8/566 Private Francis Edward, (29/1/1885-2/5/1915), and 8/2908 Private James Beal, (23/11/1892-14/7/-1916), Everest. "gone, but not forgotten"

 

PERSONAL NOTES. 

Private Francis Edward Everest (missing) is the second eldest son of Mr William Everest, 37 Nairn street, Kaikorai. He was educated at the Shag Point School, and on leaving school entered the service of the Allandale Coal Company, with whom he stayed for 12 years. He then joined the Dunedin Drainage Board staff, and gave up this position to enlist. He possessed a kind and genial disposition, having a smile for everyone, and was a good sport. He was a good shot, a fair cricketer, a keen footballer (playing for the Southern Second last year), and an enthusiastic member of the Dunedin Coursing Club, owning several greyhounds. Private Everest has a younger brother undergoing training prior to going to the front.  -Evening Star, 2/8/1915.

William was posted as missing after a failed attack on a Gallipoli hioll. His death was ascertained by a Court of Enquiry after the evacuation from the Peninsula. He has no known grave.

Private James Beal Everest (killed in action in France) was the fourth son of Mr and Mrs W. Everest, of Kaikorai, Dunedin. He was born at Shag Point, in November, 1891, and received his education at Shag Point and Palmerston District High School. He was apprenticed to the painting trade, and in 1912 received a first-class certificate from the Technical School for painters’ work. He took a keen interest in cricket and football, and was a good shot with the rifle, whining several prizes when in the Territorials, and when in training at Trentham he finished one point behind the winner of his company’s silver cup. He left Dunedin in June, 1915, for training at Trentham, and sailed for Egypt with the Seventh Reinforcements. His brother Frank, who left with the Main Body, was killed at Gallipoli on May 2, 1915.  -Lyttelton Times, 10/8/1916.

James Everest died during a large (181 men in all) and abortive trench raid into German lines. German infantry and artillery were forewarned and the casualty rate was high. James was buried in the Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery at Armentieres.

EVEREST. — In loving memory of 8/563 Francis Edward Everest (Main Body), second eldest son of Wm. and the late M. A. Everest, killed in action at Galiipoli, May 2, 1915. Gone, but not forgotten. —lnserted by his father, brothers, and sisters.  -Otago Witness, 4/5/1920.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.