"Among Forfar's many brave sons who have laid down their lives for their country's cause, a place of honour must be reserved for Gunner William D. Kinnear, of the New Zealand Force, whose death was reported in the "Herald" last week.

Gunner Kinnear was a son of Mrs Kinnear, 87½ East High Street, and this week his mother received letters from two officers of the Battery to which he was attached, in which they pay warm tribute to his unselfish heroism and devotion.

The circumstances attending his death are related in detail by Captain R. Miles who in his letter states:

"Your son had been detailed with several others of the Battery for work on some gun positions. The parties engaged on this work were accommodated in tents some distance behind the line. On the night in question, the enemy bombarded various encampments and billets in the back areas, and some shells fell among the tents of the party. The men were immediately got away; but it was found that one man, badly wounded, had been left behind and could not be removed without a stretcher. On learning this, your son immediately picked up some trench planking nearby, and, in company with another gunner, went back into the danger area. The two had just succeeded in getting the wounded man on to this improvised stretcher when your son was struck by a shell and killed instantly.

"While offering you my sincere sympathy in your great loss, I desire also to express my great admiration of the gallant manner in which your son met his death. In my course of my service in this war, I have seen many brave acts performed, but never one to surpass in unselfish bravery and devotion this last heroic act of your son. His was the finest death a brave man would choose to die, and I hope you may find some consolation in those grand words, 'Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend.'"

Lieutenant A. C. Macdonald also adds a note of cordial testimony to the fine qualities of "Billy", who he says was liked by both officers and men. The writer, after recounting the circumstances under which Gunner Kinnear met his death, adds, "For his act of gallantry and self-sacrifice he has been recommended for a decoration, which I sincerely hope is granted."" [Forfar Herald, Friday 25 May 1917, p2]

"Forfar Colonial Killed – Gunner William D. Kinnear, a Forfarian serving in the New Zealand Force has met his death while on active service. A letter from the regimental chaplain states that he was killed instantly by a shell as he was returning to save a wounded comrade — "surely a noble and unselfish act,” as the chaplain observes in relating the circumstances. Gunner Kinnear was a son of Mrs Kinnear, 87½ East High Street, and was 29 years of age. A grocer to trade, he served his apprenticeship with Mr Jack, Castle Street, but while still in his teens he went to New Zealand, where he was engaged for a time at his trade and afterwards as a commercial traveller. Enlisting shortly after war broke out, he served for eighteen months with the Mounted Rifles in Egypt. Last summer he was transferred to the Artillery and went on active service with his Battery in September." [Forfar Herald - Friday 18 May 1917, p2]

“The death of Gunner W. D. Kinnear, which has just occurred in action, will be learned with regret by many friends in Palmerston, where he was employed by Messrs Watson Bros.' store for five or six years. The deceased soldier was a familiar figure on the hockey and cricket field, and very popular with all with whom he came in contact. He was in the Auckland district when he enlisted in one of the early contingents, and after being in Egypt for sometime with the mounteds, went on to France. His mother, Mrs Kinnear, resides in Forfar, Scotland. Deceased was a nephew of Mr James Buchanan, formerly borough inspector in Palmerston.” [Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14311, 30 May 1917, Page 3]