Tahiti Family Gives

Second

Son For France

From Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, June 16.

WORD was received in Papeete on June 9 of the death in action of Lieutenant Albert Vernier, on April 11, in one of the last battles fought in the Italian campaign. He has been created a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, posthumously. He leaves a wife and a small daughter.

Lieutenant Albert Teuruarii Vernier— the second son of the beloved and honoured leaders of the Protestant Church in French Oceania, the Reverend and Madame Charles Vernier—was born at Papeete on October 26, 1915.

At the age of twelve he was sent to France, where he studied law, and had achieved the degree of “Licence en Droit” when France went to war.

At the military college of Saint Cyr he gained his commission in the Army of France.

He became a prisoner of war in Ger many in 1940. Three times he escaped from the German prison-camp, but was re-taken. Finally, in 1943, he succeeded; made his way through Germany, through Occupied France, into Spain.

He was detained in Spain for three months. At length, he was able to pro ceed to French North Africa where he volunteered for service under General de Gaulle.

His desire was to join up with the Tahitian Battalion, but from that time his parents received no accurate news until the telegram announcing his gal lant end.

All hearts in Oceania sorrow with Monsieur and Madame Vernier in this their second great sacrifice. Another son, Andre, was killed in the service of France a few months ago.

The Unevangelised Fields Mission held a meeting in the Assembly Hall, Mel bourne, on July 5, to farewell Mrs. G. E.

Sexton, Mrs. L. A. Twyman, Mr. K.

Dennis, Mrs. T. Hoel, Mrs. Horne, and Miss Lanyon, who are shortly to leave for Port Moresby.