55816 L/Corporal Alexander Thompson, (11/8/1879-8/11/1920). "the cheerfulness and fortitude of a true Digger"

FOR KING AND COUNTRY.

DEATH. 

Thompson - On the 8th November, at his father's residence, 110 Stafford st, 55816 Lance-corporal Alexander Thompson (late 28th Reinforcements). Private interment. - Frapwell and Howell, undertakers.  -Evening Star, 8/11/1920.

Lance-corporal Alexander Thompson, second son of Mr Alexander Thompson, Stafford street, passed away at his father's residence early yesterday morning. Lance-corporal Thompson left New Zealand for the firing line with the 23th Reinforcement, and after a period of service he caught a severe chill in the trenches. He was invalided out of the line and spent some time in hospitals in France and England. He arrived back in New Zealand in December, 1918, but the hardships he had undergone had irreparably undermined his health. Always of a bright and happy disposition, he was most popular amongst a large circle of friends, and he bore his illness with the cheerfulness and fortitude of a true Digger. The deceased soldier was at one time a member of the Dunedin Amateur Boating Club, and formerly was a member of the Dunedin Choral Society. At the time of his death he was a member of the Commercial Travellers' Club. The funeral will be a private one.  -Otago Daily Times, 9/11/1920.

Alexander Thompson joined his unit, the NZ Rifle Brigade, in April, 1918, but was in the field little more than a month before he was hospitalised with a disease named "trench nephritis."  It was a new one to medicine, and its cause was debated by medical authorities.  It might have been toxins in food, possibly due to exposure. Its cause was not found during the war and it is speculated that it was a type of hantavirus, spread by rats.

Its symptoms included high blood pressure, difficulty breathing, swelling, headache and bronchitis.  Hundreds of soldiers died of it and recovery for those who survived was long.

Alexander was eventually embarked for home just before the war ended and discharged as unfit due to illness contracted on active service in January, 1919.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

11/1442 Gunner Clarence Arthur Houston, (28/9/1893-24/10/1918). "last surviving son"

Gunner Clarence A. Houston, who died of wounds in France a few days ago, was the last surviving son of Mr W. H. Houston, of 4, Hill crescent, Oriental Bay. He was 25 years of age at the time of his death. His brother, Captain Neville Houston, was killed on July 1st, 1916. Gunner Clarence Houston had been previously wounded, but, having recovered from his wounds last year, returned to the front. He was educated at Otago High School and the Waitaki High School, and entered as a law student of Victoria College, and had made considerable progress towards the completion of his course. Before he enlisted he was in the office of Messrs Wilson and Meredith, solicitors, Wellington. For many years Mr W. H. Houston was a well-known business man in Dunedin, but he retired some time ago, and came to Wellington to live.  -NZ Times, 13/11/1918.

Clarence Houston had a varied military career.  He was hospitalised for rheumatism on Mudros Island, which was a staging point for the Gallipoli Campaign.  He eventually made it to the Peninsula, was evacuated, and hospitalised in Cairo with tonsilitis.  In March, 1916, he was hospitalised again, having been kicked in the ankle by a horse - something of an occupational hazard for an artillery driver.

In May of 1916 he was again in hospital with a fractured tibia.  He was transferred to an English hospital with the movement of New Zealand troops to Europe and finally rejoined his unit the following October.

In April, 1917, he was awarded 2 days' "Field Punishment No. 2." The citation on his Army record is as follows: "absent from 6.30am parade + conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he did fail to clean his buttons."

On October 24, 1918, he was wounded in action, with a gunshot wound to his right leg.  He died of his wound at the 45th Casualty Clearing Station near Le Quesnoy.

He was buried in the Awoingt British Cemetery in France.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

9/15 Lieutenant Guy Clive Bridgeman, MC, (5/11/1893-14/11/1918). "an exceptionally plucky young officer"

Mr F. O. Bridgeman has been advised by cable that his son, Sergeant Guy Bridgeman, of the New Zealand Artillery, has received a commission on the field "somewhere in France." Lieutenant Bridgeman left New Zealand with the Main Body as a corporal in the 5th Otago Mounted Rifles.  -Otago Witness, 20/9/1916.

