THE HONOURS ROLL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 24, 29 January 1916, Page 4

THE HONOURS ROLL.

TROOPER NORMAN BEATTIE. A CHUM’S LETTER. Mrs. A. Boat tie has received tele grams informing her of the death of her second son, Neman, who, prior- to enlisting, was well-known in Taihape, having resided here from being two years old up to a year or so beforeMie left for the front. When recruits were wanted for the 4th Reinforcements, Norman Beattie answered the ca,!! and subsequently went away with the Auckland Mounteds, leaving New Zealand on 17th April, 1915. Hr was a well-built lad, and just the material for making an excellent soldier. As the appended letter will show, he was popular with his comrades, just as he was among the boys here before he left, both in the public school and a' an employee at the local Post OU He was 20 years of age when h e fell in the fateful battle on the G-allijm 1 Peninsula, on the 28th August. The utmost sympathy, in her loss, will be extended to his mother, Mrs. A. Beattie ,of Weka Street, Taihape. The following letter has been received by Mrs. Beattie from her son’s chum-in-arms: — Dardanelles, 3rd A.M.R., . , August 30th, 1915. Dear Mrs. Beattie,— No doubt you received the painful news of poor Norman’s death some time ago. I am just writing to express my most sincere sympathy in your trying time. Norman and I have been together ever since avg joined the N.Z. Forces. I have found him a real good chum to me. My sorrow is very great, but yours must be much greaterand I pray with my Avhole heart that Heaven may give you strength to bear it. As soon as I came back from the trenches, this afternoon, I heard the nows. It Avas a terrible shock. Since then I have seen that he has been decently buried and a funeral service said over him. Now that he has gone I am the only - one of our old tentmates on the Peninsula. I feel it terribly. The few things that are here I am forwarding, to you as soon as possible. Should you wish to hear any further news, I will do my utmost to .ct von have it. . ' Hoping, you will hear the awful loss bravely. I am, sincerely, Your greatest sympathiser, TROOPER s. JOHNSON, 13/921, 3rd A.M.R.