80686 Trooper Thomas Borthwick Herbison, (18/8/1918-16/12/1943). "carrying his cobber"

The Battle of the Sangro was the first attempt by Allied forces to break through the Gustav Line, the main series of German defences in Italy, to the south of Rome.

20 Battalion of the NZ Army, which included Thomas Herbison, attacked the approaches of the town of Orsogna with its Sherman tanks.  It was a confused affair and German defences took a heavy toll, as described in the 20 Battalion's official History:

Trooper Percasky was one of Walton's crew. He has recorded that when Walton evacuated his tank he was ‘all for continuing the fight’ from a tank nearby that had been immobilised the previous day. However, after some discussion it was decided to get back as best they could. During this move a shell wounded Lieutenant Walton and his gunner, Trooper Herbison. Lance-Corporal Coleman carried Herbison into a house close by, outside of which Sergeant Dalton's tank was burning. Percasky then made his way to the house also. There he found the crew of Dalton's tank, three of them badly wounded.

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Sergeant Russell describes the action:

The Jerries let the tanks through his infantry and lay low until we tried to get back and then came to light. The Hun infantry also pinned the Maoris down we found out later. Gib Dalton was troop sergeant and a grand soldier. He took shelter behind a two-storeyed house to the right of the road…. Gib's tank was hit and went up in smoke in a matter of seconds. Flames were pouring out of the two drivers' hatches and the turret as well. Gib came out through them … with the ear phones still on. I saw both drivers get out also through flames.

Trooper Thomas of Sergeant Dalton's tank gives their story:

We proceeded until [Lieutenant Walton's] tank stopped and engaged targets. My tank … engaged targets to the left of the road. We were halted between three houses when I thought I saw a haystack move and was reporting same to the sergeant when we were hit. Immediately we went up in flames. Being wireless operator I was last out the turret. I ran back about 15 yds to where Sgt Dalton and Trooper Kneebone [the gunner] were lying badly wounded and burnt. They asked if I had seen … our two drivers, but … [I could only presume] that they had both been hit…. I crawled over to a house on our right about 10 yds away, had a quick look inside and went back and helped Eric Kneebone inside. Then I went back for Sgt Dalton who unaided covered that distance although he had almost lost a leg by the AP shell. We were all very badly burnt…. I rolled smokes for the three of us and [had] lit up when there was a terrific explosion outside bringing in part of the roof and smothering us in dust. Outside we could hear our tank brewing up, our ammo, etc. exploding.

By now Eric and Gib were in serious pain so I crawled out into the front passage to see if any of our squadron tanks had come up as far as we were. The first thing I saw was a Kiwi crawling back up the road. I called several times. He looked over and said ‘What the hell are you Maoris doing up here?’ It was L/Cpl A. Coleman, Lieut Walton's driver. He came back carrying his cobber Tom Herbison, their gunner, … [whom we carried] into one of the back rooms…. By this time we were beginning to go blind. L/Cpl Coleman, Troopers Percasky and Perrin refused to leave us in our condition although it meant certain captivity or death. … Jerry troops were around our tank 10 yds away. Escape was impossible. A Jerry doctor came out of Orsogna and gave us drugs and a drink of vino. Then they carried us away on stretchers into Orsogna, where I was immediately operated on.

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Trooper Herbison died in the house but Lieutenant Walton rallied later and, with Sergeant Dalton, was carried back to a German rear headquarters where they were separated from the other prisoners, who did not see them again.

IN MEMORIAM

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE

HERBISON. — In loving memory of our dear son and brother. Trooper Thomas B. Herbison, killed on active service, Italy, December 16, 1943. 

They shall not grow old, as we who are left, grow old; 

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, 

We will remember them. 

— Inserted by his loved ones, Green Island. 

HERBISON. — In memory of a great pal, 80686 Trooper T. B. Herbison, killed in action at the Sangro, Italy, December 16. Inserted by Betty and Hunter Wylie, Green Island.  -Evening Star, 16/12/1944.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE

IN MEMORIAM

HERBISON. — In sad but loving memory of our dear husband and father, killed in action, Italy, December 16, 1943.

We mourn for you in silence. When there are none to see;

For only God in Heaven knows How dear you were to me. 

— Inserted by his loving wife and wee son, Rodney. 

HERBISON. — In loving memory of our dear son and brother. Trooper Thomas B. Herbison, killed on active service, Italy, on December 16, 1943. 

They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old; 

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 

At the going down of the sun and in the morning 

We will remember them. 

— Inserted by his loved ones, Green Island.

HERBISON. — In sad and loving memory of our dear son-in-law, Tom, killed in action, Italy, December 16, 1943. 

A distant grave is a painful thing, Where loving hands no flowers can bring. 

