54124 Private James Dunlay, 18/1/1882-25/5/1918.

Roxburgh Cemetery.

DIED FROM WOUNDS. 

"Quite a gloom was cast over the district last week when news was received of the death of Private James Dunlay from wounds received while in action in France. Private Dunlay, who was the eldest son of Mrs E. Dunlay, Coal Creek, left New Zealand with the 28th reinforcements, but owing to ill-health was detained in England for several mouths. Subsequently he recovered his health sufficiently to be passed as fit and was sent to France. He was only a few weeks in France when he received his fatal wounds. Private Dunlay was well-known in this district.  He was a keen footballer and an adept at all athletic games. Prior to enlisting he was engaged in farming on the Taieri. The sympathy of the whole district is extended to his sorrowing relatives." -Mt Benger Mail, 19/6/1918.

James Dunlay was enlisted in the Otago Infantry Regiment and was present during the early months of 1918 when the German Army made its last throw of the dice in its Spring Offensive.  I haven't been able to find, through his military records, the nature of his wounds or the place where he suffered them, other than "somewhere in France."