Lance-corporal Andrew Mitchell, who was killed in action in France on July 22, was 27 years of age, and was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Robert Mitchell of Opoho, North-east Valley. He was born in Melbourne, but was educated in Dunedin at the George Street School, where he was an apt pupil. His business life of an ironmonger was practically all spent with Messrs Laidlaw and Gray, of this city, in which firm his diligence, courtesy, reliability, and good salesmanship were appreciated both by employers and customers. He was a member of the church worshipping in the Choral Hall, and was actively associated in Sunday school, Bible Class, and other Christian work. He was an exemplary son and brother and friend. He leaves four sisters and two brothers and a large acquaintance to mourn the loss. He was a member of the 24th Reinforcements of infantry when he left New Zealand, but at the time of his death was in the Lewis machine gun and anti-aircraft division. -Evening Star, 26/8/1918.
Strangely, Andrew Mitchell died after his company, the 4th of the 2nd Battalion, Otago Infantry, was relieved the day before his death, according to the Regiment's Official History. Perhaps, as a machine-gunner, he was kept in the front line to strengthen its defence.
He was buried in the Gommecourt Wood New Cemetery, Foncquevillers, Pas-de-Calais, France.
Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.
No comments:
Post a Comment