WAR MYSTERY SOLVED

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3666, 16 July 1927, Page 4

WAR MYSTERY SOLVED

IDENTITY OF TWO SOLDIERS

WATCH LEADS TO DISCOVERY.

The watch which was found on the body of an unknown New Zealand soldier near Polygon Wood, in the Ypres salient, has not only been claimed by the owner, but has-been the means of identifying two other soldiers whose grave headstones in the military cemetery have hitherto borne the inscription “Known only, unto God.” The owner of the watch is Mr. E. Sullivan, a hotel proprietor at Lower Hutt, and when the finding of the watch was reported in the press at the request of the Ministei of Internal Affairs, Hon. R- b • Bollard, Mr. Sullivan came forward and cleared up what had been 1 one of the war’s mysteries. “A little before Christmas, 1917,” said Mr. Sullivan, “I was with the 2nd Otago Battalion and remember

lending my watch, a Rotherham, to Alex. Anderson, who was also a member of the battalion, and who was killed early the following morning. At that time Anderson, with Dave Taylor, was detailed to make tea in a ‘bivvy’ in a trench fairly close to the front line. These men were killed by a shell and I think would be buried together. On hearing of Anderson’s death I made inquiries with a view to having my watch returned to me. this was promised: by a captain, who after died in France and was then a lieutenant in charge of that part of the line. The watch, however, was never returned to me. It was bought by me at a clearance sale in Wellington in 1915.” From the proof furnished by Mr. Sullivan the officials state that there can be no doubt that the claim of ownership is a genuine one. The watch was handed to Mr. Sullivan, who was greatly joyed at his obtaining the relic. He expressed the highest appreciation of the efforts of those who had'been responsible for the delivery of the watch to him.

Tn due course the two graves in Sanctuary Wood cemetery will be marked with military headstones and photographs forwarded to the next of kin.

Mr. Bollard said that naturally lie was pleased at the action he took in conjunction with the press, for it was the means of identifying the remains of two unknown New Zealand soldiers through the discovery of the original owner of the watch.