The images below are from the "RNZAF Biographies of deceased personnel 1939-45" and are presented here with full respect to one of my main sources of information, the Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph.
Wanaka Cemetery.
Thursday, 16 January 2025
Walter John, (1912-9/10/1939). and 16877 Private Robert Percival, (1914-8/5/1945) Hunt. "feelings of the deepest regret"
OBITUARY
We regret to record the death in Dunedin on Monday last, of a wellknown and popular young man iu the Upper Clutha district in the person of Mr Walter John Hunt, of Luggate, at the age of 27 years. The young man had been in ill health for some little time past but it was not considered to be of a serious nature and his somewhat sudden passing came as a shock to his relatives and friends. He was the eldest son of Mrs M. A. Hunt and the late Mr T. J. Hunt, Luggate, and had spent practically the whole of his life in that district. A good living young man of the highest character, he was respected and esteemed by many friends from all parts of the Upper Clutha district, and the news of his passing at so early an age would be received with feelings of the deepest regret. The deepest sympathy of many friends will be extended to the bereaved mother and family on their sad loss. The funeral took place in the Pembroke Cemetery on Wednesday, the Rev. Father Harrington officiating at the graveside. -Cromwell Argus, 16/10/1939.
SOLDIER KILLED
STRUCK BY TRAIN
Robert Percival Hunt was killed instantly when he was run over by a goods train on the Palmerston-Dunback line about noon on Tuesday. The deceased, a soldier, aged 31 years, who had returned to New Zealand by the last furlough draft after four years’ service in the Middle East, was travelling to Dunedin with his brother to undergo a medical examination. The car in which they were travelling was waiting at the crossing at Inch Valley, about four miles from Palmerston, for the train to pass. As the train approached the crossing Hunt is stated to have left the car and dived under the train, which was travelling at a slow speed. He was killed instantly.
The deceased was a single man, and his home was at Luggate. An inquest was opened at Palmerston before Mr G. K. Graham (coroner), and, after evidence of identification had been given by the deceased’s brother, George Francis" Hunt, the hearing was adjourned sine die. -Auckland Star, 12/5/1945.
Robert Hunt served with 23 Battalion and was wounded in August, 1942, at a time when the 23rd was in a relatively quiet sector of North Africa. The nature of his wound is not reported and the Auckland Star was one of the few newspapers that reports that he dived under the train. It is possible that the medical examination and the dive under the train - if that is really what he did - were connected.
Wanaka Cemetery.
William Raeburn Ford, (1881-1/6/1906). "where no one else would venture"
We have just heard of the sudden death, under pathetic circumstances, of Mr William Ford, jun., of Pembroke, aged about 25 years. It appears that he was mustering on Coronet Peak Station, near Arrowtown, and while out on the mountains fell over some rocks, and was killed. As he did not return at night a search party went out next morning. Two of his dogs came home through the night, but the other two remained with the body, and when it was lifted into the express one of them jumped in beside it. It was ascertained that he had had a fall of about 80ft, and many bones were broken, his face being unrecognisable. The funeral was held in Pembroke on Tuesday afternoon last. "Billy" was a native of the district, and lived here all his life, and his father lived here some years before. He was a very good hand on the mountains, and would often go in places where no one else would venture. He was a careful, steady young fellow, of a saving thrifty disposition, and the profoundest sympathy is felt for his bereaved relatives. -Otago Witness, 27/6/1906.
Wanaka Cemetery.
John Desmond Riordan, (1904-11/12/1935). "an extremely popular host"
Visions of an exceedingly cold and comfortless night were entertained by a party of Roxburgh sportsmen, who were recently stranded in the middle of Lake Hawea when the propeller of their launch was fouled by weeds. Night was approaching, and, with a good blow coming up, their position was an exceedingly unenviable one. The problem was solved for the party by Mr Riordan, who was in charge of the launch. He dived into the icy waters of the lake, swam under the boat, and managed to free the weeds from the driving shaft, with the result that the launch could proceed to the shore. -Otago Daily Times, 23/5/1933.
FATAL SHOOTING TRIP.
MAN DROWNED IN LAKE.
(By Telegraph. — Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Wednesday.
Advice was received this evening that Mr. Desmond Riordan, aged about 40, was drowned in Lake Hawea this afternoon. Mr. Riordan was out shooting and entered the lake to recover a bird, but got into difficulties and failed to regain the shore. He was one of the proprietors of the boardinghouse at Hawea Flat. The body has not been recovered. -Auckland Star, 12/12/1935.
