THE LATE DR. A. A. MARTIN

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1637, 14 November 1916, Page 3

THE LATE DR. A. A. MARTIN

In a lei ter dated September ISth, to a friend in Palmerston North, Nurse Curtis makes a reference to the death of Dr. A. A. Martin. In this connection she says: —“Long ere you get this you will know of the death of our little doctor man, which occurred last night at !-■ o'clock. Seeing’ he came to my ward while I was on night duly, you may like to know a little about how he died —poor chap. 1 hadn’t long been on duty before one ot the captains came and told me he was brought in escorted by Dr. Simpson, having been badly wounded by shells at 3 p.m. yesterday (Sunday) and without dressings having been done. I did not know he was seriously wounded, or would have gone down to see him before he had his operation. The boys told me ho gave them some message to give, so he must have known he would not live. They took him straight to the theatre. The bullet or piece went through the right side of the face, near the nose, through his mouth, and lodged, 1 think, in his neck.

They did mu take that out, hut plugged the hole. He also had a wound in the right arm just on or near the elbow, and the intestine was pierced in five places. When ho was brought hack from the operating theatre I was with him. Colonel AlcGavin came, and we did some artificial respiration. One of the nurses never left him a, second; but in no time his breathing gradually went again. He never regained consciousness from the anaesthetic, and thank Heaven for that, or lie would have suffered. And so the little man has gone to his last long rest. Ho has done his duty in this war right royally and well. As nurse I laid him out. 1 just felt as though I would wake up soon and Jind it all a dream. I said to Dr. Willis, ‘What will the people of Palmerston say to-morrow?’ I little thought when I was in ‘Northcole’ 1 was coming to France to see him as 1 saw him last night and prepare him the last time. The poor colonel must have a sore heart to-day. lie took me by the arm anti said, ‘You will look after him, won’t you, sister.’ It seems impossible to think of the little man as being dead. I suppose he will he buried in the cemetery about a mile out, where hundreds are buried.”

THE LATE AIR. IV. RUTHERFORD.

The death took place at Paekakariki on Saturday evening of one of Palmerston’s best, known and worthy citizens, in the person of Mr Walter Rutheriurd. Some 34 years ago Air RulheiTnrd took up the position of managing clerk for Air Herbert Hankins, who then had the largest legal business in (ho Alanawatu. About 27 years ago lie was appointed clerk to the Alanawatu Road Board, aud commenced in business for himself as accountant and professional secretary. Twelve years ago he went Home for medical advice and the benelit of the sea voyagej and returned much better. Those who knew him intimately valued his friendship highly, and everyone will be sorry that a man of his stamp has passed away. Air Rutherfurd is survived by his wife and two sous, AViliiam and Walter, both of whom went to the front, the hitler having been seriously wounded on the (Somme. The deeeased was the third son of Air James Rutherfurd, solicitor', Clasgow. The funeral took place at Palmerston yesterday morning. After the burial service had been read by the Rev. A. Doull, 1 lie Alasonic brethren carried out the impressive Alasonic rites, concluding with the singing of “Por ever with the Lord.”