They Came Home from WW1 - Waiuku and Awhitu Peninsula

He left for France on 14 December and entered camp at Etaples two days later. He was in the field on
5 January 1918 having joined the 1st Battalion Auckland Regiment James was evacuated sick on 18
February in a field ambulance and admitted to hospital in Etaples two days later. He was then
transferred back to England on 27 March with pleurisy with effusion, having been gassed in Belgium
with the left lung affected, and admitted to General Hospital in London 1 April. He was duly
transferred to the New Zealand convalescent hospital, Hornchurch on the 21 May. He had pain in the
chest in cold weather and was recommended for discharge.
On 7 June 1918 on the account of illness, the Medical Board classified James as being unfit for war
service for 12 months and home service for 6 months.
He embarked for New Zealand on S.S. Ionic from Plymouth, England on 24 August 1918, draft 187,
arriving 6 October 1918. His final discharge was on 3 November 1918 after 1 year 158 days service.

Post-war
James returned home to continue working on the family farm and living a quiet life.
The Franklin Times, County Affairs 20 July 1927, Solicitors in Auckland forwarded a tracing showing
Mr. J. Hartner property in respect of the old and main roads. The old road gave access to the Hartner
property at Manukau Heads with it having been closed previously and the new one opened, but now
trying to get the old road re-dedicated. There were continuing problems (Franklin Times County
Affairs 1 May 1936) as the Hartners, James and his brother Louis, drew attention to the need of a
satisfactory outlet to their property to join Wattle Bay – Manukau Heads Road.
As noted in the Franklin Times 31 July 1936 the Hartner homestead was built on the property many
years ago, close to the then legal road, which was just a track. In more recent times the County has
built a new road from the Signal Station to Wattle Bay which passed some distance from the home.
The Auckland Harbour Board was asked to give a strip of land and that a new access road be formed.
The settlers (Hartners) were willing to assist with this work.
James and his brother Louis were on the World War II Ballot of 1940-1945. James #044413, dairy
farmer, Orua Bay. James enlisted in Auckland, service no. 1/13/1161, age 43 years, religion,
Presbyterian, single, dairy farmer, and farming on own account, yes to being able to ride a horse and
could also supply one and preferred the Infantry. He attested and signed in Auckland 20 November
1940. James entered camp in Cambridge on 9 May 1941 and by the end of the month was in a camp
in Avondale, Auckland. He was duly posted to 1st Company N.Z.A.S.C. (New Zealand Army Service
Corp), Home Defence unit.
He was discharged from the 3rd Battalion Auckland Regiment 1st Company as a Driver on the
17 February 1942 in Wellington, serving 65 days.
By 1963 the brothers were living in retirement together at 93 Queen Street, Waiuku, with their
youngest sister Winnie McNair living across the road from them. James never married. James and
Louis had a large vegetable garden, in which the fruit of their labours were often shared with their
neighbours and others. In 1968 the brothers had leased the farm at the Manukau Heads which was
subsequently sold a few years later to the lessee. James passed away in 1977 aged 80 years.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery RSA S3 Plot 009.
Waiuku Roll of Honour, Waiuku War Memorial Town Hall.
Roll of Honour Matakawau Hall.
Awhitu Central Cemetery memorial cenotaph pictured at right.

Sources

Archives New Zealand, Military Records
New Zealand BDM
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Heads, Harbours & Hills – An Awhitu story/Waiuku Museum

Researched by Gillian Conroy

Louis HARTNER

Service Number: 57823
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Trooper
Died: 13 April 1995
Age: 100 years
Cemetery: Waiuku RSA Row S1 Plot 023

Pre-war
Louis was born on 8 November 1894, at Wattle Bay, Manukau Peninsula, the first-born child of Paul
HARTNER (C1865-1959) and his wife Florence Jane CHAPMAN (1878-1960). Paul had been born in
Germany and had immigrated to New Zealand as a young man. He signed an Oath of Allegiance sworn
at Manukau Heads on 3 January 1895, before Charles White JP. Paul was aged 28 years and had been
residing in New Zealand for about 8 years as a settler in Awhitu. His naturalisation papers were official
on 27 February 1895. Louis was the eldest in the family of nine, with four brothers and four sisters.
Two boys, both named Charles, passed away at a few days old in 1899 and 1913.
The Hartners lived and dairy farmed at Awhitu for many
years, originally in Awhitu gully and later moving up to
land at Manukau Heads, Lot no. 118 consisting of 103
acres, (original purchasers of land in the Awhitu Parish
1873). It was situated across the road and near the
Signal Station. The children would have attended Awhitu
Central School. The family are remembered in the
district with the naming of Hartner Road.

Enlistment and Training

Louis’s brother James had already enlisted for service
when Louis signed his papers on 22 June 1917.
On enlistment Louis was 22 years and 7 months and gave
his occupation as a farmer and had been serving in the
3rd Auckland Mounted Rifles and senior cadets. His
attestation papers state he was Presbyterian, his
employer was Paul Hartner of Awhitu, his father having
been in New Zealand 31 years and his next of kin. Louis
was 5 feet 7¼ inches (171cms), 136 lbs (61kgs), with a
dark complexion, dark brown hair and light blue eyes. He
had registered for Compulsory Military training at
Awhitu and had volunteered for the 32nd
Reinforcements. Louis was posted as a Trooper on 25
July 1917.

Service Abroad
Louis departed from Wellington on 13 November 1917 on the HMNZT 98 Tofua as a Trooper in the
33rd Reinforcements, Mounted Rifles Brigade, arriving in Alexandria, Egypt on 21 December.
On 1 February 1918 Louis was sick in hospital in Moascar with influenza and 10 days later was
discharged to Rest Camp, then on 27 February was posted to the Training Regiment from hospital. He
was posted to Auckland Mounted Rifles squadron on 3 March and in May was transferred to New
Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade. He was in the field by 26th May and posted from the Training
Regiment. Louis was admitted to No 2 Australian Stationary Hospital on 2 October and transferred to
the 47th Stationery Hospital in Gaza on 10 October suffering from malaria and transferred again to
hospitals in Kantara and Abbassia, Cairo with a severe case. He was posted from hospital to the
training camp at Ismailia on 24 November and then discharged on 27 November back to base.
Louis was then transferred on 26 December 1918 at Ismailia by train to Suez embarking on the
MT Wiltshire returning to New Zealand on the 2 February 1919.
Total service 1 year and 220 days with his final discharge on 1 March 1919. His intended address: Orua
Bay. He received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Post-war
Louis’s reminiscences tell of his return from the war working on the scow Victory, carrying cargoes of
manure, wire, groceries, beer, and other supplies on the Manukau Harbour. After that he helped with
the building of the Awhitu roads – ‘wheelbarrow, pick and shovel, all clay and mud’.
Louis and his brother James were on the World War II Ballot of 1940-1945, Louis number 044414, a
dairy farmer, Orua Bay.
As noted in the Franklin Times 31 July 1936, the Hartner homestead was built on the property many
years ago, close to the then legal road, which was just a track. In more recent times the County has
built a new road from the Signal Station to Wattle Bay which passed some distance from the home.
The Auckland Harbour Board was asked to give a strip of land and that a new access road be formed.
The settlers (Hartners) are willing to assist in this work. It was decided to ask the residents the amount
they would contribute.
By 1963 the brothers were living in retirement together at 93 Queen Street,
Waiuku, with their youngest sister Winnie McNair living across the road from
them. Louis never married.
Louis always had lollies in his pocket, which he liked to share. Louis and
James had a large vegetable garden, in which the fruits of their labours were
often shared with their neighbours and others. In 1968 the brothers leased
the farm at the Manukau Heads which was subsequently sold a few years
later to the lessee. Louis was the last remaining WWI member of the Waiuku
branch of the RSA and he passed away on 13 April 1995 aged 100 years.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery RSA S1 Plot 023.
Waiuku Roll of Honour, Awhitu, Waiuku War Memorial Hall, pictured.
Matakawau Roll of Honour, Matakawau Hall.
Awhitu Central Cemetery memorial cenotaph.

Sources

Archives New Zealand, Military Records
New Zealand BDM
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Heads, Harbours & Hills – An Awhitu History
Waiuku Museum
Researched by Gillian Conroy

Osmond HENRY

Service Number: 37051* (Military Record)
Regiment: Auckland Regiment
Last known Rank: Major
Died: 5 September 1980
Age: 91 years
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 4 Plot 025

*Service number differs from headstone.

Pre-war
Osmond (usually known as Ossy) HENRY was born on 12 December 1888 in Tahiti, the second of six
children born to Samuel Pinder HENRY III (1862-1939) and Mary Theodora Heywood MELLSOP
(1863-1934). Samuel was the plantation manager of a sugar mill in Tahiti. He came to New Zealand
with Mary, four of their children and his mother Isabella Brine Henry nee ORSMOND on SS
Richmond, arriving in Auckland on 29 October 1894. They were met by Mary’s father, John Thomas
Mellsop, who took them to Onehunga where they boarded the Weka and sailed to Waiuku. From
there they were taken to Glenbrook where they purchased 160 acres of land. Ossy was initially
educated at Brookside School, now known as Glenbrook School. Part way through Ossy’s primary
years, Samuel bought land at Maioro and lived there with Ossy and another son, Ernest. From there
Ossy attended Otaua School where he was a first day pupil. In 1902 he began at Waiuku School.
In 1910 Ossy spent a year back in Tahiti, where he convalesced after being diagnosed with heart
strain. After his return to New Zealand, he joined the Waiuku Mounted Rifles and later the 3rd
Auckland Mounted Rifles. In 1912 he was appointed 2nd Lieutenant and in early 1917 he was
appointed Lieutenant.
In 1913 Ossy took over 69 acres of his father’s farm at Aka Aka. On 13 July 1915 Ossy married Jessie
ECKLEY in Auckland. They had met in 1912 when Jessie took up a teaching position in Waiuku.
Jessie was born on 29 November 1890 in Kingsland,
Auckland, the third of four children born to Richard
Eckley (1859-1946) and Annie Laman SMITH (1858-
1942). Ossy and Jessie had two daughters and one son.

Enlistment and Training
Ossy enlisted on 16 September 1916 and named his
wife, Mrs O Henry, c/-R Eckley, Gordon Rd, Mt Albert as
his next of kin. He was an Anglican and was described
as 5 feet 11 inches (180cm) tall with a fair complexion,
blue grey eyes and light brown hair. He was posted to
the 24th reinforcements, E company.

Service Abroad
Ossy embarked on 5 April 1917 from Wellington on the
HMNZT 81 Devon and landed in Plymouth on 10 June
1917.

He proceeded to France on 12 July 1917 and joined
his battalion on 10 August 1917. In December 1917
he was granted 10 days leave in Paris.
On 9 May 1918 Ossy was gassed and was admitted to
a French hospital. He was transferred to No. 2 New
Zealand General Hospital in Walton-on-Thames,
England and was later sent to a convalescent home
at Brighton where he was suffering from
conjunctivitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, headaches and
sleeplessness. He also had chest pains and a cough.
On 18 June 1918 Ossy was promoted to the rank of
Captain. The Medical Board met and diagnosed
that Ossy had gas poisoning and it was decided
that he should return home. He sailed from
Plymouth on the SS Paparoa.

Post-war
Ossy and Jessie returned to their Aka Aka farm
after the war. Ossy also worked as a travelling
commercial salesman for Wright Stephenson’s at
this time. In 1927 Ossy began his own business in Bowen St, Waiuku

called O. HENRY.
This shop sold hardware, farm supplies and petrol. Between 1918 and
1923 he was still involved as a member of the 3rd Auckland Mounted
Rifles Territorials and then from 1923 as a reserve. In 1929, Ossy was
promoted to Major.
In 1928 Jessie moved to their new
property at View Road, Waiuku while
Ossy continued working between the
farm at Aka Aka, his shop and the army. Throughout these years,
Ossy was involved in the RSA, the Pakuranga Hunt Club, the Aka Aka
Drainage Board and the local tennis club. At the beginning of WW2
Ossy, who was 52 years old, was attested and began service in New
Zealand, which saw him act as Command Officer for the Auckland
East Coast Mounted Rifles based at Waiouru. In 1941 he
relinquished this command and instead became the Northern
District Commander for the Home Guard. On 18 January 1943 his
business in Bowen St burnt down. He rebuilt it but then sold it in
1945 to NZ Loan and Mercantile Agency Co Ltd. Jessie and Ossy
then moved to the Sandspit area, before moving to Epsom in 1949. They then retired to 40 The
Esplanade, Buckland’s Beach. Jessie died on 21 June 1970 and is buried in the Waiuku Cemetery.
Ossy remarried in 1972 to Elizabeth (known as Bessie) Euphemia FIEL (1906-1984).

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery Row 4 Plot 025.
Aka Aka Roll of Honour.
Waiuku Roll of Honour, Waiuku War Memorial Hall.

Sources

Archives New Zealand, Military Records, Auckland Museum Cenotaph, NZ Electoral Rolls
Ancestry – Henry Eckley Bailey Lightfoot Family Tree, photos & letter home to his mother

Researched by Barbara Raven

John Henry HERROLD DSO

Service Number: 13/161
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Major
Died: 12 August 1966
Age: 88 years*
Cemetery: Waiuku RSA Row S2 Plot 28.1

*Age at death differs from plaque.

Pre-war
John Henry (known as Jack) HERROLD was born on 15 July
1878 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India, the fourth of seven
children born to Captain John William HERROLD (1837-
1898) and Helen Amelia VON BIBRA (1847-1926). John and
Helen were married in Howard, West Bengal, India on 14
December 1865. John’s father was born in South Africa
and Helen’s father was born in Sicily but spent some time
in India before dying in Sydney. John arrived in New
Zealand in May 1880 and Helen followed with the children
in January 1881. They purchased Lots 38 and 46 on
Waiheke Island as well as land in Remuera. By 1885 the
family had settled in Remuera. Jack was educated at King’s
College between the years of 1891 and 1894.
From 1905 to 1914 Jack was farming 500 acres at
“Sandhills”, Waipipi, Waiuku. He sold this farm in 1914 but
continued living in the Waiuku area. He was a
conservationist and was instrumental in planting marram
grass to stop the erosion on the sand hills at Waipipi. Jack
was involved in community activities and at a young age
showed his leadership capabilities by sitting on a number
of committees including the Railway League, Farmers’
Union and the Waipipi Road Board. He enjoyed playing
golf and participating in the Pakuranga Hunt Club. In 1900 Jack was nominated to be made a Captain
in the Waiuku Mounted Rifles.

