Thomas Herbert Johnston, (3/1914-13/8/1915). "in a well"

A particularly sad accident was discovered to-day, when the body of Thomas Herbert Johnston, aged 17 months, was found in a well at Kurow. An inquest will be held to-morrow.  -Oamaru Mail, 13/8/1915.

Our Hakataramea correspondent writes — A rather sad drowning fatality occurred here on Friday morning in which a little boy named Johnston, aged seventeen months, lost his life. The mother left the little fellow at the back of the house while she attended to some household duties and when she returned she found him lying in a shallow well nearby. Mr Hugh Barclay did all in his power to restore life by means of artificial respiration, but when the doctor arrived he pronounced life extinct. The sympathy of all is extended to the parents in their sad bereavement.  -Oamaru Mail, 16/8/1915.

Hakataramea Cemetery.

34893 Private Donald Roderick McKenzie, (-21/9/1916). "in camp about a month"

SICKNESS IN CAMP.

A DEATH AT TRENTHAM. 

The Defence authorities announced yesterday that Private Donald Roderick McKenzie, D Company, Twentieth Reinforcements, had died in Trentham Hospital in the early morning. The cause of death was pneumonia, following measles. 

Seven cases of meningitis are still on the serious list, but the improvement mentioned in previous reports is being maintained. The health of the troops is generally good, and the number of patients in the military hospitals is decreasing owing to the reduction in the number of cases of colds, influenza, and measles.  -Dominion, 22/9/1916.

ROLL OF HONOR.

McKENZIE, on 21st September, at the Trentham Military Hospital, Private Donald Roderick McKenzie (20th Reinforcements), second son of Mrs M. and the late Donald McKenzie, "Table Top," Hakataramea, aged 33 years. "For Home and Country." The funeral will leave Kurow at 2 o'clock on Tuesday, 26th September, for the Hakataramea cemetery.  -Oamaru Mail, 25/9/1916.

The death is announced of Private D. R. McKenzie, of the Twentieth Reinforcements, of measles and pneumonia, at Trentham Hospital. He had only been in camp about a month. The late Private McKenzie was a prominent and active member of the Waitaki Collie Dog Club and the Kurow Jockey Club. He was the second son of the late Mr Donald McKenzie, of Table Top, Haka, and was in charge of a sheep station for the past thirteen years.  -Press, 26/9/1916.

An impressive ceremony was performed at Hakataramea yesterday, when the remains of Private D. R. McKenzie, of the 20th Reinforcements, who died at Trentham from an attack of measles and pneumonia, were interred with military honors. The cortege left the Kurow Presbyterian Church, where a service was held, and the funeral was one of the largest seen in the district, friends and relatives of the deceased soldier and his family attending from far and near. A number of Territorials comprised the firing party, and the gun carriage and drivers were supplied by the Royal New Zealand Field Artillery. Captain Redmond, N.Z.S.C., represented the Defence Department. At the graveside Rev. Mr Bews conducted the burial service, and the "Last Post" was sounded.  -Oamaru Mail, 27/9/1916.

Hakataramea Cemetery.

9/29 Bombardier David (24/8/1883-17/9/1916) and 9/28 Trooper James (29/7/1886-5/8/1915) Dow. "beside his brother"

 

PERSONAL NOTES. 

Trooper James Dow was the younger son of Mr and Mrs John Dow, Dunedin, and only brother of Trooper David Dow, who is also in action at the Dardanelles. He was educated at the North-east Valley School, and served his apprenticeship as a blacksmith, later discarding his trade in favor of farming, which occupation he followed in the Wanaka district up till the time of his enlistment with the Main Expeditionary Force. Some time ago he had the misfortune to lose his left eye, but notwithstanding this he enlisted immediately after the outbreak of hostilities. Trooper Dow was a quiet, unassuming fellow, and greatly respected by all with whom he associated. So far neither date nor details of his death have come to hand, but from letters received it is known he had been in action previous to his last engagement, and was fighting beside his brother.  -Evening Star, 2/9/1915.

In the Empire's Cause.

