SOUTH OTAGO
BALCLUTHA
Obituary. — During last week word was received that Driver Edwin Inglis had been killed in action in Egypt on June 27. Driver Inglis, who was in his twentysixth year, became well-known and popular during the years he spent on the staff of the Import Company, and later with Fairbarn, Wright, Ltd., Dunedin. He was also, while at Balclutha, a member of the Star Football Club, and during his residence in Dunedin, of the Southern second team. Driver Inglis was also associated with the I.O.O.F. Clutha Lodge, of which he was a Past Grand Master. He left New Zealand with the 6th Reinforcements, his death occurring exactly one year from the day he left these shores. He was a young man who possessed a happy, genial nature, and will be much missed by those who knew him. In October, 1940, he married Miss Mona Jensen, second daughter of Mr and Mrs A. A. Jensen, of Stirling. He is survived by his widow, as well as by his parents, Mr and Mrs T. Inglis, and one sister. -Otago Daily Times, 16/7/1942.
"Next morning, 27 June, all but one of the 6 RMT trucks attached to 21 Battalion were in running order. Towing the damaged lorry, a party of seven set off for Headquarters at Fuka, but were captured on the way. The morning passed quietly for the isolated 21 Battalion at Bir Khalda. Unfortunately radio men could not contact 5 Brigade Headquarters to the north (and vice versa), where the foe was encircling the two brigades. At noon Lieutenant Todd attempted to get through to Brigade and ran into heavy shelling which killed his driver, Inglis. At 1 p.m. a squadron of Divisional Cavalry's Bren carriers turned up and the battalion set out in desert formation, optimistically attempting to rejoin 5 Brigade to the north. After about eight miles the convoy came under fire from unexpectedly large concentrations of the enemy directly ahead. A number of RMT lorries met brisk anti-tank and machine-gun fire, but only one was hit heavily. An anti-tank shell passed through the tray of the truck driven by Jock Jones and Ron Mason, mysteriously leaving the riflemen aboard unharmed." -Official History of the 4th and 6th Reserve Mechanical Transport Companies.
Balclutha Cemetery.
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