Albert Ernest Brown, (1896-16/2/1908). "trying to rescue"

DUNEDIN, February 17. Albert Brown, thirteen years of age, son of Mr William Brown, of Waikouaiti, was drowned in the Waikouaiti river yesterday, while trying to rescue a younger brother, who was in danger.  -Ashburton Guardian, 17/2/1908.

DEATHS. 

BROWN. — On February 16, 1908, Albert Ernest (Bertie), second son of William and Annie Brown, of Beach street, Waikouaiti (accidentally drowned); aged 12 years and 9 months. Deeply regretted.  -Otago Witness, 19/2/1908.

SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENTS.

 F U N E R A L  N O T I C E. 

The Friends of WILLIAM and ANNIE BROWN are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of their late SON, ALBERT ERNEST (Bertie), which will leave their Residence, Beach street, Waikouaiti, TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), ]9th February, for the Public Cemetery, at 2.00 p.m.  -Otago Daily Times, 18/2/1908.

HUMANE SOCIETY AWARDS (excerpt)

Albert Ernest Brown (aged 13), who lost his life in attempting to rescue his brother Herbert (aged 11) at Waikouaiti on February 16, 1908, "In Memoriam" certificate to Brown's next of kin.  -Auckland Star, 24/7/1908.

Waikouaiti Cemetery.

8/3846 Corporal Francis Luke Fry, (7/5/1895-15/9/1916). "another hero gone"

 The weather broke fine on the morning of September 15th. Zero hour was fixed at 6.20 am., and by 6 o'clock all ranks had breakfasted and were fortified by a stout issue of rum. In order as far as possible to conceal from the enemy the hour of attack there was no increase of our artillery fire immediately before the assault was timed to commence. Shortly after 6 o'clock three distinct lines of troops of the 2nd Battalion of Otago, which in conjunction with the 2nd Battalion of Auckland was to open the New Zealand Division's attack, had formed up in front of the new Otago Trench at intervals in depth of about 50 yards, and a fourth line was in Otago Trench itself.

Zero hour, 6.20 a.m., was the common signal for a mighty effort on the part of infantry and artillery. An intense and hurricane-like barrage of field artillery instantaneously broke out along the line; the great howitzers in the rear, hitherto firing but intermittently, now burst forth in extreme violence, and the anxiously awaiting lines of infantrymen stepped forward as in one accord and moved straight to their task. But the advancing waves had not proceeded far before officers and men began to drop from the ranks, for heavy machine gun fire was coming from the left and from the front of High Wood.  -Official History of the Otago Infantry Regiment. 

For the September 15th assault on German positions during the Battle of the Somme the 2nd Battalion of the Otago Regiment fielded 836 men. It lost 460 killed, wounded and missing.  Francis Fry was one of those casualties. He has no known grave.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE

DEATHS

FRY — On September 15, 1916, killed while in action in France, Corporal Francis Luke Fry, youngest son of Geo. R. Fry, Pleasant View, Waikouaiti; aged 21 years.

Another hero gone. He went to do or die.  -Otago Witness, 1/11/1916.

Corporal Francis Luke Fry (killed in action on September 15 in France) was the youngest son of Mr George R. Fry, of Dunedin. He was born at Hawksbury, and was educated at Waikouaiti Public School. He joined the railway service, and after spending some time in Dunedin was transferred to Clyde, from where he enlisted, leaving with the Tenth Reinforcements. He was twenty-one years of age.  -Lyttelton Times, 2/11/1916.

Waikouaiti Cemetery.

John Johnman, (1864-4/6/1888). "greatly liked"

FATALITIES.

John Johnman, nephew of and in the employ of Mr Charles Reid, farmer, Flag Swamp, had been to some sections he owned at Mount Watkin with some fencing material, and was returning with the empty dray, one horse being in the shafts, the other two being tied at the back of the dray. When nearing home the horses took fright at some young horses galloping in an adjoining paddock and bolted. Deceased, in attempting to put on the brake, either fell or was knocked down, the wheel passing over the lower part of his stomach. Mr Cameron, of Flag Swamp, seeing the team without a driver, stopped their career, and after securing them went to look for the driver, and found him lying apparently in great pain and unable to move. Dr Angus was at once sent for, but in spite of every attention and medical care the young man died on Monday. He was twenty-five years of age, and, adds the Daily Times's' correspondent, was greatly liked in the district.  -Evening Star, 6/6/1888.

 DEATH. 

