3/1913 Sergeant John Wood, (1857-23/9/1916). "severe seasickness"

 OBITUARY.

MR JOHN WOOD. 

WELLINGTON, September 23. Sergeant John Wood, on leave from Hanmer, died on the Pateena, en route from Lyttelton this morning. He had been unwell during the night, and was found dead on one of the hatches at 6 o'clock this morning. His next-of-kin is Mrs M. Wood, Mornington, Dunedin. The late Mr Wood was a prominent member of the Otago Early Settlers' Association, and for a number of years was secretary of that body, during which time he did a great deal towards building it up and placing it upon its present footing. He resigned from this position recently to join the R.A.M.C., and went to Trentham. He was subsequently transferred to the wounded soldiers' hospital at Hanmer. He was on his way to Wellington to say goodbye to Sergeant N. Wood, of the Seventeenth Reinforcements. Mr Wood, who leaves a wife and six of a family — four sons and two daughters — had for many years been a keen volunteer, and had also qualified for several certificates for Red Cross work. He passed the medical test before going into camp, and the last time his family heard from him he expressed great hopes of getting away to the front. One of his sons is at the front, and another is now on his way. Much sympathy will be felt for his wife and family. The cause of death is not yet known.  -Otago Witness, 27/9/1916.

 MASONIC FUNERAL NOTICE 

The Officers and Brethren of the Lodge of Otago, No. 7, are requested to attend the Funeral of our Late Worshipful Brother JOHN WOOD, PM., which will leave his late Residence, 56 Glen road, (Caversham Main South road end) at 2 30 o'clock THIS DAY (THURSDAY, 28th inst., for the Southern Cemetery. Brethren of all Sister Lodges are cordially invited to attend. 

White gloves and tie. E. T. MOLLER, W.M.   -Otago Daily Times, 28/9/1916.

THE LATE SERGEANT WOOD. 

Sergeant John Wood did a great deal for the soldiers at Hanmer, and to show their appreciation the patients and staff of Queen Mary Hospital forwarded money with a request that suitable wreaths be purchased. This was done, and two wreaths — one of natural and one of artificial flowers — have been placed on Sergeant Woods's grave in the Southern Cemetery.  -Evening Star,  30/9/1916.

MILITARY FUNERAL.

A military funeral was accorded Sergeant John Wood on the 28th inst, the cortege being one that attested to the high esteem in which the deceased was held in and about the city. The funeral passed from the deceased's late residence in Glen road, Caversham, to the Southern Cemetery. The pall-bearers consisted of a selected military firing party. Captains Fraser and Fleming, of the Defence Department, were present, and the band of the Fourth Regiment, under Lieutenant George, played the funeral music. Deceased was an old member of the Otago Hussars, in which he held the rank of sergeant. Amongst the followers were representatives of the M.U.I.O.O.F. of which order the deceased was a P.P.G.M. and a trustee and P.G. of the Hand and Heart Lodge. The Masonic Lodge, of which the deceased was a P.M., was also strongly represented. Mr Wood was also a P.M. in Lodge Otago No. 7, and a P.G. Director of Ceremonies in the Grand Lodge. Many other well-known citizens also were present. Captain Bone, of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, of which the deceased was a member of the centre's executive committee, was also in attendance. Chaplain Trotter conducted an impressive service at the graveside, where the usual volley was fired and the "Last Post'' sounded. 

During his stay at Hanmer Sergeant Wood became very popular with the men, who appreciated highly many kind acts performed by him. At the request of the patients and staff of the Queen Mary Hospital a wreath is to be procured and placed on the grave as a token of the esteem in which the deceased was held.  -Otago Witness, 4/10/1916.

The circumstances attending the death of Sergeant John Wood, whose body was found on one of the hatches of the steamer Pateena on the 23rd ult., were the subject of an inquest held at Wellington on the 26th ult. (says the Post) before the coroner (Mr D. G. A. Cooper, S.M.). Evidence was given by George Forsyth Gibb, a resident of Kelburn, who stated that deceased was over 60 years of age. He was a member of the Ambulance Corps, and had been an exceptionally healthy man. He had had only one illness, many years ago, when he suffered from erysipelas. Dr Kington Fyffe stated that he had conducted a post mortem examination, and had found the stomach greatly congested and inflamed, and the brain soft. In the absence of poison, he could only assign death to collapse, following seasickness. The inquest was adjourned, in order that the contents of the stomach might be analysed.  -Otago Witness, 4/10/1916.

The Wellington Post states that at the adjourned inquest concerning the death of Sergeant John Wood, who was found dead on the steamer Pateena on September 23, the Coroner (Mr D. G. A. Cooper, S.M.) returned a verdict to the effect that death was the result of collapse, due to severe sea-sickness.  -Otago Daily Times, 21/10/1916.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin.  DCC photo.