MC. London Gazette, 1 January 1918, p53, Rec No 1248: February 26th to September 20th 1917. An exceptionally plucky young officer. He has done very good work as Forward Observation Officer at different times. He was F.O.O for his battery at Messines and established an Observation Post well forward when the infantry reached their final objective. During a counter attack the enemy put down a barrage which wounded one of his two telephonists, and, under fire, 2nd Lieutenant Bridgeman dressed the mans wounds and carried him back to a dressing station. 

The following paragraph, from the NZ Field Artillery's Official History, gives an idea of the circumstances in which he was severely wounded, by a shell fragment passing through his upper body causing, among other things, bleeding into his lung.

On September 2nd the Brigade went into action again under the 42nd Divisional Artillery at Nieuport Bains, but five days later came under the orders of the 32nd Divisional Artillery, and as the projected operations had been cancelled offensive shooting was reduced to normal limits. The enemy, however, was apparently still fearful of some offensive action on the part of the British forces, and kept his guns aggressively active. Brigade Headquarters and battery positions were shelled both day and night, and on fine nights the congested camps and waggon lines in the back areas were bombed. Emplacements were destroyed and guns damaged, and on one occasion an eleven inch shell demolished the headquarters mess — fortunately unoccupied at the moment. Even some time after the fire of the brigade had been reduced to moderate limits the enemy fiercely retaliated in response to anything that suggested a departure from the normal; and his observing aircraft were always active when conditions permitted. Casualties in the brigade during the month totalled thirty-three.

Second Lieutenant Guy Clive Bridgeman, M.C., is the third son of Mr F. O. Bridgeman, of Dunedin. He was born in this city, educated at Selwyn College, and after leaving that institution was on Mr H. Buckland's sheep station at Kiatoa, near Waikouaiti. He volunteered in the first week of the war, and went with, the Otago Mounted Rifles in the main body. At Gallipoli he was shot through both lungs, but recovered, and proceeded to France, where he was transferred to the New Zealand Artillery, and obtained his commission on the field. On September 29 he was very severely wounded in France. He made light of these wounds in his message to his family, but a cablegram was received from him on Wednesday stating that he would be leaving for New Zealand this month.  -Otago Daily Times, 5/1/1918.

Guy Bridgeman was not happy to be out of the war. He made several applications to return, stating that an ongoing stiffness of his left shoulder, caused by his wound, did not prevent him from being an effective Officer in the Artillery.  

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

A Melbourne cable states that there have been ten deaths from influenza since quarantine was instituted there. 

The death announced at Featherston Camp, of Lieutenant Guy Bridgeman, M.C., third son of Mr F O. Bridgeman of this city. The deceased soldier joined the main body as a trooper in the Otago Mounted Rifles, and went to Egypt. He first saw service against the Turks at the Suez Canal. He afterwards went to Gallipoli, where he was promoted to sergeant. After several months' service there he was badly wounded, being shot through the lungs by a sniper. He was invalided to Malta, and after his recovery he joined the New Zealand Field Artillery in France and there won his commission on the field He went through many of the big engagements — notably Passchendaele and Messines — and was awarded the Military Cross for brilliant work as an observation officer. He was again severely wounded, this time by a shell bursting on a German "pill-box," which he had entered to search. As a result, he returned invalided to New Zealand, and although not completely fit he joined up with a reinforcement draft. Unfortunately he was seized with influenza at Featherston, and succumbed to the illness on Thursday. At the time of his death he was acting-captain, and was under orders to leave with the 46th Reinforcements in command of the Artillery detail.  -Evening Star, 16/11/1918.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

2nd Lieutenant William Alexander Stuart, MSc, (5/7/1891-16/8/1918). "another brilliant student"

CONCERT AND FAREWELL AT PUKEHIKI.

