9/759 Sergeant James Gilbert Morrison, (26/1/1886-13/7/1915). "regret to advise you"

DEATH OF TTMARU MAN. 

Mrs S. Morrison, of Timaru, has received the following telegram from the Minister of Defence (the Hon. James Allen): — "Regret to advise you cable received this day reports that your son. 9-759 Sergeant James Gilbert Morrison, was killed in action, July 13, 1915. Please accept my sincerest sympathy in the loss which you and New Zealand has suffered." Sergt. Morrison was well known in Timaru, where he was employed for eight years in Mr P. G. Allen's seed shop. He took a prominent part in local sports. His father is caretaker of Chalmers Church.  -Timaru Herald, 3/8/1915.

Sergeant James Gilbert Morrison, Otago Infantry, who was killed in action on July 13, was born and educated in Otago, but later came to Timaru. When the war broke out he joined the Otago quota to the Main Body as a private, and had since been promoted to sergeant. He took a keen interest in sports of all kinds, and was for many years one of the representative rowers of the Timaru Club.  -Otago Witness, 25/8/1915.

The period of the Gallipoli campaign in which James Morrison was killed was a relatively quiet one.  It is possible that he was killed by a sniper.

Timaru Cemetery.

Second Officer Roy Douglas Watts, (1905-3/8/1937). "head first"

FELL OVERBOARD.

SHIP'S OFFICER DROWNED. 

RESIDENT OF AUCKLAND. 

(By Telegraph. — Own Correspondent.) TIMARU. Tuesday. 

The full story of the drowning of Mr. Roy Douglas Watts (33). of 21, Cow per Street. Devonport. second officer of the freighter Port Waikato, was told when the ship berthed at Timaru. 

When the tragedy occurred at 7 a.m., the Port Waikato was about four miles from Timaru. The hold had been cleaned in preparation for loading, and Mr. Watts and two of the crew were engaged in dumping refuse into the sea. A canvas sling had been spread on deck and the rubbish, chiefly straw, dumped in it. The sling was then raised by a derrick and winch and swung over the rail about amidships, the ropes of the sling being cut on one side to allow the rubbish to be tipped. The straw apparently was slow in leaving the sling, and Mr. Watts climbed on to the rail and tried to slash one of the ties, but overbalanced and fell head first into the sea. 

A lifebuoy was immediately thrown over the side, and Captain J. H. Holmes, master of the vessel, rang the engines to full speed astern and order a boat to be prepared for lowering. The ship was stopped in a short time and the boat was manned, the crew pulling to the spot where Mr. Watts was lost. He had not reached the lifebuoy, but was floating. He had been in the water about a quarter of an hour. Able Seaman Keen jumped over the boat's side and brought Mr. Watts on board, unconscious. 

Artificial respiration was started immediately and was continued for the remainder of the journey, but Mr. Watts did not regain consciousness. 

Mr. Watts, who will be buried in Timaru to-morrow, is survived by his wife and a four-year-old son. His mother lives at 45, Rawhiti Road, Onahunga.  -Auckland Star, 4/8/1937.

FUNERAL

WATTS. — The Friends of the late Roy Douglas Watts, Second Officer M.V. Port Waikato, are respectfully informed that his Funeral will leave our Private Chapel, 2 Arthur Street, Timaru, This Day (Wednesday), August 4, at 2.30 p.m. for the Timaru Cemetery. (Sewell Bros.)  -Timaru Herald, 4/8/1937.

SHIP'S OFFICER DROWNED

ACCIDENT ON PORT WAIKATO 

INQUEST CONCLUDED AT TIMARU 

"I would like to pay a tribute to the Captain and crew upon the efficiency with which the treatments were carried out," said Dr. R. D. King during the adjourned inquest into the death of Roy Douglas Watts, second officer of the Port Waikato, who fell overboard off Jack's Point shortly after 7 a.m. on August 3. Dr. King added that he considered that nothing further could have been done to keep deceased warm. 

Death was due to shock following immersion in cold water as a result of falling overboard while dumping straw, said the Coroner, Mr A. L. Gee, in his verdict. 