When we think of where he died. No one he loved was by his side. 

But Jesus, in His tender care. Will guard our loved one lying there. 

— Inserted by Mrs Lanauze and family, Jack and Murray (overseas).   -Otago Daily Times, 16/12/1944.

Green Island Memorial Rose Garden.

8441 Corporal Laurence Douglas Livingstone Houghton MID, (1918-5/3/1942). "his own escape"

Corporal Laurence Douglas Livingstone Houghton, one of the four New Zealanders who, according to a telegraph message published yesterday, has been posthumously mentioned in despatches, was born in Dunedin and resided at 25 Evans street, Opoho. He went overseas with the Second Echelon, and served in Greece and Crete. In Crete he assisted several captured soldiers to escape, but was finally captured by the Germans. He was shot while trying to make his own escape, and died on March 5, 1942. The message wrongly stated that Corporal Houghton came from Christchurch.  -Evening Star, 17/3/1944.

Laurence Houghton's entry in the "Online Cenotaph" states that he lies in the Phaleron War Cemetery at Athens.

Green Island Memorial Rose Garden.

61292 Gunner Henry Halsey, (1912-5/12/1941). "believed drowned"

Henry Halsey served in the 14th Light Anti Aircraft unit which arrived in Notrh Africa in mid-1941.  He died in the tragic sinking of an unmarked hospital ship.

The Sinking of the Chakdina

Of the many sequels to the Corridor battle which ended the main New Zealand part in the offensive, the unhappiest by far concerned the evacuation of wounded from Tobruk. Hospitals in the fortress area were grossly overcrowded as a consequence of the unexpectedly long and bitter fighting, and it was a matter of the greatest urgency in the first few days of December to get wounded back to less congested hospitals where they could get proper attention. There was no knowing at that stage how long it would be before the land route eastwards was opened and too few hospital ships were available for the task. The little s.s. Chakdina when it sailed in the afternoon of 5 December on its return voyage to Alexandria therefore carried 600 men (including 120 New Zealanders) of whom 380 were wounded, 97 of them New Zealanders and among these over 30 gunners. Just after 9 p.m. an aerial torpedo struck and exploded in an after hold and in three and a half minutes the crowded little ship sank in a strong swell. Some 400 men were drowned, 80 of them New Zealanders and almost all of these survivors of the fighting at Sidi Rezegh and Belhamed. Thirty gunners were lost in this disaster.  -Official History of the 2nd NZ Divisional Artillery.

Henry Halsey was reported wounded on December 17. The following month he was "missing, believed drowned."

Gren Island Memorial Rose Garden.

49386 Private William Jordan Halsey, (16/7/1896-3/12/1917). "his memory liveth for ever"

William Halsey paraded as part of Dunedin's contribution to the 27th Reinforcement of the NZ Expeditionary Force on March 8, 1917.  He did not survive the year. After the disastrous defeat at Bellevue Spur on October 12, the Otago Regiment were ordered to attack Polderhoek Chateau on December 3rd. The chateau - once a charming two-storeyed building with a tower - had been transformed by war into a reinforced ruin supported with interlocking fields of fire from concrete machine gun positions.  

Before contact with the enemy, men of the Otagos and the Canterbury Regiment were killed by their own artillery.  Then the German defenders sent up their distress flare and their guns and machine guns began to fire. The attack ground to a halt, with many dead and wounded.

DEATHS

HALSEY. — On December 3, killed while in action, Private William Jordan (26th Reinforcements), the dearly beloved son of Katie and William Halsey, Fairfield; in his 22nd year. 

He did his duty.  -Otago Witness, 2/1/1918.

DEATHS

FOR KING AND COUNTRY.

IN MEMORIAM. 

HALSEY. — In loving memory of my dear brother, Private William Jordan Halsey (49386), who was killed in action, December 3rd, 1917. His memory liveth for ever. 

— Inserted by W.B.H.  -Evening Star, 3/12/1921.

Green Island Memorial Rose Garden.

13908 Private John Glen, (6/5/1887-29/6/1917). "severely wounded"

A cable has been received stating that Private John Glen is seriously ill. He is the eldest son of Mr J. Glen, Roslyn. He went to the Kaikorai School, and afterwards served his time with Mr P. Omand as a painter. He enlisted at Gisborne, and sailed with the 14th Reinforcements. Corporal Alex. Glen, reported wounded on June 7, is the second son of Mr J. Glen, Roslyn. He was educated at the Kaikorai School, afterwards serving his time as a painter with Mr A. Lees. Corporal Glen left with the 4th Reinforcements. This is the second time he has been wounded.  -Evening Star, 29/6/1917.

