7/2112 Private John Joseph O'Boyle, (24/5/1886-15/9/1916). "their duty at home"

The people of Tycho, in that spirit which has characterised all their actions since the war started, are now working enthusiastically to arrange a fitting farewell and presentation ceremony in honour of another four sturdy young patriots who are leaving comfortable homes in the district to go out and fight for the Empire. The departing soldiers are — James O'Boyle, Joseph J. O'Boyle, J. B. Daley, and S. Mathews. The function will be held in the Tycho School next Friday night.  -Timaru Herald, 11/10/1915.

TROOPERS FROM TYCHO

ENTIIUSIASTIC SEND-OFF. 

The people of Tycho showed their admiration for the young men who are leaving the district by the enthusiastic way in which they entertained the four latest to offer — James and Joseph O'Boyle, J. Daley and S. Matthew — who left for Trentham yesterday. The farewell gathering was held in the Tycho school on Friday night, when the budding was filled to overflowing, and the departing soldiers were made to feel that their friends were very proud of their action in going forward to fight for their country and those they were leaving behind. Among those present were Mrs Mathews and Miss Mathews, mother and sister respectively of Mr S. Mathews, and the parents of Mr J. Daley were also in attendance. Mr J. Armstrong presided. The first part of the evening was spent in dancing and card playing, after which the chairman stated the object of the gathering and called on Mr R. J. McKeown to say a few words.

Mr McKeown, in a humorous speech which elicited frequent applause, related some reminiscences of his acquaintance as a boy with some of the departing soldiers, and then went on to praise all four of them for their readiness to serve their country as soon as they saw that all the help this country could give was needed. He, like everybody else in the district, was proud of them, and they could rest assured of a hearty welcome on their return. (Hear, hear.) He had known the O'Boyle boys from childhood, and could say that the Empire, in getting them at the Front, was getting two really good men. They had done their duty at home and no one had any doubt but that they would do it abroad. Mr Daley he had known for seven years and had never heard anyone say anything but good of him. He had done his, duty to his parents faithfully and well, and had likewise done his duty by assisting every good movement in the district. Like the O'Boyle boys, he too would make a good soldier. With regard to Mr Matthews he could not say anything too good for him. He had been in his employment for some two years, and a better or more loyal worker no man could wish to have. He was liked by everyone in the place and all were sorry to part with him. He hoped to see him soon return. He would find his old position at "Kinmount" open to him at the highest wages it was possible to give. In conclusion Mr McKeown wished the departing soldiers a pleasant trip to the Front, and expressed the hope that they would have the pleasure of taking part in the capture of Berlin. (Applause.)

Each man was presented with a wristlet-watch, suitably inscribed. Mr Morrison in, making the presentations did so in an appropriate speech. He said the present was a time for action rather than words, and the departing | soldiers recognised this. Britain had called for men and money and it was good to know how well New Zealand was responding to the call. Our men who had already gone had proved themselves heroes and had made a name for themselves, and for the Dominion, which would live for ever. (Hear, hear.) The men who were leaving Tycho were men of whom they were all proud, they had always done their duty by the district and those they were leaving behind hoped soon to see them back (Hear, hear.) In going away they were actuated by a sense of duty; they were not going in a mere spirit of adventure, and their friends admired them for their pluck. They would be remembered by the present and future generations, as men who knew their duty and had the courage to do it. (Applause.) Messrs J. and P. Hunter also spoke in very appreciative terms of the departing men and wished them the best of success.

Songs were given during the evening by Miss. Velvin (Christchurch), Mrs Ellis, Messrs P. Hunter, C. Hardcastle and Master Jack Kelly. Splendid music was supplied for the dancng by Mrs Ellis and Miss Marshall, and the Scotch dances were done to the accompaniment of Highland music stirringly played by Mr Oliver Bain. Mr J. Naughton made a very efficient M.C.  -Timaru Herald, 19/10/1915.

Advice has been received by his relatives that Trooper J. J. O'Boyle, fifth son of Mr Neil O'Boyle, Tycho Flat, who was previously reported missing, is now reported killed in action on Sept. 10th. Trooper O'Boyle was educated at the Marist Bros. school; he was 27 years of age, a popular young man, and at the time of his enlistment was farming in the Geraldine district.  -Timaru Herald, 15/12/1916.

John O'Boyle was posted missing on 21 September 1916 and his death was the verdict of a subsequent Court of Enquiry.

“On 15 September O’Boyle was in a working party of which I was a member. When we were returning we picked up two wounded men and O’Boyle was acting as stretcher bearer and I was helping carry the other stretcher. We were under heavy shell fire and when we reached Thistle Dump with the wounded. O’Boyle was missing. We lost several men coming down and I am of the opinion O’Boyle was killed. Pte Gowdy, who was killed subsequently, told me he thought O’Boyle had been blown up by a shell.” -Private Charles Munro.

“On 15 September 1916 I was with O’Boyle returning from working and saw him hit by a shell. I am certain he was killed.” -Corporal Richard Turner.

Timaru Cemetery.

