PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 24, 23 October 1918, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

The dcatli occurred, yesterday morning at Bushcroft, Opnki, of Captain Charles Holmwood (our Masterton correspondent telegraphs). The deceased gentleman, who was 83 years of age. was bom at Torquay, Devonshire, England. He came to New Zealand in 1878, in command of tho clipper Hyderabad (of which he was part owner). This vessel was wrecked on Otaki beach. After residing in Wellington for some time, Captain Holmwood came to the Wairnrajja in 1880, and purchased the farm property at Opaki known as "Bushcroft. Tho late Captain Holmwood was a son of the late Mr. Charles Holmwood, of Holmwood and Holmwood, merchants and shipowners, London, and took up seafaring life at an early age on board one of the firms ships. 'During the Crimean War he served as third officer' on one of tho troopships. Most of ;>• nautical life was 6pcnt in tho Indian trade. Private Stacey M. V. ■.Miami, who"is reported to have died of wounds at the front, was the son of Mr. G. Wolland, of Tory Street, Petone, and the nephew of Mr.'W. Wolland, of Tory Street, Wellington. He left New Zealand over two years ago when only nineteen years of age, and had a line record of service. M the time he enlisted he was on the staff of the Wellington Meat Export Company. News lias been received of the death in Egypt from malarial fever of Trooper Neil Douglas, formerly a well-known farmer, in the Wairarapa (telegraphs our Masterton correspondent). Trooper Douglas was about thirty years of age. ■Vdvice has been received that Rifleman Arthur W. Piper, son of Mr. and Mrs. Piper, of Buller Streer, Wellington, has. been wounded in action. Before going into camp with the Thirty-eighth Reinforcements, Rifleman Piper was a member of the mechanical staff of the "Evenin" Post." On reaching England he was transferred to the Rifle Brigade. The death from fever is reported from Egypt of Private John N. Tatham, a well-known nnd respected settler of Homewood, Mastertou, who voluntarily enlisted for service (our Masterton correspondent telegraphs). Deceased was about forty years of age, and leaves a widow, the daughter of Mr. N. E. Bunny, of -Vkiaruke, and four children. He was a director of the Wellington Farmers Meat Company at tho tune of enlistNews has been received in Palmerston North of tho death of Lieutenant George Basil Lee Porter, who was killed in action on the Western front on October 8. Lieutenant Porter was the only, son of Mrs Porter, of Palmerston North, and the late Dr. T. L. Porter, and grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Montagu, of Teremakau, Westland. He was born in Palmerffon North and educated at the Campbell Street School and the Palmerston North High School, and when war was declared was studying law at Canterbury College, Christchurch. He enlisted at'once, and left New Zealand with the Main Body of the N.Z.E.I. as a private in the Ist Canterbury Company, New Zealand Infantry, and after fighting all through the Gallipoli campaign, and being promoted- to ithe .rank of sergeant, returned with' his regimont to Egypt, where he obtained a commission in the Imperial Army, and .'was appointed to tho British West Indies Regiment. While serving with this regiment he took part in.the fighting in Palestine, and was awarded the Military Cross and mentioned in dispatches. About six months ago, being anxious to take part in the fighting on the West front, he was, on his own 1 application, transferred back to his old legiraent in tho N.Z.E.F. as a lieutenant, and after training for some months in England went over to France about a month ago, and fell in action os stated above.