PERSONAL NOTES

Nelson Evening Mail, 22 September 1916, Page 2

PERSONAL NOTES

At a meeting of the Tramway Board ■at, Wellington. the chairman (Mr (.'. M. Gray) said it was with regret that ho hact to announce the death ,in actio]), of Privato W. Watson, one of the Board's employees. The late, Private Watson joined the Hoard's staff as conductor on .March 16th. 1914, and left for Tre.ntham. on May 28th. 1915, as a member of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade. He was born in County Down, Ireland', and was 28 years of age at the tame of his deal}). inspector \\'. Dick, who is serving as a Rifleman in the New Zealand Rifle- Brigade in France, in a letter. had given a description of a borfibardnient and infantry attack by the Germans on the trenches held by the | New Zealand troops in France. which I took place during the nigth of July 19th I 1916, and lie. (tho chairma.n) quoted- it j as follows:—"When the roll was called, .it, was found that Watson and Fowkfi ' were «mioiig the missing. and while it I was easy t-o explain; F.-wke's absence (a.s I he was on the extreme loft flank when; I .the Germans got right into the trenches) no ono knew what liad happened to ; Watson, who was with me in. tho centre. Unfortunately, i:e was found later on in compa.ny with Brydeu. dead, and had <|uite "Evidently fbeen killed by concussion, as he wasn't marked in any way, ai;d wa-s still firmly grasping liis .rifle and fixed 'bayonet. At prcseiiit and myself are the only two Christchurch men left, /in our platoon. and we are both in'the best of health, though rather sa ! en account o? 10.-in-jr snr h good pals." Tito chairman moved :—"This Board desires to record its deep regret at the death of Private William Watson, who lost his life on tho field of battle in 'France whilst fighting for the eau.se of freedom in response to hi's country's call. It extends to his father and other .relatives in Ireland its deepest -sympathy it> tho loss they have sustained." 7 The motion was agreed to, members-stand-inn-. Private H. Reuben, of the Maori Contingent. -who is .reported' as seriously ill, is a son of Mr Reuben, of Tuahiwi. Hewas 20 years of a.ge last April, and was educated at Col. Cossgrove's school at. Tuahiwi. Private Retiben, who went with the .Second Maori Reinforcements to Egypt, was taken ill in France. He [ was a. keen cadet and Territorial, and a j fine riile shot. . While iru- the Senior J Cadets he won Lauy Godley's badge j and ma-de-l for the best Cadet shot m North Canterbury, the medal and badge >bein|g Hamilton to the winner at the Tuahiwi Pa. Sapper Francis Harioe Thompson (son k t" Mr A. Harioe Thompson, of the Wellington Tramway staff), who has been acting as -motor despatch rider in. France and who was wounded on September 4th, is in hospital at Rouen, and 1 is reported l ■soivously ill. suffering from a -gunshot wound -which penetrated liis- is-kiilf. Prior to enlisting, Sapper Thompson was a member of the New Zealand Divisional Signalling Corps, and was employed ait P. and I>. Duncan's. Word has been received by Mr and Mrs Bur don, of Park burst, Geraldine, that their second son, Lieutenant Randal Burdon. of the Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment, has been wounded in the right shoulder, and is in hospital at Reading, going on well.