"The death occurred at Riverton on Tuesday of Pte. William David Howie, M.M. and bar, of the New Zealand Defence Forces. The deceased was serving on guard duty at a vital point in this locality. Pte. Howie, who was in his 56th year, was born at Hampden; and was the eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs D. S. Howie. He attended school at Hampden and afterwards engaged in country pursuits. On the outbreak of the last war he enlisted and served with the 1st Battalion Canterbury Regiment, going overseas, with the 3rd Reinforcements. He served in Gallipoli and France. The deceased had one of the longest records of fighting service at the Front during that campaign, serving in practically every stunt until he was wounded by a shell about two months before the Armistice. For this long record  with the Division, being principally engaged on patrol work for the Battalion, he was decorated with the M.M. and bar. He was the oldest of three brothers  all of whom, were serving, one brother who predeceased him being also decorated with the M.M., while the remaining one is again serving with the National Reserve.  On demobilisation, deceased resumed in country pursuits and on the outbreak of the present war re-enlisted, being placed on vital points guard duty. The deceased was unmarried and was a most efficient and popular soldier with comrades. Military comrades were pall-bearers from the mortuary, the Rev. H. R. Wright conducting a short service and at the graveside the pall-bearers were members of the local R.S A., The Rev, F. L. Irwin, L.Th, conducting the burial. Trumpeter E. Hunter sounded the last Post and the Reveille, the returned men present dropping poppies on the coffin. He was interred at the Riverton Cemetery by the Rev. F. L. Irwin, the local R.S.A. making the necessary funeral arrangements. "

[Western Star, 6 February 1942, Page 2]