“The death occurred at the Wanganui Public Hospital, on Tuesday, of Mr. Allen Arthur Futcher, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Futcher, of Kororniko Road, Gonville, a popular member of the Wanganui Highland Pipe Band and a keen Rugby enthusiast.
Educated at the Gonville School, Allen Futcher followed the carpentering trade and was employed by Messrs. Walpole and Patterson. A keen and improving piper, he joined the Pipe Band in 1937 at the age of 17 and attended contests at Christchurch, Wellington and Feilding. As a Rugby player he won his way to senior standard, being a member of the Kaierau team which took part in this year’s senior championship competition. He also played baseball. In 1940 he joined the armed forces, gojng into camp at the Wanganui Racecourse, and he served with the 2nd N.Z.E.F. in the Pacific for nearly three years. While on active service he was a member of the New Zealand Pipe Band which proved highly popular with the forces in the Pacific. He returned last autumn to follow his trade, but about a month ago had to enter hospital, where his death occurred after a short illness.
His happy disposition and unassuming nature made him a general favourite in the Pipe Band, members of which will attend his funeral this morning as a tribute to the memory of their late comrade.” [Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 244, 12 October 1944, Page 4]