“COOL IN ACTION”

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3293, 28 July 1943, Page 5

“COOL IN ACTION”

“CHEERFUL UNDER FIRE” TRIBUTES TO PTE. J. RUSH FRIENDS SPEAK HIGHLY OF HIM I “Cool in action and cheerful under fire,” was the description given by Lt.-Col. J. Conolly, in paying a fine tribute to Pte. Howard Rush in a letter to Mr and Mrs J. F. Rush, Puke road, Paeroa., Pte. Rush was killed in action while serving with the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force in Tunisia. Lt.-Col. ’Conolly wrote as undef: — “I regret that I am writing to you under such sad circumstances- but felt I would like to write to you personally about Howard, seeing that I knew him so well and -went to school with him. I also wish ,to convey my own personal sympathy and that of the officers men of the battalion to you, your family and Howard’s wife. 1 Died a Soldier’s Death “Howard died a soldier’s death, being hit while attending to the wounded of another battalion. He was one of “A” company’s R.A.P. men and as such did a grand job, being cool in action and cheerful under fire. His friends speak highly of him and count his passing as a sad loss. He was wounded on the morning of Anzac Day April 25) by a shell splinter in the head. He passed away in hospital three days later. This hospital was situated at Tripoli so he will probably be buried there.

“Howard, as you probably know, joined the Battalion in March and took part in the battle of March 26. I had a long yarn with. him a few days after his arrival and saw him several times since then. The last time was on April 24 when I exchanged a cheery word with him in the front line. Sincerest Sympathy “His personal belongings have been sent to Base for forwarding to New Zealand. If there is anything I can do please let me know and I shall be only too pleased to oblige. “Once again may I offer my sincerest and deepest sympathy to you all and trust that you will be given strength to beai' your great loss.” DOCTOR’S TRIBUTE ADMIRATION OF MATES ' A further tribute to the courage displayed by Pte. Rush while serving as a stretcher bearer which won him the admiration of his platoon mates is paid in the following letter to Mrs J. F. Rush by Capt. Alex Borrie. ’Capt. Borrie writes as under; — “I just want to write and -tell you what a good piece of work your son did for me in the short time he was with us.. He was always keen and as a stretcher bearer he displayed courage which won him the admiration of his platoon mates. On April 25 his company had just completed a night advance and Jerry counter-at-tacked and the company had to withdraw slightly. Howard went forward with another lad to bring in a wounded and while carrying out his duty with a calmness and courage which won him a lot of praise he was hit in the head. Unfortunately he did not come out through my R.A.P. but came through another battalion R.A.P. Admired By All The Boys When we came out of battle I made enquiries and found that he had been evacuated from the 4 M.D.S. He went to Iwzees at El Djem and lived a few days, dying about April 28 or later. I have not been able to get full particulars as we are still in -the region of the front line. “Lt.-Col. Conolly of course knew him very well and has told me about your gladioli and said he would be writing to you. He makes a wonderful C.O. and is admired by all the boys. “I wish to extend to you my heartfelt sympathy in the loss 1 of your son and I hope the blow will not be too severe. “They will not grow old as we that are left grow old.’ “P.S.: I have just heard that your son died at 48 General Hospital, Tripoli. He flew from the 1 N-.Z CSS to Tripoli and must have died about the same day.” CHAPLAIN’S SYMPATHY ' , .1 BURIED AT TRIPOLI The Rev. J. D. W. Raine, Church of England Chaplain, has written to Mrs J. H. Rush as under: — “You will hive received notice of your hueband’s death from wounds. He died in the 48th. British Hospital on April 28 and was buried by me in the British Military Cemetery in ■

Tripoli. His grave number is 6-F-12. You may like to have these particulars in connection with official records. , “Please accept jiathy in your loss. At the graveside this is the prayer we said on your behalf: “ ‘Almighty God, Father of all mercies and giver of all comfort deal graciously with those who mourn, that casting all their care upon thee they may know the consolation of ■ thy love through Jesus Christ our j Lord.’ ” > !