17/320 L/corporal Michael Mickelson, (16/8/1881-1/10/1916). "died a hero"

Michael Mickelson was farming in the Purakaunui area when he joined the 5th Reinforcements in 1915. He was in the 8th Company, 2nd Battalion of the Otago Infantry Regiment when it attacked German positions in the Battle of the Somme on October 1st, 1916.

The 2nd Battalion of the Regiment assembled in Goose Alley for the attack, and under cover of an artillery barrage extending over a line parallel thereto, moved forward at zero hour to the assault in four waves, each perfect in line and interval, and with rifles at the slope. Almost immediately, 4th Company on the right, together with portion of 8th Company, came under heavy machine gun fire from the direction of Gird Trench. The 10th and 14th Companies on the left were at this stage advancing across a depression which afforded comparative cover, and thus escaped the gruelling fire which confronted the right companies. The 4th and 8th Companies had moreover a difficult manoeuvre to execute. After advancing for a distance of about 200 yards to their front it was necessary to incline to the right and then eventually to change direction to that quarter; and despite the heavy fire encountered the movement was effectively carried out.

As the last Otago company went forward two companies of Wellington Battalion moved up Goose Alley and then forward in two waves in rear of and in support to Otago. Advancing to the crest of the ridge after changing direction, 4th and 8th Companies were seriously depleted in strength under the blasts of machine gun fire which swept their ranks. Every officer was a casualty, and non-commissioned officers and men were heavily hit. But with unfailing determination they pressed on, successfully reaching their objective and passing some distance beyond it. -Official History of the Otago Regiment.

PRIVATE MICKELSON. 

The following extract from a letter received from Sergeant E. M. Dillon (who was on sick leave to England) informs Mr E. Mickelson, Waihao Downs, South Canterbury, of the manner in which his son Michael met his death at the front on October 1, 1916: — "On my arrival here a couple of days ago I met several Otago boys who were in his company, and among them I met his company sergeant at the time. He tells me that a shell landed close to them, and, I am sorry to tell you, Mick was hit, and died a few minutes after, and was buried on the battlefield very decently by his comrades. He tells me your son played the game all through, and was one of their best men, and died a hero like a big number of New Zealand's best boys that day. Please accept my deepest sympathy. It will be gratifying to you to know he did his duty like a soldier and a gentleman."  -Otago Daily Times, 5/7/1917.

Port Chalmers Cemetery.

Alexander McKay, (1877-17/4/1897). "went to sea in preference"

THE WRECK OF THE ZULEIKA.

The following particulars, in addition to those on our fourth page, with reference to the wreck of the Zuleika, at Palliser Bay, are supplied by the N.Z. Times: — The captain, who felt the loss of his good ship and brave men most acutely, interviewed, said: — "The southerly gale started at about midnight on Thursday, and the ship was placed under reduced canvas and hove-to. On Friday forenoon we were about seventy miles north of Banks Peninsula, under main lower topsail. At about 8 p.m. on Friday a sheet was carried away, and to keep her head to the wind whilst the damage was being repaired a double-reef spanker was set. We tried to weather Cape Palliser with lower fore topsail, goosewinged, also fore topsail. The vessel was head-reaching the whole time. On Friday night at ten o'clock soundings were taken with deep-sea sounder, and eighty fathoms with no bottom was reported. Again at 10.30 another sounding, when 69 fathoms, no bottom, was the result. At about 10.50 a black bank was seen on the lee beam, and deeming it to be land, all hands were called to wear ship. In less than ten minutes, and in the act of wearing ship, she took ground. A tremendous sea was running at the time. The main braces were frapped down to the rail. The boats were ordered out, but on consultation with my officers I deemed it prudent not to launch them, as it was of no use. All hands were served with life-belts, with the exception of the first mate and the steward, who were excellent swimmers and refused to encumber themselves with them. They were however, both, poor fellows, drowned. I was on the jibboom at this time and told the men that the best thing for them to do was to take to the water and do the best they could for themselves, I then jumped overboard, and encountered the greatest difficulty in getting to the shore, owing to the great quantity of wreckage floating about, was swimming the whole time and was more than once carried back by the backwash. On getting ashore I found no one, and then climbed up the hill and lay down. I heard someone calling out, and following the sound of the voices I met the apprentice Carson and three seamen. The five of us then went up the hill and took shelter till daylight. We then came down and looked at the wreck. We wandered along the beach and came to a whare, but found no one there and forced an entrance. About half an hour afterwards the second mate, Ankersen and Haverke, arrived at the whare, and about an hour afterwards Malven arrived. He had lost himself amongst the hills, and was in a terrible plight. I had been on deck since Thursday morning and was too exhausted to move."