The inquiry was conducted by Sergeant Black. Watts had been a member of the crew for four years, and was second officer, said Captain J. W. H. Holmes, master of the Port Waikato. Captain Holmes relieved Watts on the bridge, and Watts went below to make arrangements for the dumping of straw. He later saw Watts standing upright on the main rail. As Watts went to cut the stop Captain Holmes saw him wobble, and the donkeyman rush to his assistance. Captain Holmes immediately telegraphed the engine room to stop the ship. When he saw that Watts was clear of the stern, Captain Holmes ordered full speed astern. Meanwhile all hands on deck got the boat out. Within 15 minutes of the time of the accident Watts was pulled into the boat. 

To the Coroner, Captain Holmes said that it was not usual for men to stand on the rail. It was a foolish thing to have done, and there was no reason for Watts to have done so. The sea was so smooth that Watts must have been tempted to do so. Watts was a strong swimmer.  -Press, 21/8/1937.

Timaru Cemetery.

28991 Rifleman Ernest Dass, (18/5/1893-10/7/1917). "his promising young life"

On Thursday evening a farewell social was tendered by the residents of Marshland to Private Frank Solfe. Mr W. J. Walter presided. Songs were given by Mrs H. G. J ones and Mr P. Basher, and a pianoforte solo by Miss D. Beck. Addresses suitable to the occasion were delivered by the chairmen and Messrs J. Voss and H. Rowe (Burwood). Three hearty cheers were given and the audience sang “For He's a Jolly Good Fellow.” The music for the dancing was supplied by Mr H. G. Jones. During an interval in the proceedings opportunity was taken to unveil another photographic group of men on active service. The honour of performing the ceremony fell to the lot of Mrs Crawford, who has a son on the western front in the No. 6 Howitzer Battery, New Zealand Field Artillery; The group consisted of Private W. Hawken (Twelfth Reinforcements), Private G. Sands (Tenth Reinforcements), Private H. Head (Sixth Reinforcements), Private Eric Dass (Fourteenth Reinforcements), Chaplain-Captain Dunnage (Tenth Reinforcements), and Private Ernest Dass (Eighteenth Reinforcements).  -Lyttelton Times, 5/3/1917.

Rifleman Ernest Dass, reported dangerously ill, suffering from gunshot wounds, fracturing the right thigh and the lower part of the left leg, is the fourth son of Mr William Dass, Gapes Valley, Geraldine. He is twenty-three years of age, and was educated at the Marshland School. Rifleman Dass was well known in cycling circles, and was a member of the Marshland Cycling Club for some years. Prior to enlisting he was engaged in farming at Gapes Vallev, and left with the Eighteenth Reinforcements.  -Lyttelton Times, 5/7/1917.

NEW ZEALAND'S ROLL OF HONOUR.

DASS — Died of wounds on the 10th July, 1917, Ernest Dass, 18th Reinforcements, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Dass, of Gapes Valley, Geraldine, and brother of Mrs. Anderson, Argyle-street, aged 21 years. His duty done.   -Evening Post, 14/7/1917.

ROLL OF HONOUR.

DASS. — July 2nd, died of wounds in France, Ernest, dearly beloved 4th son of William Dass, Gapes Valley, Geraldine; aged 23 years. 

He nobly gave his promising young life for his friends.  -Timaru Herald, 21/7/1917.

Ernest Dass' Army record shows that he died of septicemia caused by his gunshot wounds.

Timaru Cemetery.

6/3483 Private Arthur Percival Stowell, (27/8/1894-6/6/1917). "we love him still"

 HEATHCOTE NOTES.

(From Our Correspondent.] 

The deepest regret was felt by residents of Heathcoat last Saturday, when news was received that Private A. P. Stowell, of the Eighth Reinforcements, had died from wounds. The deceased soldier went through the Gallipoli campaign with his regiment and was then transferred to the western front. He escaped without a scratch till the battle of Messines, when he received wounds from which he died. Private Stowell's letters often stated how anxious he was to receive the promotion which he felt he had earned. Shortly before the news of his death a letter was received saying how sorry he was he had not gone up a step. Here the censor (one of his officers) had written in the margin: - "Private Stowell has long since been recognised as one of my best men, and as soon as a vacancy occurs he shall rise. His extreme youth fulness is absolutely the only thing against him. Lieutenant: J. Mc Queen. Deep sympathy is felt for his fiancee, Miss L. Smith, sister of Mrs Captain Bloom, of Heathcote, and for his widoed mother of South Canterbury.  -Star, 23/6/1917.