MR J. D. RIORDAN
Widespread gloom was cast over the district on Wednesday last when it was learned that Mr John Desmond Riordan had been drowned in Lake Hawea. Mr Riordan, who was the only son of Colonel John Riordan, of Wexford, Ireland, was born in Clonmell 31 years ago. He completed his military training at Sandhurst, becoming lieutenant in the South Wales Borderers (Imperial Army). He later gave up his military career to come to New Zealand six years ago, spending some time with his cousin, Mr John H. Smith, Island Block, Central Otago. He took an active interest in various branches of sport, including golf, lawn tennis and Rugby football, and was a keen fisherman and an excellent shot. His interest in outdoor life, particularly fishing and shooting, eventually decided him to settle in the Hawea district, where he and Mr. Claud Capel became joint proprietors of Lake House, Hawea. An extremely popular host, he made many friends throughout Otago and Southland. The body was recovered from the lake on Thursday, and the funeral, which took place the following day, was attended by many friends from various parts of Otago and Southland, the relatives present being Messrs J. H. Smith (Island Block), C. H. Smith (Oamaru) and J. McCully (Duntroon). An impressive service was conducted by the Rev. Father Graham, the interment being at Pembroke.
Mr Riordan is survived by his father and three sisters — Mrs P. Browne and Misses Joan and Aileen Riordan, all of whom reside in Wexford, Ireland. -Otago Daily Times, 17/12/1935.
Wanaka Cemetery.
Joseph David Hunter, (1892-22/3/1927). "the good natured witty style"
OBITUARY
MR J. D. HUNTER.
On Tuesday March 22nd, Wanaka suffered a sad loss in the death of Mr J D. Hunter ("Joe" as he was known to us all). Mr Hunter had been with us, off and on, for some years, having had to relinquish his position in the Bank of New Zealand, so that he might take on outdoor work and thus keep in good health. To give up his work in the bank must have been a great disappointment to him, but not once did he allow this to crush his spirit. Here in Pembroke he made such a success of business, that he and Mr Wallace Maxwell, both connections of Miller family of Mt Barker, decided to launch out into partnership in a North Island store. Things went on splendidly for a while, when again Mr Hunter's health broke down, and he was forced to give up. Later, he returned to Pembroke, and noting the steady improvement in his appearance, we all looked forward to him being as well as ever. A fortnight ago he had a serious relapse, from which he did not recover, passing away at the home of Mrs King, under whose kindly care he had been placed. Fortunately his mother, who was for some years resident here, was able to be with him until the end came. Joe was a fine fellow in every way. He might well be called a thoroughly good sport, for such he was considered by us all. His enthusiasm as a golfer did much to start up the game here, and as a player he excelled. In 1924 Mr Hunter won both the Goldfields Championship and the Open Championship. The tennis people will miss him most of all, for despite his inability to play during the last season, he was a familiar figure on the court. The place will be deprived of his cheery voice and, many a young player will miss the good advice he was so well fitted to give, and which he gave in the good natured witty style we all knew so well. To his parents, Mr and Mrs S. Hunter, of Taieri Mouth, and his married sister Mrs Knarston, once popular residents of Pembroke, we extend out deepest sympathy. This afternoon (Thursday) the Rev. Chisolm of Cromwell, held a short burial service at the house of Mrs King after which, followed by a great crowd of mourners from all over the district, the body was conveyed to the Pembroke cemetery for burial. -Lake County Press, 14/4/1927.
Wanaka Cemetery.
Wednesday, 15 January 2025
Henry Maidman, (1830-13/12/1919). "a large fund of general information"
The claim formerly owned by a party of Salvationists is about the first I believe to be operated upon. The ground is about 60ft deep, showing gold more or less from near the surface to the reef. As a sluicing country this is simply magnificent, there being no stones but what the water can move and carry away. The waterrace, owned by the prospectors, is a valuable property. So far these men have expended their whole earnings here, and more, in the employment of labour at goldfields rates. Speaking in a pecuniary sense they have been a power in the place, and have evinced an amount of energy and perseverance hitherto unprecedented it the way of speculative enterprise in the district. They have now lying at the base of the eastern face some 1200 or 1400ft of 9-inch iron piping, including the receiving pipes of larger calibre. During the past few weeks they have been employed reducing and sloping the hummocks and grades of the pack track for the easier carriage of heavy material. An empty dray has been taken up the eastern slopes the past two seasons with some little difficulty by the Fox Brothers but the carting tip of the pipes and timber is an arduous undertaking requiring no little skill, patience, and energy. One of our old goldfields' pioneers, Mr Henry Maidman, a man whose energy and determination no obstacles can thwart, has undertaken the job, and I can pay him no higher compliment than to say that, however difficult the task may be, he will carry it through. -Otago Witness, 14/10/1887.
