Death of a Veteran.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 199, 6 May 1902, Page 3

Death of a Veteran.

The death of a very old military officer took place at Timaru on Saturday, when Sergeant Richard Pelvin, late Sergeant of the 41st King’s Own Light Infantry, and a pensioner from Her Majesty’s service passed away. The deceased commenced his military career on January ,‘Usfc, 1837, being then only sixteen years of age. He enlisted in Her Majesty’s 50fch Queen’s Own Regiment, which was then on service in New South Wales—at that time a convict colony. After serving in Australia for some time, he went to Norfolk Island, and later on to India, where he served with distinction in the Indian Mutiny. Returning to England, he went to Malta on foreign service in 1855. From there he went to Ireland, and after a short service returned to England again, and joined the staff of the West Kent Militia. After five years’ service he decided to come to New Zealand, and leaving Home on July 2nd, 1863, he arrived at Timaru on October 10th of the same year. On landing, he was put in charge of the emigrants, who found a home at the Timaru barracks. Later he took up a small farm of 40 acres neat Timaru, and, except for a short time spent at Glenavy, he has resided on it. During his military career, the deceased gained many distinctions, and had a breast covered with medals. He will be accorded a military funeral in Timaru to-day. He leaves five sons and two daughters living, all grown up.