Mr E. Speid yesterday received word that his son. Private William Ernest Speid, was killed in action on October 8th. Private Speid left with the 36th Reinforcements, a little over a year ago. He had been in England since July, and on September 2nd was still, in but was expecting shortly to go to France. He must have met his death within a few days of entering France. He worked with Mr Clarke, the grocer, for some time, and latterly with his father in the carrying business. The late Private Speid was of a peculiarly winning disposition, and numbered many friends in Oamaru. -Oamaru Mail, 26/10/1918.
William Speid was killed during the Battle of Le Cateau, in which casualties in his Batallion are described in the Rifles' Official History as "somewhat severe."
ROLL OF HONOR.
IN MEMORIAM.
SPEID. — In loving memory of William Ernest Speid, dearly beloved son of Catherine and Ernest R. Speid, 36th Reinforcements, killed in action, Somewhere in France, on October 8th, 1918, aged 21 years.
In a distant land he lies, At rest in a soldier's grave,
His battles fought his name enrolled, On the scroll of the deathless brave.
A lonely grave in a far-off land, A grave we may never see,
But while life and memory live, We will remember thee.
-Inserted by his loving father, mother, sisters, and brother. -Oamaru Mail, 8/10/1919.
ROLL OF HONOUR.
SPEID. — Killed in action, "Somewhere in France, on the 8th October, 1918, William Ernest Speid, eldest son of Ernest and Catherine Speid, aged 21.
He did his duty. -North Otago Times, 29/10/1918.
Oamaru Cemetery.
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