SHOT THROUGH THE HEART

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2503, 2 July 1915, Page 6

SHOT THROUGH THE HEART

DEATH 03? GEOEGE Writing to his mother from Gallipoli, Sergeant Keith Little, formerly of The Dominion staff and well-known in local yachting circles, said;— "I met Tom'Rae oil the beach the other day |Rae was a Government messenger and also a local yachtsinan], and he told me that he was among the, first to land. He was quite well, but unfortunately his weak arm had gone wrong again. Well, maler, I have some sad newe for you. When the shrapnel was falling pretty heavily on the'beach on the afternoon of the Bth George Paterson (son of Mr. R. Paterson, of Roxburgh Street) was shot through the heart. I did not learn it was him until Tom Itae told me in the evening, and I went to George's officer and made Quite certain. He was dodging behind some cases when he was hit. He received first aid on the beach, and was then brought up our gully to the hospital by Colonel Lesslie and a private. I wont out and assisted in carrying him, but strange though it was I did not recognise liim. George must have died in our arms, for when we arrived at the hospital the doctor made a remark implying that our man was dead. He was taken away, and a little later the stretcher-bearers told me he had died. After I found oat who he was I told Colonel Lesslie, and he remarked that he was a very brave man. The Colonel had told George to lie down, and he with the assistance of other would carry him, but George said he could walk. . . . Tom Eae had been speaking to him that day, and he was very broken up about it. I received an awful shock when I heard it was George. However, there is consolation in tne fact that he died doing his duty for his King and country." Captain H. E. Avery, Officer Command-, ing the, New Zealand and Australian Divisional Train, No. 1 Company, in a letter to Mr. E. Paterson, states:—"lt is with the deepest regret that I have to advise you of the death of your son, G. R. Paterson, who was killed yesterday while carrying out transport duties iu my company. He was struck bv a bullet from a shrapnel shell, and death must have been instantaneous. Your son was one of the best workers in my company, and also very popular among the men. The members of the company join with me in conveying to you our deepest sympathy in the loss you have sustained. I have made arrangements for the proper burial of your son and for the marking of his grave."