John Mowbray Rogers was working as a groom in Dunedin when he joined the Army at the end of 1914. He was wounded at Gallipoli on August 13th, 1915, a period of the battel which saw many casualties in the Otago Regiment.
His wound was caused either by a bullet or shell fragment in the abdomen - a serious one in those days. He was eventually discharged in April 1916, and sent home as unfit for military service though able to work in civilian life.
The medical board assessing him before discharge recorded him as suffering from "neurasthenia" - an ill-defined term used to describe many cases which might these days be referred to as shell-shock or PTSD.
A SOLDIER'S DEATH
The body of John Mowbray Rogers was found in the harbor near the Kitchener street wharf yesterday afternoon. The deceased, a returned soldier, was missed from his home in Hanover street on May 10. The body was very much decomposed, but was recognised by tattoo marks upon it and by the clothing. Mr H. A. Young, S.M. (coroner), held an inquest on the body at the morgue this morning.
Matilda Rogers, mother of deceased, said that her son was 39 years of age, and single. He was wounded, and returned from active service about two years ago. He underwent a severe operation at the Hospital after his return from Gallipoli. He could not sleep at night because of pains in his head. He left home about 6 o’clock on the morning of the 10th of last month, saying that he was going to Mosgeil. He was a strong, healthy lad before he went to the war.
John William Curline said that deceased was very excitable. He came into witness’s room on the morning of the 10th. He said he could not sleep, and imagined he heard noises. He was always complaining of pains in his head. He was wounded in the stomach by a shell, and was operated on at the Dunedin Hospital, where he was a patient for about six weeks. Witness was satisfied that deceased was not in his right mind on the morning of his disappearance. He was quite normal before he went to the front.
William G. Summer gave evidence as to finding deceased’s coat and hat on the Kitchener street wharf.
Constable Pearce said that the body was found yesterday afternoon near a boat shed close to Hogg and Co.’s premises. It was fully dressed, with the exception of coat and hat. He searched the body, but found nothing in the pockets.
The Coroner returned the verdict “That deceased committed suicide by drowning when of unsound mind, due to war experiences.” -Evening Star, 6/6/1918.
John Mowbray Rogers, a returned soldier, was buried with military honors at the Southern Cemetery this afternoon, the procession starting from the Drill Hall at 3 o’clock. Lieutenant Shand represented headquarters. The firing party consisted of home service men of the R.N.Z.A. The Rev. Vincent King read the service. Rogers fought with the Third Reinforcements. -Evening Star, 7/6/1918.
At an inquest on the body of John Mowbray Rogers, found in Dunedin harbor, it was shown that Rogers fought in Gallipoli, and returned to the Dominion wounded two years ago. He underwent a severe operation at the Dunedin Hospital, as he could not sleep, owing to the noise in his ears. He was very excitable, and complained constantly of pain in his side and head. At Gallipoli a piece of shell struck him in the groin. The coroner found that Rogers committed suicide while of unsound mind, the result of his war experiences. -Poverty Bay Herald, 10/6/1918.
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