Enlistment and Training

Jack enlisted on 5 August 1914, one of the first five men from Waiuku to do
so. He named his mother as his next of kin and stated he was an Anglican.
His occupation was farrier.

Service Abroad

Jack embarked from Wellington on 16 October 1914 and arrived in Suez on
3 December 1914. On 11 October 1915 he was transferred to London to
recover from an illness and in March 1916 he was recuperating from that
illness at Hornchurch Convalescent Home. It was 22 September 1916
before he was fit enough to rejoin his unit.

He returned to Egypt in November as a
Lieutenant. Jack was promoted to Major on 15
November 1917. On 13 May 1918 Jack received a
gunshot wound to the right arm and was admitted
to Gaza Hospital but soon returned to duty. In
October of that year Jack carried out command
duties while his Major was in hospital and in
November 1918 he suffered a slight attack of
malaria. Jack returned to New Zealand on board
the Ulimaroa and was discharged from service on
5 September 1919 after serving 4 years 297 days
overseas.

Post-war
Jack returned to farm in Waiuku and in 1921
married Enid Holmes DEAN who was born in
Wellington on 15 September 1894. Enid was the daughter of Alfred Elliott Dean and Tellira Charlotte
WATSON (1865-1925).
Jack and Enid had three children. Their son, John Dean, was 22 years old when he was declared
missing and believed killed after his aircraft was seen to dive into the sea while attacking shipping off
the Norwegian coast on 26 April 1944.
In 1925 Jack retired from dairying and by 1928 the family had moved to Whakaue Street, Rotorua
where Jack became a company manager. During his years in Rotorua Jack enjoyed playing bridge
and was a member of the RSA. In 1940 Jack was
appointed Commander of the Area No. 2A Home
Guard which had its headquarters in Rotorua.
Jack retired in 1949 and moved back to the
Auckland area, initially to Aberdeen Road, Castor
Bay, then to Tiri Road and Remuera Road.
Jack died at St Stephens Avenue, Parnell on 12
August 1966.

In Memoriam
Waiuku RSA Cemetery Row S2 Plot 28.1.
Waiuku Roll of Honour, Waiuku War Memorial Hall.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph: military photograph of John Henry Herrold and photograph of Captain Shera and

Captain Herrold at Hornchurch Convalescent Home

New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Ancestry
London Gazette: Awarded the DSO, 4 Oct 1919 page 12234
Papers Past: Road Board election, NZ Herald 30 Nov 1907; Sale of farm, Pukekohe & Waiuku Times 14 Apr 1914; Sand

dune reclamation, Pukekohe & Waiuku Times 22 Sep 1915; Bridge party, NZ Herald 3 Aug 1934; Home Guard, NZ Herald 18
Nov 1940

Researched by Barbara Raven

Albert HOLMES

Service Number: 13/1045
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Trooper
Died: 5 August 1974
Age: 83 years
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 47 Plot 019

Pre-war

Albert HOLMES was born in Waiuku on 11 April 1891, the seventh of eleven children born to Samuel
HOLMES (1850-1924) and Alice Ann HARE (1860-1932). He had five sisters and five brothers. In
1865 Samuel had arrived in New Zealand with his family on board the Matoaka. The Holmes family
moved to Queensland in 1874. Samuel married Alice in Queensland and some of Albert’s siblings
were born there before the family returned in 1882 to farm at Waiuku.
Albert attended the local Waiuku school and, after completing his education, he operated a cream
carrying business with his brother Ted for some years. At the time of his enlistment Albert gave his
occupation as farmer and named his employer as his father, S Holmes. He was listed in the 1914
electoral roll as a labourer, so he could also have been working off the farm.

Enlistment and Training

Albert enlisted in Waiuku and attested at Trentham
on 16 July 1915. He stated he was single, Anglican
and had served two years in C Squadron of the 3rd
Auckland Mounted Rifles. He was currently serving in
the Waiuku Mounted Rifles.
Albert was described as 5 feet 10 inches (178cm) tall
and he weighed 150 lbs (68kg). He had a fair
complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. It was noted
that he had three scars on the front of his left thigh.
He was posted as a Trooper in the Auckland Mounted
Rifles.

Service Abroad

On 12 June 1915 Albert sailed from New Zealand with
the 5th Reinforcements.
Albert was stationed at Mudros by 3 October 1915
and took part in the Gallipoli Campaign. He was in
the Dardanelles until disembarking at Alexandria on
27 December 1915.
Albert’s military record has several entries recorded
in 1916 and 1917 which read simply “Still in Egypt”.
From July to August 1917 he was attached to the
ANZAC Divisional Engineers and on 19 August he was
at Moascar Camp for rest. He returned to his unit in November 1917.

On 12 July 1918 he was admitted to the 66th Casualty Clearing Station with malaria. He was
transferred to hospitals in Abbassia then Heliopolis before being admitted to the Aotea Convalescent
Home in Cairo. For the next few months, he alternated between the field and hospital as the
malaria flared. In February 1919, he was transferred from the Mounted Rifles to a training regiment.
Albert embarked for New Zealand aboard the HMNZT Kaikoura on 6 March 1919 and was admitted
to the ship’s hospital with a severe bout of malaria. He was discharged from the army on 18 July
1919 after serving a total of 4 years 155 days with 3 years 311 days served overseas.

Post-war

Albert, who was also known as Pod, returned to
his parents’ farm, Stoney Creek, at Waiuku on
discharge but he soon purchased land in Otaua
Road and also obtained the lease of Pura Pura
village and adjoining land. Pura Pura had been
surveyed as a township but never developed as
Waiuku became the main centre. Pod also carted
roading metal for the Franklin County Council.
Amongst the documents in his military file was a
letter of application for a rail pass and the
confirmation of its issue. There was also a letter
requesting a replacement for his lost 1914-15
Star medal which was also granted.
On 17 August 1921 Pod married Nellie SWAIN,
the daughter of George Edwin Swain, (1869-
1959) and Ellen Jane HALL (1870-1954). An only
child, Nellie was born on 13 July 1896 and had
come to New Zealand when she was two years
old. George Swain owned a hardware shop in
Waiuku for many years.
Pod farmed the land at Otaua Road and Pura
Pura until 1950 when he and Nellie moved to Papatoetoe and semi-retired. In his later years at
Otaua Road Pod spent many hundreds of hours plaiting and making whips for sale. He had been
taught this art by his father during his childhood years. These whips included “sloggers” for farmers
as well as smaller drovers’ thongs and pony club riding crops. He continued this occupation after
they moved to Papatoetoe and was listed in electoral rolls as a manufacturer living at Wallace Road,
Papatoetoe and later at Fairfield Road, Papatoetoe.
Pod and Nellie had one daughter who died at birth and two sons, Noel and David. There are six
grandchildren. Pod died in 1974 and Nellie in 1977. They are buried together in Waiuku Cemetery.

In Memoriam

Waiuku Cemetery Row 47 Plot 019.
Waiuku Memorial Board, Waiuku Memorial Hall.

Sources

Archives New Zealand, Military Record
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Photo and information - use authorised by the grandchildren of Pod
New Zealand BDM
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Papers Past - Contracting, Franklin Times 4 June 1920

Researched by Heather Maloney

Herbert HOLMES

Service Number: 70283
Regiment: Wellington Infantry
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 13 December 1961
Age: 79 years
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 37 Plot 015

Pre-war
Herbert, known as Bert, was born in Australia on 13 December 1882, to Samuel HOLMES (1850-1924),
a farmer and his wife Alice Ann HARE (1850-1932). They had married on 21 January 1878 in
Cambooya, Queensland. Bert was a young child when the family settled at Stoney Creek near Waiuku.
Bert was third in a family of eleven children.
As horses were plentiful the Holmes boys all learned to ride, each with the ambition to own one. Bert
loved horses and spent a lot of time breaking in some frisky animals. He was a great tease and in 1910
he was to take his sister Emily by horse and gig to be married but kept her waiting until the last minute.
In December of 1902 he was in the employ of Mr James Denize, a butcher, who owned a
slaughterhouse, a store and ran the Post Office at Otaua.
At the 1909 24th annual show of the Franklin Agricultural and Pastoral Society, Bert’s pony mare was
highly commended in one of the classes and with the same pony was placed second in another. A
year later at the 25th show which was marred by rain, his polo pony was placed first, and he was also
highly commended in the same class. He was second in the pair of ponies.
Over the years before the war, he was always noted as a farmer on the New Zealand electoral rolls.
In 1916, Bert married Hazel Foster (1894-1954), the daughter of
local farmers, Frank and Ellen HARVEY. Later this same year
their first daughter May Florence Holmes was born.

Enlistment and Training
Bert enlisted on 16 July 1917. He passed his medical and
expressed a preference for the Auckland Mounted Rifles. His
height was 5 feet 6 inches (167cms), weight 126 lbs (57kgs),
with a fair complexion. He signed as a self-employed
contractor, aged 34 years, religion Anglican. His next of kin was
Mrs H. Holmes (wife), Waiuku. Before he commenced duty, he
was granted leave until 18 October to carry out road-work
contracts (Reservists Appeal – NZ Herald 9 August 1917).

Service Abroad
He embarked for overseas from Wellington on 8 Feb 1918,
bound for Liverpool, Merseyside on the HMNZT 100 Ulimaroa,
as a Private in 34th Reinforcements, Wellington Infantry
Regiment, B Company and arrived in England on 29 March. He
marched into Brockton, before being moved onto Sling on 20 April.

Leaving for France on 2 June with the 2nd Battalion of the Auckland Regiment, he marched with them
into camp at Etaples on 4 June before marching out on 7 June to join the Battalion in the field. He was
transferred to 1st Auckland Brigade on 27 July.
Bert received shrapnel injuries to his left leg from an exploding bomb on 1 October (noted as gunshot
wounds to his left leg). He was transferred back to England on 6 October and was admitted to
New Zealand General Hospital at Walton on Thames.
There was a report in the New Zealand Herald of 15 Oct 1918 where Bert was reported wounded then
in the next day’s paper he was reported as not severe.
His military file notes the degree of disablement – less than 20%, disability 1 month. He was
transferred to Hornchurch Recovery Hospital on 9 November, then discharged to report at Codford
on 4 December. During this time Germany surrendered at 11am on 11 November 1918 (Armistice
Day). After this he was classed as fit, arriving at NZ Command Depot on 29 December.
He left London for New Zealand on 25 January 1919 aboard the Port Melbourne, arriving home on
7 March. His service abroad was 1 year 28 days with a total service of 1 year and 176 days.
He was granted privilege leave from 8 March 1919 to 4 April 1919 which allowed him to receive full
pay but no lodging allowance. He was formally discharged on 11 April 1919.

Post-war
On Bert’s return a second child was born and shortly afterwards
he bought a piece of land at Whiriwhiri. There were no fences or
buildings but lots of blackberry and gorse. A makeshift bach
served as a house until the family home was built. It was hard work
to make a farm out of 40 acres, with very little money, but like
most early pioneers, with hard work the fencing was done, scrub
cleared, and buildings erected. Bert and Hazel had five children,
May, Constance, Patricia, Frank and Harvey, to feed and clothe and
so eventually he started a butchery business at home which helped with the improvements on the
farm. Hazel passed away in 1954 at the young age of 59 years and not long after this Bert left the farm
with his older son Frank taking over.
Like many returned soldiers, he never talked of the war, but he did tell how he and Bill Hudson from
Awhitu were on stretcher duty one evening when they got caught out in ‘no man’s land’. Taking
shelter in a bomb crater during the night they awoke at the crack of dawn and ran for their lives in
different directions back to their line. They never saw each other again until 1960 when Bert was
taken to Grahams Beach where the Hudsons lived.
Bert passed away on his 80th birthday in 1961 and the farm was duly sold.
Bert’s medals, hospital autograph book from Hornchurch, pay book and other memorabilia are held
by his grandsons. He also brought back a lady’s chained watch for his wife.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery Row 37 Plot 015.
Waiuku Roll of Honour, Waiuku War Memorial Hall.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
‘The Holmes Story’ reunion book 1982
Military Research Wayne Aspin, Grandson
New Zealand Electoral rolls
Ancestry – Australia Historical BDMs

Researched by Gillian Conroy

Raymond Alexander HUGHES

Service Number: 25142
Regiment: Auckland Regiment
Last known Rank: Lance Corporal
Died: 2 February 1969
Age: 74 years
Cemetery: Waiuku RSA Row S2 Plot 018

Pre-war

Raymond Alexander (known as Ray) HUGHES was born on 21 September 1894 at Waverley,
Taranaki, the second of four children of Joseph Daniel Hughes (1864-1917) and Margaret Ann MILNE
(1865-1944). Joseph and Margaret were

married on 21 June 1889 in Hawera and
farmed all their lives in the Taranaki region.
Ray attended Whenuakura School which is
east of Patea. He spent about five years in
the 99 Senior Cadets and was a 2nd
Lieutenant in the 11th Taranaki Regiment.
This was to cause considerable confusion to
the Army when he enlisted as he did not

have a commission. (see the letter below) Ray (middle back) with his brothers and parents 1913
Ray was living in Patea at the time he enlisted
and was farming for his father.

Enlistment and

Training

Ray enlisted on 13
January 1916, although
he had been called up in
1915, but stated he
couldn’t leave the farm
at that time. He named
his father, J D Hughes as
his next of kin and was
posted to the 14th
reinforcements as a
Corporal.
Ray was Presbyterian
and was described as 6
feet tall (183cms),
weighing 148 lbs
(67kgs), with a dark
complexion, brown eyes
and black hair.

Service Abroad

Ray embarked from Wellington on 26 June 1916, the HMNZT 56 Maunganui and HMNZT 57 Tahiti
left in convoy that day, and arrived at Devonport, Devon on 22 August 1916. He proceeded to
France on 25 September 1916 and joined his unit on 14 October 1916. On 1 December he was
promoted to Lance Corporal.
On 21 August 1917 Ray received a gunshot wound in the face and was transferred to Base until he
was fit to rejoin his unit on 11 October 1917.
On 31 October 1917 he was admitted to a Field Ambulance Service seriously wounded with shrapnel
wounds to his left elbow, hips, and abdomen. This time he was transferred to London where it was
stated that he was dangerously ill. By 24 December there was found to be some improvement in
Ray’s condition, and he returned to New Zealand on the Maunganui on 19 March 1918. It was
stated that he was no longer physically fit for war service on account of wounds received in action.
Ray was discharged from service on 19 July 1918 after 2 years and 188 days overseas.

