FOR THE EMPIRE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 94, 21 August 1915, Page 5

FOR THE EMPIRE.

DEATH OF CAPTAIN T. P. JAMES. . ; (i J During the past few weeks Stratford has paid a heavy toll for the Empire at the ’Dardanelles. Only a few days ago file death of Colonel Malone was reported .and: jSHTtford mourned the loss of Stratford’s military chief. Today cpmes the” news of-the death of C'ap’taiil T; P. ••.Tallies, who left New Zealand with the Main Body last year. Always a keen military enthusiast. “Tom” at once answered his country’s .call, and severing himself from home and all near and dear to him, he threw himself heart and soul into the Empire’s cause. A fine stamp of a man, tall and muscular, erect of carriage and supple of limb, “Tom” was a solstarted his military career in the old Volunteers in Stratford about 1901. In 1902 he was promoted tp. the rank of Sergeant, whichjtrjnk, he Iheld until 1905, when the 3 Y f *^ nte^fs disbanded. 15n$ then joined the Mounted Rifles; Tii which'he held the rank of Lieutenant until 1910, when he was gazetted as a‘2nd Lieutenant under the Territorial scheme. He was in command of the Inglewood troop of “D” Squadron, 2nd Mounted Rifles (Queen Alexandra’s Own). In February. 191-1, he was gazetted Lieutenant. which rank he held on leaving New Zealand with the Expeditionary Force. Some two months ago he was promoted to the position of Captain, which rank he held at the time of his death. The troop of which he was the officer commanding were mostly Stratford men. and every man of them knew that, with such a soldier and gentleman at their head, they would make good. That they have done so is a matter of history, and when the deeds of the New Zealanders are written the name of Captain James will be fittingly recorded. The Inglewood troop loved their leader and the enthusiasm and keenness of their late commander has built its own memorial in the efficiency and soldierly esprit de corps of the troop. It. is not necessary to record the popularity of Captain loin James nor the esteem in which he was held by everyone who knew him, for those that knew him know that he was one of Nature’s gentlemen. Unassuming, kind, hut just, gentle yet strong, with a heart as big as his frame, Captain James’s memory will never die and his name with those of others will always be spoken of as that of a man and a soldier who died a soldier’s death for his God, his King, and his Country. To his father, Mr S. H. James, and family, deepest sympathy in their loss I is extended.