A HERO'S DEATH.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 236, 19 December 1916, Page 4

A HERO'S DEATH.

The death occurred in action in France on October 15th of Gunner Gerald Fdward Ellis, who enlisted from Pukekobe and who for some years up to the time he joined the colours had assisted Mr L V. Zinzan in farming operations at Mauku. Gunner Ellis, who was 31 years of age, came out from England some ten years ago. He first joined the Auckland Mounted Rifles and was wounded at Gal'ipoli, and he subsequently transferring to the New Zealand Field Artillery. The story of his heroic death is told in a letter written to his mother, Mrs Ellis, of Marlborough, England, by bis commanding officer (a copy of the same having been sent out to Mrs Zinzan by Mrs Ellis), as follows: " I lind it almost impossible to express the sympathy I feel towards you in the death of your son Gerald, who was killed in action on the 15th inst, under very painful conditions. The battery had been very, heavily shelled, and two men had been buried. Tour son assisted to dig them out under shell-fire, and then helped to carry one of them to the dressing station. It was while doing this that he was killed, a fragment of shell striking him on the heart, and causing instant death. In your deep grief at your sad loss it may be of some small consolation to know that your son gave his life for others and died as he lived, doing his duty. None of us wish to live or die better. May the good God help you to sustain your loss and face the future with the certain knowledge that he did not die in vain! His life and death make those of us who are left consecrate ourselves to the task we have set ourselves to do. We owe it to them and more than to them to the parents who have sacrificed all and who now have to face the long empty years that our country may live."