OBITUARY

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1932, Page 3

OBITUARY

Lieut, “blazer” vvilson

AUCKLAND, August 24. A notable .figure in the New Zealand military forces has .been removed by the deatlß iri Auckland of Honorary Lieutentant Henry A. ..Wilson, D.C.M., Royal New Zealand. Artillery.' Lieptenapt Wilson, who (juriiig the Great AVui held thetemporary rank of captain, was well known to thousands of trainees as instructor in equitation at Fen-' therston. camp. A British regular ’ "soldier Of the did school he; enduring fame throughput the, ipxpeclltionary Force, '/and Was universally known. by the, nicknange pf. “Blazer. ” • Enlisting, in the Royal Field Artillery as! a youth,' Lieutenant Wilson took part in the siege of Ladysmith, where lie was wounded, receiving the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous bravery. He served later in the Transvaal, Orange River Colony and Cape Colony, and was at the relief of Mafeking.

About 1904 Lieutenant Wilson was transferred on loan to, the New Zealand Defence -Forces as} Field Artillery Instructor with the rank of seygeantmajor. In this capacity , he attended the annual camp of batteries all over Zealpfd for nearly a . decade. When his term "of service expired he. I was taken on to the strength of the .IDjyal New Zealand Artillery ;with warrant tank.- . r . .. ! . After the Great’ War Lieqjenpnt Wilson was for a time wardpi o' Treuth|m ~pamp, and- Inter, until hjs retirement ‘ some thrfte&h’car.s , afeo. lie was attached to-the-'First Battalion/ Auckland Regiment, and First, Field Brigade, New Zealand Artillery, ..HO leaves a widow' and one son.