"Three sons of Mr. W. E. Lippiatt, of Otahuhu, have been serving the Empire in France. The eldest, Corporal Walter Eric Lippiatt, aged 24, was lately reported killed in action. Corporal Lippiatt attended the State school at Otahuhu, and completed his education at the Auckland Grammar School. While attending the Grammar School he began to be prominent as a rifle shot, and he was one of the lads who laid the foundation of the school's recent achievements in the shooting world. On leaving school he joined his father in the nursery business, in which he was engaged up to the time of his enlistment. He was an active member of the Akarana Rifle Club, and won a number of trophies for rifle shooting. The territorial movement was responsible for his joining the 3rd, Auckland Regiment, in which he soon rose to the rank of sergeant. On the outbreak of war he applied for a commission, but was given to understand that the positions were filled for 12 months ahead. After waiting for about that period, and finding the commission no nearer, he decided to enlist as a private, leaving New Zealand as a corporal." [New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16405, 6 December 1916, Page 8]