Rifleman Albert Walter Findlater of 32 platoon, H Company, 25th Reinforcements, Trentham, addressed this postcard to Mrs J. Allen, King Street, Otautau, Southland:
“Dear Mrs Allen, It seems quite a long time since we left Otautau. I went out to Trentham and seen Bert. He was looking tip top and enjoying camp life. The 26th seem to be nearly all drafted into the 25th. Met the other Otautau boys and they were in great form. Thank you very much for the little book you gave us. The place is alive with soldiers here. The 22nd went away silently last week. Not even a flag flying or band playing. Kindest regards to Mr Allen. Yours sincerely Beanie Findlater.”
Albert Findlater, a blacksmith at Otautau, married Robina Sutherland at Balclutha in 1915 a year after war was declared. By late 1917 he was on the battlefields of France posted to 2nd Battalion, 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade. Albert and Robina had been wed for a little over three years when he was reported killed in action on 26 October 1918 just a few weeks before the war ended. He fell at Le Cateau in France, aged 32 years and is buried at Cross Roads Cemetery at Fontaine-au-Bois.
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