8/45 Sergeant Norman Guthrie Chalmers Dunsford, (23/7/1891-2/5/1915). "an excellent officer"

Sergeant Norman Guthrie Chalmers Dunsford, whose name is included in the list of those killed in action, was well known and highly popular in Oamaru. He was the son of Mr W. G. Dunsford, formerly manager of the Timaru branch of the Union Bank of Australia, and was born on July 23rd, 1891. After finishing his education at the Timaru High School. Sergeant Dunsford joined the staff of the Bank of New South Wales in Timaru in October, 1908. In July, 1912, he was transferred to the Oamaru branch as ledgerkeeper. Here he took a keen interest in military matters, and received a commission as second lieutenant in the 10th (North Otago) Regiment on March 30, 1914, proving an excellent officer. When the call came for men to volunteer for service Mr Dunsford was one of the first in Oamaru — if not actually the first — to answer it. Failing to obtain a commission, he still adhered to his resolution and volunteered into the ranks, and received the rank of sergeant in the Otago Battalion of the main body of the Expeditionary Force. Sergeant Dunsford took an active interest in all sports, and was a prominent member of the Old Boys' Football Club.  -Oamaru Mail, 12/6/1915.

Norman Dunsford was one of the many Otago men who were killed in a fruitless effort to gain territory in the early stages of the Gallipoli campaign. The Regiment sustained 50% casualties and was placed in reserve.

Timaru Cemetery.

13/3518 Corporal Keith Mohr, (5/4/1891-26/3/1918). "his life for his country"

CORPORAL KEITH MOHR.

Corporal Keith Mohr, killed in action on March 26, was the only son of Mr. Philip H. Mohr. of Mount Roskill, who was formerly bandmaster of the Invercargill and Timaru Garrison Bands, and of the Auckland First Battalion Band. Corporal Mohr, who was 25 years old at the time of his death, was educated at the Mount Albert school. Prior to volunteering he was farming in the Clevedon district. He left with the eleventh reinforcements, in the Mounted Rifles. After two weeks in Egypt he was transferred to the infantry, and went to France, where he joined the machine-gun section, in which he had served for over two years when he was killed. He had fought in several actions, including the first battle of the Somme and Messines.  -NZ Herald, 11/4/1918.

Keith Mohr was seriously wounded in November, 1917, during a period of preparation for the upcoming assault on Polderhoek Chateau.  His Army record indicates a wound to his face and chin, possibly from a sniper's bullet.  He was back in action after two months.

On the day of Keith Mohr's death, the NZ Machine Gun Corps was thrown, in support of the NZ Rifle Brigade into a gap in the line.  Allied troops were retreating in the face of the German advance if their Spring offensive.  The advancing German infantry were stopped with heavy casualties, as were German machine gun sections attempting to counter the New Zealanders.

Timaru Cemetery.

Lana Faye Neason, (2/1944-1/6/1945). "caught in a gate"

CHILD STRANGLED

HEAD THROUGH GATE BARS.

P.A. DUNEDIN, June 4.

Lana Faye Neason, aged 14 months, the daughter of Mr and Mrs Neason, of Ravensbourne, died in distressing circumstances. The child's mother found her unconscious with her head through the converging bars of an ornamental gate, and although the child was rushed to hospital, it was found that she had died from strangulation.  -Marlborough Express, 4/6/1945.

DEATH OF A CHILD

The adjourned inquest into the death of Lana Faye Neason, aged 14 months who met her death as a result of becoming caught in a gate at her home at Ravensbourne, was concluded yesterday before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.. as coroner. Sergeant J. Develin conducted the proceedings for the police. 

Constable E. J. Whitty described the gate, stating that the two bars between which the child's head was caught were seven inches apart at the top and three inches at the bottom. He also produced a statement by the mother of the child in which she said that she found the child in an unconscious condition with her head caught in the gate.

The Coroner referred to the occurrence as a most distressing one, and said he could only find that the child had been asphyxiated though her head becoming caught in a gate. There was nothing the child's mother could have done to avoid the tragic consequences of the accident.  -Otago Daily Times, 4/6/1945.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.

Grace Alice Ann Cooper, (1891-11/9/1931). "accidentally fell"

ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS

DEATH DUE TO HEART FAILURE

An inquest touching the death of Grace Alice Ann Cooper, who died in the hospital on Friday night, was held on Saturday night, Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., sitting as coroner. 

John Cooper, husband of the deceased, said his wife visited Mrs Akers, of Ravensbourne, on the morning of September 6. There was a flight of wooden steps leading to the residence of Mrs Akers. When descending the steps Mrs Cooper accidentally fell. She suffered a fractured thigh, and was attended by Dr Allen, who ordered her removal to the hospital. Mrs Cooper had not been in good health for some time, and had intended to enter the hospital for treatment. 

Evidence was also given by Wilson Akers, who corroborated the statement of the previous witness. 

Dr McLean, house surgeon at the hospital, said that an operation was performed on Mrs Cooper on September 11. The patient stood the operation well, but she suddenly collapsed four hours afterwards and died in a few minutes. She was examined before the operation, and nothing abnormal was found to suggest that she would not come through it. 

