8/1552 Private John Henry Wilfred McIlroy, (20/10/1894-13/6/1919). "had also suffered a great deal from his wounds"

A RETURNED SOLDIER'S DEATH

(BY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.) DUNEDIN, This Day. 

John Henry Wilfred McIlroy, aged 22, a returned soldier, was found dead oh the steps leading to his home in Duncan street. He left with the 3rd Reinforcements when eighteen, and was wounded. He returned in December last, and was two weeks in hospital suffering from valvular disease of the heart and lung. He had since been an out-patient at the hospital, and yesterday complained of feeling unwell. The body was found last night at 7.30 o'clock. It is thought that McIlroy was overcome with weakness after climbing a large number of steps.  -Evening Post, 14/6/1919.

INQUEST.

An inquest was held this afternoon before Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., concerning the death of John Henry Wilfred McIlroy, who was found dead last evening on the steps leading to his home at No. 7 Duncan street. Constable Kelly represented the police. Evidence was given to the effect that deceased had been wounded in France, and had suffered from a weak heart. He was an inmate of the Hospital for two weeks, and had been an outpatient since. He had been subject to slight fainting fits and giddiness. He had also suffered a great deal from his wounds, the effects of gas, and shell shock. Dr Eugene J.  O'Neill said that on examining the deceased he found evidence which pointed to a fracture of the base of the skull, he had ascertained that deceased was under treatment for organic disease of the heart and  and lungs. The cause of death was fracture of the base of the skull. From the history of his case, it was quite evident he had had a heart seizure when walking up the steps leading to his home, and the subsequent fall caused the fracture. The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.   -Evening Post, 14/6/1919.

The Official History of the Otago Regiment has this to say about January 2, 1917, the day that John suffered shell shock: "In accordance with the reorganisation of the 1st and 2nd Infantry Brigades, the 2nd Battalion of the Regiment, on New Year's Day, 1917, marched out of its reserve billets in the Rue Petillon and took over the Cordonnerie sector in relief of the 2nd Battalion of Wellington, Relief was completed about 12 noon, and one hour later the enemy bombarded the whole area with projectiles of various calibre, including lachrymatory gas shells. Casualties amounted to one killed and six wounded, and the front line and communication trenches suffered badly. There was a recurrence of this hostility at 9 o'clock on the following morning, when about 60 minenwerfer shells were hurled against a front of about 100 yards, adding considerably to the damage of the previous day. By 11 a.m. the situation had quietened, but at 6 p.m. the area was subjected to further violent shelling for a period of over 40 minutes, and additional casualties resulted. Prompt retaliation by our artillery now followed, and a heavy fire was put down over the enemy's front and support lines."

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.