Things to be Avoided. — Several persons in the Wanaka have lately received tickets for sale in an art union to be held in Dublin in aid of a fund to erect a fever wing to the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. The tickets present a splendid array of prizes — rather too splendid to escape arousing suspicion. The address, also, is peculiar — Ottago, Mew Zealand, Australia. The farmers hold aloof from such affairs, as they remember that Mr Henry Maidman, of Mount Barker, won a steam launch in a similar art union held at New Plymouth, and that he can get neither steam launch nor satisfactory reply to inquiries thereanent. I believe that the Rev. Father Cassidy, who got up the art union, is an amateur engineer, who superintended the construction of the steam launch, and left for New South Wales prior to the drawing, building another one there. The minor prizes were duly delivered, one of the printers in the Tablet office drawing and receiving a watch. A firm of Sydney consultationists are also industriously sending round ciroulars, but it is to be hoped that these will fall upon barren ground. The people have had plenty of warning that these are not genuine, notwithstanding that clients are advised to register their letters. -Otago Witness, 28/8/1890.
Mr Henry Maidman -Otago Witness, 20/8/1913.
Mr Richard Norman writes: "I notice with regret the death at his farm at Mount Barker, Wanaka, of Mr Henry Maidman. A native of Camberwell, London, he went to sea very young, and served as a sailor on vessels trading with the Levant. He travelled over mid-Canterbury before 1858, and about the end of 1863 reached Wanaka. He procured a team of bullocks and took wool to Oamaru, returning with stores. In November, 1864, he married Miss Fanny Maria Cole, the ceremony taking place at Albert Town before the registrar, the late Mr Henry Korman, and being the first wedding in the district. A year or two later Mr Maidman opened a store and hotel at Luggate. He eventually sold out and lived at his farm, Mount Barker. His wife predeceased him by some two years. He leaves a number of grand-nephews and nieces. Mr Maidman was a great reader, had a wonderfully retentive memory, and had a very large fund of general information." -Otago Witness, 30/12/1919.
Wanaka Cemetery.
Marion Ewing, (1886-21/7/1906). "subject to fits"
ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.
(Press Association.) Invercargill, This day. George Smith, labourer, 55. living alone at Limehills, committed suicide by cutting his throat.
Marion Ewing. 26, daughter of Joseph Ewing, sawmiller at Pembroke, fell in the fire in a faint, and was severely burned, succumbing to her injuries. -Bush Advocate, 23/7/1906.
Word was received in Arrowtown on Monday of a distressing fatality at Makarora, Lake Wanaka. From brief particulars to hand it appears that on Friday while sitting in front of an open fire-place, Miss Marion Ewing, daughter of Mr J. B. Ewing, of Makarora, was seized with a fit and fell into the fire. Her mother and sister were in another room, and were unaware of what had happened. When discovered Miss Ewing was terribly burned about the head and body, and died a few minutes afterwards. Deceased young lady was subject to fits, and it is supposed that she fell into the fire in one. We deeply sympathise with the distressed parents in their very sore trial. Deceased was only 26 years of age. Her body was taken to Pembroke on Monday for interment. -Lake County Press, 26/7/1906.
A Sad Occurrence. — The joy and happiness of the wedding celebrations had hardly died away when we were plunged into sorrow and mourning by hearing that Miss Marion Ewing, eldest daughter of Mr J. B. Ewing, proprietor of the Makarora sawmill, had been so badly burnt that it was declared impossible for her to live. She has been in failing health for a long time past, and was subject to fits. It appears she was left sitting before the fire, and when one of her brothers came in a few minutes afterwards he found her in the fire ablaze. With considerable presence of mind he threw a couple of buckets of water over her to put the fire out and enable him to rescue her; but it was found that she was so badly burned that it was impossible for her to live. Mr Ewing was down in Pembroke on business at the time, and one of his sons at once rode down to apprise him of the fatality, and a sad and lonely ride it was through a dark and bleak night. Mr Ewing at once chartered the s.s. Makarora, and went back, taking Dr Waddell, and also Mr N. Templeton, the undertaker, and on arriving home he ascertained that the unfortunate girl had died four hours after the occurrence, never regaining consciousness. An invalid is always missed in the house, and the sorrow is ever so much greater when the end is so tragic, and the family and relations had the profoundest sympathy of everyone. The body was brought down on the return voyage of the Makarora, and the funeral took place in the Pembroke Cemetery, Mr Hunt, the Presbyterian divinity student, reading the service. -Otago Witness, 8/8/1906.
Wanaka Cemetery.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)