On Tuesday last a very successful concert in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund was held in the Pukehiki Hall, the contributors being Dunedin performers. Mr James Gair, the chairman, outlined the purpose of the concert, which was the third of a series to be held this year for patriotic work. The McLean orchestra opened the proceedings, and the other performers were Mrs Green and Misses Mazengarb, L. James, and Messrs Green, Perkins, and Telfer (songs), Messrs F. McLean (cornet solos), H. McDonald (step dance), and Miss Mazongarb (monologues). Mr C. A. Maxtin was the accompanist. During the interval Mr Gair, on behalf of the residents, called upon Messrs Carl Robertson and W. A. Stuart, M.Sc., two young men who had volunteered for active service, to accept suitable gifts from their many friends and well-wishers from the Peninsula. Mr Gair specially referred to Mr Robertson's mother, as she was the mother of five sons, four of whom had volunteered, and of whom one, Trooper Hector Robertson, had made the most glorious sacrifice. The chairman spoke highly of the recipients, and stated that he and the district were confident that Messrs Robertson and Stuart would take their places with the best on the field of battle, and he trusted they would be fortunate enough to return safely to their native place after having nobly served their country in time of need. Gifts were also given to Messrs Green, Perkins, and Martin, three performers who have also volunteered, and have done yeoman service to the district in organising various programmes. Messrs Robertson and Green returned thanks on behalf of the recipients. After supper dancing commenced to music supplied by Miss Nyhon.  -Otago Daily Times, 19/5/1916.

LIEUTENANT STUART

Letters received from the front state that William A. Stuart, son of Mr J. B. Stuart, of Highcliff, Otago Peninsula, who left with the Seventeenth Reinforcements, was some months ago recommended for a commission, and sent to Sling camp, England. After 20 days' severe training and study, he passed the required test with distinction. Lieutenant Stuart is a graduate of Otago University, where, in 1913, he received the degree of M.Sc., with honours. His first appointment was' demonstrator in science at Victoria College, Wellington, but previous to enlisting he was a science master at the Otago Boys' High School.  -Otago Daily Times, 3/8/1917.

William Stuart was present at the tragic Bellevue Spur attack on October 12 and, as the following shows from the Otagos' Official History, not the kind of officer who stayed behind the line.

After consultation with the remaining officers of Otago and Canterbury on the spot, the unanimous opinion expressed was that it was impossible to gain the crest of Bellevue under existing conditions, and that any attempt to renew the attack would be suicidal. There were now so few effectives left that a fresh attack, launched in broad daylight, could not have progressed. Individual effort was the utmost that could be expected. The only possible gap was by a road on the right, and this was covered by machine gun fire from either flank. Lieut.-Colonel Smith succeeded in getting back to Battalion Headquarters at Waterloo Farm, and there conferred with Lieut.-Colonel Charters (1st Battalion of Otago) and Lieut.-Colonel Mead (2nd Battalion of Canterbury). These two Commanders shared his opinion, and messages were sent forward by runners instructing the advanced elements to dig in where they were. Advice to this effect was despatched to 2nd Brigade Headquarters, to the 3rd (Rifle) Brigade, and the 10th Australian Brigade. Lieut.-Colonel Charters, with his Intelligence Officer, 2nd-Lieut. W. A. Stuart, had attempted to get forward to view the situation for himself, but was driven back by machine gun and sniping fire, his Intelligence Officer being wounded. The difficulties of maintaining communications were greatly accentuated by the large number of casualties among runners.

William's wound is described in his Army record as "GSW rt. knee severe."

The news of the death at the front of Lieutenant William A. Stuart, son of Mr and Mrs John B. Stuart, High cliff, Otago Peninsula, will have been received with regret by his many friends. Lieutenant Stuart was educated at the Highcliff Public School, Boys' High School, Dunedin, and Otago University. At each of these institutions he gained sufficient scholarships to educate himself without assistance from his parents. After receiving his BSc. degree, he was appointed demonstrator at Victoria College, Wellington, but previous to enlisting was science master at Otago Boys' High School. He left with the 17th Reinforcements, but while in France was promoted to lieutenant. His death removes another brilliant student, and the loss is the more to be deplored from the fact of the promise which Lieutenant Stuart gave of his becoming a distinguished student of research.  -Otago Daily Times, 31/8/1918.

The Otagos' Official History has little to say about the day that William Stuart died, except to report that there was "intense artillery activity." It also mentions that "Active patrolling was continued over the front, and the closest contact with the enemy maintained."

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

9/752 Trooper John Walker Roger, (14/6/1880-1915). "answered his country's call"

SOCIAL AT SANDYMOUNT.