The captain speaks in the most eulogistic manner of the crew, their behaviour under such trying circumstances being splendid. Every order was promptly and most faithfully carried out. The ill-fated ship was owned by Messrs Thomas Law and Co,, of Leith, and was twenty-two years old. She was built by Messrs Aitken and Mansel, of Glasgow, and was classed 100 A1 at Lloyd's. Her dimensions were as follows Length, 215ft; breadth, 35ft 2in; depth, 21ft 1in. The following is a complete list of the crew: —

The Survivors. — J. R. Bremner, captain, age 37; Wm. Lane, second mate, age 21; Adolphe Haverke, carpenter, age, 46; Wm. Lisson, A B., age 24; Peter Ankersen, A.B., age 20; Wm Kneen, A.B., age 30; Archibald Billet, apprentice, age 15; Thos. Carson, apprentice, age 17.

The Drowned. — Herbert Graham, first mate, age 28; George Petitite, steward, age 28; George Wilson (married), A.B., age 56; Wm. Swanson, A.B., age 38; Chas Lawson, A.B., age 26; Blake, A.B., age 30; Jones, A.B., age 52; Walter Summers, apprentice, age 17; Alexander McKay, age 20, ordinary seaman, who only shipped at Port Chalmers. 

The Missing. — Gellon (married), A.B., 54; Williams, cook, 27; David Struock, apprentice, 18.  -Wairarapa Daily Times, 22/4/1897.

Eight of the victims of the wreck of the Zuleika have been buried in one grave m the vicinity of the wreck. The ninth body, that of Alexander McKay, will be forwarded to Port Chalmers.  -Ashburton Guardian, 23/4/1897.

A SAD FATE.

Alexander McKay, the Port Chalmers lad who lost his life by the wreck of the Zuleika off storm-swept Cape Palliser, was (says the Dunedin Star) until immediately before his departure, employed in the office of Mr Platte, solicitor, and had passed the junior and senior Civil Service examinations, but, being disappointed in his hope of obtaining a Government situation which he thought within his reach, he went to sea in preference to waiting any longer.  -Press, 26/4/1897.

The funeral of the late Alexander McKay, who was drowned in the wreck of the Zuleika, took place yesterday afternoon in the Port Chalmers new cemetery. The cortege left his parents’ residence, Carey Bay, at 2 p.tn., headed by the boys of the fifth and sixth standards of the District High School. The procession was one of the largest ever seen in Port Chalmers, nearly the whole of the business places being closed. The services at the grave were conducted by the Rev. Mr Tennant.  -Evening Star, 28/4/1897.

Port Chalmers Cemetery.

Captain Peter Logan, (5/8/1827-27/11/1883). "his kindly and genial manner"

The death is announced of Captain Logan, who for some time acted as ship's husband for the Albion Company in Dunedin. He had been out of health for some time, and went Home for a change. He recently came out again apparently no better, and died last night of aneurism of the heart. The ships in Wellington harbour to-day had their flags half-mast high as a mark of respect to the deceased. It may be mentioned, in order to remove any possible misapprehension, that the deceased is not to be confounded with Captain Logan, of the s.s. Manapouri.   -Evening Post, 28/11/1883.

The late Captain Logan was for several years in command of the immigrant ships Robert Henderson, William Davie, and James Nicol Fleming, in all of which he made several smart passages, vacating the command of the last-mentioned in favor of his favorite pupil, now Captain Moffatt. For some time he sat on the Otago Harbor Board as one of the Government representatives. Three months ago Captain Logan retired from the active duties of his post owing to ill health. Aneurism of the heart was the cause of death. Captain Logan, who was unmarried, leaves three sisters, one of whom lived with him at Port Chalmers The shipping at Port Chalmers and in the Upper Harbor displayed their flags at half-mast to-day out of respect to his memory.   -Evening Star, 28/11/1883.

Many early settlers in this district will learn with regret that Captain Logan, formerly master of the Robert Henderson, William Davie, and James Nicol Fleming, and as such well known to a large number of the immigrants of from 23 to 15 years ago, died at Dunedin on Monday evening. His "records" in these ships have never been surpassed as a whole, and serve to show that the acme of perfection in sailing ships was reached some years ago, and before the advent of the huge "iron boilers" of the present period. Captain Logan has for several years attended to the maritime interests of the Albion Shipping Company, formerly his old employer.  -Southland Times, 29/11/1883.

