“PRIVATE FRED BIRD. Mr and Mrs Frank Bird Westport, have received a telegram from the Minister of Defence stating that their eldest son, Fred Bird, had been killed in action in France on October 12th. Private Bird sailed with the 22nd Reinforcements. He served with the Customs Department at Westport, and later went to work for Mr George Walker of Rocklands, continuing with him for many years, and then taking charge of a farm in the North Island. Three brothers are with the colors. One, Gunner R. C. Bird, was invalided home, and is at present at Rotorua.” [Greymouth Evening Star, 3 November 1917, Page 5]