A MUSICIAN'S "GLORIOUS DEATH"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2890, 30 September 1916, Page 2

A MUSICIAN'S "GLORIOUS DEATH"

It is s to be hoped (says the London "Telegraph"), that a record, may be compiled after the war of the gallant doings of members'of the musical profession ivho have served in His Majesty's forces. li'rom timo to time wo hear tales of their bravery, but naturally there aro many cases of,which the details are only known to a few comrades of those who have deserved weit of their country' through some signal act of bravery. Among recent victims of the war was one whose name is held in particularly high esteem by all who are connected with the Royal Academy of Music. We refer to Private Willie B. Hanson, who joined the London Scottish towards the end of January, and served m the French trenches .shortly after, he went out Trith his battalion last May H&«i killed in action on the first of last month, and, to quote the officer commanding his platoon, His death was as crlorious a 0110 as anyone could wish in New Zealand, this exceptionally gifted young musician was for some vears one of the 'children - of the Ghapel Royal, St. James's, and while there ho was presented by Queen Alexandra with a gold' watch with the Royal monogram '"i tlie r „ bac , „ him the Sub-Dean of the Cliapel Royal (Canon Sheppard) said: "1 cannot speak too highly of W. Manson s in- , fluonce for good during the timo lie was with us here, not can I fu'ly e *" press mv appreciation of all that ha did to uphold the traditions and the dignity of the Chapel Royal among the choir boys." He entered the Royal Academy of Music in 1913, and during his first year won three medals. -U'ter only four terms he was appointed Sub-Professor of Harmony and Composition. -As ii result of his sccond work he gained three silver medals, the Oliveira Prescott prize, < 'and the Charles Lucas silver medal for imposition, which is looked upon as [She "blue riband" of the Academy. Afterwards lie won the Battison Havnes prize for composition, and was looked upon as one who would make a great name as a composer. Mr. Manson referred to was a son of Mrs. Manson. formerly a Miss Braithwaite, of Dunedin, and a very gifted soprano vocalist. The father of the deceased was at one time manned' of' Braithwaitc's Arcade in pimpel in , but the family has been resident in London for over ten years past.