55416 Temp. Staff Sergeant Donald Stuart McPherson, (1910-16/4/1945). "to see the face we loved so much"

The fate of Donald McPherson is difficult to discover.  NZ Archives offer, online, the personal records of all NZ servicemen and women from World War 1. Not so from WW2.

Donald memorial in Roxburgh Cemetery describes his fate as "died of wounds." His record on Auckland Museum's "Online Cenotaph" has the words  "killed on active service."  There is a difference.

Donald, being Staff Sergeant at the time of his death, might not have died due to enemy action. The Official History of his unit, the Divisional Cavalry, describes action at Sesto Imolese and records the casualties - 12 killed and 40 wounded in the Div. Cav.'s first action as infantry on April 14, 1945. 

In the Official History's Roll of Honour he is described as "died of wounds." On balance, I think it likely that Donald McPherson was wounded at Sesto Imolese and died two days later. His remains lie in the Faenza Military Cemetery.

FOR THE EMPIRE’S CAUSE 

In Memoriam

McPHERSON. — In loving memory of our dear husband and father. 554136 Temporary Staff-sergeant Donald Stuart McPherson, who died of wounds at Sesto Imolese, Italy, April 16, 1945. 

If all the world was ours to give - We’d give it, yes and more, 

To see the face we loved so much, Come smiling round the door. 

— Inserted by his loving wife and son. Pollie and Ian. 

McPHERSON. — In fond and loving memory of our dear brother, Donald Stuart, who died of wounds at Sesto Imolese, Italy, April 16. 1945. 

Happy and smiling, always content, Loved, respected, wherever he went; 

Always thoughtful, always kind, A beautiful memory left behind. 

— Inserted by June and Bob, Roxburgh. 

McPHERSON — In fond remembrance of Staff-sergeant Donald Stuart McPherson, 554136, 2nd N.Z.E.F., died of wounds, Italy, April 16, 1945. 

A wonderful pal, a man all through, Always the same to all he knew. 

— Inserted by Lorna and Len, Waikaia. 

McPHERSON, T/S/Sgt.. — In fond and loving memory of Stuart, who died of wounds, Italy, April 16, 1945. 

Happy and smiling, always content, Loved, respected, wherever he went, 

Always thoughtful, always kind — A beautiful memory left behind. 

— Inserted by Martha, Bill, and family.  -Otago Daily Times, 16/4/1946.

FOR THE EMPIRE’S CAUSE 

In Memoriam

McPHERSON. — In fond and loving memory of our dear husband and father, 554136 Staff Sergeant Donald Stuart, who died of wounds at Sesto Imolese, Italy, April 16. 1945. 

And in the hearts that loved him His memory lives for ever. 

— Inserted by his loving wife and son, Roxburgh. 

McPHERSON. — In fond and loving memory of our dear brother, Donald Stuart, who died of wounds at Sesto Imolese, Italy, April 16, 1945. 

Happy and smiling, always content, Loved, respected wherever he went; 

Always thoughtful, always kind, A beautiful memory left behind. 

— Inserted by Bob, June, and wee Stuart, Roxburgh.  -Otago Daily Times, 16/4/1948.

Roxburgh Cemetery.