A SOLDIER’S FATE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 249, 11 January 1928, Page 14

A SOLDIER’S FATE

DROWNED IN WAIKATO RIVER WORRIED OVER HEALTH (From Our Own Correspondent) HUNTLY, To-day. An inquest was opened at the Huntly Courthouse last evening before Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., in connection with the finding of a body floating in the Waikato River yesterday morning. Bernard Noel Attrill deposed as to finding the body. Roy Kenneth Dey, cousin of deceased, identified the body as that of George Birnie, aged 48 years, a single man, who had been foreman of Ellis and Burnand’s joinery works at Hamilton for 20 years. Deceased arrived in New Zealand a little more than 20 years ago, and, except for a period at the front, had always been with the same firm. During the last three months deceased had been consulting Dr. Fulton, of Hamilton, and he had been worried about the state of his health. Witness last saw deceased on Christmas Eve when he appeared to be in his usual state of health. Deceased had no near relatives in New Zealand. Senior-Constable Ingram stated that a sum of money was found on the body, and also papers and a bankbook showing a credit of £lB Bs. There was also a quartermaster sergeant’s discharge and a certificate for the D.C.M. decoration. The coroner complimented Mr. Attrill upon his promptitude in recovering the body, and adjourned the inquest to Hamilton where a Masonic interment will take place to-day. Deceased was born at Bucksbum, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.