Obituaries Australia

The painfully sad news that his son, Sergeant Francis Gerald Houston, had died in England, where he had been sent to recuperate after having been wounded in France, was conveyed to Mr. J. Houston, of Barkly-place on Friday night by the Defence department. Sergeant Houston was only 20 years of age, and was the sixth son of Mr. J. Houston, who is head master of the North Bendigo State School. He left Victoria in March last with reinforcements for Egypt. He proceeded to France in June, and was in the trenches with a fortnight's exception, from July until the beginning of October, when he was wounded and invalided to England. Prior to enlisting, Sergeant Houston was on the staff of the Bank of New South Wales at Bendigo, and was highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him. He became connected with the bank early in 1914. Two of the deceased soldier's brothers have returned from the front, wounded, viz., Private Raymond Houston and Trooper Herbert Houston, and their brother, Trooper Clement Houston, is now in camp with the Light Horse ready to go to the front. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved parents in their great loss. He has been described as "a born soldier and leader of men."

Writing to his chum in Bendigo (Mr. Herbert Vine) from the 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, on 20th October, the deceased soldier stated:— "I have been wounded in my right hip. I went down to get another chap who was wounded, and got 'cracked' myself. I had a piece of shell extracted in France (no chloroform). The wound is healing rapidly, though painfully. Had been in trenches 15 weeks (over three months) when I got 'cracked.' Expect to be back in the trenches by Christmas."