“The correct name of Gunner Hudson, who is reported to have died while a prisoner, is Cecil Tonks. He enlisted when under age, and left New Zealand with the third echelon. He was 20 years of age. During the fighting in Crete he suffered from appendicitis, but according to a letter received from his commanding officer, he bravely fought on, in spite of his illness. He was too ill to he moved when the evacuation took place.” [New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24134, 28 November 1941, Page 9]

“Cabled advice has been received by Mrs V. Fisher, of Micham Avenue, Frankton. that her son, Gunner Cecil Tonks, died while a prisoner of war in Germany. Because he was only nineteen when he first enlisted, Gunner Tonks was withdrawn from the camp in which he was training, as a result of his mother’s representations. Re-enlisting under the name of Cecil Hudson, he was again accepted and left New Zealand with the third echelon. According to a letter from his commanding officer, Gunner Tonks bravely fought on in Crete, despite an attack of appendicitis. Being too ill to be moved when the evacuation took place, he was left behind, later contracting peritonitis. Gunner Tonks was formerly employed at a Frankton box factory.” [Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21590, 28 November 1941, Page 6]

“KEEN FRANKTON SOLDIER – LEFT IN ATHENS HOSPITAL Although only just 20 years of age, the youngest son of Mrs V. Fisher, of Frankton, is a prisoner of war. He enlisted as soon as war was declared, when he was only 18 years of age, and was sent to camp. His mother made representations to the Army authorities and had him released because he was under age. Not to be stopped, the son, Gunner Cecil Tonks, immediately went to Auckland and enlisted there under an assumed name and was again accepted. He enlisted with his best friend, calling himself a brother. He did not say anything to his mother, but when he entered camp he appealed to her to let him go and she agreed. He went through the Greece campaign but was rushed into a hospital in Athens as the Allies were being evacuated, suffering from appendicitis. His mother has received one letter from him stating that he is well. Major A. T. Rawle, who commanded the company of which Gunner Tonks was a member, has written to Mrs Fisher stating that Gunner Tonks, although suffering from j appendicitis, fought on in the face of terrible odds in Greece. The writer describes Gunner Tonks as a brave soldier and said that on account of his illness it was impossible to take him on board ship. When he was taken to the hospital the doctor said that he could not be moved as it would endanger his life. At this time the Germans were only a few miles away.” [Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21552, 15 October 1941, Page 4]