News From America Of Former City Residents

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 56, 9 March 1944, Page 2

News From America Of Former City Residents

Information received in Palmerston North recently from Atascadero, California, has a link-up with the jubilee celebrations of the Palmerston North Hospital for it concerns the family of Mr. Fred B. Mansfield, a former secretary of the hospital and well-known citizen who left the Dominion for America in 1923, with his wife, son and daughter. First, the good news intimated that son George had received his commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Marines, graduating in the 33rd officer candidate class. Lieut. Mansfield was born in Palmerston North 23 years ago. He graduated from San Jose State College, B.Sc. with honours. He then accepted an assistantship at the University of Hawaii teaching zoology, at the same time doing post graduate work. He was in Honolulu at the time of the Pearl Harbour attack. Returning from Hawaii he was attached to a company in Quantico to receive further training as an officer. He was fourth in his class of 170 following the precedent established at a Marine camp in San Diego where he won a certificate for being the outstanding marine of the 949th platoon. He is now taking advanced training in a reserve officers' school. The daughter Norah, has suffered tragic loss by the death ot her husband, Franklin D. Wilhite, ot Atascadero, who was killed when a truck he was driving was struck by a train. The late Mr. Wilhite, who was milk distributor of the Santa Clara County Creameries, was a clever cartoonist and very musical. In addition to his wife he is survived by his 14 months old son.