OBITUARY.
The death occurred in Dunedin Hospital on Tuesday last of Private David Edward Canning, youngest son of Maria and the late Edward Canning. Deceased young man, who was only 25 years of age, went to Egypt with the main New Zealand body, being attached to the Otago Infantry Regiment, North Otago Company, but was invalided home from Gallipoli by the Willochra in March last on account of sickness. He had been an inmate of the Dunedin hospital almost since his return. The deceased was born in Queenstown and grew to manhood here. "Duckie," as he was familiarly called, was well known in the town and district and made a great name for himself in football circles. He was one of the most popular lads about the place in his time and became a great favourite with his comrades at the front. It will ever redound to his credit that at the outset deceased offered his services to his country and through that service it may be said, he made the supreme sacrifice. There were many sincere regrets when it became known that Private Canning had passed away, and much sympathy is extended to his mother and family.
The funeral took place at Dunedin on Thursday last with military honors. The procession, says the 'Daily Times, was formed at the Hospital, a firing party of about a dozen men from the mobilised troops at the Central Battery marching in advance. Then came the gun carriage bearing the remains of the young soldier, the coffin being covered with the Union Jack, on which were placed a great many floral wreaths, the gifts of friends and sympathisers. Men who had returned from the front, mustered in strong force to pay the last mark of respect to their departed comrade, and a few civilians and motor cars brought up the rear. Mr K. Glendining was present as the representative of the Patriotic Association. The place of interment was the Anderson's Bay cemetery, The "Last Post" was sounded at the grave. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 14/12/1915.
David Canning was an early victim of what became a deadly scourge of New Zealand soldiers in the Great War, tuberculosis.
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