Post-war

On his return home Ray was granted a
permanent war pension at 45% disablement. He
went back to farming in Tokomaru East,
Taranaki.
On 22 April 1919 Ray married Olive Lorna Vita
TRISTRAM, nee LYNDS at Auckland. Olive was
the daughter of Charles Richard James Lynds
(1862-1947) and Mary Annie BALDERSON (1856-
1939) and had previously married in 1913. She
had one son, but her husband died in 1918 of influenza.
Ray and Olive had one daughter.
Ray was involved in community affairs, especially in the Hunt Club and as a committee member of
the Patea RSA. The family continued farming in the Taranaki region until 1938, when they made the
shift to 56 Colombo Road, Waiuku.
Ray changed his profession to stock agent until he retired in 1963. Ray and Olive lived briefly in
Kaiwaka Road, Waiuku and finally settled at 96 King Street, Waiuku.
Ray died on 2 February 1969. Olive continued living in Waiuku until her death on 31 December
1970. She was also buried in the Waiuku Cemetery.

In Memoriam

Waiuku RSA Cemetery Row S2 Plot 018.
Whenuakura School Roll of Honour (at right).

Sources

Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Archives New Zealand, Probates
NZ Gazette; 16 Oct 1919; 14 June 1917
New Zealand BDM
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Ancestry – Family trees, photo
Papers Past: School prizes, Patea Mail 16 Dec 1907; Wounded, Taranaki
Daily News 8 Sept 1917; Recovery in hospital, Patea Mail 5 April 1922; RSA

Committee, Patea Mail 22 July 1936

Researched by Barbara Raven

George Burton HULL

Service Number: 58208
Regiment: New Zealand Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Trooper
Died: 23 November 1983
Age: 86 years
Cemetery: Waiuku RSA Row S1 Plot 005

Pre-war
George Burton HULL (known as Burton) was born 20 December 1896 at Otaua, Waiuku, the second
son and third child of George Gange Hull and Elizabeth ALLONBY. His father had been born in Waiuku
whilst his mother was born in Auckland. Burton’s grandfather, John Hull, originally from Somerset,
England, was one of the earliest settlers in the Waiuku district arriving in 1855. Burton had four
brothers: John Kingston, Frederic Gange, Horace Allonby and Roy Arthur. There were three sisters:
Isabella Allonby, Ruth Sorby, and Mavis. He attended Aka Aka and Otaua Schools until he left at the
age of 14 in 1910 with home listed as his destination. Before the war, he was a representative rugby
player. His brother, Kingston, already overseas, had cautioned his parents in letters home not to let
him enlist any sooner than necessary.

Enlistment and Training
Burton, a farmer from Aka Aka, enlisted 16 July 1917 in Auckland at the age of 20, naming his father,
Mr G.G. Hull of Otaua, as next of kin. Burton also belonged to the 3rd Auckland Mounted Rifle Brigade.
He was described as 5 feet 9 inches (175cms), 147 lbs (66kgs), with hazel eyes and dark hair. His

religion was given as Anglican, and he had achieved at
least the fourth Educational Standard. There were no
medical issues apart from his teeth needing treatment,
but it was noted that he had been absent from work three
years previously for two months because of rheumatic
fever. His only distinctive mark noted was a scar on his
left shin (accidentally inflicted with a sickle by his brother
when chopping thistles). He was posted as a Trooper to
the 34th Regiment, training at Featherston.

Service Abroad
Burton embarked at Wellington on the HMNZT 98 Tofua
13 November 1917, arriving at Suez on 21 December
1917, the day after his 21st birthday. This was the same
ship his brother had arrived on almost 2 years to the day
previously. On 8 March 1918 he was posted to the
Auckland Mounted Rifles Squadron at Moascar. While in
camp, Burton and his brother, Kingston, saw each other
every day, attending concerts and movies together at
night. Burton was transferred from the Training
Regiment to the field serving in Palestine and Egypt during 1918.

He was posted 30 March 1919 to Mansoura, returning to the Training Regiment at Ismailia in June.
Burton returned on the Ellenga embarking from Suez 23 July 1919 and arriving in New Zealand
13 September 1919. On the march to the ship, suffering from jaundice, he collapsed several times
and was carried by his companions. He was finally discharged on 9 October 1919 after serving a total
of 2 years 49 days with 1 year and 303 days of these being overseas, all of which were in Egypt or
Palestine. Burton received the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Post-war
Burton continued farming at Aka Aka upon his return from the war. On 11 June 1924 he married Ellen
COFFEY (1894-1972), the daughter of Cornelius Coffey and Catherine BRYERS, at Pukekohe. His first
child, a son Milton George, was born in 1925, followed by the birth of a daughter Ailsa Rosemary
(known as Rosemary) in 1929, and a son, Bryers Allonby in 1934.
On 1 May 1933 at a maimai in the lower Waikato River his gun slipped and putting up his hand to
deflect it, blew off most of his left hand, leaving only a thumb. Rod Baker, a 14-year-old nephew who
was with him saved his life. This disability did not affect his farming and everyday life: he built and ran
a sawmill at Otaua and later bought two farms in Bothwell Park Road of which his son, Bryers, took
over one. Burton continued farming until his retirement to Torbay about 1961.
Burton was actively involved in the community serving in the Home Guard in WW2 as Quartermaster
Sergeant. He worked with the Drainage Board on the Otaua Creek and was on the Otaua School
Committee.
From an early age Burton was a talented artist, mainly with oil paintings, producing many works over
the years which are now treasured by family members. He was involved in rifle range shooting, golf,
bowls and was a keen game bird shooter. He had been a champion rifleman in his military unit winning
many prizes.
A specific war experience that remained with Burton was the witnessing of the horrific incident at
Surafend, Palestine 10 December 1918, which left him feeling terribly ashamed. Also, having to shoot
their beloved horses before returning to New Zealand left many men, including Burton, deeply
saddened.
Burton died in Auckland 23 November 1983. At that time, he was living at 77 Deep Creek Road, Torbay,
Auckland. His wife, Ellen, had died eleven years before. He was cremated at Purewa with his remains
being interred at Waiuku Cemetery.

In Memoriam
Waiuku RSA Cemetery Row S1 Plot 005.
Aka Aka Roll of Honour.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
John Kingston Hull: Personal letters home from war (held by his son, Kingston)
Contributions from Bryers Hull (son), Shelley Magee (granddaughter), Kingston Hull (nephew)
New Zealand Marriage Index, 1840-1939
Ancestry: Family Trees
School records
Papers Past: Auckland Star, 6 Sept 1924 (marriage); NZ Herald, 28 Nov 1934 (birth); Franklin Times, 20 Sept 1944

(Acclimatisation Club)

Researched by Ros McNaughten

John Kingston HULL MM

Service Number: 13/2520
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Lance Corporal
Died: 7 October 1954
Age: 61 years
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 31 Plot 022

Pre-war
John Kingston HULL was born 11 April 1893 at Otaua the eldest child of George Gange Hull and
Elizabeth ALLONBY. His father was born in Waiuku whilst his mother was born in Auckland. George’s
father, John, originally from Somerset in England, was one of the earliest settlers in the Waiuku district
arriving in 1855. John Kingston had four younger brothers: George Burton, Frederic Gange, Horace
Allonby, and Roy Arthur and three younger sisters: Isabella, Ruth, and Mavis.
He attended Otaua School and later Pukekohe School. After leaving school, and before enlistment, he
was engaged in farming with his father.

Enlistment and Training
Kingston (King to army mates) enlisted in August
1915 at the age of 22 years 3 months naming his
father G. G. Hull of Otaua as both his employer and
next of kin. He had passed the Fourth Educational
Standard or its equivalent. At that time, he was a
Lance Corporal in the Auckland Mounted Rifles
(AMR) and had registered for compulsory military
training at Waiuku. He was described as 5 feet 11
inches (180cms), 160 lbs (72kgs), with a dark
complexion, brown eyes, and black hair. There
were no medical issues, and his only distinctive
mark was a scar on his right instep. Upon
enlistment at Trentham, he joined the A squadron
of the 8th reinforcements.
In September, he was promoted to the rank of
Lance Corporal at Trentham and Corporal in
October at the Tauherenikau Training Farm. In
letters home he described the conditions there as
harsh, living in tents and limited access to water.
He embarked on the HMNZT 36 Tofua on 13

November 1915 from Wellington with several other Waiuku men. Leaving Albany, Western Australia,
four servicemen including Kingston threw a bottle overboard. This was discovered 47 years later
buried in sand at Cheyne Beach, Albany, Western Australia.
Service Abroad
Kingston disembarked at Suez 20 December 1915 before travelling by train to Zeitoun, near Cairo,
where he remained until 23 January 1916.

Reversion of rank, due to the lack of operational experience with new reinforcements, was standard
practice upon arrival in theatre. This was also partly in response to resentment from soldiers who,
having served in Gallipoli, were not happy to take orders from those without active service. Kingston
reverted to Trooper. In several letters home he cautioned his family not to allow his brother, Burton,
to enlist too soon. As early as September 1916 he wrote that ‘I often wish I was home again, and the
war finished’.
A letter from Captain ALDRED of Waiuku to his parents spoke of his bravery in the last charge of a
battle in January 1917 and how he had come back to help dress Captain Aldred’s wounds. Kingston
served in Palestine where he was awarded the Military Medal, 28 July 1917 for ‘Acts of gallantry and
of devotion in the field’ during the Battle of Gaza.
Kingston was later sent to Belah, Palestine for railway courses of instruction in August and September
re-joining in the field between them.
After his brother, Burton, arrived 21 December 1917, Kingston wrote home that they saw each other
every day in camp attending pictures or concerts together most evenings. He was appointed Lance
Corporal in May 1918. During October of 1918 he was hospitalised in Cairo with malaria contracted
in the Jordan Valley. In November he wrote “During my war experience I have come to the conclusion
that one’s nationality is little better than another”.
Kingston was transferred from Moascar to embark at Port Suez 25 December 1918 to return home on
the Hospital Carrier ‘Nestor’. He was discharged 20 March 1919 on account of the malaria contracted
on active service and its complications. His medical discharge recorded that he had spent two weeks
in hospital, was anaemic and his heart was dilated. In total he had served 3 years and 100 days
overseas. He was awarded the Military Medal and received the 1914–15 Star, British War Medal and
Victory Medal.

Post-war
Kingston returned to farming and in 1923 married Clara BISCHOFF, the daughter of Ferdinand and
Emma Bischoff of Hawera. There were two children from this marriage: Eileen and Clive but Clara
died in 1940. In 1941, Kingston married Stella HAMILTON, the daughter of Robert and Agnes Hamilton
of Awhitu. Together they had two children, Kingston and Carol.
Kingston Snr was active in community affairs as secretary of the Aka Aka School for ten years,
Chairman of the Aka Aka dairy factory and helped set up the rifle range at Maioro. He enjoyed rifle
range shooting, fishing, and building, constructing a bach at Maraetai despite having little building
experience. He was posted to the reserve officers of the Territorial Forces and appointed Captain
1 August 1941 to command (D) Company, Waiuku Battalion of the Home Guard.
Heart problems because of the malaria contracted in the war continued to affect Kingston who
suffered at least one major heart attack before his fatal one on 7 October 1954.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery Row 31 Plot 022.
Roll of Honour: Aka Aka District.
Waiuku Roll of Honour: Aka Aka section, Waiuku War Memorial Hall.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Contributions from: Kingston Hull (Son): Original letters sent home written by father, excerpt Te
Awamutu Courier, 21 Jan 1963 (bottle), photographs, personal memories
Ancestry Family Trees
The Cyclopedia of New Zealand re Grandfather
Papers Past: New Zealand Herald, 28 Dec 1917 (Award) p4; Pukekohe and Waiuku Times, 4 Jan 1918 (Award); Auckland

Star, 11 Aug 1923, p1 (marriage); NZ Herald, 4 Jan 1945, p1 (birth notice)

Researched by Ros McNaughten

George Raymond IRWIN

Service Number: 65921
Regiment: New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Last Known Rank Rifleman
Died: 16 March 1984
Age: 89 years
Cemetery: Awhitu Central Row H Plot 017

Pre-war
George Raymond IRWIN was born on 11 January 1895, the third of five sons to John IRWIN (1856-
1926) and Agnes BROWNLEE (1862-1929). John and Agnes were married at the home of Agnes’
parents at Pollok by Reverend William COMRIE. George attended Awhitu Central School from
5 February 1900 until 17 December 1909. All five boys had farm chores but as they grew up that
involved farming the steeply hilled gully that had been their grandparents’ home farm at
“Irwin’s Gap”. John and Agnes lived and raised their children on the Top Land as the steepness of
the Gully Farm had made everything difficult to access, by horseback or foot. Church was important
and Sunday Service continued to be a family affair as it had been for George’s parents and most of
the settlers of the area, no matter what the weather. In 1914, with the outbreak of the Great War,
three of the five boys enlisted, and the family farm of 700 acres became hard work for those left
behind. George was an active member of 3rd Auckland Mounted Rifles at enlistment.

Enlistment and Training
George attested on 25 June 1917 in Auckland. He was
volunteering for the 34th reinforcements and stated a
preference for the Mounted Rifles. On his attestation
papers he recorded that in November 1916 he had
been medically examined in Waiuku after being
registered for compulsory military service but ruled
medically unfit. George was 22 years 5 months old, 5
feet 6 inches tall (167cms) and weighed 130 lbs
(59kg). He had a dark complexion, brown eyes and
dark brown hair. On 19 September 1917 George was
posted to E Company 33rd Reinforcements and did
training at both Trentham and Featherston but
reported back to Trentham on 14 December. On 31
December George embarked on NZT 99 Athenic,
which also carried reinforcements for the Maori
Contingent.

Service Abroad
On 25 February 1918 George disembarked at Glasgow
and the following day was at Larkhill (No.4 Camp).

