REPORTED MISSING.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 April 1918, Page 7

REPORTED MISSING.

A RAHOTU SOLDIER. Private S. G. James, son of Mr. Percy James, of Rahotu, was reported missing on tlie 27tli December. The following letter lias boon received by his parents from the ofiicer commanding:— You have no doubt 'been advised that your son Sidney was reported missing on the '27 th December. 1 was his platoon officer, but delayed writing to you hoping that some word of him might come through, but 1 have not heard anything further. The nights of the 2flth and '27 th December were bright moonlight, with snow on the ground. Your son was one of a patrol under an officer who had to patrol 'No Man's Land." They ran into a strongly held outpost of the Huns, .and were brought under the direct lire of about -20 rifles. The patrol consisted of six all told, and at first fire one was killed and three wounded. The wounded ar.d others' including your son, and the officer f«i charge took refuge in shell holes and endeavored to get back to our lines. Ti.c Huns then rushed them. The officer and the three wounded men ran for it and got back safely, but your son never turned up. Tt is an even chance that he was taken prisoner by the Huns, as they tried to take our men alive. Tliis is all the comfort I can give you, but Ido hope long ere this you will have lieard from him. Your son was a favorite with his comrades and did hTs duty well. I can but offer my sympathy and hope' again that he is still living. The Huns do not always treat their prisoners as harshly J as our papers make out. i