Trooper Dave Dow, reported died from wounds received in action, is another young man who, although not a native of Cromwell, was looked upon as one of the community by reason of several years residence in the district prior to enlisting. He was a son of Mr J. Dow, Dunedin, a gentleman well-known throughout Central Otago, where for some years he travelled in connection with his particular line of business. Trooper Dow signed on in one of the earlier reinforcements, and took part in the Gallipoli campaign, where he was put out of action temporarily, and was later engaged in transport work in Egypt. In the western campaign he sustained wounds which added his name to the honored list of those who have laid down their lives in the great cause. He is the second son of the family to pay the extreme penalty, his brother James, also a resident of the Upper Clutha district, having fallen in the Gallipoli campaign. Like his brother who fell earlier, Trooper Dave Dow was a cheery and industrious young fellow, extremely popular with all who made his acquaintance, and from these the deepest sympathy goes forth to his bereaved parents in their great sacrifice for King and country.  -Cromwell Argus, 30/10/1916.

Bombardier David Dow was wounded during the Battle of the Somme, with shrapnel (or gunshot wounds) hitting him in the chest and knee. He sustained his wounds on September 13 and died in a Casualty Clearing Station on September 17th.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

30352 Matron Lucille Emily Souness RRC, (1897-12/7/1960). "lifetime of service"

OBITUARY

Matron L. E. Souness 

Matron Lucy Emily Souness, Royal Nursing Corps, who died in Dunedin recently, spent a lifetime of service in the nursing profession in New Zealand, reports the Press Association from Dunedin. 

She will be remembered by many soldiers who trained in New Zealand before service overseas in the Second World War. Between 1943 and 1953 she worked in military hospitals throughout the Dominion, including camp hospitals at Taiaroa Heads, Narrow Neck, Papakura, Raventhorpe and Waiouru, where she was matron-in-chief for three years. 

In 1954, after retiring from active Army service, she was appointed matron of a Wellington hospital for returned servicemen. In 1956 Miss Souness accepted the position of matron of the Caccia Birch Hospital in Palmerston. 

She retired a few months ago at the age of 63.  -Evening Post, 14/7/1960.

"RRC" stands for the Royal Red Cross, first awarded in 1883 and bestowed on Matron Souness by Queen Elizabeth II in 1954.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

Archibald John Shephard, (1879-2/7/1929). "dropped down on the rails"

 CUT TO PIECES

(By Telegraph. — Press Association.) DUNEDIN, 2nd July. 

A middle-aged man named Archibald John Shephard, married, residing at 11, Dacre street, Caversham, was killed in the railway yard this afternoon. He was employed in the goods foreman's department, and had finished work. When a line of eight cars was being shunted into the North End station he attempted to board the nearest car, but slipped, and the whole eight passed over him, cutting him to pieces.  -Evening Post, 3/7/1929.

DEATHS

SHEPHARD. — On July 2, 1929, at Dunedin (result of an accident), Archibald John (Jack), N.Z.R., dearly beloved husband of Maud Shephard. Funeral Intimation later.  -Otago Daily Times, 3/7/1929.

RAILWAYMAN’S DEATH

KILLED DURING SHUNT 

An inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Archibald John Shephard, who was kilted in, the railway yards on July 2, was held this morning before Mr J. H. Bartholomew, S.M. Mr W. Ward represented the relatives of the deceased, and Mr K. A. Newman the Railway Department, by whom the deceased was employed. Sergeant Vaughan conducted the case for the police. 

Albert Knute Dobson, a railway shunter, said that at 4.25, on July 2, he was engaged in shunting the Port Chalmers train off the main line into the north dock. The deceased came over the foreman of works’ gate with a number of other men, and ran out to board the shunt. Witness was travelling on the front platform, and was taking the shunt in on the hand brake. Deceased caught hold of the first upright rail with his left hand. He had a parcel in his right hand. He made a bad job of trying to get on, and dropped down on the rails. Before witness could stop the shunt, all eight carriages had passed over him. The shunt was travelling at seven or eight miles per hour. The deceased had no right to board the car. When he fell nothing could have prevented the fatality.

Questioned by the coroner, witness stated that the men were not allowed to ride on the shunts. 

William Urquhart, leading carpenter in the Ways and Works department, gave corroborative evidence. 

To Mr Newman: There was no necessity for the deceased to have crossed the line the shunt was travelling on. 

Peter McPherson, carpenter, also gave corroborative evidence. 

Sergeant Vaughan gave evidence as to the finding of the body. 

“The evidence is undisputed, and makes it only too clear how this tragic accident occurred,” said the coroner. “Death was due to injuries caused by the deceased being accidentally run over by a shunt of railway carriages.”  -Evening Star, 8/7/1929.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

27706 Private Charles Robert Smith, (27/8/1896-2/9/1918). "a sacrifice for liberty"

Charles Smith was working as a farm labourer in the Dunedin area when he enlisted in June, 1916. He was wounded by shrapnel (or possibly shell-shock: his Army record shows the note "sh/sh.") in the disastrous attack on Bellevue Spur on October 12, 1917 and was out of action for a month.