IN MEMORIAM.

STOWELL. — In loving memory of Percy, who died of wounds, June 6th, 1917, at Messines (8th Reinforcements), youngest son of Mrs Stowell, Pareora. 

— Inserted by Charlotte Smith. 

BROWN. — In loving memory of my dear husband, Lance Corporal George Arthur Brown, killed in action at Messines, 7th June, 1917. 

Only "Good-night" beloved not ''Farewell." 

— Inserted by E. Brown, Harris Street, Waimate. 

STOWELL. — In loving memory of Privato A. P. Stowell, died of wounds, in France, on June 6th, 1917. 

Tis just a year ago to-day, Since our dear brother was called away.

Forget him, no we never will, We loved him then, we love him still. 

— Inserted by his loving brother and sister, J. and E. Stowell.  -Timaru Herald, 6/6/1918.

Percy Stowell's Army record does not show what his wounds were. It states that he was carried to an Advanced Dressing Station and was dead on arrival.

Timaru Cemetery.

Walter Douglas Harte, (1917-26/10/1936). "a very muffled report"

FATAL BULLET WOUND

TIMARU, Last Night. 

Walter Douglas Harte, aged 19, eldest son of Mr. W. Harte, registrar of the Supreme Court, died in the Timaru Hospital to-night as the result of a shooting accident. 

Mr. Harte and four companions went to Hanging Rock, 15 miles from Timaru, to spe.nd the week-end. Mr. Harte entered a tent alone, and a shot was heard, his companions finding him gravely injured in the head. Mr. Harte was brought to Timaru but died five hours later. 

It is understood that Mr Harte was not familiar with firearms and that the rifle went off while he was inspecting it. He was well known in cricket land football circles.  -Central Hawkes Bay Press, 17/10/1936.

DEATH OF YOUNG MAN

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST 

CORONER ADDS RIDER 

An inquest into the circumstances of the death of Walter Douglas Harte, who died in the Timaru Hospital on Monday night as a result of a bullet wound in the head, was held before the Coroner, Mr A. L. Gee, yesterday afternoon. 

Sergeant Vaughan conducted the proceedings for the police. 

Before hearing evidence, the Coroner expressed his sympathy with the relatives of the deceased. 

Dr. Allan Keith Tullacti, house surgeon at the Timaru Public Hospital, said that Harte was admitted to the hospital at 7 p.m. on Monday. Witness detailed the nature of the injuries, which were consistent with a wound from a pea-rifle bullet. Death was due to an extensive fracture of the skull and laceration of the brain.

Angus Charles McInnes, registered masseur, said that he was near the scene of the accident, which occurred at Hanging Rock. He was about to leave when two companions of Harte informed him that an accident had occurred. Witness went to the tent where the injured lad was lying. He was lying face downwards over a bed, and on turning the lad over, he saw a wound in the forehead. Witness sent a car for Dr. P. B. Benham at Pleasant Point, and in the meantime he attended to the wound.

Graeme Alexander Foote, clerk, residing at 36 Wai-Iti Road, said that Harte, three other companions and witness were camped at Hanging Rock for the week-end. They had a .22 calibre Winchester repeating rifle. During Monday afternoon they were target shooting, and returned to the camp at 4.15. Witness placed the rifle in the tent, and at the time he was not sure whether the rifle was loaded or not, but he had an idea there were bullets in it. Witness, Rendall and Harte were playing outside the tent, and it was while they were there that Rendall brought the rifle out again. He held the rifle on his hip and pointed it towards, the sky. He then took it back into the tent, without attempting to fire it. Rendall came out of the tent again, and shortly afterwards Harte went into the tent. The next they heard was a very muffled report, and on rushing into the tent they found Harte sitting on the blankets, huddled up, with the rifle between his legs. The muzzle of the rifle was resting against his shoulder. Witness had told him that he was going to clean the rifle, but he could not say whether Harte knew it was loaded or not.

Sergeant Vaughan: The fact that you told him you were going to clean the rifle would lead him to believe that it was empty.

Witness: I Can’t say. Harte did not know anything about a rifle. 

The Coroner: You were actually the last one to use the rifle? — Yes. I was the last to fire it.

