ROLL OF HONOUR
Mr F. Orlowski, Junction Hotel, Severn street, has been advised by the Minister of Defence that his son, Private W J. Orlowski, died on September 26 in Egypt, from shock following severe burns received in an accident. Private Orlowski was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs F. Orlowski, and was born in Oamaru and educated at the Christian Brothers’ School. At the age of 17, he joined the special reserve in Christchurch, and was only 18 years of age when he joined up with the first echelon. Before enlisting he followed farm work. Private Orlowski is the first soldier from North Otago in the first echelon reported to have made the supreme sacrifice in the present war. -Otago Daily Times, 1/10/1940.
The details of William Orlowski's death can be found in the Official History of his unit, the 20th Battlaion, 2NZEF:
The September war diary records several deaths. On the 19th a primus being used as a home-made forge exploded in the pioneer platoon's workshop, and two men, Privates Lowe and Orlowski, were badly burned. Lowe died the same day at 2/5 General Hospital and was buried the next day at the British war memorial cemetery, Aleandria, the funeral being attended by the Colonel, four officers, and thirty other ranks from Headquarters Company, who also supplied the firing party. Private Orlowski died a week later and was accorded similar honours.
Oamaru Cemetery.
No comments:
Post a Comment