From Larkhill the 33rd Reinforcements headed to the New Zealand Rifle Brigade’s Depot at Brocton,
and he was posted to B Company 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade Reserve Division. Late April saw George head
for France and their base at Etaples, where on 13 May he joined the Battalion in the field. On 27
January 1919 George was granted leave to England and on 19 February 1919 he marched into
Brocton Camp. George left Brocton for Larkhill Camp on 6 May where he waited for a ship home.
He embarked on the SS Tahiti on 27 May and headed for Auckland. The Tahiti arrived early on the
morning of 4 July with Draft 261, consisting of 1,196 troops, of whom 560 belonged to the Auckland
Province. The vessel did not berth but remained in stream and the Auckland men came ashore by
ferry boat. The Tahiti then sailed for Wellington with the Southern troop. The Tahiti was the first
vessel to come to Auckland after the official proclamation of peace. George served 216 days in New
Zealand and 1 year 187 days overseas, a total of 2 years 38 days. He was discharged on 1 August
1919 and received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Post-war
Not much had changed during his absence with roads still unsealed, no electricity and a good deal of
the farm work still done by hand, but George always intended to return to Awhitu. He had a house
on part of the home farm accessed by what was named G Irwin Road (extended family member) and
he was to take his new bride to live there.
George married Muriel GUYLEE on 25 June 1925 at Waituna West Church. Muriel was born on 24
December 1891, the eldest of five girls and two boys, to Joseph GUYLEE (1859-1936) and Elizabeth
Sarah DIAMOND (1869-1954). Elizabeth was born in Australia and Joseph in England. Joseph had
been a teacher, but ill health and deafness caused a change of occupation to farming 320 acres in
Waituna West. George’s father passed away on 23 April 1926 and his mother on 17 September
1929. When life had settled, George and Muriel moved into the homestead he had grown up in,
along with their young daughter, and only child, Hilary Claire born on 21 May 1926.
George worked hard to keep the farm productive, and he became a stockman of some ability,
breeding pedigree Southdown sheep that were in demand. Not being one for change in farming
methods, George would have been one of the last people in the district to ride a horse from choice
in his farming activities. He was a familiar sight on his strawberry pony rounding up sheep or
keeping an eye on things. In community life George served on school and hall committees.
However, it was in the church he made his mark being elected as an Elder and then made a Session
Clerk, a position he held for many years. His guidance was sought and freely given to a succession of
home missionaries who served Awhitu in the 1930s and 40s. He also taught in the Sunday School. In
everything he undertook he was ably supported by Muriel. Muriel passed away on 7 September
1982 and George passed away in 1984. They were buried together in Awhitu Central Cemetery.

In Memoriam
Awhitu Central Cemetery Row H Plot 017.
Roll of Honour: Matakawau War Memorial Hall.
Awhitu War Memorial.
Waiuku Roll of Honour, Waiuku War Memorial Hall.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
“Irwin Family History”, Knowledge, Photos (Lynley Rogers)

Researched by Lois Hopping George and Hilary

John Stanley IRWIN

Service Number: 53919
Regiment: Canterbury Regiment
Last Known Rank: Private
Died: 19 August 1962
Age: 71 Years*
Cemetery: Waiuku RSA Row S2 Plot 004

*Age at death differs from plaque.

Pre-war
John Stanley IRWIN was born 31 May 1891 and was known as Stan. He was the eldest of five brothers
Alf, George, Herbert, and Leslie and lived on what had been his grandparents and then parents’ farm
on Manukau Heads Road (now Atchinsons). Stan’s father John IRWIN (1856-1926) was of Irish
descent. His mother was Agnes BROWNLEE (1862-1929) who was Scottish and had lived at Pollok.
Stan attended Awhitu Central School from 3 February 1896 until 13 November 1905.

Enlistment and Training
Stan attested at Auckland on 10 April 1917 and entered
camp on 24 April, with two of his brothers already serving.

Stan gave his occupation as farmer and his mother Mrs A
Irwin, Awhitu Central, as his next of kin. He was described
as single, Presbyterian, 5 feet 7½ inches (171cms), 133 lbs
(60kgs) with fair complexion, fair hair and blue eyes. He
stated that he had been serving with the 3rd Auckland
Mounted Rifle Reserves.

Article from Auckland Star, 19 April 1918

Service Abroad
Stan was initially posted to F Company of the 28th Reinforcements but was transferred to D Company
while in camp. He left New Zealand on board HMNZT 89 Waitemata on 14 July 1917 as part of the
Canterbury Regiment and was transhipped in Capetown to the HMT Norman arriving in Plymouth,
England on 25 September 1917. The troops then marched into Sling Camp where they trained for the
next month before proceeding to Etaples, France. Stan joined the 1st Battalion of the Canterbury
Regiment and was posted to 13 Company on 10 November but was admitted to hospital a week later
sick with measles. He was initially treated at the 10th Casualty Clearing Station but was then admitted
to #7 General Hospital at St Omer on 20 November. On discharge Stan joined his Battalion in the field
and was transferred to the 2nd Battalion Canterbury Regiment on 26 December 1917.

Stan was wounded in action (gassed) on 17 February 1918 and after admission to several different
hospitals, was in Etaples on 16 March. He was classified C Class by the NZEF Medical Board and
eventually embarked for England on 4 July 1918 where he proceeded to the New Zealand Discharge
Depot at Torquay to wait for a ship home.

Stan embarked from Liverpool on the SS Remuera on 7 September 1918 and was discharged as no
longer physically fit for war service, having chronic bronchitis, on 24 December 1918.

He had served for 1 year 246 days, most of that time
overseas, and he received the British War Medal
and the Victory Medal.

Post-war
Stan went home to Awhitu and bought a property
close to the church from his cousin Archie Douglas.
It was difficult land to farm.
On 3 May 1922 Stan married Elsie Jane, daughter of
Joseph WESTHEAD (1853-1923) and Emily GILLOTT
(1864-1936), of Te Toro. Sadly, Elsie passed away
6 September 1942 at Auckland and was buried in
the Waipipi Cemetery. There had been no children.
Stan re-married in 1944. May, born Victoria May,
was the daughter of James MURRAY (1854-1940)
and Mary Ann SMITH (1858-1920). She was the
widow of Herbert Westhead, Elsie’s brother, and
had four daughters. Stan and May continued
farming at Hamilton Road, Awhitu Central, just
down the road from where he was brought up.

In the mid-1950s they moved into Waiuku to View Road, but still enjoyed spending time at their
Glenbrook property.

Stan passed away on 19 August 1962. May passed away at Ngatea on 3 January 1981. She was also
laid to rest in Waiuku Cemetery.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery RSA Row S2 Plot 004.
Awhitu First World War Memorial – pictured.
Roll of Honour - Matakawau War Memorial Hall.
Waiuku Roll of Honour - Waiuku War Memorial Hall.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Record
Family Knowledge
Waiuku Museum – photo
Find A Grave
Familysearch
Ancestry
New Zealand BDM
New Zealand Electoral Rolls

Researched by Heather Maloney, Audrey Buel and Penny
Prescott

Thomas Alfred IRWIN

Service Number: 79764
Regiment: Auckland Infantry Regiment
Last Known Rank: Private
Died: 19 October 1978
Age: 86 years
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 48 Plot 004

Pre-war
Thomas Alfred IRWIN was known as Alf. He was born 6 September 1892 and was the second of five
brothers: Stan, George, Herbert and Leslie.
Alf’s mother was Agnes BROWNLEE (1862-1929) who as a one-year-old immigrated to New Zealand
with her Scottish family aboard the ship Ganges arriving in Auckland in June 1863. She was brought
up on the farm called “Springvale” on the corner of Awhitu and Given Roads at Pollok on the Awhitu
Peninsula.
John IRWIN (1856-1926), Alf’s father, was of Irish descent and had inherited the family home on the
farm, ‘Nga Puriri’, (now Atchinsons’) near the coast on Manukau Heads Road at Awhitu.
Alf began at Awhitu Central School on his fifth birthday and left 24 October 1907. The boys found
much to do as well as the chores on the farm and the family walked every Sunday to join the other
settlers in worship. Alf was a very good athlete, leading all in his specialty, the hurdles.
Alf and two of his brothers worked on the land, and two brothers also served during the war.

Enlistment and Training
Alf attested in Auckland on 4 July 1917 but did not enter camp until 1918. His medical record noted
he had varicose veins. He was Presbyterian, single, aged 23 years 10 months, was 5 feet 7 inches
(170cms), weighed 140 lbs (63kgs), and had a fair complexion, blue eyes and auburn hair. Alf’s father
was his next of kin. He was also known as A T Irwin.
He had volunteered for Home Service but the following year 3 May 1918 he entered camp at
Trentham. Alf had been able to be groomsman for his good friend, Charters Dickey, in August 1917.

Service Abroad
On 27 July 1918 Alf embarked on HMNZT 108 Ulimaroa as Private with
the 41st Reinforcements H Company. There were 1,004 troops in total,
and they arrived in London, England on 4 October.
The next day he marched into Sling Camp in Wiltshire as part of the 3rd
Reserve Battalion of the Auckland Regiment.
Unfortunately, by 17 October Alf was ill with influenza and was
admitted to Tidworth Military Hospital nearby. On 30 October he was
transferred to the N Z Convalescent Hospital at Hornchurch, East
London, then on 11 December he reported to the Convalescent
Command Depot and Camp at Codford, South Wiltshire.
In July 1919 Alf was back at Sling Camp waiting for transport home and
on 28 July at Plymouth where he embarked on SS Hororata which
carried 1,414 soldiers and arrived back in Wellington on 19 September.

Alf received his final discharge 18 October 1919 which stated, No longer physically fit for war service
on account of illness contracted on active service. He had served a total of 1 year 170 days, most of
that time overseas and he received the British War Medal.

Post-war
Alf went home to the farm at Awhitu Central.
His father passed away in 1926 of gangrene from
an injury to his foot and Agnes was called home
three years later.
On 30 November 1927 Alf married Jane Ireland
HAMILTON, born 10 September 1899, in the
Presbyterian Church, Waiuku. She was the
daughter of William Glover Hamilton (1868-1940)
and Mary Horatia ALEXANDER (1869-1933) of
Awhitu, the only girl with five brothers. Jane was
known as Jean and named after her grandmother
Alexander nee CRAIG.
Alf and Jean lived at Awhitu Central and had a son,
Alfred Bruce, known as Bruce. They bought a dairy
property of about 56 acres, still on the Awhitu
Peninsula but close to Waiuku and Alf was a good
farmer and a capable carpenter. He was an avid
gardener with a huge vegetable garden and
orchard.
Alf was very involved with the Soldiers Club,
becoming a Life Member.
Bruce married Molly SUMMERVILLE and they took
over the farm. Alf and Jean then moved into
Waiuku to Racecourse Road to a small holding with paddocks for some calves. Alf was once again able
to establish a vegetable garden for the family to share.
He loved fishing and a lot of time was spent at the Glenbrook Beach bach which was right by the beach.
The granddaughters spent much of summer there netting,
providing the family with a variety of types of fish.
Jean passed away on 17 August 1975 and Alf on 19 October
1978.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery: Row 48-Plot 004.
Awhitu First World War Memorial – pictured.
Roll of Honour -Matakawau War Memorial Hall.
Waiuku Roll of Honour, Waiuku War Memorial Hall.

Sources
New Zealand Archives, Military records
Family information and photo
Women of Franklin 1893
New Zealand BDM
Flotilla - Australia
School records

Researched by Penny Prescott

Oliver Augustus JOHNSON

Service Number: 10843
Regiment: New Zealand Cycle Corps
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 2 February 1989
Age: 94 years
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 48 Plot 001

Pre-war
Oliver Augustus was born in Otaua to Charles JOHNSON and Mary Ann BAILEY on 31 August 1894. He
was the fifth son and youngest of seven children, though only the fourth boy to grow beyond infancy.
Tragedy struck the family when Oliver was two. His pregnant mother passed away from complications
after she was kicked in the stomach by a horse. His anguished father struggled to adequately care for
the young family and grandparents and neighbours assisted. Oliver and his brother Lionel were taken
in and cared for by Ann and William LEGGETT. The family may have been separated but they
maintained a lifelong close bond. Oliver attended Otaua School from 4 December 1899 to 1 June 1906
and even there he was considered a gentle giant. After school he worked on Grandfather Bailey’s
farm for a period. In 1912 Oliver moved to work bush felling in the King Country area and it was here
a love of woodchopping, fishing and pig hunting began. Within four years Oliver had returned to
Otaua and was a farm hand for Alfred COBOURNE on his Waikato Heads property prior to enlistment.

Enlistment and Training
Oliver’s papers were signed 9 February 1916 at
Featherston. He was 21 years 6 months old, 6 feet
(183cm) tall, weighed 177 lbs (80kgs), had a fair
complexion with brown eyes and hair. On 12 February
Oliver was posted to 13th Reinforcements Auckland
Mounted Rifles “A” Squadron and on 4 April he was
transferred to Cyclist Corps. On 6 May Oliver was
heading for Egypt aboard the HMNZT 52 Mokoia.

Service Abroad
The convoy arrived at Suez on 21 June 1916 where the
company was split into two units. Oliver went to hospital
at Tel el Kebir on 4 July with tonsillitis and returned to
duty a week later. On 26 July he embarked at Alexandria
for France and then on to Southampton and Sling Camp
on 7 August. Oliver was at a British training camp at
Chiseldon early in September but left from Sling Camp
for Etaples, France in late October. He joined 2nd ANZAC Corps Cyclist Battalion on 17 November. On
9 December Oliver had ‘flu’ and was treated at 1st New Zealand Field Ambulance then back with his
unit a week later.

A quote from “Johnsons of Maioro”
“It should be noted that the cyclist battalion Oliver was attached to largely existed in name only while
serving in France. The men acted as messengers and were supposed to carry messages around the
army’s area of operation. But too often they became bogged in mud, and many abandoned their bikes
and used other forms of transport instead.”
In mid-September Oliver was at 133 Field Hospital for three days and a fortnight later he was
evacuated to Wisques, then Hazebrouck, with tonsillitis. On 12 October Oliver reached a rest camp at
Boulogne. On 18 October he was attached to Etaples Depot for a period before joining the New
Zealand Division then, New Zealand Cycle Battalion on 17 November.
On 16 April Oliver was wounded in action at Kemmel, Belgium. He was admitted to hospital in
Boulogne, France with a high explosive shell wound to the hand and a compound fracture to the head.
On 23 April Oliver was transferred to Walton-on-Thames Hospital, England. The index finger on his
right hand, his trigger finger, was amputated down to the first joint. Treatment took time and Oliver
went to Hornchurch Convalescent Hospital three months later. In mid-August he was classified
physically unfit for service. A few days later Oliver was sent to the Discharge Depot at Torquay. A
month later he was attached to the New Zealand Provost Corps for duty in London. On 28 September
Oliver returned to the Discharge Depot to await “his vessel home” and on 2 December 1918 the
HMNZT 203 Maunganui left Liverpool and arrived at Auckland on 9 January 1919 with some 980
aboard. Oliver was discharged on 6 February after serving for three years. He received the British
War Medal and Victory Medal.