JOHNMAN. — On the 4th June (the result of an accident), John, only son of the late John Johnman, and nephew of Mr Charles Reid, Flag Swamp; aged 25 years. Deeply regretted by all who knew him.  -Otago Daily Times, 6/6/1888.

Waikouaiti Cemetery.

28889 Private James Augustus Kane, (6/8/1892-14/11/1918). "had no respite"

On the night of August 5th/6th, the battalion relieved the 2nd Otago Battalion in the outpost line at La Basse Ville and to the left of that village, having the 1st Canterbury Battalion on its immediate right.

The 13th Company occupied the newly established posts to the east and north-east of La Basse Ville, with company headquarters in the village; and on its left the 1st Company held other new advanced posts, with company headquarters in what had been the front line before the capture of the village. The 12th Company was in support, in the neighbourhood of Au Chasseur Cabaret, while the 2nd Company, in reserve, occupied the old German trench-system near St. Yves, Battalion headquarters was still further back, in the deep dug-out underneath St. Yves post office.

The conditions of weather and mud were the same as the 1st Battalion was experiencing, but as the enemy's shelling was concentrated mainly on La Basse Ville and its immediate neighbourhood, the 2nd Battalion's casualties were heavier than those of the 1st Battalion. Inter-company reliefs took place every three days: particulars of these, and the reliefs of the 1st Battalion, will be found in Appendix "B,"

In the middle of the spell in the line the enemy's artillery fire slackened considerably on the 1st Battalion's area; but the 2nd Battalion had no respite, and it was the general opinion that this period in the line was the worst in its experience on an inactive front. For the twelve days in the line the casualties were one officer (Captain M. J. Morrison, M.C.) and thirty-three other ranks killed, one officer and one hundred and thirteen other ranks wounded, and thirty-five other ranks evacuated to hospital. -Official History of the Canterbury Infantry Regiment.

James Kane was wounded on the 6th of August, at the beginning of the 2nd Battalion's stint in the line.  He suffered gunshot wounds to his left leg and right arm.  His arm did not heal and he was repatriated as medically unfit.

His name appears on a list of returned soldiers who had reached Wellington on March 7, 1918. He died as a victim of the Spanish influenza epidemic.

Advice has been received from Dunedin that 28889 Pte. James Augustus Kane, an undischarged soldier, died at Dunedin Hospital on Thursday, 14th instant. He was 26 years of age and single, his next-of-kin being his father, Mr. P. Kane, Merton, Waikouaiti.  -Evening Post, 19/11/1918.

Waikouaiti Cemetery.

Mona Agnes Kirkwood, (1916-1/8/1937). "a happy and friendly nature"

YOUNG WOMAN KILLED IN CAR. 

DUNEDIN, This Day. Skidding in loose metal near Waikouaiti early yesterday morning, a motor-car driven by Mr Eric Francis White overturned, and a passenger, Miss Mona Kirkwood, aged 21, residing at Waikouaiti, received fatal injuries. The driver escaped with facial injuries.  -Ashburton Guardian, 2/8/1937.

YOUNG WOMAN KILLED

CAR OVERTURNS 

ACCIDENT NEAR WAIKOUAITI 

Skidding in loose metal near Waikouaiti early yesterday mornings a motor car driven by Eric Francis White overturned, and a passenger named Mona Agnes Kirkwood (21), residing with her mother at Beach street, Waikouaiti, received injuries that shortly afterwards proved fatal. 

Mr White and the deceased, who was a daughter of Mr Mungo Kirkwood, a fisherman, were returning to Waikouaiti from Merton, where they attended a dance. About half a mile south of Waikouaiti the vehicle left the road and overturned. Dr Howden, of Palmerston, was summoned, but the deceased died before his arrival. The driver of the car received facial injuries. 

An inquest was opened yesterday morning at Waikouaiti before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M. Evidence of identification was given by deceased’s mother, Amelia Kirkwood, who said that White was perfectly sober after the accident. The inquest was adjourned sine die.  -Evening Star, 2/8/1937.

Obituary 

The sudden death of Miss Mona Kirkwood on Sunday morning has touched the community deeply, for Miss Kirkwood was known and liked by all. Of a happy and friendly nature, ever ready to help in the social functions of the district, she will be greatly missed. Miss Kirkwood was essentially a Waikouaiti girl, the whole of her short life of 21 years having been spent here, and the sympathy of the whole community goes out to the bereaved family.  -Otago Daily Times, 5/8/1937.

St Johns Anglican Cemetery, Waikouaiti.

