39324 Private Norman Robertson, 5/8/1890-29/7/1919.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE. 

DEATHS. 

ROBERTSON.—On July 29, at Dunedin, Private Norman Robertson (39324, 22nd Reinforcements, N.Z.E.F.), dearly beloved youngest son of Peter and Sarah Robertson, of Puerua; aged 23 years. Deeply mourned. —The Funeral will leave Warepa railway station To-morrow (Friday), August 1, on arrival of the morning train from Duncdin.

— A. S. Archer and Co., undertakers.  -Otago Daily Times, 31/7/1919.

In connection with the funeral of the late Private Norman Robertson, of Puerua, the local Defence Office regrets its inability, on account of the distance from headquarters, to provide military honours for the obsequies. Private Robertson, who was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Peter Robertson, of Puerua, died at Wakari sanatorium, of which institution he had been an inmate for some time. The deceased soldier, who was 23 years of age, enlisted before reaching his 21st birthday, and sailed with the 22nd reinforcements.  -Bruce Herald, 4/8/1919.

PERSONAL.

At the last meeting of the Clutha Presbytery it was agreed, on the motion of Mr Hume, seconded by Mr Campbell, to extend the Presbytery's very sincere sympathy to Mr Peter Robertson, of Puerua, in the death of his son, Private Norman Robertson. 

At Wednesday's meeting of the Clutha Presbytery it was agreed, on the motion of Mr Currie, seconded by Mr Edwards, to ask the Assembly to admit Rev. Henry Williams, late of Waiwera and Kaihiku, to the benefits of the beneficiary funds as from the beginning of July, and to grant him the position of emeritus minister, with a seat in Presbytery, Synod, and Assembly. 

The late Private Norman Robertson, who died recently at the Wakari Hospital, was born at Puerua, August 5, 1890, and educated at the Waitapeka School. After leaving school he worked on his father's farm. He enlisted at the age of 21 years, leaving New Zealand with the 22nd reinforcements. After spending a short time in Sling Camp he crossed over to France at the end of May, and saw some hard fighting on the Somme, Passchendaele and other places. In April, 1918, he was invalided to England. Leaving there in July by the Marama, he landed in New Zealand in September, and was an inmate of the Pleasant Valley Sanatorium up to within a few weeks of his death, when he was removed to Wakari, where he passed away rather suddenly. His remains were interred in the Warepa cemetery, Rev. Hume officiating at the graveside. Private N. Robertson was a favourite with all who knew him, and his death will be keenly felt by his many friends. 

A welcome-home social and dance was held in the Kakapuaka Schoolroom on Friday evening in honour of the return of two local soldiers in the persons of Second-lieutenant Donald Fletcher (D.C.M.) and Private George Downey. The evening was spent in a very enjoyable way with songs, music, and dancing. During an interval Mr Spark, who presided, referred in complimentary terms to the two guests of the evening, and assured them of a hearty welcome back to the district. He presented each with a gold medal, suitably inscribed, as a mark of the district's appreciation of their services at the Front. Supper was provided by the good ladies of the district, after which further dancing was indulged in to music supplied by Messrs Mason and Ramsay. Mr W Uren acted as M.C. All the boys who left Kakapuaka district for the Front have now returned, and each one has been the recipient of a gold medal from the residents.  -Clutha Leader, 12/8/1919.

Warepa Cemetery, South Otago.