On Friday evening last a grand social was given by the people of Sandymount and Highcliff at the local drill hall in honour of the return from South Africa of Trooper James Roger. Notwithstanding the night being very wet there were present about 200 guests, many of whom came some miles to take part in the event. Songs were contributed by the Misses Bick and Hall (2) and Mr P. Nyhon. The Misses Nyhon played a piano duet. Tea and cake, provided by the ladies of the district, were then handed round, after which the hero of the evening, Trooper Rogers, was, amid enthusiastic cheers, brought upon the stage by Mr James Garr, who, in a few well chosen remarks, presented the trooper, on behalf of the people of both districts, with a very handsome travelling dressing case, suitably inscribed, as a slight token of their appreciation of his services with the fifth contingent. Trooper Roger expressed his warmest thanks for the hearty welcome accorded him, and he was then, amid some merriment, subjected by the audience to a running fire of questions concerning his experiences among the Boers, at the close of which the hall was cleared, and dancing kept up for an hour or two. The music was supplied by the Misses Nyhon on the piano, kindly lent by Mrs Black, and the hall presented a very gay appearance, the beauty and style of the ladies being quite a noticeable feature.  -Otago Witness, 24/7/1901.

Mr John W. Roger, of Sandymount, has completed the course in electrical-engineering in the American School of Correspondence, Chicago, Illinois, his average grade throughout the course being very high.  -Evening Star, 28/1/1907.

DEATHS.

FOR KING AND COUNTRY.

ROGER. — On August 6 or 7, killed in action at the Dardanelles, Trooper John Walker Roger (2nd Reinforcements, and late 3th South Africa Contingent), youngest son of Mary Ann and the late Robert Roger, Sandymount; aged 35 years. Deeply mourned. He did his duty for King and country. -Evening Star, 2/9/1915.

TROOPER ROGER. 

Trooper J. W. Roger (reported killed at Gallipoli on August 7 or 8) was the youngest son of Mrs M. .A. Roger, Sandymount. He was born on the Peninsula, and educated at the Sandymount School. He was 35 years of age, and was a member of the Ninth Contingent in the South African war. Prior to leaving with the Second Reinforcements for the front, he was engaged in farming with his brother on his mother's farm on the Peninsula. He was secretary for the local Hall Society, and was liked and respected by all who knew him.   -Otago Daily Times, 4/9/1915.

John Roger died at a time when New Zealand forces were making their last and potentially decisive assault on the heights above their landing places on the Gallipoli Peninsula.  With positions overlooking the Gallipoli Straits, battleship gunfire could be directed upon the Turkish forts which had thwarted an earlier attempt to "force" the straits and bring their guns to the shores of the city of Constantinople.

It was, of course, a failure. The heights were taken but not held.  Historians still debate the reasons for failure.

If the heights had been taken, 20th century history might have been very different. With Turkey out of the war, the supply lines would be open to send the products of factories in Britain, France and the United States to Russia.  Russia might not have had a revolution, and subsequent seizure of power by the bolshevik party, in 1917.  With no international communist threat, forces on the right in Europe might not have had a reason or excuse to take power in the 1920s and 30s.

That is, of course, a lot of "mights."

IN MEMORIAM

ROGER. — In loving memory of Trooper John Walker Roger, 2nd Reinforcements, who was killed in action at the Dardanelles on August 7th, 1915, youngest son of Mrs M. A. Roger, Sandymount, Otago Peninsula. One who answered his country's call.

— Inserted by his mother and sisters.  -Evening Star, 7/8/1916.

ROGER. — In loving memory of Trooper John Walker Roger (2nd Reinforcements), who was killed while in action at the Dardanelles on August 7, 1915. 

He gave his life, — his all 

For his country's sake. 

— Inserted by his loving mother and sisters.  -Otago Daily Times, 7/8/1918.

FOR THE EMPIRE’S CAUSE.

IN MEMORIAM.

ROGER. — In loving memory of 9/752 Corporal John Walker Roger (2nd Reinforcements), who was killed in action on Gallipoli on August 6, 1915. “He did his duty.” — Inserted by his loved ones.  -Otago Witness, 8/8/1922.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.