DEAD FOR THREE AND A-HALF YEARS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 130, 26 February 1920, Page 5

DEAD FOR THREE AND A-HALF YEARS

"DAEEALL" OF THE LANCASHIBES.

During service at the Barrv lioad Congregational Church, Dulwicli, the Key. Maxwell Kirknatrick announced that Ser-Eeant-Maior Bodkin, of Lordship Lane, Dulwicli. who was reported killed three 'and a half years ago, had arrived home. In July, 1916, his mother received a letter from his commanding officer in France saying that her son had died after being wounded iir four places. Early,in December his wife was surprised by a message from a liospital in the north of England stating that SergeantMaior Bodkin had arrived from Germany suffering .from loss of memory.

Sergeant-Major Bodkin enlisted in August. 1914. in the Royal Forse Artillery, and ranidlv rose to the rank of sergeantmajor. In March, 1915, ho was invalided out of the Army with rheumatism. Two months later he again joined the TJ.H.A.. and in June and August was mentioned in dispatches. In 1016 ho was sent home suffering from myalgia fan affection of the muscles), and in March was discharged from hospital for Dcrmanent home service.

.At this time his brother was torpedoed and drowned in T. 8.11, and. SergeantMaior Bodkin determined to avengo his dentil. In order to do (his he dwened. from the Army <n March 20, and four davs later unlisted in the South Lanes Tieeiment under the name of Herbert Dnroall. He soon became regimental sereeant-maior. Tt was in this capacity that he. won the D.C.M. and the Croix de Guerre for skilful and courageous handline of his men, which, in the words of Maior Legnrdi, of tho French Army, "midoubtedlv saved tho right flank of the Chasseurs."

S&on after this he took part in the en•gagement which ended in the sews of his death. Unknown to his Tegiment, ho had been captured by tho Germans, and for three years he was a prisoner in the notorious camp at Witfenhurg. Afler the armistice he was repatriated with the other prisoners, suffering from loss of memory.