Constable C. L. Pont, of Pleasant Point, said that at 5.45 p.m. on Monday he received a message from Hanging Rock that there had been a shooting accident. He went to Hanging Rock and found Harte lying unconscious. The rifle was lying nearby. There was a spent cartridge in the breech and a live cartridge in the magazine. 

Alexander Costie Rendall, clerk, residing at 17 Hatton Street, gave similar evidence to the witness Foote. He had an idea there were cartridges in the magazine of the rifle when it was put in the tent, but he was not sure. The rifle had been used during the afternoon, but no further cartridges were put in. When he took the rifle out of the tent, he simply pointed it skywards, and then took it back into the tent. He did not particularly notice whether the trigger was at halfcock, but he was under the impression that it was. During the afternoon, Harte had about half a dozen shots, but the rifle was loaded for him each time.

A verdict was returned of death from a fractured skull and laceration of the brain, the result of a shot from a Winchester repeating rifle, received while camping at Hanging Rock, near Pleasant Point. There was no evidence to show how Harte came to fire the rifle. The Coroner added: “It might have been accidental, and probably was.”

The Coroner added the following rider: “It is deeply to be deplored that men more especially young men, and boys, do not take warning from the number of fatal accidents which occur from time to time throughout the Dominion, as a result of the careless handling of firearms. Experienced riflemen know and realise the danger of leaving a rifle loaded and the majority of these experts are most particular to see that the weapon is empty before putting it down. Unfortunately people of lesser experience seem unable to grasp the seriousness of leaving a cartridge in the chamber, the result being fatalities, such as we have been inquiring into to-day. 

“A somewhat similar fatality occurred at Awakino yesterday when a man who was pig shooting laid a loaded rifle down and was shot when the weapon was accidentally discharged. 

“I do sincerely hope that these two regrettable tragedies occurring on the same day will impress themselves upon the minds of men and boys throughout the Dominion and result in sportsmen seeing that their rifles are unloaded before being put down even for a few minutes.”

Sympathetic reference to the death of Douglas Harte, an old boy of the school, was made by the Rector, Mr A. G. Tait, addressing the students of the Boys’ High School at assembly yesterday. Mr Tait, in referring to the distressing accident, referred to the popularity of deceased who had left school within the last few years and yet had been closely associated with it, both in football and cricket as a member of the Old Boys’ Club.

A motion of condolence with the relatives was carried in silence by the school.  -Timaru Herald, 28/10/1936.

Timaru Cemetery.

414644 Flying Officer Alexander George Patterson "Pat" Newman, (1/11/1920-8/1/1945). "missing"

Pat Newman enlisted in the RNZAF in June, 1940, and was trained in New Zealand and Canada. In May, 1942, he arrived in Britain and was trained to fly the Spitfire fighter. At the end of 1942 he was sent to Egypt and had further training at an Air Fighting School. 

He was then posted to 145 Squadron, operating from the south coast of Italy. He flew 154 missions with them before being sent back to Egypt for service as a test pilot. He rejoined No 145 back in Italy in November, 1944.

On January 18, 1945, he and another pilot took off on an armed reconnaissance flight and made a firing run on a number of barges in the river Adige. They made a second run than Newman broke off and fired at some nearby buildings. One of them, 100ft below, exploded below Newman's Spitfire, setting its engine on fire. It dived into the ground, killing Pat Newman.

Advice has been received by Mrs H. M. Newman, Timaru, that her youngest son, Sergeant A. G. P. Newman, has received his commission. Pilot Officer Newman has been serving with the R.A.F. Spitfire Squadron in the Cassino area.  -Timaru Herald, 28/6/1944.

PERSONAL

Advice has been received by Mrs H. M. Newman, LeCren Street, that her son, Flying Officer A. G. P. (Pat) Newman is missing on air operations.  -Timaru Herald, 25/1/1945.

In October, Pat's status was changed to "Presumed dead." He was buried in the Padua War Cemetery.

Timaru Cemetery.

Denis John Cremin, (1934-6/11/1939). "started to cry"

DISCHARGE OF RIFLE

BOY ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL 

A boy named Denis Cremin, aged five years, a son of Mr D. J. Cremin. of 7 Canada Street. Timaru, was admitted to the Timaru Hospital last night suffering from an injury to the chest and abdomen caused by the discharge of a rifle. It is understood that the boy secured the rifle not knowing it was loaded, and it exploded. An operation was performed at 9.30 o’clock last night.  -Timaru Herald, 6/11/1939.

