GENERAL TOWNSHEND.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1916, Page 7

GENERAL TOWNSHEND.

RELATIVES IN NEW ZEALAND. A MILITARY"FAMILY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, May 5. General Townshend, who was compelled to surrender at Kut-el-Amara, has quite a number of relatives Zealand. Two uncles live at Dcvonport— George and Henry Townshend;■-Ernest Townshend, another uncle, lives at Blenheim. The distinguished soldier lias a dozen or so unknown cousins in the two places. "It's about forty years ago since I last saw him," remarked one. of General Townshend's uncles in conversation. "He was a youngster of 14 or 15 at that time. .After coming to New ■Zealand we naturally got out of touch with one another, and I heard of him mostly through relatives at Home."

"As a matter of fact, we didn't know in the least what had become of him when the war broke out," stated the other uncle, "and the first news we got was through the press, when we learned he was playing a leading part in the Mesopotamian campaign. It was an anxious time for ui We hadn't seen him since we were all boys, but blood is thicker than water, and times like these seem to draw families together." The Townshends have been soldiers and sailors over since the time when, in 15S8, Roger Townshend, of Raynlmm, received the honor of knighthood for his spirited conduct against the Armada, and Sir John Townshend was knighted by the Earl of Essex at the memorable siese of Cadiz.

One of his New Zealand cousins, Mr. Ferras Townshend, eldest son of Mr. George Townshend, Dcvonport, served in the South African war, while another cousin, Geoffrey Townshend, is now at the front with the Australian Artillery. Another member of th e family i s Miss Tiria Townshend, of Blenheim, whose wonderful feat of swimming several hours in the icy waters of the St. Lawrence after The sinking of the Empress of Ireland two years ago will be well remembered.