Post-war
Oliver may not have been fit for war, but his hand did nothing to stop him leading a full and physically
active life as a civilian. On his return he joined in a gang extracting ancient kauri logs from swamp land
at Takanini, and, if the opportunity arose, kauri gum, but later returned to bush felling. He then
worked more locally with one job on the Awhitu Peninsula cutting out puriri trees for posts and house
piles. Bush felling/woodchopping formed an important part of Oliver’s life, for work and leisure.
There was a very active local woodchopping club. Oliver had some major successes and always
enjoyed the time with companions and other competitors, participating until he was 57. He played
senior rugby into his 30s and was an active RSA member, honoured with life membership.
On 7 July 1934 Oliver married Frances Louise Hollamby WEBBER (nee Fanny Louisa SCHMITH). Fan
had three adult children. She joined Oliver on Grandfather Bailey’s property which Oliver had
previously purchased and made into a dairy farm. As well as a house, he built a hall on the property
and it became a hub for indoor bowls, a sport both Oliver and Fan enjoyed. Oliver continued his love
of fishing, deer and pig hunting and enjoyed sharing those times with others. He loved company, had
a great sense of humour and could tell many a great tale, both verbal and written. He was a published
author as early as 1926 e.g. “The Legend of Moana” and “Wild Dogs of Matawai”. Oliver and Fan lived
on the farm until Fan passed away on 7 July 1974 when he sold the farm to his sharemilker but stayed
on in their home until he was 94. He had “home help” for a short period but spend his last eight
months at Franklin Memorial Hospital, passing away on 2 February 1989.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery Row 48 Plot 001.
Waiuku Roll of Honour, Waiuku War Memorial Hall.

Sources

Archway New Zealand: Military Records
Great-Nephew George Johnson with “Johnsons of Maioro” (authors Barbara Edgecombe & Kingsley Field ISBN978-0-473-
46748-7)
NZ History: Specialist Units of NZEF, 2nd Battalion Cyclist Diaries
Women of Franklin 1893, New Zealand BDM, NZ Electoral Rolls
Sporting Legends of the Sunset Coast (Wayne Aspin)

Researched by Lois Hopping

William John JOLLY

Service Number: 13/922
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Trooper
Died: 28 June 1960
Age: 72 years
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 39 Plot 022

Pre-war

William John JOLLY was born in Tayock, Dun, Forfarshire, Scotland on 4 September 1887, the second
of five children of Henry Jolly (1855-1912) and Isabella MIDDLETON (1859-1943). He had two sisters
and two brothers.
He came to New Zealand with his brother Henry in early 1910 aboard the Morayshire and the rest of
the family followed shortly after. They settled to farm at Aka Aka and William is recorded in the
1911 and 1914 Electoral Rolls living there. However, on his enlistment papers he gave his employer
as R. H. McKENZIE, Mangatawhiri Valley and said he had served in the Waiuku Rifle Club.

Enlistment and Training

William enlisted on 17 December 1914 and attested at
Trentham on 29 December.
He was single, Presbyterian and described as 5 feet 9
inches (175cms), 164 lbs (74kgs), with brown hair, blue
grey eyes and a fair complexion.
He was posted to the Auckland Mounted Rifles.

Service Abroad

William embarked on 17 April 1915 – three ships left that
day as part of the 4th Reinforcements, and he was
appointed Lance Corporal shortly after arriving at Zeitoun
Camp in Egypt.

In August 1915
he was wounded
in the hip and
admitted to a
hospital ship and then a hospital in Port Said.
However, it was thought that he had been killed in action
and his parents were notified and had posted his death
notice in the papers before it was discovered that he was in fact very much alive.
Papers of the day then reported this fact and on 8 October 1915 he was discharged to duty at
Alexandria and re-joined his unit at Mudros.

William had sent a letter home just prior to this and
it was published in the NZ Herald, 26 October 1915.
On 16 August 1916, William was again wounded and
admitted to the 26th Casualty Clearing Station in
Ismalia before being transferred to the 27th General
Hospital at Abbassia and then to a convalescent
home. On 18 September he re-joined the Auckland
Mounted Rifles and was appointed Temporary
Corporal.
On 19 April 1917 he was wounded for the third time,
this time with gunshot wounds to his left leg and a
fractured femur and was recommended for
invaliding home.
He arrived back in New Zealand on the Aparima
which docked in Dunedin on 16 July 1917. William
was reported as being one of the four cot cases that
were admitted to Dunedin hospital. William served
196 days in New Zealand, 2 years 91 days overseas, a
total of 2 years 287 days.

Post-war
William returned to the farm at Aka Aka and on 7 March 1928 he married Christina Newton BELL at
St Andrews Church, Waiuku.
William and Christina lived on the farm in Aka Aka until about 1955 when they moved to Kitchener
Road in Waiuku. Their only child, son Donald, took over the running of the farm.
William died in June 1960 and Christina died 31 May 1968, aged 63. She is buried with William.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery Row 39 Plot 022.
Aka Aka Roll of Honour, Aka Aka Hall.
Waiuku Memorial Hall.

Sources

Archives New Zealand, Military Records
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
New Zealand BDM
Family Search – photos and passenger lists
Papers Past: Correction to killed in action, NZ Herald 5 Oct 1915; Letter Home, NZ Herald 26 Oct 1915; Disembarking
Dunedin, Evening Star 16 July 1917
Researched by Heather Maloney

Percival Eric JULIUS

Service Number: 3/1046
Regiment: New Zealand Medical Corps
Last Known Rank: Corporal
Died: 14 August 1970
Age: 75 years*
Cemetery: Waiuku RSA Row S2 Plot 022

*Age at death differs from plaque.

Pre-war
Percival Eric (known as Eric) was born 9 September 1894 in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, the
only son of Alfred Henry JULIUS and Louisa GAGGIN. Eric had five sisters: Ethel, Edith, Kathleen, Lucy
and Marjorie, and an older half sister, Elsie. His father, originally from Essex, England, had been a
teacher until he trained as an Anglican Minister in 1884 in Rockhampton, Queensland. The family
moved to Akaroa, Canterbury, New Zealand in 1904 where his father became Vicar of St Peter’s
Anglican Church and served until 1924, then remained active in the Parish until his death in 1934.
Eric began his schooling in Rockhampton, Queensland. He was enrolled at Akaroa in 1907 at the same
time as his sisters. It is unclear whether the family arrived in 1904 and were home schooled before
enrolling at Akaroa. After leaving school in 1911 at the age 17 and having completed Standard 6 Eric
became a chemist, an occupation listed at the time of his enlistment. He was involved in the sports
of rugby and hockey.

Enlistment and Training

Eric enlisted at the age of 21 on 4 May 1915 in
Canterbury. Enlistment papers indicate his employer
was J S DODDS, a chemist, and his father was listed as
his next of kin. At that time Eric belonged to the Coast
Defence Infantry but had not previously served in any
naval or military force. A send off for Eric and two
others was given in the Borough Council Chamber in
July 1915. The Mayor presented each man with a
wristlet watch and wished them “God speed”. The
three recruits left for Trentham 8 July for initial
training. Eric was described as 5 feet 8 inches
(173cms), 142 lbs (64kgs) and had black hair and blue
eyes.

Service Abroad

Eric left 9 October 1915 for Suez on the HMNZT 31
Tahiti arriving 18 November where he served in the
New Zealand Rifle Brigade within the Ambulance
Medical Corps as a despatch rider and stretcher
bearer. He was initially in Cairo and then training at
Ismailia, a city on the west bank of the Suez, in early 1916. In November 1916 he left Alexandria for
France where he served for the remainder of the War. During that time he had short periods of leave
in the United Kingdom and Italy. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in October 1918. In January
1919 he was detached to the United Kingdom where he remained until returning home.

Eric returned on HMNZT 242 Kia Ora in March 1919 from Liverpool. He had suffered no injuries but
had been hospitalised with influenza in 1916. He was discharged on 9 June 1919 with the rank of
Corporal, attained 18 December 1918, having served 3 years and 211 days overseas and 122 days in
New Zealand. On May 14 Eric along with two others was welcomed home in Akaroa, where the Mayor
presented them with his medals, the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Post-war
There are few records of where Eric settled immediately following the war although his address when
discharged was given as Taniwha, Waikato. It is likely that he returned for a period to Akaroa. He was
engaged in October 1926 to Shelagh HOLMES, the daughter of Gordon Holmes of Mauku, Franklin,
formerly of Holmes Bay, Akaroa, Banks Peninsula. At that time Eric was a dairy farmer on a 40-acre
property at Taurangaruru Road, Waiuku.
Eric suffered a skull fracture because of a motorcycle accident in October 1927, four weeks before he
was due to be married. An operation was performed at Auckland Hospital after which he was in a
semi-conscious state for several days followed by a lengthy recuperation period.
Eric and Shelagh were eventually married 26 October 1928. Shelagh featured in social pages of local
newspapers but there was little mention of Eric over the next few years. There were no children.
In 1940 Shelagh joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and in 1945 Eric was granted a divorce on
account of Shelagh’s refusal to return to the farm.
Eric continued dairy farming living alone in a two bedroom cottage. Over the years, until age
prevented it, he was a valued part of the local ‘hay gang’, a group of neighbouring farmers who helped
each other with their hay making.
In 1967, by then dry stock farming, he employed a young local man, Murray McNAUGHTEN, to do
some casual farm work. Soon after that he leased his farm to Murray. A year later when Eric moved
to a rest home in Martyn Street, Waiuku owned and run by Beatrice TOBUTT, he asked Murray if he
would like to buy his land with Eric lending the bulk of the cost at an interest rate of 6% (a standard
going rate). A great opportunity for a young man as bank loans were generally not available. The
writer and Murray lived in what had been Eric’s cottage for two years after their marriage in 1971.
Beatrice had been widowed in 1968 and a year later Eric and Beatrice were married. Probate records
show that Eric rewrote his will immediately before the wedding leaving his estate to Beatrice provided,
they were married, and she survived him for a month should he die.

In Memoriam
Waiuku RSA Cemetery Row S2 Plot 022.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Photograph kindly supplied by Alister Jan Shuttleworth, Akaroa and information from Mark
Armstrong (Gt Nephew).
Ancestry Family Trees
New Zealand BDM
School Records
Papers Past: Akaroa and Banks Peninsula,, 20 May 1913 (sport);The Star (Christchurch), 31 May 1915; Sun

(Christchurch), July 1915, Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 9 July 1915(farewell),; Akaroa Mail and Banks
Peninsula Advertiser, 29 April 1919 (return); Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 16 May 1919; NZ Herald, ,14Oct,
1926, (engagement) Franklin Times, 31 October, Franklin Times, Nov 1927(accident); Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula
Advertiser, 4 November 1927, ,(accident); Franklin Times, 11 November, 1927, (accident); Timaru Herald, Oct 1928,
(marriage); Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 13 April, 1934 (obituary); Auckland Star, 15 Dec 1945 NZ Herald,
19 May 1945(divorce)

Researched by Ros McNaughten

William Harold KELLAND

Service Number: 78040
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last Known Rank: Trooper
Died: 11 November 1938
Age: 41 years
Cemetery: Waipipi Plot 231

Pre-war
William Harold KELLAND was born on 28 July 1897 at Waipipi to Frank KELLAND (1857-1922) and
Jane WERRY (1862-1943). Both parents were born in England but met and married in New Zealand
in 1892. Harold, as he was known, was the only boy in a family of four. One child, Ruth, died shortly
after birth. Harold’s parents ran a 225-acre farm at Waipipi that was considered one of the best
worked farms in the district. The property was
west of the “Top Road” and a road led up into
the sandhills. The view from the homestead of
the surrounding countryside was magnificent
and the SS Weka could be seen in the Waiuku
River. Harold attended the local school and
was enrolled on 26 November 1902, finishing
on 16 December 1910 and he headed home to
the farm. Today Kelland Road runs directly
into Creamery Road where the school can still
be found. Harold was working on the farm
with his father at the time of enlistment. He
was also an active member of the 3rd Auckland
Regiment.

Enlistment and Training
Harold originally attested at Auckland on 15 October 1917 expressing a preference for the Mounted
Rifles. He left home for Trentham on 2 April 1918 and entered camp three days later. Harold was
posted to B Company, 40th Mounted Rifles on arrival but a week later was transferred to the
42nd Mounted Rifles. He was 20 years 3 months old, 5 feet 9¾ inches (177cm) tall and weighed
147 lbs (66kg). He had a fair complexion, brown hair, and hazel eyes.

Service Abroad
Harold embarked on 10 October 1918 aboard the Moeraki with the 40th, 41st, 42nd and
43rd Mounted Rifles (451 troops) and headed to Sydney. They transhipped on 16 October to the
RMS Malta and headed overseas. Harold was admitted to hospital on the RMS Malta and was
transferred again to the Marama at Colombo. He arrived in Suez on 21 November and was taken to
the hospital at Moascar with measles. On 31 December Harold was posted from the Training
Regiment to the Auckland Mounted Rifles Squadron and a few days later he marched with the New
Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade into the field and became part of the 3rd Squadron.

On 20 March Harold was at Mansoura but soon headed to Ismailia and to the Training Regiment
again and it was a month later when he returned to the Auckland Mounted Rifles at Mansoura.
On 23 July Harold and the remaining New Zealand
Mounted Rifles from Egypt and Palestine were taken
by special train to Suez where they embarked on the
Ellenga for New Zealand. At Newcastle, Australia
the vessel was delayed for approximately one week
and the troops were given an opportunity to visit
Sydney (300 officially welcomed one day and a
further 700 the next day). The Ellenga left
Newcastle on 6 September for Auckland where they
anchored overnight on the 10th and the Northern
troops disembarked by ferry the next day. The
Ellenga then continued to Wellington with the
Southern troops. Harold was one of three Troopers
classified as the last soldiers to return to the
Pukekohe/Waiuku District (H. Kelland, J. Aylward, E.
W.J. Furniss). He was discharged on 9 October 1919
and had served 219 days in New Zealand and 337 days overseas a total service of 1 year 191 days.

Post-war
Harold returned to Waipipi and he joined his father on the family farm. His father passed away on
2 January 1922 and his mother, with the help of Harold, continued to run the farm. Harold’s two
sisters were also on the farm.
On 17 April 1926, at the Anglican Church in Royal Oak, Auckland, Harold married Kathleen FORDE.
Kathleen was born on 16 April 1900, the fifth child in a family of four boys and three girls, to
Frederick Hamilton FORDE (1862-1931) and Dorothea McFARLAND (1864-1905).
Harold, Kathleen, Gwendoline, and Harold’s mother Jane and his sisters continued farming, and
stock trading records showed Harold to have been very successful. Harold allowed his farm to be
used by the Pakuranga Hunt Club for meetings, as did many of the local farmers. Crowds came to
watch from the surrounding hills as the horses, riders and hounds gave chase.
Kathleen passed away on 16 December 1932 after a long illness and Harold passed away on 11
November 1938 at his home. His service was held at St Mark’s Church, Waipipi followed by burial at
Waipipi Cemetery with Kathleen. The farm was sold after Harold’s death and his mother, one sister
and Gwendoline moved into Waiuku.

