A TROOPER’S EXPERIENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 262, 14 November 1901, Page 2

A TROOPER’S EXPERIENCE.

REPORTED DEAD, BUT IS MUCH ALIVE. (Special to Times.; Auckland, last night. A New Zealander, like Mark Twain, can say that the reports of his doath have been “ somewhat exaggerated.” Quarter-master-Sergeant Dougall, of Wanganui, has had some strange experience. He left the colony as a private in the Third New Zealand Contingent. He was picked as one of Lord Roberts’ Bodyguard. He got promoted to the rank of Quartermaster Sergeant. Later on ho was sent to Johannesburg Hospital, suffering from enteric fever. From the hospital ho was discharged on May 81st, to find that while ill ho had been robbed of £ls in gold and silver, and a bodyguard badge which was given to him by Lord Roberts. Fortunately be did not lose his life. Being invalided Home on May 31st, he arrived in London by the transport Victorian. Having been drafted to the depot, furlough was granted him, and he went on a visit to his father, who resides at Lilybank, Bonnybridge, Scotland, where he found himself rapidly recovering. Now Zealand papers sent to his father first acquainted him with the fact that the son had been officially reported to bo dead, and his name was included in the official lists as such. Ho now says it is not true, but that he intends leaving England for the colony about the end of tho current month, to rejoin his Contingent. The fact of his having been reported dead may account for the other fact that ho has not yet received his war medal.