In February, 1918, he was affected ("wd gas severe") by poison gas during a relatively quiet time in the front line. He was out of action for a month and a half.

On September 2nd, 1918, Charles' Battalion, the 2nd Otago, had fought through the failed German offensive the previous Spring and was fighting a retreating but still strong enemy. The Otagos were consolidating their line on the day Charles was killed so his death might have been the action of a German sniper.

FOR KING AND COUNTRY.

DEATH. 

SMITH. — On September 2nd, 1918, killed in action somewhere in France, Lancecorporal Charles Robert Smith (17th Reinforcements), beloved second son of James R. and Margaret Smith, 89 Grosvenor street, Kensington, and beloved grandson of Mr and Mrs James Purdie, Balfour street, N. E. Valley; aged 20 years. 

He cheerfully did his duty.  -Evening Star, 19/9/1918.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE. 

IN MEMORIAM.

SMITH. — In loving memory of 27706 — Lance-corporal Charles Robert Smith, who was killed in action at Bancourt, France, on September 2, 1918. 

"Somewhere In France" he is laid to rest

His life's work nobly done; 

'Twas a sacrifice for liberty 

Ere life had scarcne begun. 

— Inserted by his loving parents grandparents, sisters, and brothers.  -Otago Daily Times, 2/9/1919.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

Sister Amy Rhodes, (1866-20/5/1918). "experiences after death"

SMITH'S Hall, Hanover street. — Meeting Sunday night, 7 o’clock. Sister Amy Rhodes, S.G.P., Order Light, from South Australia, True Believers Divinity Christ. Address; ‘Sacrifices.’ Spiritual messages. All welcome. Collection.  -Evening Star, 23/10/1915.

Sister Mary Rhodes arrived in Dunedin from Adelaide during the war years, after what seems to be a split in her original movement, the Order of Light (Inc.).

SMITHS HALL, Hanover street, Sunday, 5-7 p.m. — Sister Amy Rhodes, Sovereign Grand President, Order of Light; address, 'Christians Awake.' Messages from flowers; all welcome; collection.  -Evening Star, 30/10/1915.

SMITH'S HALL, Hanover street, Sunday, 7 p.m., Sister Amy Rhodes. Addresses: "The Bruised Heart," "Vengeance is Mine." Independent spiritual messages. Collection for charity.  -Evening Star, 8/4/1916.

DUNEDIN SPIRITUALIST CHURCH (Reg.), Smith's Hall, Hanover street, , SUNDAY, 7 p.m. SISTER AMY RHODES, Australia's Registered Medium. Subject: 'The Rich Man and Lazarus.' Independent Messages. Silver coin collection. Come early and secure a seat.  -Evening Star, 29/9/1917.

Smith's Hall, Hanover street, SUNDAY, 7 p.m. SISTER AMY RHODES, Australia's Registered Medium. TRANCE ADDRESS. Spiritual Messages from Flowers. Silver Coin Collection. Come early and secure a seat.  -Evening Star, 6/10/1917.

DUNEDIN Spiritualist Church (Reg.). — Smith's Hall, Hanover street, Sunday, 7 p.m., Sister Amy Rhodes. Trance Address: "Experiences After Death." Silver coin collection. Farewell address. Mrs Rhodes's private address: 21 Filleul street.  -Otago Daily Times, 15/12/1917.

FRIENDLY Societies’ Hall, South Dunedin, Sunday, 7 p.m. Sister Amy Rhodes. Trance address: ‘Hell: Where and What Is It?’ Spiritual messages from Rowers. Mrs Rhodes’s private address: 21 Filleul street. Collection.  -Evening Star, 26/1/1918.

DEATHS.

RHODES. — On May 20, 1918, at her residence, 21 Filleul street, Sister Amy Rhodes; aged 52 years. Late of Australia. Private interment. — Hugh Gourlev, undertaker.  -Evening Star, 29/5/1918.

DUNEDIN SPIRITUALIST CHURCH. 

Smith's Hall, Hanover street, 

At 7 p.m. 

Mr FRED GEORGE. 

Memorial Service for late Sister Amy Rhodes. 

Messages from Flowers at Close.

Collection at Door.  

-Evening Star, 1/6/1918.

Not having access to Sister Rhodes' death certificate I do not know the official cause of her death. It might have been believed at the time that she was truly prescient of her own earthly end.  She might have died of a more predictable and inevitable cause.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.