Mr. and Mrs. Mencarelli desire to return their thanks to all those kind friemds for theor expressions of sympathy in their recent bereavment, and also to those who sent wreaths and flowers. Trusting this expression of thanks will be accepted by all. 11 Bridge Street, Bangor.
STEPHENSON. -- Feb. 26, 1918, suddenly of heart failure, at Connaught Hospital, Aldershot, Driver Tom Stephenson, M.T., A.S.C., aged 17 years, eldest and beloved son of William and M. Stephenson, Bangor Demesne. Deeply regretted.
PATRIOTIC BANGOR FAMILY.
Captain Robert Gerald M'Elney, M.C, R.A.M.C., killed in action on the first day of the German offensive, was the eldest son of Rev. Robert M'Elney, M.A., Presbyterian minister, Downpatrick. He was born in 1892, and entered Campbell College, Belfast, in 1903, studying there until 1910. when he passed on to Queen's University, Belfast, where he took science and medical scholarships, and at Edinburgh University. After taking his degree in 1915 he entered the R.A.M.C., and in the following year was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry in leading stretcher parties and working in the open under heavy fire continuously for thirty-four hours.
-- -- -- -- -- --
The war record of a County Down family now resident in Syracuse, New York, is worth recording. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. G. Barr emigrated from Bangor some five years ago. They had six sons, and five of them -- William, Henry, Edmund, James, and Robert -- joined up with the Canadian forces to "do their bit" in the world struggle. The remaining lad, Walter, is serving with the American Army. The friends in Bangor and district of these patriotic boys will be glad to know that up to the present they are uninjured.
-- -- -- -- -- --
News has been received by Mrs. J. H. Rilley, 114 Mill Street, Newtownards, from a chaplain that her son, Private J. H. Rilley, Labour Corps, who originally enlisted in the 18th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, has been killed by a shell. Captain H. E. Vivian Kynak and Lieut. E. M. Kemp, of the Labour Company, also wrote sympathising with Mrs. Rilley in her loss, the latter stating that deceased's memory will be held sacred by all who knew him, "for he led a life to the will of God."
-- -- -- -- -- --
Son of Mr. Wm. Kerr, a Portaferry fisher man, Corporal Joseph Kerr, Machine-Gun Corps, has been awarded the Military Medal for "extraordinary devotion to duty and bravery under most heavy shell fire." He had taken charge of two teams when all the other non-commissioned officers were on the casualty list, and gallantly led them until he also was wounded. Corporal Kerr enlisted in the Connaught Rangers in June, 1915, and was transferred to the M.G.C. in August, 1916. His wife and family reside at Kilmarnock.
-- -- -- -- -- --
Mrs. Palmer, 7 Mary St., Newtownards, has received official news that her son, Sergeant Samuel M'Clure Palmer, 48th Canadian Highlanders, has been promoted to the rank of Company Sergeant-Major for efficient service. He joined up in Toronto in August, 1915, and has been in France as a drill instructor. Prior to emigrating to Canada he was an apprentice to Mr. Wm. Laird, Conway Square, Newtownards, draper. A second son of Mrs. Palmers, Sergt. John Palmer, was wounded in the "big push" of July 1, 1916, and a third son who joined the Ulster Division in May, 1917, has been discharged from the Army owing to ill-health while undergoing unitary duty.
-- -- -- -- -- --
Lieut.-Colonel J. R. Macalpine-Downie, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, son-in-law of Mr. John Blakiston-Houston, D.L., of Orangefield, Co. Down, died of wounds on 21st March -- his fortieth birthday. This gallant officer was the second son of the late Mr. Wm. Macalpine-Leny (formerly of the 15th Hussars), of Dalswinton, Dumfries, and succeeded to the Appin estae in Argyllshire in 1861 on the death of his great aunt, Miss Georgina Frances Downie, whose name he assumed on coming of age in 1899. He married Miss Ethel Fanny Blakiston-Houston on 20th August, 1902, and is survived by that lady and two sons. He wore the Queen's medal with two clasps for the South African war, and had seen a good deal of service in the present campaign.
