SOME PERSONAL SKETCHES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2545, 20 August 1915, Page 6

SOME PERSONAL SKETCHES

LIEUT. FRAN;,'IS DAVISON. Mt. Herbert .Rawson, .of Wellington, received many condolences yesterday on the death of his Francis Davison, who is reported''to have been killed in action, at Gallipoli on August 7. Lieut. Davison was the commander of the machine-gun section of the Canterbury Mounted .Rifles with the Main Expeditionary Force. He was the oldest son of Mr. J. H. Davison, of St. Leonards, Culverden (North Canterbury*, and was known anSl admired in that district for his keenness in military matters and all forms of sport. Ho was educated at Christ's College, and was a cadet before he joined the Canterbury Yeomanry, and was given a second lieutenant's commission when the Territorial scheme was adopted. Three years ago ho was appointed commander of a machine-gun section, and lie, with his two brothers, were among the first to volunteor on the outbreak of war. Lieut. Davison was a good footballer and a keen polo/player. Ho managed his father's station beforo taking up his residence on his own land at Lowry Peak three years ago. Ho married Alice, the eldest daughter of Mr. Herbert Rawson, of this City, and leaves a widow and two litfclo sons, one only a few weeks old. MAJOR OVERTON. Major Percy Overton, second in command of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, who was killed in action, was the eldest son of Mr. Charles Overton, of Hereford Street, Cliristchurch, and in civilian life was a well-known North Canterbury farmer. Major Overton served in tlie South African campaign from 1900 to 1902. He took part in operations in the Orange Free State, including the actions at tlie Vet River and the Zand River. He also fought in Cape Colouy, in the Transvaal, and on the Zululand frontier of Natal. He was mentioned in dispatolies in April, 1902, and held the Queen's Medal with three clasps and' the King's Medal with two clasps. Major Overton's younger brother, Lance-Corporal "Swanuie" Overton, of the same regiment, died of wounds received in action last month. The' messages announcing the deaths of the two brothers were received by the parents within a few hours of each other. Major Overtou leaves a widow and family. PTE. DOUGLAS HiGGIE. Pte. D. A. Higgie. who is reported wounded in the right 1 arm, is a son ol Mrs. J. H. lliggic, Feathersfon Terrace, Wellington. He has been a keen volunteer, being in the College Rifles for many years before the Territorial system cama into existence. Enlisting immediately after the outbreak of war, he went with (he Samoaii Expeditionary Force, and on returning to Wellington lie went on to Egypt almost 'immediately. In yachting, Pte, Higgle was for some jwrs keenly in.tarested.