on his return and was constantly in and out of hospital culminating in the last long period which closed with, his death. The cause of his illness was obscure but it w T as finally diagnosed as due to the dread "Bardia Bug." But in spite of last minute, care and treatment with pencillm injections his system was so drained of all resistance that his hearts weakened with suffering and he died in his sleep. He leaves behind a. widow,, Mrs Kathleen Crapp, of Howick besides his mother, six broth--9 ' ers and a sister to mourn his loss. Besides himself, there were four other brothers who have seen service overseas,—W.O.2 Rowley Ist Echelon in Ist. furlough draft and returned to Middle East; Gunner Heta Mair and Trooper Jack Crapp, still overseas. 2/Lieut. Lawson T. Crapp of the Maori Battalion wounded and returned home and another brother Gunner Walter Crapp was due to leave for \overseas but failed to pass after a *toe operation. A seventh brother also enlisted but a crippled hip debarred; him from any Army service.