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.
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