CLAIM DISPUTED

Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1933, Page 6

CLAIM DISPUTED

OLDEST SURVIVING MEMBER

REGIMENT OF CRIMEA FAME

(Per Press Association— Copyright.)

PALMERSTON'NORTH, February 20. The claim'That Sergeant Maj°r B e zar, who celebrated his ninety-fifth birthday at Wellington on Saturday is the oldest surviving member of th P 57th Regiment, the of Crimea fame, is disputed by Michael G'U, aged 96, an inmate of the old people's home here, who states that he was born in Ireland in 1837, and joined a regiment in London when seventeen.

.He was present at Crimea, and recalled tlie privations of the troops, also meeting Florence Nightingale and her helpers. He later saw duty at Malta, and in India, and came to New Zealand with the militia. He became a member of von Tempsky’s forest rangers, and was present when von Tcmpsky was killed. ~ Later lie participated in tip. search .for Te Kooti in the Gisborne district, Gi-U was an inmate of the Rark Island (home at Napier in 1931 during the earthquake and wa s buried for two days, in tig, ruins befor e rescued. Later, he was broijght. here. Despite hjs many adventures, be is hale and hearty, and his memories are still vivid*