In Memoriam
Waipipi Cemetery Plot 231.
Waipipi School Roll of Honour 1914-18 (Waipipi Hall).
Waiuku Roll of Honour, Waiuku War Memorial Hall.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Women of Franklin
Papers Past: Sydney Visit, Hokitika Guardian 1 Sep 1919; Leaving Suez, Auckland Star 11 Sep 1919; Waipipi,

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times 30 Sep 1919; Pakuranga Hunt, NZ Herald 29 Jul 1936

Researched by Lois Hopping

Arthur George Hamilton KELLY

Service Number: 34521
Regiment: New Zealand Engineers
Last known Rank: Sapper
Died: 15 February 1967
Age: 70 years
Cemetery: Waiuku RSA Row S2 Plot 013

Pre-war

Arthur George Hamilton (known

as George) KELLY was born on

19 July 1896 at Hamilton, the third

child of Charles Henry KELLY

(1854-1925) and Margaret CAREY

(1866-1947). Charles and

Margaret were married in

Hamilton on 16 July 1891.

Margaret’s father, John CAREY had

come to New Zealand with the
4th Waikato Regiment as an

assistant surgeon and went on to

be the Surgeon at Ngaruawahia Hospital. He was allotted 162 hectares of land following the

Waikato Wars.

George was trained as a brewery assistant for Innes and Co. in Hamilton.

Enlistment and Training

George enlisted on 22 August 1916 and was posted to the 20th reinforcements. He named his
mother, Mrs M. KELLY, Clarence St, Hamilton, as his next of kin. While in training in Trentham
George was re-posted to the 21st Reinforcements and later to the 25th Reinforcements. On
12 January 1917 George spent time in hospital with tonsillitis, something which was to cause future
problems for him.
George was an Anglican, single and was described as 5 feet 7 inches tall (170cms), 181 lbs (82kgs)
with a dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair.

Service Abroad

George embarked from Wellington on the HMNZT 84 Turakina on 26 April 1917 and sailed via
Sydney, Freemantle, Durban, Cape Town, and Freetown. While in Durban a game of rugby between
their ship and another in port was played. The men disembarked at Plymouth on 20 July 1917. One
month later the Turakina was sunk by a German U-boat between the United Kingdom and New York.
George proceeded to France on 12 November 1917 and on 11 December joined his unit. The
Engineers were responsible for maintaining communications, railways, roads, water supply, bridges
and transport as well as building fortifications and maintaining weapons.

Bouts of tonsillitis continued to cause
George problems. He was admitted to a
Field Ambulance and then to hospital on
27 February 1918 but was able to rejoin
his unit on 7 March 1918. In October
1918 George was sent to a rest camp for
2 weeks. A further bout saw him
admitted to hospital in France and then
transferred to London in December
1918.
George returned to New Zealand on the
Ionic on 25 April 1919 and was
discharged from service on 22 May 1919
after serving for 2 years 274 days,
spending 1 year and 364 days of that
time overseas.

Post-war
On his arrival home George returned to
his home in Clarence St, Hamilton.
On 8 February 1922 George married
Blanche Daphne VICKERS at Waimiha,
Ruapehu. Blanche was the third of
seven children of Edward VICKERS
(1874-1950) and Eliza Jane MULLIONS
(1873-1927). Edward arrived in
New Zealand in 1881 as part of the Waikato Immigration Plan. After Eliza died Edward married
Margaret CAREY’S sister, Susan May in 1929.
George and Blanche had four sons and one daughter. Two sons participated in WW2.
In the 1920s the family lived at Princess St, Paeroa, where George was a linesman.
In 1935, following George’s father’s death, George and Blanche bought Charles Henry’s farm at
R.D.4, Pollock, Waiuku and this is where they spent the rest of their lives.
George died at Pollock on 15 February 1967 and was buried in the Waiuku RSA Cemetery. Blanche
continued to live in the area and died on 11 March 2000, aged 99 years and was also buried in the
Waiuku Cemetery.

In Memoriam
Waiuku RSA Cemetery Row S2 Plot 013.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Information and photo – Barry Kelly
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Archives New Zealand, Probates
New Zealand BDM
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Ancestry
Papers Past: Driving car without a registered number, Waikato Times; 8/3/21

Researched by Barbara Raven

Frank KNIGHT

Service Number: 13/86
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Sergeant
Died: 7 December 1948
Age: 60 years
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 33 Plot 055

Pre-war
Frank KNIGHT was born on 14 June 1888 to Arthur KNIGHT
(1859-1929) and Mary Elizabeth BAINES (1864-1938) who
were of English descent. Frank was the eldest and had a
brother, Harry, and three sisters, Minnie, Hazel and Clarissa.
His father was a Butcher in Auckland living first in Ponsonby
and then at Western Springs where Auckland Zoo now is.
Some of the children were born where the elephant house
now stands. The family moved to Taurangaruru near Waiuku
in about 1905 to a property named Clifton and they farmed
there for eighteen years. Frank went on the farm, his brother
Harry joining them as an assistant when he left school. He
then became a butcher and worked for W. H. LIMMER.

Enlistment and Training brothers Harry and Frank

Frank attested on 14 August 1914 aged 26 years. He was

single, 5 feet 10½ inches (179cms), 169 lbs (76kgs), with blue

eyes and fair hair and complexion and was a Methodist. Frank had been in the 3rd Auckland

Mounted Rifles, and he named his father as next of kin.

Service Abroad

After time in camp Frank was one of the first four men to leave
Waiuku for the Great War. He embarked at Wellington as a
Trooper in the Auckland Mounted Rifles on HMNZT 12 Waimana
and left on 16 October 1914. They arrived at Suez, Egypt on
3 December after a stop at Alexandria.
Frank was admitted to hospital at Helouan for a few days with a
minor problem in May 1915 then on 30 June was posted to his
unit at the Dardanelles, Turkey. On 8 August 1915 he and many
others were casualties while crossing a ravine to reach Chunuk
Bair and he was admitted to hospital at Mudros.
Six weeks later Frank was discharged to re-join his unit. In
December the Auckland Mounted Rifles were relieved of its front
line position and transported to Camp at Zeitoun, Egypt.
Frank was promoted to Corporal on 17 April 1916, to Lieutenant
Sergeant on 4 December 1916, and to Sergeant on 3 March 1917.

Frank is on the right

It was in the field during the Second Battle of Gaza on 19 April that Frank was again wounded with a
gunshot wound to the thigh. He was sent to the C.C.S, a Stationary Hospital at Kantara, the British
27th Army General Hospital in Abbassia, Cairo, then the Aotea (NZ) Convalescent Home, Heliopolis,
and finally invalided to New Zealand on 9 September 1917 on HMAT Port Sydney.
Frank was discharged “due to wounds received in action” on 30 November 1917. He had been away
for 2 years 239 days and had served 146 days in New Zealand, a total service of 3 years 109 days.
Frank received the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Post-war
Frank went back to Taurangaruru and his work
as a butcher.
On 5 June 1918 he married Ethel Clara May
ROSSITER the third daughter of Samuel Thomas
ROSSITER (1860-1936) and Clara Louise
BARRIBALL (1866-1951) at Pitt Street Methodist
Church, Auckland. They were to have four
children: Russell, Valerie, Jack and Arthur.
When Frank’s parents retired, they and sister
Minnie moved into Waiuku to a property they
called “Helmswell”. Sadly, Frank’s father was
killed in Waiuku in 1929 while crossing the
street to post a letter.
Frank and Ethel lived in Columbo Road, Waiuku. The children had horses to ride to school and would
leave them in a paddock beside the school and put the saddles and bridles in a shed. Frank was very
involved in the local RSA becoming a life member in 1940 and receiving the NZRSA Certificate of
Merit and Gold Star Badge in 1944. The men of the Auckland Mounted Rifles held a Military
Tournament each year and Frank was part of the organisation. The four who went away in 1914 had
an annual get-together. There was a move to Hull Road where an abattoir was set up and Frank
bought the butcher’s shop in Waiuku.
Frank, who family described as a kind man, loved horses, and had several trotters, some of which
had considerable success. He had a sheep dog called ‘Ruff’ that he was fond of. Ruff was very
intelligent and would take messages to Frank when he was busy working on the property but
unfortunately, Ruff was stolen and never seen again.
In 1943 Frank and Ethel celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and put a notice in the paper.
There was a change in 1946 and Frank sold the Hull Road property and butcher’s shop to Frank
LEAMING, and they moved to Mellsop Avenue, Waiuku.
Frank and Ethel died within 9 months of each other in 1948: Ethel on 10 March and Frank on
7 December.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery: Row 33 Plot 055.
Waiuku War Memorial Hall.

Sources

Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Family Knowledge and photos
New Zealand BDMs
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Paperspast. Wedding anniversary NZ Herald 5 Jun 1943-
Waiuku Museum. photograph of 4 soldiers
Researched by Penny Prescott

Harry LAWRENCE

Service Number: 28351
Regiment: Otago Infantry Regiment
Last Known Rank: Private
Died: 14 June 1950
Age: 61 years
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 34 Plot 055

Pre-war
Harry LAWRENCE was born at Woodville on 8 May 1889 to Charles LAWRENCE (1867-1921), the
eldest of five boys and two girls and Mary PINFOLD (1870-1938). Both parents were born in
England. Charles came to Hawke’s Bay with his parents and four siblings on the Inverness in 1875.
In 1881 his grandfather James purchased land at Bush Mills, Waipawa but by 1890 the extended
family was in Woodville.
Harry enrolled at Woodville School on 16 April 1895 and left school to return home on 10
September 1904. In 1911 Harry, a cheesemaker, and his father, a dairyman, were in Kahutara, near
Featherston. In 1914 Harry was a dairy factory assistant at Tolaga Bay and was still there at the time
of enlistment.

Enlistment and Training
Harry signed his attestation papers on 27 June 1916 at Trentham. He did his training at Trentham
and Featherston Camps. Harry was 27 years 1 month old, 5 feet 6 inches (167cm) tall and weighed
126 lbs (57kg). He had a sallow complexion, dark brown hair and blue eyes. Harry was posted to J
Company 18th Reinforcements (2nd Otago Company). He was given the rank of Temporary Lance
Corporal. On 11 October Harry embarked from Wellington on the HMNZT 67 Tofua which carried
part of the 18th Reinforcements and the 9th Maori Contingent.

Service Abroad

On 29 December 1916 Harry disembarked at Plymouth and marched to

Sling Camp. On 1 February 1917 Harry headed to France with the 2nd

Battalion Otago Infantry Regiment and was in Etaples Camp on

5 February. In late May he was posted to 14 Company 2nd Battalion

Otago Regiment and by 7 June he was with them at Messines. On 12

June Harry was detached to a Brigade Carrying Party who carried

forward ammunition, equipment, food and helped bring back injured

soldiers from the front. It was a duty sometimes allotted to new troops

arriving in France, a process of getting them used to the front lines. On 14th (South) Otago Company

17 July, suffering from an injured knee, Harry was at a Field Hospital Cap Badge

and on 21 July re-joined the Battalion. On 23 January 1918 Harry was

assigned leave in England reporting back to Battalion on 8 February. A week later he reported sick

and was admitted to No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station. On 20 February Harry was admitted to No. 51

General Hospital in Etaples and was discharged to the New Zealand Infantry and General Base Depot

also at Etaples. A month later, on 2 July, Harry was attached to the No. 2 New Zealand Entrenching

Battalion.

On 27 August he was transferred back to 2nd Battalion Otago Regiment 14 Company and on 2
September 1918 Harry was wounded and admitted to No. 1 NZ Field Ambulance then transferred to
the hospital at Brockenhurst on 6 September.
He had received a gunshot wound to his right foot. From there Harry went to Hornchurch for
convalescence and three weeks later he was discharged to go on leave before reporting to Cosford
on 7 November. After observation and assessment Harry was assigned to the Soldiers’ Club, London,
on 11 November. Some 1,075 troops, including Harry, embarked on the SS Raranga at Portsmouth
on 11 March 1919 and headed for Wellington. Two weeks later the troops disembarked at Newport
News, Virginia, United States of America, where the ship loaded coal for the New Zealand
Government. The troops re-embarked on 29 March and arrived in Wellington a month later. Harry
caught a special train to Palmerston North. He had served 2 years 201 days overseas and 138 days in
New Zealand, a total of 2 years 339 days and was discharged on 27 May 1919. Harry received the
British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Post-war
Electoral rolls show Harry returned to Tolaga Bay after the war and to the dairy company there.
Harry married Elsie Muriel O’HARA on 19 May 1920. Elsie was born on 12 November 1898 in
Gisborne to Henry O’HARA (c1863-1903) and Alice Muriel St George WHITE (1871-1920).
Shortly after their marriage Harry and Elsie moved to Mangawhare in Dargaville. He made butter for
the Northern Wairoa Dairy Co-operative. A son, Bernard St George (Bernie), was born in 1925. At
that time the family were in
Waihou with Harry at the Te
Aroha Co-operative Butter
Factory. The 1935 electoral roll
shows the family next settled in
Waiuku and Harry worked for
the New Zealand Dairy Assoc.
(now the Knight & Dickey Ltd
Depot). They later made a
home in Sandspit Road, Waiuku
but Harry continued to make
butter. Their son Bernie was
also in Waiuku in 1949 and was
a meteorological observer. He
was later with the Air Force
based in Whenuapai. Harry passed away on 14 June 1950. Soon after his death Elsie moved to
Auckland to be near her son, and she passed away there on 14 February 1987. She was buried with
Harry. Their daughter-in-law Con (Irene Constance) was buried with them and has a separate
plaque.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery Row 34 Plot 055.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Waiuku Butter Factory Courtesy Waiuku Museum
New Zealand BDM
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Papers Past- Raranga Coal Load, NZ Times 25 April 1919

Researched by Lois Hopping

Michael Davitt LAWTON

Service Number: 58482
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Trooper
Died: 29 November 1975
Age: 79 years
Cemetery: Waiuku RSA Row S3 Plot 007

Pre-war
Michael Davitt LAWTON, (known as Dave), was born in Auckland on 18 June 1896. He was the eldest
child of William Kent LAWTON (1862-1941) and Mary KEARNS (1861-1935) and had two brothers
and a sister. The Lawton’s had married in Wellington and had gone farming at Pukeoware in 1904.
Dave attended school at Waitangi (near Waiuku) and Aka Aka from July 1906 to December 1907.
He left school to work on the farm which had a pedigree Ayrshire dairy herd and was working for his
father when he enlisted.
He had served in the 72nd Company Senior Cadets and was currently serving in the 3rd Auckland
Regiment.

