13864 Private Cyril Begbie, late of D Company, Otago Infantry Regiment, Fourteenth Reinforcements, died at the Napier Hospital on November 19 from influenza. He was a discharged soldier, 24 years of age, and single, next-of-kin being his mother, Mrs M. Begbie, Old Caledonian Hotel, Dunedin. -Evening Post, 23/11/1918.
Cyril Begbie was a jockey when he joined the Otago Infantry Regiment in March, 1916. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion and arrived with 169 other reinforcements at Armentieres on November 12. They moved into the line on the next day and Cyril's introduction to trench warfare is described in the Official History:
"Two days later, when in billets at Armentieres, over 170 reinforcements arrived and were posted to the different companies. When the Battalion returned to the line on the 13th the tour then commenced proved by no means as uneventful as those that preceded it. On the 14th portion of the front line trench system was badly damaged by minenwerfer fire; and on the following day at 5.20 p.m. the enemy commenced an intense bombardment of our front line, extending from Hobb's Farm to the River Lys. Minenwerfers were again largely employed by the enemy, resulting in serious breaching of the parapet. The bombardment was maintained for half an hour, and on ceasing the enemy, to the number of about 30, penetrated our line and worked along in the direction of 14th Company Headquarters and the entrance to our underground workings, where they appeared in some numbers. Five minutes afterwards they returned to their trenches on a given signal, leaving behind two demolition charges. Very considerable damage was occasioned to our trenches, which was increased by a second bombardment commencing at 6.5 p.m. and lasting until 6.20 p.m. Several huge craters were left in our lines and Irish Avenue was badly blown in. Our casualties, due mainly to the severity of the bombardment, were unfortunately heavy, amounting to nine other ranks killed, one officer and 25 other ranks wounded, and two other ranks missing. One of the raiders was shot by a company cook, and the body being left in our lines was identified as belonging to the 9th Bavarian Regiment. There were several aspects of this raid which, from our point of view, were considered as unsatisfactory. An inquiry held subsequently disclosed the fact, among other things, that the S.O.S. signal had not been put up, and that the wire between Company and Battalion Headquarters had been cut, and that no artillery support was available."
BEGBIE. —On November 10, 1918, at Napier, Cyril Walter, dearly beloved youngest son of Mary and the late James. Begbie, 534 King street, Dunedin; aged 23 years. (Late 14th Reinforcements). R.I.P. Otago Witness, 20/11/1918.
Cyril Begbie was a jockey when he joined the Otago Infantry Regiment in March, 1916. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion and arrived with 169 other reinforcements at Armentieres on November 12. They moved into the line on the next day and Cyril's introduction to trench warfare is described in the Official History:
"Two days later, when in billets at Armentieres, over 170 reinforcements arrived and were posted to the different companies. When the Battalion returned to the line on the 13th the tour then commenced proved by no means as uneventful as those that preceded it. On the 14th portion of the front line trench system was badly damaged by minenwerfer fire; and on the following day at 5.20 p.m. the enemy commenced an intense bombardment of our front line, extending from Hobb's Farm to the River Lys. Minenwerfers were again largely employed by the enemy, resulting in serious breaching of the parapet. The bombardment was maintained for half an hour, and on ceasing the enemy, to the number of about 30, penetrated our line and worked along in the direction of 14th Company Headquarters and the entrance to our underground workings, where they appeared in some numbers. Five minutes afterwards they returned to their trenches on a given signal, leaving behind two demolition charges. Very considerable damage was occasioned to our trenches, which was increased by a second bombardment commencing at 6.5 p.m. and lasting until 6.20 p.m. Several huge craters were left in our lines and Irish Avenue was badly blown in. Our casualties, due mainly to the severity of the bombardment, were unfortunately heavy, amounting to nine other ranks killed, one officer and 25 other ranks wounded, and two other ranks missing. One of the raiders was shot by a company cook, and the body being left in our lines was identified as belonging to the 9th Bavarian Regiment. There were several aspects of this raid which, from our point of view, were considered as unsatisfactory. An inquiry held subsequently disclosed the fact, among other things, that the S.O.S. signal had not been put up, and that the wire between Company and Battalion Headquarters had been cut, and that no artillery support was available."
Cyril was wounded in action on December 12, 1916, suffering bullet wounds to his chest and leg. He was evacuated to hospital and, in April of 1917, back to New Zealand. It took nine days for him to be transported from the front to an English hospital. The Official History on this period:
"On December 2nd the 1st Battalion of the Regiment returned to the line in relief of Wellington, and continued to garrison the trenches until the 10th. The weather was now exceedingly wet and cold, hard frosts alternating with rain and snow. The issue of gum boots and frequent changes of socks considerably alleviated the hardships of the winter months; but nevertheless the parades of sick on returning to billets became increasingly large and for some time occasioned grave concern. The low-lying, fog-laden country of Flanders, and the never-ending mud doubtless contributed to this condition of affairs; but for the major portion of it the primary cause was to be found elsewhere. It was now that the severe strain and exposure to which the Regiment had been subjected during the course of the Somme fighting was making itself felt among those who had come through it, but had never properly recovered from the effects. Thus many had been reduced to a state which left them unable to withstand the severity of the winter months, and when this was realised a more generous policy in the matter of timely evacuations was decided upon and given effect to."
FROM THE FRONT.
ARRIVAL OF ANOTHER DRAFT.
THE OTAGO MEN.
A vessel which arrived in Auckland on Friday morning had on board 238 wounded and invalided soldiers. A special train left Auckland at 2,50 p.m. with the southern men, and those for Otago should reach here by this evening's express. The following are the Otago men who have reached New Zealand:— -North Otago Times, 9/7/1917.
Cyril was discharged as unfit for military service in August, 1917. A year later, for some reason, he was in Napier where he succumbed to the Spanish flu.
BEGBIE. —On November 10, 1918, at Napier, Cyril Walter, dearly beloved youngest son of Mary and the late James. Begbie, 534 King street, Dunedin; aged 23 years. (Late 14th Reinforcements). R.I.P. Otago Witness, 20/11/1918.
Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.
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