PERSONAL NOTES.

Marlborough Express, Volume L, Issue 224, 2 October 1916, Page 5

PERSONAL NOTES.

Private Ernest A. Woolley, reported wounded on September 16th, is a son of the late Mr F. Woolley, Koromiko. Driver John Rodda, of Blenheim, was wounded in France, sustaining contusion, and he embarked for England on the 17th inst. Mrs A. Leckie, of Blenheim, received word this morning that her son, Private R. A. Witt, was admitted hospital on September 17th with a shattered right arm. Mr D. Stove, of Kaikoura, has received word that his son, Private J. H. Stove, has been wounded in the right hip, and has been admitted to hospital. Private Joe Cannon, of Kaikoura, has been wounded in the fingers of his left hand, and was admitted to hospital on September 18th. Private Cannon left New Zealand as a member of the 11th Reinforcements. Mrs J. A. Kitching, of Amersfoote,

Blenheim, received advice this morning that her son, Bugler Archie Kitching, had been admitted to hospital, suffering from wounds in the leg. Advice was received in Blenheim on Saturday by Mrs H. Adams, of Springlands, that her son, Private Bert Morris, was admitted to hospital on the 15th September, suffering from wounds in the left arm and left buttPrivate Morris left New Zealand with the 11th Reinforcements.

Word was received yesterday by Mr T. Thomas, of Hutcherson Street, hat his son, Pvt. W. Thomas, had been slightly wounded on September 16 and had rejoined his unit on the 17th. Private Thomas enlisted in Auckland, where he was employed on the clerical staff of the Auckland Star.

News was received in Blenheim this morning that Corporal Bert Nathan had been killed in action. At the time of his enlistment, Corpl. Nathan was in the employment of Messrs W. B. Girling and Co. He left Blenheim with the 79th Reinforcements, and on arrival at Trentham was drafted into the Third Battalion of the Rifle Brigade, with which body he left New Zealand. Trooper Theodore Laugesen, Waikato Squadron, Auckland Mounted Rifles, who was killed in action on September 5th in France, was a son of the late Mr Louis Laugesen, of Oxford and Kaikoura. He was born at Oxford and educated at the Normal and Kaikoura Town Schools. Afterwards he was engaged in the sawmilling business, in conjunction with his father. He took a great interest in rifle shooting, and became a firstclass marksman. He volunteered for service in the Boer War, but was not accepted on account of his age being then only 17. His father served in the Danish Army right through the war against Germany in 1864, when Denmark lost Schleswig Holstein, and was awarded the Danish war medal for bravery. On the outbreak of the present war, Trooper Laugesen eagerly offered his services, and left with the 4th Reinforcements. He went through the Gallipoli campaign, and in one bayonet charge was the only one of the Waikato Squadron to eturn unwounded. He, however, suffered later from shell concussion, and was in hospital in Alexandria for three months. On recovery he was sent to France with the Auckland Infantry, and in the recent heavy fighting on the British front lost his life.