49508 Private Rodger Heath, 8/6/1890-21/11/1918.

Rodger Heath was a farmer working on the family farm near Karitane, to the north of Dunedin, when he joined up in 1917.  In November of that year he was severely gassed ad spent the rest of his war in English hospitals.

He was declared unfit for further service in April, 1918, and embarked for home the next month.

RETURNED SOLDIERS

DRAFT 165.

Draft 165 of returned sick and wounded soldiers arrived by special train from Auckland shortly after 6 o'clock on Saturday evening. There was a large crowd of next-of-kin and friends waiting at the station, and the men were given hearty cheers as they came out of the station gates. The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke, C.M.G., M.P.) was present, and extended a hearty welcome to the men. The Motor Reserve, under Captain Pryor, was present in quite sufficient numbers, and was of great assistance in conveying the men and their relatives to their destinations. The Canterbury men went South by the Mararoa, and the Otago men by their own steamer the same evening.  -Evening Post, 17/7/1918.

Four military funerals took place from the Dunedin Hospital on Saturday and Sunday. Private James Langston (36 years), whoso relatives reside in Caversham, was interred at the Southern Cemetery, the Rev. V. G. Bryan King officiating at the graveside, Private Wilfred Fitzgerald (29 years), a returned man who belonged to England, was buried at Anderson's Bay Cemetery; Private Rodger Heath (28 years), whose relatives reside at Karitane, was buried at Anderson's Bay, the Rev. R. Scott Allan officiating; Private Thomas Fraser (26 years), whose mother resides at Oamaru, was interred at Anderson's Bay, the Rev. Father Ardagh officiating. The two former were buried on Saturday and Privates Heath and Fraser yesterday. Major Fleming and Captain Myers represented the Headquarters' Staff at each of the funerals.  Otago Daily Times, 25/11/1918.

DEATHS

HEATH.—On November 21, 1918, at Dunedin Hospital, Private Rodger Heath (40508, N.Z.E.F.), dearly beloved fourth Son of William Heath, of Karitane; aged 28 years.

He did his duty.   -Otago Witness, 27/11/1918.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.  DCC photo.

A great deal of sympathy will be felt for Mr W. Heath, a well-known resident of Karitane, who has lost two sons within the last 11 days. Private Rodger Heath, his fourth son, who was a returned soldier, died on November 21, at the age of 28 years, and his third son, Alexander, better known as John, died yesterday, aged 38 years.  Otago Daily Times, 2/12/1918.