BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
Private Cecil Barker, of the Otago Battalion (wounded), is the eldest son of Mr and Mrs George Barker, of Port Chalmers, he always took a keen interest in military matters, and for some years previous to the outbreak of the war was closely associated with the Navals in Dunedin. He left for the seat of war in the First Contingent, and was in the landing at the Dardanelles. Private Barker was struck by a bullet on the upper part of the left arm, causing a dangerous wound. He was at once transferred to a hospital ship and sent to England. For a time he was in the Birmingham Hospital, where his injuries were found to be so severe as to necessitate the amputation of the lacerated limb. A few days ago advice was received that Private Barker was in the Plymouth Convalescent Hospital. He is expected to return to the Dominion about Christmas. -Otago Witness, 29/9/1915.
NEWS OF THE DAY
Under the heading “Coming and Going,” the “New Zealand Railway Review” says — “Several more of the boys and men, married at that, have left loved ones, homes, and billets to don the uniform, and, by the way, pay for buttons, badges, spurs, etc., and be bled generally by canteen holder and shopkeepers before they bleed for their country. Several, others have returned to their homes and having tasted of the Sweets (?) of war, are not anxious to return for more; Cecil Barker, minus an arm, Cecil Nicholson with punctured lungs, W. Kitto (who had to resign to get away), with a lump of shrapnel in his foot, and others in a questionable state of health, all deserving honour, and a fair billet. The department’s part of the war starts here. Will it be loyal to those loyal men? -NZ Times, 1/5/1916.
RETURNED INVALIDED.
SICK AND WOUNDED MEN.
TOTAL OF 152 OF ALL RANKS
ARRIVAL IN AUCKLAND.
NO SERIOUS CASES.
A contingent of 152 sick and wounded soldiers, comprising three officers and 149 men of other ranks, members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and two invalided nurses, arrived in Auckland yesterday. There were no cot cases, and, but for a few instances where limbs have been sacrificed, the injuries or sicknesses are not considered serious. All the men have been undergoing treatment at hospitals or convalescing resorts in England since the latter half of last year. All have benefited by the voyage. Of those suffering injury, the majority were put out of action on the Somme or at Armentieres. Only a few were engaged at the recent battle of Messines.
A Maori member of the Pioneer Battalion, Private N. Mark, of Terewai, Tuparoa, near Gisborne, who was suffering from trench feet, had to be put ashore for treatment.
One decorated man was included in the contingent. This was Lance-Corporal L. J. Halpin, of Invercargill, who was awarded the Military Medal for services in the battle of the Somme on September 15, 1916. The recipient, who is 51 years of age, when interrogated, said he did not know for what action he received the medal. He was one of a number who succeeded in holding one of the captured German trenches. He sustained four wounds, was removed to the Birmingham Hospital, and when convalescing, was informed that he had been awarded the medal. Lance-Corporal Halpin had a good word to say of the manner in which wounded men were treated, both in France and in England. He said the way in which men — of them frightfully mutilated — were picked up and restored to health was marvellous. The attention at the dressing stations, hospitals, and convalescent homes in both countries was such that it was impossible to find room for complaint.
Captain A. M. MacDiarmid, N.Z.R.B., was in charge of the draft, Second-Lieutenant K. G. Chamberlain acting as adjutant. The medical officer was Captain H. H. Christie, N.Z.M.C., while Sister E. Tuke was nurse on duty.
An official welcome was extended by the Mayor, Mr. Gunson, who made special reference to the fact that one of the men, Lance-Corporal L. J. Halpin, had been awarded a Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry. A call for cheers for the recipient, and also for the men, was heartily responded to by a large number of citizens who were present. Mr. W. B. Leyland represented the Auckland Harbour Board. Refreshments were then served out by the Ministering Committee of the Auckland Women's Patriotic Association, after which those men desiring to proceed to their homes were conveyed thither by members of the Volunteer Motor Reserve. The names of the men and nurses, with the names and addresses of their next of kin, are: — -NZ Herald, 22/10/1917.
The remains of Private Cecil Barker were interred in the Port Chalmers Cemetery yesterday. The Rev. S. H. Peryman conducted the funeral ceremony, and the Grand President (Bro. J. M. Harland) read the Druids' service. Deceased was accorded a military funeral, which was largely attended, Major Fleming representing the District Headquarters Staff. Private Barker was a member of the Main Body, and, having lost an arm, had returned. He was last week attacked by influenza, and succumbed to that malady. He was employed at the Hillside Workshops. -Otago Daily Times, 26/11/1918.
Port Chalmers new cemetery, DCC photo.
No comments:
Post a Comment