A cablegram has been received by Mr John Glen, of Roslyn, stating that his eldest son, Private John Glen, who was reported severely wounded on June 8, died from wounds on June 29. The deceased and a younger brother (Alick) who left with the Fourteenth Reinforcements, met in France after not having seen each other for five years. The late Private Glen was educated at Kaikoura School and afterwards served his apprenticeship with Mr P. Ornand as a painter. He enlisted at Gisborne. Another brother is at present in camp at Featherston.  -Lyttelton Times, 10/7/1917.

John Glen was wounded in his side on the first day of the Battle of Messines, June 7. He struggled to survive for three weeks.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

Harry Baker, (1904-7/11/1926). "a fine cricketer"

OTAGO CRICKETER DROWNED.

COMPANION IN HOSPITAL. 

(By Telegraph — Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Sunday. 

Harry Baker; a young man aged about 24, who was a member of the Otago cricket team which went on tour last season, was drowned while bathing at Tomahawk Beach. 

A companion, Arthur Wootton, who went to his assistance, temporarily got into difficulties, and required treatment in hospital, but is not seriously ill.  -Auckland Star, 8/11/1926.

The Dunedin Club and Otago cricket generally has suffered a severe loss by the death of "Harry” Baker, who, though young, had secured a place in an Otago representative team. Baker showed exceptional promise as a batsman, and as an official of the Dunedin club, was an earnest and unselfish worker. By his death a fine cricketer and a true sportsman has been   -Otago Daily Times, 11/11/1926.

THE TOMAHAWK FATALITY. 

Although a constant search for the body of the young man. Harry Baker, who was drowned at Tomahawk beach on Sunday, has been maintained by the Anderson’s Bay police and the companions of the deceased, their efforts so far have proved unsuccessful. Messrs J. Simpson, J. Green, R. Cox, A. Reekie, and E. J. McCarten made an attempt yesterday morning to reach Bird Island for the purpose of searching for the body, but ’were unable to reach the island owing to the strong current. They are organising a large search party to make another attempt on Sunday next.  -Otago Daily Times, 11/11/1926.

The funeral of the late Mr Harry Baker, who was drowned while bathing at Tomahawk Beach on November 7, took place yesterday from his parents’ residence in Anderson’s Bay road. The tragic death of the popular young athlete aroused widespread sorrow, and upwards of 500 mourners followed the remains to the Anderson’s Bay Cemetery. The Otago Cricket Association, Dunedin Cricket Club, Dunedin Football Club, and other sporting bodies were strongly represented, while the Christian Brothers’ School and the religious and other bodies with which the deceased had been connected each had a very large representation.  -Evening Star, 6/12/1926.

HARRY BAKER'S DEATH

COMPANIONS’ BRAVERY COMMENDED

YOUNG LADY EARNS PRAISE FROM CORONER 

“AN UNPLEASANT FEATURE.” 

The inquest was concluded to-day before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M. into the circumstances of the death o Henry Stephen Baker, the well-known local cricketer and footballer, who lost his life whilst bathing at Smaill’s Beach on Sunday, November 7. The evidence at the inquiry revealed that deceased’s companions made magnificent efforts to rescue their friend, and several of them were almost drowned in going out repeatedly into the treacherous current. A young woman named Sheila Neilson also displayed great bravery, and her efforts, along with those of her male companions, were commended by the coroner. An unpleasant feature, commented upon by the coroner, was the fact that several of those who were not members of deceased’s party apparently allowed Miss Neilson to struggle with the rope as best she could when the rescue operations from the shore end became a little more risky that they had been. 

Arthur Wootton, a signwriter, said he was amongst the party that went with the deceased to Tomahawk. About seven of them went into the surf, all of them being swimmers. Baker, witness, and a man named Cox were the last to go into the water. After swimming about for some time witness suggested to Baker that they should return, as they were being carried out by the current. Both swam together for some time, and tried to walk, but they found themselves out of their depths. Witness suggested that they should swim at an angle. He noticed Simpson going into the water, and went to the beach in search of a rope. Later he found Simpson in an exhausted state, and he assisted him out. Witness tied the rope round himself and went out for Cox, who collapsed as he reached him. Cox was very weak when he got to him. Witness did not remember anything more except that he came on to the beach. Cox was the last to see Baker, who by this time had disappeared. There were two other men on the beach in bathing costumes, who assisted a girl to hold the rope, but after they got out of their depths they went away, and the girl, whose name was Sheila Neilson, was left to do the best she could with the rope. She was up to her shoulders in water. All the bathers were more or less in difficulties. Witness did not realise the current was so strong until he attempted to get out. 

