Obituaries Australia

The sad news was received on Saturday evening from Colonel Luscombe, through the Rev. A. C. Nelson, that Sergeant Richard Proctor, third son of Mr. Richard Proctor of 'Hazelbrae,' Bolwarra Heights, had been killed in action in France on September 28 or 29. He was in the 45th Battalion (late 13th Battalion). Prior to enlisting he was engaged in farming and pastoral pursuits in the Dalby district, Queensland, where he had a selection. He volunteered on the outbreak of war, but did not go to headquarters in the usual way, offering his services by letter from his selection, but was not accepted. He however, made the final step on hearing that his brother, Private Howard Proctor, had fallen in the memorable landing at Gallipoli. He then determined to go and fill his place, and sailed in 1915, and took part in fighting at Gallipoli and in the evacuation. He returned to Egypt with his unit and then went to France, where he had since been engaged in the terrific fighting that has taken place there. He was accidentally and slightly wounded in the leg on August 6 having bumped against a bayonet that was protruding, whilst rallying his men for an impending counter attack. A cable received from him showed that he returned to the trenches on September 25. The true spirit of the soldier was manifest in his nature. Not only did he take his brother's place, but when in hospital he wrote stating that he was getting back to his battalion as early as possible, because non-coms were urgently needed. He was a fine type of Australian, manly and strong, one of the many splendid men who have made the supreme sacrifice for King and Country. He was an Old High School boy, and was 26 years of age. The Proctor family has indeed done its duty nobly. Two sons have given their lives in the mighty conflict of right against might, the one at Gallipoli, the other in France, and two other sons are in the forces. Corporal Norman Proctor is a member of the Anzac Provost Corps in Egypt, and Corporal Jim Proctor was some time ago invalided home and is now on his final leave again. He went away with the 5th A.M.C. All four served at Gallipoli. General sympathy will be extended to Mr. and Mrs. Proctor and family in the second loss they have sustained.