49892 Rifleman James Scott (25/1/1880-12/9/1918), and 13437 Private Benjamin (1887-17/10/1917) Hallett. "who sleep in France"

MILITARY APPEAL BOARD

James Scott Hallett (Herbert), farmer, with 127 acres of Government lease, said he was 37 years of age and had a brother 32 years old. He had 50 acres of crop and 14 cows in milk. The milk was sent to the creamery. The lease of the property was taken up in August, 1913. There were two other brothers, one in France and one going with the next reinforcements. 

To Capt. Free: There was no reason why one of the brothers should not go. One of the brothers who were on the farm had gone to the front a year ago. If one of those now left had to go it would be necessary to get rid of the cattle.

The Chairman: There is no difficulty in obtaining a boy for work on a dairy farm.

Witness said most of his crop was cut, but not all. The oats would be cut this month. He desired the Board to allow him leave to the end of March. His brother was a farmer.

The Board decided that as appellant would not be called up until March 7th the appeal would be dismissed.  -Oamaru Mail, 6/2/1917.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE.

DEATHS. 

HALLETT. — On September 12, 1918, killed in action "Somewhere in France," Rifleman James Scott Hallett (26th Reinforcements), clearly beloved eldest son of Benjamin and Catherine Hallett (Waikouaiti), and brother of George Hallett (Herbert) and Mrs Peter Kane (Corriedale); aged 38 years.  -Otago Daily Times, 28/9/1918.

Private James Scott Hallett (killed in action) was the eldest son of Mr B. Hallett, of Waikouaiti, and brother of Mrs Peter Kane, of Corriedale. He was born and educated at Waikouaiti, and was 38 years of age. For the last few years he was farming at Herbert, with his brothers George and Benjamin. He left Oamaru with the 26th Reinforcements. He was slightly wounded on August 22, and after being in hospital for a few days rejoined his unit, and was killed in action on September 12. He was the second of the family to make the supreme sacrifice, his brother Benjamin having died from wounds on October 17, 1917. His brother Albert left with the 25th Reinforcements, and is still at the front.  -Otago Witness, 13/11/1918.

Private Benjamin Hallett (died of wounds) was the third son of Mr and Mrs B. Hallett, Waikouaiti, and brother of Mr Peter Kane, Corriedale. He was born and educated at Waikouaiti, and was 30 years of age. Private Hallett was with his two brothers farming at Herbert, and left Oamaru with the 13th Reinforcements. He has two other brothers at the front — Albert, who went with the 25th Reinforcements, and James, who left with the 26th Reinforcements.   -Otago Witness, 28/11/1917.

Benjamin Hallett was with the Otago Infantry Regiment when it made its disastrous assault on intact German positions at Passchendaele on October 12, 1917.  He suffered a penetrating gunshot wound to his chest and too five days to die.

St Johns Anglican Cemetery, Waikouaiti.

8/3732 Private Matthew Andreas Ronning, (11/5/1874-2/9/1916). "the extraordinary spirit"

Matthew Ronning's occupation when he enlisted is recorded as "Mariner." He was born at Trondheim, Norway and became a naturalised New Zealander in 1890. He was married but possibly separated from his wife - in 1910 he placed an advertisement stating he would no longer be responsible for his wife's debts. He joined the army in late 1915 "only if proper artificial teeth are provided." His stated next of kin was not his wife but a niece in Chicago and, mysteriously, his will bequeathed all of his possessions to one Kathleen Mary Myles of The Levels, Timaru.

His death took place during a futile effort on the part of the Otago Infantry's 1st Battalion to attack a strongly defended German position during the Battle of the Somme.

The 1st Battalion's attack against the Gird system of trenches and along Goose Alley on September 27th unquestionably represented the Regiment's most bitter and costly experience on the Somme. When the Battalion marched out of the line on the night of the 28th it was reduced to a strength of 113, which was considerably below that of a company. The fire encountered by the leading companies almost immediately after crossing the line of the Factory Corner-Eaucourt L'Abbaye Road was of a nature such as only those who had gallantly, though vainly, endeavoured to struggle through it could realise; and the line which the attack reached was only gained because of the extraordinary spirit of self-sacrifice of officers and men in face of overwhelming odds; Gird Trench, and Gird Support in particular having been densely packed with an enemy liberally supplied with machine guns.  -Official History of the Otago Regiment.

Matthew's memorial plaque (AKA the "Death Penny") was received by his wife, Mona.

St Johns Anglican Cemetery, Waikouaiti.