The coroner returned a verdict to the effect that death was due to heart failure and shock following an operation performed following an injury caused through an accidental fall.  -Evening Star, 14/9/1931.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.

Henry Pepper, (1855-22/8/1927). "a dose of liniment"

POISON BY MISTAKE.

LINIMENT INSTEAD OF COUGH MIXTURE.

On Sunday morning, about 4 o'clock, Henry Pepper, 72 years of age, residing at 42 Ross street, Ravensbourne, took a dose of liniment by mistake, thinking it was a cough medicine. Although he appeared to recover in a few hours, he became worse before mid-day, and was removed to the Dunedin Hospital, where every attention was given to him, but he died on Monday afternoon. 

An inquest into the circumstances was held at the Hospital yesterday afternoon by Mr J. R. Bartholomew, coroner. Sergeant McCarthy represented the police. 

Lawrence Robert Fillingham, seaman, said he was a stepson of the deceased. For some time before his death the deceased had had a cold, and had been confined to his bed with an injury to his side. Deceased was taking a cough mixture prescribed for him by Dr James Fitzgerald. He also had a bottle of ABC liniment, with which he used to rub his side. The bottles were usually kept on the mantelpiece in the bedroom. On Saturday night witness was sleeping with the deceased. About 4 o’clock on Sunday night witness was sleeping with the deceased. About 4 o’clock on Sunday morning witness woke up, and deceased told him he had taken the liniment instead of the cough mixture. A mixture of mustard and water was given to him, and he was sick. Deceased was then put to bed, and the doctor was telephoned for. On the doctor’s advice further treatment was given. Deceased appeared to recover, but about 10 o’clock he got worse. The doctor was telephoned for, and came at once. 

Dr James Fitzgerald said that about a week before the happening he prescribed for the deceased a cough mixture and a liniment. When advised early on Sunday morning of the mistake the deceased had made, he gave directions what to do. On receiving another call about 10 o clock he went to the deceased’s residence at Ravensbourne, where he found the man suffering from effects of poison. Witness washed out his stomach and gave antidotes, and then superintended his removal to the Dunedin Hospital. The family had done the right thing, before communicating with witness, in giving an emetic. 

Dr Holler, resident medical officer at Dunedin Hospital, said the deceased was admitted to the Hospital at 1 p.m. on Sunday in an unconscious condition. He was treated for the type of poisoning from which he was suffering, and his condition improved, but he collapsed and died suddenly on Monday afternoon. The cause of death was cardiac failure, following on the effects of the poison. He regained consciousness on Monday for a few hours. He complained of pain, but gave no connected account of his condition. 

The Coroner said it was evident the liniment had been taken in mistake for the cough mixture. Everything was done for the man, but, unfortunately, without result. His verdict would be that death was due to heart failure, following on poisoning by a liniment accidentally taken in mistake for a cough medicine.  -Otago Daily Times, 24/8/1927.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.

Sarah Anne Tohill, (1861-10/1/1905). "painfully sudden"

A painfully sudden death occurred on the 10th inst in the train reaching Dunedin from Port Chalmers at 2.52 p.m. Mrs Sarah Tohill, wife of John Tohill, a railway platelayer, of Ravensbourne, joined the train at Ravensbourne at 2.41 p.m., and shortly afterwards was noticed to faint. Assistance was given to her, but she did not recover consciousness, and on arrival in Dunedin Dr Martin, who was summoned, pronounced life to be extinct. Mrs Tohill had been troubled with shortness of breath lately, and had sought medical advice. It is supposed that she must have hurried to catch the train. She was about 45 years of age, and leaves, it is said, 18 children, the youngest of whom is three months old. The body was taken back to Ravensbourne on the next tram. At the inquest, Annie Isabel Tohill, residing with her parents at Ravensbourne, daughter of the deceased, stated that her mother was in good health, and the only complaint she made, so far as witness knew, was that she suffered from occasional shortness of breath. Deceased was nursing her last baby, three months old. and was in her usual health when she proceeded to town on the previous day. She had complained for years, and talked of seeing a medical man; but never did so. On the day of her death she had to hurry to catch the train to town. Whenever she ran she suffered from shortness of breath, and suffered in the same manner after any exertion. Dr R. Martin stated that he was called to attend the train on its arrival in town, and on proceeding there he found deceased in a railway carriage, and after examination pronounced her to be quite dead. He had since examined the body, and concluded that she had not been in good health for some time, there were evidences of trouble since her last confinement, and she was suffering from white leg. One of her legs was much swollen, and was very much larger than the other, and she had oedema in both legs. These symptoms, together with the history of her shortness of breath, would indicate that heart disease was the cause of death. The body was well nourished, and there were no marks of violence. The cause of death was heart disease, which was probably of long standing. The Coroner said there could be no doubt death resulted from heart disease, and a verdict in accord with the medical testimony was returned.  -Otago Witness, 18/1/1905.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.