HERO’S DEATH

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3289, 16 July 1943, Page 5

HERO’S DEATH

PRIVATE HOWARD RUSH ASSISTING THE WOUNDED PLATOON COMMANDER’S LETTER That Pte. Howard Rush of Paeroa met a hero’s death in answering a call for assistance from wounded men during the height of a battle, is related by 2nd./Lt. A. R. Stewart, Pte. Rush’s platoon commander, in a letter from the Middle East to Mrs Rush. 2nd./Lt. Stewart writes as under: — “Dear Mrs Howard Rush, “As Howard may have told you in some of his letters home, I have been his platoon commander for some time. He joined the platoon on being posted to our unit.

“Out here, being so far away from everyone, we live for all the world like a 'little family, everyone has a nickname and we all share each other’s news from . home, parcels, and pull together as a team. Because of this I and the whole platoon feel very keenly with you at this time. “Rushie” Volunteered “ ‘Rushie’ as we used to call him, volunteered as a stretcher bearer, a job which we all know to be both dangerous and difficult. It was early in the morning of Anzac Day when my platoon was occupying a very forward position that Howard received his wound. For security reasons lam unable to give you details of the position but it was on the heights'above Takrouna Slid Enfidaville. The Hun was putting in a particularly fierce counter-attack on a position that had just been taken and many of the chaps in a neighbouring unit had been injured.

Call for Assistance A call for assistance to those men went out and Howard instantly answered it. At that time the shell and mortar fire was the heaviest that I have ever experienced and it was during a lull that Howard very courageously attempted to bring in his man. The Hun opened up again while he was in the open, and he received a head wound. Within minutes we had him. in a carrier and administered 1 morphia. I want you to know this, Mrs Rush, because it may ease you in your bereavement to know that Howard suffered no pain. Courageous Example 1 “His courageous example was an inspiration to many others that morning and resulted in attention being given to many wounded men. Rushie was taken to 3.G.H.N.Z. in Tripoli and given immediate medical attention. I am relieved to know that a number of the members of our own platoon who had been left behind at Tripoli and who have since rejoined us, were present at Howard’s funeral. “He was thus buried by his com-rades-in-arms in Tripoli cemetery with full military honours. Died a Hero’s Death . “He died a hero’s death, Mrs Rush, and we all want you to know that he is not forgotten by us, his mates — nor is the cause for which he gave his life. “ I shall endeavour to visit Howard’s grave should I manage to get to Tripoli and in such a case will send you a photograph of his grave. “‘Please accept both from myself and from Howard’s platoon mates, our sincere sympathy with you in your ■bereavement,” the letter concluded.