DEATH OF PRIVATE M. HARRIS

Southland Times, Issue 24818, 10 August 1942, Page 4

DEATH OF PRIVATE M. HARRIS

PROMINENT CYCLIST Private Morris Harris, who has been reported killed in action, is a son of Mrs M. Harris, Waikiwi. Private Harris was a prominent member of the Invercargill Amateur Cycling Club a few years ago. He won the Southland 25-mile time trial in 1937 and _ y was second in 1938. He was also third in the 100-mile Round-the-Gorges race in Canterbury in 1937. The same year he was selected as a member of a team which was entered for the Empire Games. Unfortunately, in the final trial he fell and was unable to compete, Lance-Corporal M. C. Sheehan, who has been reported killed in action, was the third son of Mrs E. Sheehan, Earn street, Invercargill, and the late Mr J. J. Sheehan. He was bom in Invercargill and educated at the Marist Brothers school. At the, time of his enlistment in the early days of the war he was in the employ of the Ohai Coal Company. Lance-Corporal Sheehan left New Zealand with the 2nd Echelon, and he was one of the 30 remaining members of his company who held a reunion in Syria. In the two years those 30 men had had experiences, some humorous, many tragic, in England, Scotland, South Africa, Greece, Crete, Egypt and Libya. Lance-Corporal Sheehan was a well-known footballer. He played for Southland in the forwards. At one time he was a member of the Marist Football Club and later of the Star Club. Gunner Graeme A. Fredric, reported missing, is a son of Mr and Mrs G. Fredric, Invercargill. He is 25 years of age and was bom in Invercargill. He was educated at the South school, Southland Boys’ High School and Otago University, where he gained his L.LB. degree at the age of 22. When he enlisted he was employed in a solicitor’s office in Dargaville. Private Robert Henry McLean, who is reported missing, is the elder son of Mrs M. Neilson, of Invercargill. He received his education at the Waihopai, Gore and South schools. He was a member of the Collegiate Football Club and before enlisting with the Ist Echelon was employed by Brown and Lee, builders, Invercargill. His brother, Frank, is also overseas. Private Colin Scott, who is reported missing, is a son of Mrs A. P. Scott, of Alexandra, formerly of Titiroa. He was educated at the Mataura Island school. Private Scott was well known in sporting circles and was a playing member of the Waimahaka and Alexandra football clubs. He enlisted in 1940 and went overseas with his brother Basil, who is a prisoner of war in Italy. ' Advice has been received by Mr M. Graeve, Crinan street, that his eldest son, Corporal William August Graeve, has been reported wounded. He received his education at the East Gore school and the Southland Technical College. He was a member of the Gore Municipal Band for a number of years and was well known in Gore and tlfe surrounding districts. At the time of his enlistment he was. living in Timaru, where his wife now lives. Private Raymond T. Kelly, a son of Mr and Mrs W. Kelly, of Greenvale, has been reported wounded and missing. He was born at Gore and he received his education at Greenvale and Waikaka. At the time of his enlistment he was working a property in conjunction with his father’s farm. Private Kelly went overseas with the 4th Reinforcements. During the Libyan campaign in December he was wounded and taken prisoner, but after eight days he escaped with other New Zealanders. A brother, Private Maurice J. Kelly, was reported wounded last week .