Robert Nelson Cox, a dental student, in his version of the happenings, said he caught hold of Baker by one hand, but owing to the current and his weight he could not keep him above water. After swimming a little way his feet just touched the edge of a sand bank, but a breaker separated Baker and witness. The undercurrent also helped to drag him into a deep hole near the sand bank. That was the last he saw of deceased. Wootton brought witness to shore. He had not bathed there before. Simpson was the best swimmer of the party.

 James David McKewen, a salesman, said he saw two men apparently in trouble, but he found that Cox was all right, so he turned to assist Simpson with Baker. Simpson and witness swam with Baker for about fifteen minutes, but Baker showed no signs of life during that time. Witness suggested to Simpson that he should get a rope, as he was the fastest swimmer. They swam for a time, but a breaker separated witness from Baker and Cox. He eventually reached both of them again in 5ft of water, and in the trough of a wave they touched bottom, but another wave came and increased the depth by 2ft. Baker then disappeared. 

John Eric Green said he thought the other members of the party were out too far, and he called to them, but could not make them hear. Witness and Bernard Cox went for a run along the beach before there was any suggestion that anything was wrong, and when they arrived back they found a girl hanging to the end of a rope. She stated that she had asked some men to assist her, but they had refused. A man named Stone, who was not a member of their party, assisted in the rescue operations. Some of the other men, however, had not made any effort to assist the girl with the rope, as there was plenty of slack rope behind her

The Coroner: It would have been all right if they had assisted with the rope, even if they could not swim. 

Witness: Yes. 

Bernard Glenny Cox stated that he had assisted in helping his brother to the shore. He then discovered that Baker was out in the breakers, but was told that nothing could be done then.

“This is one of the sad fatalities that will happen from time to time,” commented the coroner, “and only emphasises that this beach is a dangerous one, particularly for good swimmers.” The coroner pointed out that there had been several fatalities at this spot in recent years, all the victims being good swimmers. This was due to the fact that a swimmer was tempted to go out too far, whilst a non-swimmer only paddled about. 

The Coroner referred to the attempts that had been made by members of the party to rescue the deceased. “I would like to commend their great efforts,” he said. ‘‘They conducted themselves bravely indeed, and carried on until the limits of exhaustion. I would like to commend in particular the activities of the young woman who assisted in the operations with the water up to her shoulders.” 

“The only unpleasant feature,” added the coroner, “was the fact that some of the bystanders had not given much assistance. It is not very pleasing to record this fact,” he said. “It is very regrettable that although a girl is seen to be standing up to her shoulders in water holding a rope with three men at the other end of it, nothing was done by some of the bystanders.” 

A verdict was returned to the effort that deceased met his death by being accidentally drowned on November 7 last.  -Evening Star, 6/12/1926.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

24/62 Rifleman William Manus Butler, (31/10/1893-9/10/1916). "they miss him most"

Rifleman William Manus Butler (who was killed in action in France on September 15 last) was the eldest son of Mr Wm. Butler, of Bradshaw street. The deceased was born at South Dunedin, and was educated at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic School, South Dunedin. Upon leaving school he was apprenticed to H. E. Shacklock, Ltd., as a moulder. Owing to ill health, however, he was compelled to leave this firm, and obtained employment as an engine-cleaner on the New Zealand railways at Dunedin. Shortly after this he was transferred in the same vocation to Omakau (Otago Central). He remained there for about two and a-half years, and was then promoted to the rank of fireman, being stationed at Dunedin. On August 10, 1914 (a few days after the outbreak of the war), he enlisted, and left with the advance party for Samoa. About December, 1914, he was invalided home, and shortly afterwards resumed work on the railway, and was soon transferred to Westport, whence in May, 1915, he again enlisted, and left New Zealand as a member of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade. He also took a keen interest in athletics, and was a member of the Southern and Omakau Football Club, besides being an energetic member of the Omakau Tennis Club. The deceased was in his 23rd year.  -Evening Star, 4/10/1916.

William Butler did not doe on September 15, 1916, a day during which his Brigade advanced against German positions in the Battle of the Somme.  He was seriously wounded in the head and died the following month.

IN THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE.

IN MEMORIAM. 

BUTLER. — In loving memory of William Manus Butler (N.Z. Rifle Brigade and Advance Samoan Forces), who died on October 9, 1916, at No. 12 Rouen Hospital, France, from wounds received while in action at the Somme, September 16, 1916. R.I.P. 

They miss him most who loved him best.

— Inserted by his loving parents, brothers, and sister. 

BUTLER. — In loving memory of Will (2nd Battalion, N.Z.R.B.), who died in France on October 9, 1916, from wounds received while in action on the Somme on September 15; in his 23rd year. 

There is one link Death cannot sever, 

Loving remembrance remains for ever. 

— Inserted by B. Gallagher.  -Otago Daily Times, 9/10/1917.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.