Enlistment and Training
Dave enlisted in Auckland on 2 July 1917 but did not start active service until 14 February 1918 as
part of the 36th Reinforcements. He had appealed his call-up stating that as a dairy farmer and
ploughman he needed time to teach his younger brother how to manage a team of horses. This was
granted. His military record describes him as single, Roman Catholic, 21 years of age, 5 feet
5½ inches (166cms), 127 lbs (57kgs), with a dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair with a
birthmark on the front of his neck. He gave his mother Mrs Mary Lawton as next of kin.

He had only been in training for three weeks when he was admitted to Featherston Hospital with
influenza. Dave had initially been posted to the 36th Mounted Rifles, then transferred to the
36th Specialist Company but was back in the Mounted Rifles before embarking.

Service Abroad
Dave embarked on the SS Moeraki on 21 February 1918 to Sydney where the troops were
transferred to RMS Ormonde for the remainder of the voyage. He was admitted to hospital on
arrival in Suez on 4 April with a knee problem and transferred to a convalescent camp a month later.
On 9 June he was admitted to No. 14 Australian General Hospital with measles and was discharged
to camp at Port Said at the end of June. He was then posted to the Field Post Office at Koutara and
later to the Base Post Office. Dave had several more trips to hospital and on 8 January 1919 the
Medical Board assessed him with synovitis of the knee, and he was placed on the roll for embarking
back to New Zealand which he did on the Kaikoura on 6 March.

Dave arrived back in New Zealand on 19 April 1919 and was discharged on 25 August after serving a
total of 1 year 312 days, 254 days in New Zealand and 1 year 58 days overseas.

Post-war
Back in New Zealand, Dave returned to farming at Pukeoware. The farm was at Pukeoware on the
main road to Pukekohe, near the corner of Barriball Road. In 1928 he married Eiley Marie
O’CALLAHAN. Eily (also spelt Eiley), born on 10 March 1902, was the daughter of John Henry
O’CALLAHAN (1862-1934) and Elizabeth Constance PHILLIPS (1871-1949).
The couple lived at Pukeoware until about 1955 and were very involved in the community. They had
seven children, five sons and two daughters.

Apart from being involved in school activities, Dave
was Secretary of the Pukekoware Sports Club which
ran huge annual events, from 1937 to 1945. He was
very involved in the Ayrshire Breeders Association
and was President of the Auckland branch from 1939
for several years. He bred, exhibited, and judged Ayrshires and was able to take over the herd that
had been raised by his father. He was also on the committee of the Franklin A & P Show.
In about 1955 Dave and Eily retired to Laurie Avenue in Papakura, then moved to Auckland where
they lived in Point Chevalier. Eily died on 29 June 1974, aged 72 and is buried in Waiuku and Dave
died in 1975 and is buried in the RSA section at Waiuku.

In Memoriam
Waiuku RSA cemetery Row S3 Plot 007.
Pukeoware Roll of Honour, Pukeoware Hall.
Waiuku Roll of Honour, Pukeoware Section,
Waiuku War Memorial Hall.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Papers Past: Committee of Waiuku RSA, 25 May 1928; Obit for his mother, Franklin Times 24 June 1935; Secretary of

Pukeoware Sports 10 Feb 1937 and every year to 1945; Ayrshire Breeders President, 13 May 1940; A & P Show committee
Franklin Times 30 Sept 1940

Researched by Heather Maloney

James LEHERTY

Service Number: 35744
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last Known Rank Trooper
Died: 5 November 1940
Age: 57 years
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 31 Plot 046

Pre-war
James John Maurice LAHERTY was born on 27 June 1883 at Ballarat Pittma, Victoria, Australia into
the Irish Roman Catholic family of Kieran (Kyran) Laherty (1838-1909) and his wife Mary CLARKSON
(1848-1885) who had married in Ballarat in 1872. James was the youngest in the family of five,
having two brothers and two sisters - Mary (1873-1911), Kerin (1875-1937), William John (1877-
1917), and Elizabeth (1879- ).
The surname LAHERTY/LEHERTY seems to have been interchangeable within the family, but once
James came to New Zealand, he preferred LEHERTY. It is unknown
when James arrived, however there is shipping news for a LEHERTY
for arrivals in Auckland on 19 December 1909 on the S.S. Maheno
5282 from Sydney.
James was living at the Royal Hotel, Victoria Street, Auckland in
1911 as a billiard marker and this is where he met his wife, Clifford
Elizabeth HUNT, who was working there. She was the daughter of
William and Hannah HUNT of Shag Point, Otago. They were married
in 1911 and had two children, James in 1911 and Clifford May in
1913, however both babies only survived a few days.
James and Clifford were living in the city in accommodation in
Liverpool Street, with James running a billiards room in
Karangahape Road, where he played in competitions and exhibition
matches. He often played at the Auckland Sport Club in His
Majesty’s Arcade, and was a very accomplished player. His name
was frequently in the papers for his prowess.

Enlistment and Training James’ parents, Ballarat cemetery, Australia

James attended the city recruiting station in 1916 and was accepted on 23 August. His age on

enlistment was 33 years and 3 months, a self-employed billiard marker, living in Nugent Street, City.

His medical description noted an incision for hydatids and an incision for appendicitis and he was

passed as fit. He was attested at Featherston on 20 September 1916 and duly commenced service

three days later. He was posted as a Private into the 22nd Reinforcements New Zealand Mounted

Rifles, although he was afterwards a Trooper with the Auckland Mounted Rifles.

Service Abroad

James embarked for overseas service in Wellington on 15 February 1917 on the Moeraki
disembarking in Sydney. He then sailed on the Boorara from Melbourne on 10 May 1917,
disembarking in Suez, Egypt on 20 June.

He was posted to the Training Regiment in Moascar. He was admitted to hospital with mumps on 16
July, but was discharged for duty on 8 September, then transferred to N.Z.M.R. Brigade on the 14th
and into the field on 16 September 1917. He was wounded in action on 31 October and sent to
hospital with a gunshot wound to his right shoulder. By 27 November he had other health issues
which continued into 1918. He was finally discharged as no longer fit for war service and invalided
out with a disability. On 1 June 1918 he was at a rest camp in Alexandria and on 11 July he was
assigned to the hospital ship Port Darwin, which left Suez, for Sydney on 12 July 1918.
During his time away, his brother William John Laherty aged 39 years, was killed in action in France
and Clifford’s brother William Joseph Hunt died of his wounds on 3 May 1918 in France. James
served 1 year 195 days overseas, 193 days in New Zealand, a total service of 2 years 23 days.

Post-war
James and Clifford continued to live in Auckland City and in 1919 they were in Symonds Street,
James still as a billiard marker and continuing to participate in various tournaments. James was said
to be a finished left-hander and is noted in 1922 as being a well-known Auckland and New Zealand
player and one of New Zealand’s best professional exponents of the game. He was an Australasian
Champion at Hand Billiards and after matches often gave exhibitions. By 1925 James and Clifford
had moved to Waiuku, James a billiard saloon proprietor in Queen Street. He was involved in the
Waiuku Club and the RSA. They then moved to the Returned Services Association building in Bowen
Street, looking after the billiard saloon. In the Waiuku 150 years of Growth 1851-2001 - “Jim
Leherty, the caretaker had his residence at the back, while his wife had dining rooms in the front.
After Jim’s death in 1940 Mrs Leherty carried on her dining rooms whilst still living in the rear”.
In 1932, their neighbours and Clifford’s great friend Lucy McIntosh and her husband Muir were
drowned in the Manukau Harbour, while out fishing. Clifford had been looking after their youngest
child Stuart Douglas this day and so he continued to live and be brought up by them until Jim’s
untimely death in 1940 when Stuart was 11. Stuart had wonderful memories of them both, Jim
being known as Uncle Nims, who was a real boy’s dad - teaching, caring, fishing, hunting, tramping,
gardening, and snooker.
Reprinted from the Waiuku RSA newsletter of March 1941 (edited)
“The late Jim Leherty. Returned Soldiers especially will miss Jim Leherty, whose death occurred in the
Auckland Hospital on November 5 last year after a short illness.
Jim was always ready to help at any function and had a wonderful sense of humour, which helped
many of us to see the bright side of things. Jim will be missed, that cheerful smile and ready wit, but
our memories of you are very pleasant ones. Returned soldiers paid the honours at the graveside and
he was carried to his last resting place by six members of his old troop in the Auckland Mounted
Rifles, who had served with him in the desert and in Palestine. As he would have wished, the service
closed with the ‘Last Post’, which in life he had heard so often. He was mourned by his wife and
foster son Stuart who inherited his medals, British War medal and Victory medal, which have recently
been re-ribboned and polished and are held within Stuart’s family”.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery Row 31 Plot 46.
Waiuku Roll of Honour, Waiuku War Memorial Hall.

Sources

Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Ancestry – Australian Electoral rolls
New Zealand BDM’s
McIntosh family

Researched by Gillian Conroy – niece of Stuart McIntosh

James Watson LOWE

Service Number: 11891
Regiment: Wellington Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 12 September 1948*
Age: 75 years*
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 34 Plot 021

*Year of death and age at death differ from headstone.

Pre-war

James Watson LOWE was born on
24 September 1872 in Brechin, Angus,
Scotland, the sixth of twelve children of Charles Scott Lowe (spelt
sometimes without the E) (1837-1917) and Elizabeth Helen
EDWARDS (1840-1926). Charles and Elizabeth were married on
the 25 March 1864 at Marykirk, Kincardine. Seven children were
born in Scotland, before Charles and Elizabeth immigrated to New
Zealand from Glasgow on the Nelson, arriving at Port Chalmers on
26 December 1875. They settled in the Outram district, west of
Dunedin and both Charles and Elizabeth are buried in the West
Taieri Cemetery.
James was a bushman in 1914 and was working in the Whanganui
district for R Neilson and living in the Whanganui Metropolitan
Hotel.

The Cathedral at Brechin

Enlistment and Training

James enlisted on 11 January 1916 and named his father, C S Lowe, Outram, West Taieri, Otago as
his next of kin. He gave his occupation as bushman and last address as Whanganui.

He was Presbyterian and was described as 5 feet 6 ¼ inches tall (168cms), with hazel eyes, medium
complexion and dark brown hair.
James was posted to the 12th Reinforcements, B Company of the Wellington Infantry Battalion.
On 19 April 1916 James spent some time in hospital in Trentham.

Service Abroad

James embarked from Wellington on 1 May 1916 on the HMNZT 51
Ulimaroa and arrived in Suez on 9 June 1916. He re-embarked from
Alexandria for Southampton arriving there on 7 August 1916. On
21 August 1916 he proceeded to France and joined his battalion on
8 September. James received a gunshot wound to his right scapula at the
Battle of the Somme on 24 September 1916 and was evacuated back to
the UK for treatment in Walton on Thames Hospital. This took 15 weeks
to heal, but no operation was required. He was then sent to Hornchurch
to convalesce.

James returned to duties on 5 January 1917 at the No 3
New Zealand hospital in London as an Orderly. During
1917 he was hospitalised several times in the UK and on
11 August 1917 was declared unfit for service. The
medical board found that he was suffering from
rheumatism (due to his age) and had fine tremors of the
hand, heart palpitations and was anemic. James
returned to New Zealand on the Tainui in early 1918 and
was discharged from service on 31 August 1918 with 3
months pension. He was no longer physically fit for war
service on account of wounds received in action. He had
served 2 years and 21 days in total.

Post-war
James returned to Whanganui, where he gave his discharge address as 39 Dublin Street, to work. In
1923 he married Alice Maude Mary SMITH nee GEORGE. Alice was the third of three children of
Edward George (1840-1916) and Margaret SEWARD (1842-1935). Alice was born in Christchurch on
24 April 1877 and had moved to Wellington where she met Christopher Denis SMITH (1875-1910), a
draper. They were married in 1902, but Christopher was murdered on 4 March 1923 and was buried
in Blenheim, where some of his family lived. Alice was not living with him at that time.
In 1928 James and Alice were living at No 1 Line, Putiki, Whanganui and James was working as a
barman.
By 1935 James had moved to board with
H McFADYEN at Waiuku and he was working as a
rabbiter. Alice was living at 101 Richmond Rd,
Auckland. In 1936 James was invited by the
people of Waipipi to become their Noxious Weed Inspector. On the 1938 electoral roll he was still
boarding with H McFadyen and was a rabbiter, Alice was now living in Waipipi. In 1946 until his
death, James and Alice were living in Bowen St, Waiuku and James was still working as a rabbiter.

James died on 12 September 1948, even
though his headstone says 1951*.
Alice continued to live in Bowen St until her
death on 9 June 1960, age 83. She is buried
in Waiuku.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery Row 34 Plot 021.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
New Zealand BDM
Wilson Collection
Ancestry
Papers Past: Photo, Otago Witness 15 Nov 1916; Noxious weed inspector, Franklin Times 3 April 1936; Death notice,

Otago Daily Times 22 Sept 1948

Researched by Barbara Raven

Arthur Albert LUCAS

Service Number: 42356
Regiment: New Zealand Field Artillery
Last known Rank: Corporal
Died: 21 January 1977
Age: 80 years
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 49 Plot 012

Pre-war
Arthur Albert LUCAS was born in Auckland on 4 October 1896, the eldest of three children born to
Arthur John Lucas (1872-1954) and Sarah Ann SMITH (1874-1954). He had one sister and one
brother. Arthur attended primary school at St Benedict’s Convent and then studied at Seddon
Memorial Technical College. At the time of his enlistment Arthur was a legal clerk working for
Morpeth, Gould and Wilson, Solicitors, Auckland. He studied accountancy at night and played rugby
for the University Rugby Club.

Enlistment and Training

When Arthur enlisted at Auckland on 7 November
1916 he named his mother, Mrs Sarah Anne Lucas,
Remuera, Auckland, as his next of kin. He stated he
was serving with the 3rd Regiment in Auckland. His
complexion was described as fair and he had blue
eyes and fair hair. Arthur was 5 feet 11½ inches
(181cm) tall and he weighed 159 lbs (72kg). He was
single and of the Anglican faith.
Arthur was posted to the 24th Reinforcements, A
Company and then transferred to the New Zealand
Field Artillery on 25 January 1917. After being
promoted to corporal and then lance corporal,
Arthur reverted to a private at his own request in
August 1917.

