At seven o'clock on the morning of October 1st a heavy preliminary bombardment of the enemy's defences over the Corps front was commenced. Zero hour was fixed for 3.15 p.m., and in order to deceive the enemy it was decided that at zero hour an additional and intense bombardment should be put down over his lines on a part of the front on which no attack was to be launched.
The 2nd Battalion of the Regiment assembled in Goose Alley for the attack, and under cover of an artillery barrage extending over a line parallel thereto, moved forward at zero hour to the assault in four waves, each perfect in line and interval, and with rifles at the slope. Almost immediately, 4th Company on the right, together with portion of 8th Company, came under heavy machine gun fire from the direction of Gird Trench. The 10th and 14th Companies on the left were at this stage advancing across a depression which afforded comparative cover, and thus escaped the gruelling fire which confronted the right companies. The 4th and 8th Companies had moreover a difficult manoeuvre to execute. After advancing for a distance of about 200 yards to their front it was necessary to incline to the right and then eventually to change direction to that quarter; and despite the heavy fire encountered the movement was effectively carried out. -Official History of the Otago Infantry Regiment.
On Thursday morning the relatives of Lance-corporal Stafford Throp, who went away with the infantry section of the Twelfth Reinforcements, received official word that he was reported missing since October 1. Lance Corporal Throp is an old Kaikorai School and Selwyn College boy, who followed farming on the Moa Flat Downs, and with an older brother at Te Houka. He is the fourth son of Mr B. Throp, of Roslyn. -Otago Daily Times, 28/10/1916.
Before commencing the ordinary business at the monthly meeting of the Clutha Branch of the Farmers' Union held on Saturday afternoon, the chairman (Mr J. Christie) referred to the sad news received by a member of the branch to the effect that his brother had been posted as missing during the fighting in France. The public had the idea that all the union was concerned about was the price it obtained for its mutton, and that it did not trouble about the tragedies of the war. This was not the case. Personally, 'he would give all his sheep for nothing to see the war end to-morrow. Lance-corporal Throp had just been posted as missing, and he (the speaker) would move a resolution of sympathy with his relatives in their distress. This was carried in silence. -Clutha Leader, 31/10/1916.
Stafford Throp's death was established by a Court of Enquiry convened after the Somme Battle. On of the witnesses said: "I saw 11197 L/Corp Throp alongside of me in the trench prior to going over. I never saw him again but heard from wounded men whom I dressed that Throp was killed during the advance. The wounded men who gave me the information are still in hospital but which hospital I cannot say."
Stafford Throp has no known grave.
Stafford Throp, brother of Mr O. Throp, of Te Hotika, who was recently reported missing, is now reported killed in action. His father, Mr B. Throp, resides at Roslyn, Dunedin. -Bruce Herald, 8/1/1917.
The appeal of Benjamin Throp, on behalf of Gilbert W. Throp, was again called. — Mr Stephens appeared for the appellant, and called David Pringle (station manager), who said there was a. scarcity of station managers in this district. Mr Gilbert Throp, in managing the Moa Flat Estate for the past four years, had considerably improved the stock, both in wool and mutton. It would be hard to get a man to take Mr Throp's place. If an inefficient manager were put on the estate the place would go back, and the output of mutton and wool would be reduced. — To Captain Free, witness said a salary of £500 would draw a competent station manager for the Moa Flat Station, but the man would not do the work Mr Throp's son did. — The board reserved its decision until the afternoon. — Subsequently the Chairman said the board had carefully considered the position, and, while it gave every credit to the family for its sacrifices, it was bound to come to the conclusion that it had not been shown that this man was so essential that he should be exempted. The board had therefore decided to dismiss the appeal, the appellant not to be called up before March 8. -Otago Daily Times, 1/2/1917.
A cablegram to the family announces the death in action of Gilbert Worsfold Throp, third son of Mr Benjamin Throp, and brother of Mr O. Throp, Te Hotika. He was educated at the Kaikorai School and the Otago Boys' High School, served his apprenticeship as an architect with Mr J. L. Salmond, and then managed the Moa Flat Downs sheep station for his father. He went away with the 27th reinforcements, attached to the Canterbury Mounted Rifles. He was a single man. Another of Mr B. Throp's sons (Stafford) was killed at the Somme. A third son is now in France. -Clutha Leader, 9/4/1918.
Stafford Throp served with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles in Palestine. He was killed during an unsuccessful attack on the town of Amman., whose garrison was made up of Turkish and German troops. The Brigade to which the CMR belonged attempted to take a hill occupied by the enemy but they had a superiority ion artillery and the attack on the hill was turned back.
Gilbert Throp lies in the Commonwealth War Cemetery, Damascus.
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