DEATH

CREMIN — On November 6, 1939, at Timaru, Denis John, dearly beloved only child of Hinemoa and Denis Cremin, of 7 Canada Street; aged 5 years. (Result of an accident.)  -Timaru Herald, 7/11/1939.

DEATH OF BOY

Firearms In Reach Of Children 

Coroner’s Warning 

“This case again emphasises the danger of leaving firearms within reach of children,” observed the Coroner (Mr H. Morgan) in giving his verdict at the inquest into the death of Denis John Cremin, aged 5 1/2 years, who died in the Timaru Public Hospital on November 6 as the result of a wound from a rifle shot discharged by Robert Eric Dale, aged 13. 

“The evidence shows clearly what happened,” said Mr Morgan. “Robert Dale took this rifle from the cupboard and it was discharged into the abdomen of the boy. Robert Dale had been warned by his parents and by his brother not to touch the rifle. In disobeying the order he has been the cause of the death of this boy. He probably did not realise the seriousness of his action and the danger, as he said he did not observe that the magazine was attached to the rifle. It is an unfortunate tragedy.” 

Sergeant R. Henry represented the police. 

Dr. G. R. Kingston said that Cremin had been admitted to the Public Hospital on November 5 after being shot in the right front chest, and the wound of entry was bleeding. Shock was profound and there was evidence of internal haemorrhage, probably from the liver. An X-ray was taken and an operation was considered justifiable. The condition of the boy was critical throughout. A blood transfusion was made in the early morning, and in spite of all that could be done the boy died the following day. The cause of death was abdominal injury due to a gun shot wound, with haemorrhage and profound shock.

Loading Demonstrated 

Robert Eric Dale, aged 13 years, said that on November 5 Denis Cremin, Ian McConnell, aged seven, and Geoffrey McConnell, aged four, were visiting his parents at Fairview. About 4 p.m. he took the three boys to a shed in which he slept and asked them if they would like to see a rifle which he knew was in the cupboard. He took out the rifle and drew back the bolt to show the boys how it was loaded and then pulled the trigger. The rifle exploded. Immediately, the boy Cremin started to cry and stood crying for about half a minute before falling on the floor. The magazine was in the rifle when witness took it from the cupboard, but he did not examine the rifle to see if there were any live shells in the magazine before he drew back the bolt, nor did he know there was a live shell in the breech when he opened and closed the bolt. The rifle was not pointing at any particular boy when he pulled the trigger. Witness informed the Coroner that he had not previously demonstrated the rifle to boys. He knew the purpose of the magazine and had seen it detached from the rifle, but did not notice that it was attached when he picked up the rifle on that occasion. The boy Cremin was standing about 15 feet from him when he pulled the trigger. His father and mother had warned him not to touch the rifle. 

Ian Alexander McConnell, aged seven years, who was questioned by the Coroner, said that he went with two or three other boys to the bedroom at Dale's place and saw Robert Dale get a gun from a cupboard and hold it in his hand, but could not say how it was pointing when he pulled the trigger. So far as witness knew, Dale did not say he would show the boys how the rifle worked. Witness heard the report from the rifle when it went off. The boy Cremin started to cry and then fell over. 

Brother’s Warning 

Noel David Dale, a joiner employed by Jackson and Co., said he was the registered owner of a .22 calibre automatic rifle, which, on the Thursday before the accident, he had cleaned and assembled and placed in an open cupboard in a shed where witness and a younger brother, Robert Eric Dale, slept. It was the usual practice of witness to keep the magazine out of the rifle when not in use, but on assembling it on that occasion he must have placed the magazine in the rifle. The magazine contained a number of live cartridges. His younger brother had fired shots from the rifle in the presence of witness, but so far as he knew the boy had never had the rifle out alone.

To the Coroner witness said that the magazine was kept in a separate cupboard from the rifle, but the cupboard was not locked and his younger brother could easily have got it. While he had not actually demonstrated the rifle to the boy, his brother had watched witness assembling the rifle and could at any time have got hold of the rifle and magazine and loaded it. Witness had warned the boy not to touch the rifle, and had no reason to believe he had done so previously. 

Constable J. Devlin gave formal evidence. The verdict was in accordance with the medical evidence.  -Timaru Herald, 12/12/1939.

Timaru Cemetery.