Service Abroad
Arthur embarked from Wellington on 26 April 1917
aboard HMNZT 84 Turakina and disembarked at
Plymouth on 20 July 1917. He marched into Sling
and then undertook further training at the New
Zealand Artillery camp in Ewshot before proceeding
overseas on 8 October 1917. After a short stay in
Etaples, Arthur was posted to the 12th Battery and
remained in the field with them until returning to England on 2 January 1919.
At the end of the war Arthur was selected for the New Zealand Imperial Forces rugby team and
played many games in the United Kingdom before embarking for New Zealand on the SS Polonia on
20 June 1919. The team toured South Africa on the way back to New Zealand.

Of the 15 games they played, they won 11,
drew 1 and lost 3. The team was given a
civic welcome by the Deputy Mayor of
Auckland when they arrived home on
16 October 1919. Two days later they
played one final game of rugby against the
Auckland team, winning 16-6.
Arthur was finally discharged from the
army on 13 November 1919 after serving a total of 3 years and 7 days.

Post-war
Arthur returned to his previous employment in the legal profession and in 1924 he married Dorothy
PHELAN. They had two daughters.

He was very involved in sport and had a
lifetime involvement in rugby as a player,
coach, referee, and administrator. He was
club captain for Auckland University Rugby
Football Club in 1922 and president of
Auckland Rugby Referees Association for
many years. In 1921 Arthur was elected treasurer of the Waitemata Boating Club and the following
year he was appointed as their auditor, a position he held for many years. He was the auditor for
the Auckland Rowing Club for many years and was also a cricket commentator.
Arthur established a legal firm in Auckland called
Blyth and Lucas, with offices just off Queen Street
and in October 1935 he was admitted as a solicitor
of the Supreme Court.

In 1972 an article in the Zealandia stated: “Arthur Albert Lucas, well known Auckland solicitor, and
just on 75 years of age, still walks with an unbent physique, and is to be found at Eden Park
whenever there is a match. Few, however, may remember him as a fiery No. 8 forward in the first
New Zealand Army team of 1919.”
Arthur and Dorothy lived in Parnell and Remuera for many years
before retiring to Waiuku to be closer to one of their daughters in
the early 1970s.
Arthur died on 21 January 1977, four months after a fall that broke
his hip. Dorothy died, aged 85, on 2 October 1983 and is buried
with Arthur.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery Row 49 Plot 012.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Record
New Zealand BDM
Family information and photo – granddaughter Nicola
Papers Past: Army Rugby Team, NZ Herald 17 Oct 1919; Treasurer of Waitemata

Boat Club, NZ Herald 16 Nov 1921; Club Captain University Rugby Club, NZ Herald 21 Mar 1922; Marriage, Auckland Star 16
Apr 1924; Solicitor of Supreme Court, Auckland Star 2 Oct 1935

Researched by Heather Maloney

Freidrich Oscar LUHRS

Service Number: 70303
Regiment: Wellington Regiment
Last Known Rank: Private
Died: 25 February 1974
Age: 83 Years
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 8 Plot 012

Pre-war
Oscar was born Freidrich Oscar (Freidrich is found with various spellings however he was known as
Oscar all his life), the eldest child of August LUHRS (Peter Ollrich August 1864-1938) and Ethel
MARSHALL (Sarah Ethel 1863-1953) on 12 December 1890. August was from Cadenberge, Germany
and he and four siblings left their parents, one sister and their homeland: the four boys following their
uncle to the diggings at Driving Creek,
Coromandel, New Zealand about 1885.
Only August was to remain and become a
naturalised New Zealander and later
became a blacksmith caring for the
miners’ horses. Ethel’s parents were
English and early settlers at Canterbury
and the Chatham Islands. Oscar attended
the local Driving Creek School, his dad
being on the committee. He became
apprenticed as a farm cadet to Pukeoware
near Waiuku to work for Barriballs, first C
T Barriball then his son S E Barriball.

Enlistment and Training Oscar is sitting on the right next to his father.

Freidrich (spelt this way on his military record) Oscar attested 17 September 1917. He was 26, single,

5 feet 10 inches (178cms) and weighed 148 pounds (67kgs). He had a fresh complexion, grey eyes,

and black hair and stated he had pneumonia two years previously and that he was in the 3rd Auckland

Regiment Reserve. Oscar’s mother was his next of kin and he was Anglican.

He was at Trentham Camp as Private with the F Company then posted to B Company 34th

Reinforcements.

Service Abroad
Oscar embarked at Wellington on HMNZ T 100 Ulimaroa 8 February 1918 and reached Liverpool
29 March then marched into Brocton Camp. On 20 April he was in Sling camp then left for France and
was in Etaples on 4 June. He joined 1st Entry Battalion on the 8 June then transferred to 1st Battalion
Auckland Regiment on 13 July and was in the field. Oscar was detached to the Divisional Lewis Gun
School on 11 August then re-joined the Battalion on 24 August.

On 31 August he was wounded at Bapaume – a gunshot wound
to his right wrist. He was treated and then admitted to the No 3
Australian General Hospital at Abbeville. By 7 September he had
been transferred to England to No 2 General Hospital at Walton
on Thames where he had surgery to remove shrapnel. It was a
clean wound and there was no nerve damage, so he was
transferred to Hornchurch to convalesce. On 30 October Oscar
had been discharged and on leave then reported to Codford on
14 November for a medical examination. Due to the numbers
returning to New Zealand there was a shortage of shipping, and
it wasn’t until 19 May 1919 that Oscar embarked on SS Ruahine
at Plymouth and arrived 8 July in Wellington. His final discharge
was 5 August 1919, and he received the British war Medal and the
Victory Medal.

Post-war
Oscar went back farming and on 29 April 1924 he married Flo
(Emma Florence born 1893) the seventh of eight children born to
Harry GREENHEAD (Charles Henry 1854-1936) and Annie HOLMES
(Eliza Annie 1856-1943) who lived in Queen Street, Waiuku. The
family was English and had come to New Zealand on the Matoaka
in 1865 but had gone to Australia and returned.
Oscar and Flo had a son they named Charles Henry and called
Harry. They lived just out of town on the Drury
Road, then moved to Columbo Road. In the early
1940s Oscar and Flo bought a property in Kirk Street
– the old Bowling Green Pavilion which they
renovated into a house. Oscar was a keen bowls
player and luckily the green was so close. He played
good steady bowls and age had no bearing on his
ability to win. Oscar liked to socialise having a drink
at the Kentish or a chat at the Soldiers’ Club. He
was to become a Life Member of the R S A.
Oscar passed away 25 February 1974 and Flo
22 November 1985.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery Row 08 Plot 012.
Pukeoware Roll of Honour.
Waiuku Roll of Honour, Waiuku War Memorial Hall.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Irene Luhrs – Information and photos
Penny Prescott – family information
N Z History
New Zealand Electoral Rolls

Researched by Penny Prescott

Allan Farquhar MacDONALD

Service Number: 13/105
Regiment: New Zealand Field Artillery
Last Known Rank: Bombardier
Died: 21 September 1982
Age: 88 years
Cemetery: Kohekohe Row 3 Plot 001

Pre-war
Allan Farquhar was born on 19 October 1893 at Geraldine Downs, Canterbury. He was the eldest son
of Farquhar MacDONALD (1866-1919) and his wife Marion Jeannie ORTON (1869-1926), who had
married on 28 December 1892.
Allan had two younger brothers Reginald Orton (1895-1975) and John William (1898-1983).
The family farmed and lived in the Geraldine area and were in Ashburton for eight years. In the
Ashburton Guardian of August 1910 Farquhar has sold ‘Lagmhor’, a farm of 178 acres, he then moved
the family north. They lived for a time on Kawau Island where Allan was a weekly boarder at King’s
College coming home for the weekends. They farmed, but also lived in part of Mansion House, having
to dress appropriately for dinner. The boys often picnicked instead. When they left the island, the
cattle were shipped on a barge to St Heliers and then driven across country to Kohekohe, where
Farquhar had purchased ‘Pukeroa’ estate from the Bent family. It comprised over 2,000 acres situated
at Waipipi, Waiuku. Allan and the neighbour’s daughter Vida Mary RENALL (1892-1980) became
engaged before the war.

Enlistment and Training
Allan signed his Attestation papers at Epsom Camp, Auckland on
11 September 1914. He had previously registered for Compulsory
Military Training in Canterbury. He had been medically examined at
Hamilton on 11 August and was 20 years and 10 months. He was
described as 5 feet 10 inches (178cms), 150 lbs (68kgs) with a dark
complexion, grey eyes and dark hair. He belonged to the Waiuku
Mounted Rifles, his occupation farmer, his last employer and next of
kin, F. Macdonald, Waipipi, Waiuku, religion Presbyterian.

Service Abroad
Allan embarked on 16 October 1914 from Auckland with the main
body on HMNZT 8 Star of India or HMNZT 12 Waimana, as a Private,
3rd Reinforcements, Auckland Mounted Rifles, destination Suez,
Egypt arriving 4 December 1914. He turned 21 while on board. For
most of 1915 Allan saw service in the Dardanelles/Gallipoli where he
was wounded. He suffered from dysentery which lasted some
weeks, and spent time on Malta, before sailing for England on
13 October for convalescence.

He sent a letter to Vida dated 23 November 1915, saying he had received his first New Zealand mail
since Gallipoli. Allan had received a cable from his father to say he had sold ’Pukeroa’ and that his
brother Reg and his friend Dick Renall (Vida’s brother), were at the Dardanelles. Allan continued to
convalesce until early 1916. In May of 1916 Allan was transferred to the New Zealand Field Artillery
as a Trooper, then a Gunner and was detailed to attend a course of Artillery Instruction on 22 May at
High Wycombe.
Early September he was in the Reserve Group before leaving for France and was in the field near
Rouen from 24 September. On 13 October he was posted to the Divisional Ammunition Column. On
his 23rd birthday of 19 October he was on the Somme. They had been told they would be moving back
from the fighting but in fact the orders changed and at 4:00am he was woken and had to drive the
horses to the front line. On 31 October he was appointed an Acting Bombardier. He relinquished this
promotion on 27 March 1917 and in early June 1917 was reported as slightly wounded but had
remained with his unit. At the end of the month, he was attached to New Zealand Infantry and General
Base Depot in Etaples, but had continuing health problems. Allan was on leave in January 1918 and
was again in France by May where he was posted to 4th Battery New Zealand Field Artillery as a driver.
In October he was appointed a Temporary Bombardier, then promoted to Bombardier on 1 January
1919. He embarked for New Zealand on HMNZT 232 Willochra 8 March 1919. His overseas service
was 4 years 182 days, and his final discharge date 13 May 1919. He received the 1914-15 Star, the
British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Post-war
When Allan arrived home in 1919, he stayed with his mother and
brothers at 1 Burwood Crescent, Remuera. The boys then went back
to live at Waipipi/Kohekohe. 1921 was an eventful year with Allan
and Vida marrying on 2 March in the Kohekohe church. Vida was the
fifth daughter of Joseph and Mary RENALL of ‘Pehiakura’, Kohekohe.
Vida and Allan had acquired 229 acres from her father, which they
farmed until the early 1960s. Many memories are held of them as
welcoming hosts to family and friends. Allan and Vida had three
children, Allan Joseph (Joe), Mary Vida, Jock Ronald.
Allan was in the Home Guard (#1/26526) in the early years of WW2
being in the No 1 Group, Waiuku Battalion, with the rank of
Lieutenant.
Allan and Vida had a trip overseas in 1955 embarking in Sydney on the MS Seven Seas, to attend their
son Joe’s wedding, arriving in Southampton April 1955. Allan was an avid stamp collector and spent
much of his time in London with stamp dealers. They toured England and the Continent and departed
England on 19 August with a stopover at Bombay, India.
After retiring from the farm, they moved to live at 21 Holgate Road, Kohimarama, where they enjoyed
their later years, Allan still spending time with his stamps. The home had the most magnificent picture
window with a view looking out to Rangitoto Island. Vida passed away on 13 October 1980 aged 87
years and Allan 2 years later on 21 September 1982.

In Memoriam
Kohekohe Cemetery Row 3 Plot 001.
Kohekohe and Te Toro Roll of Honour, Te Toro Hall.
Waiuku Roll of Honour, Waiuku War memorial Hall.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Family knowledge and photos – Janet Whiteside, Grand daughter
Researched by Gillian Conroy

Adam MADILL

Service Number: 46135
Regiment: Auckland Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 8 April 1973
Age: 87 years
Cemetery: Waiuku RSA Row S2 Plot 027.1

Pre-war

Adam MADILL was born in Puni, near Pukekohe on 5 October 1885 (although his army record says 4
Oct 1886). He had six sisters and three brothers and was the seventh child of Marcus Madill (1845-
1919) and Jessie BROWN (1857-1920), who were married in New Zealand in 1877. Marcus and his
brothers had been very early pioneers in the Puni area before his brothers moved to Tuakau.
Adam had been farming in the Bombay area and had married Gladys Margaret SAWYER at Bombay on
26 December 1916 after he had been called up for military service. Gladys was the daughter of John
Newman Sawyer (1851-1928) and Margaret Ann WILSON (1862-1914), farmers at Bombay.

Enlistment and Training
Adam enlisted on 20 November 1916 and was posted to E Company of the 25th Reinforcements,
New Zealand Infantry as a Private.
He was a self-employed farmer at Bombay, Presbyterian and described in his WW2 record as being
5 feet 6 inches tall (167cms), with a fresh complexion, blue eyes, and fair hair. He gave his next of kin
as his father, Marcus Madill of 12 Waterview Road,
Stanley Bay.

Service Abroad

The HMNZT 83 Tofua left Wellington on 26 April 1917
with Adam and the 25th Reinforcements on board
and arrived at Devonport in England on 20 July. On
marching into Sling Camp, Adam was posted to the
2nd Auckland Infantry Company and after further
training embarked for France on 5 September 1917.
Adam marched into camp at Etaples and was
attached to the New Zealand Infantry and General
Base Depot until joining the 1st Battalion Auckland
Regiment in the field on 25 November. He had a
short stint with the Australian tunnellers during
December but was back with his unit in mid-January
1918. Adam attended the Lewis Gun School in May
1918 for three weeks.