DEATH OF CAPTAIN P. LOGAN.

It is with extreme regret that we chronicle the death of Captain Peter Logan, which took place at Port Chalmers at 6.20 p.m. on Tuesday. The deceased gentleman was for many years a master mariner in the employ of Patrick Henderson and Co., since known as the Albion Shipping Company, and as such made a large number of voyages to Dunedin. The first ship of this line which he commanded was the Robert Henderson. He afterwards sailed the William Davy, and more recently the James Nichol Fleming. These vessels were almost continually employed in bringing immigrants to Otago under a scheme of the old Provincial Government, and he probably brought out a far larger number than any other captain trading to New Zealand waters. About eight years ago he gave up the seafaring life, and was then appointed Marine Surveyor for the Albion Company at Port Chalmers. Apparently enjoying excellent health, he took no heed of any premonitory signs, and it was only when it was almost too late that it was discovered he was suffering from aneurism of the heart. He was recommended to abstain from all work, and to take a trip Home. He followed this advice, and returned in somewhat better health; but the old malady soon again attacked him, and he had to relinquish his duties. To one who had led such an active life, inactivity proved as irksome and irritating as business itself, and it soon became apparent that there was very little hope of relief. His death took place suddenly at the time above mentioned. Captain Logan was a man who, by his kindly and genial manner, combined with thorough business habits, earned the good will and respect of all who became acquainted with him, and the numerous officers whom he trained in the service of the company, several of whom are at present in Wellington, speak of his demise with feelings of the deepest sorrow. Those whose duties did not prevent them from doing so left by the Hauroto Wednesday, in order to attend the funeral, which takes place at 3 p.m. to-morrow. Amongst these was Captain Moffatt, of the ship Westland. All the vessels in the harbor had their flags at half-mast on Wednesday. Captain Logan was 58 years of age, and unmarried.  -NZ Mail, 30/11/1883.

The remains of the late Captain Logan were interred in the new cemetery at Port Chalmers on Saturday afternoon, in the presence of fully 200 persons. The bells of the Presbyterian and Episcopal churches were tolled as the funeral cortege proceeded through the town, and the business places were closed in respect to the memory of the deceased gentleman. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. J. Ryley.  -Otago Daily Times, 3/12/1883.

Port Chalmers Cemetery.

John Arthur Birtles, (1886-12/5/1943). "buried to the hips"

SURFACEMAN KILLED.

(P.A.) DUNEDIN, This Day. When a face of shingle collapsed, Mr John Arthur Birtles, aged 47, a married man, a Taieri County surfaceman, was killed instantly yesterday afternoon. A companion who was in the pit with him was buried to the hips, but was not injured.  -Ashburton Guardian, 13/5/1943.

SURFACEMAN'S DEATH

BURIED UNDER GRAVEL

The adjourned inquest into the death of John Arthur Birtles, aged 57, a surfaceman employed by the Taieri County Council, who was killed by a fall of gravel in the council’s pit on May 12, was concluded at Mosgiel yesterday, before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., sitting as coroner. Mr R. L. Fairmaid appeared for the relatives of the deceased, and Mr H. L. Cook watched proceedings on behalf of the Taieri County Council. Constable Phillips represented the police. 

John William Powley, who was working in the pit with the deceased, and the council’s foreman, Robert Stanley Gibson, said that about 2 p.m. he heard Gibson call out, and saw that he was buried to the hips in gravel. Gibson said that Birtles was apparently buried, and witness, after a search, found him under about 18 inches of gravel. 

Questioned by the coroner, witness said that he, Gibson, and Birtles were all men of long experience at the work. Together with the deceased he had, under instructions from the foreman, examined the face of the pit on the previous day. but had found no cracks in it. 

Medical evidence was given by Dr J. P. Shaw, who said that death, which would be instantaneous, was caused by a fracture of the base of the skull. 

The coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. The pit had been examined on the previous afternoon, he added, and it appeared to be safe; all the men working in it, moreover were experienced. It seemed, however, that the council should consider carefully whether, in future, extra precautions should be taken before excavations were made in the pit.  -Otago Daily Times, 3/6/1943.

East Taieri Cemetery.