“The following New Zealand Expeditionary Force casualties are officially announced:—
…
Private lan Sutherland Holms, killed in England as a result of enemy air action. His father is Mr A. C. Holms, Waipukurau.
…
Death While on Leave
Corporal J. W. Brown. Wellington, killed by a bomb while on leave in London.

A message from the official war correspondent in Britain, dated October 28, and dealing with the casualties in England, states that one soldier killed in his billet and two others in the same room were wounded when an enemy aeroplane, turned from its course by anti-aircraft fire, jettisoned its bombs over south-eastern England. The men were just going to bed in the loft of a brick farm building. The bomb fell eight or 10 yards from the foot of the wall against which, on the oilier side, their Blankets were spread. It burst upwards and outwards, and the fragments tore a way through the double bricks.
This was the first death from enemy action of a New Zealand soldier while on duty in England [Private Ian Holmes], although the second from enemy action while on active service in England [Corporal John Brown].
Corporal Brown was killed by a bomb while on leave in London last week. His body was brought back for burial.” [Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23165, 31 October 1940, Page 8]