ROLL OF HONOUR (abridged)
NEW ZEALAND CASUALTIES.
SJXTY-FIVE DEATHS.
Private Thomas Lainchbury (killed in action on October 12) won the Military Medal at Messines for stretcher work, along with his mate, W. Lacy, who has also been killed since. He went into camp with the 16th Reinforcements. He was born and educated at Mornington, and was in the employ of Mr O'Reilly (coal merchant) at the time of enlisting. His younger brother, Harry, served in Gallipoli and France, was wounded at the Somme, and after 12 months spell in England is now at Sling Camp preparing again for service.
A telegram from the Minister or Defence reports that Private Thomas Lainchbury who was previously reported killed in action is now reported wounded in the chest. -Otago Daily Times, 7/11/1917.
There is a lot which can be inferred from the above. Thomas' wounding occured on the infamous October 12 in the Battle of Passchendaele, when the Otago Infantry Regiment were sent across mud against intact German pillboxes and barbed wire. It was a senseless order, which they obeyed. Thomas must have been reported as dead and, after the report was made, returned to the Otago trenches seriously wounded. How long would he have been out in No-man's-land? Long enough for the report of his death to have resulted in a telegram to his family back in New Zealand? A quick look at his Army record would seem to indicate that a "regret to inform you" telegram was sent. If so, how enormous would have been the relief when the second one arrived in Dunedin.
Thomas spent several months recuperating from a bullet wound in his chest before being sent home in early 1918 and discharged as unfit for further service due to bronchitis and general debility as side-effects of his wound.
MORE RETURNING SOLDIERS.
WELCOMED HERE LAST NIGHT.
The southern section of the batch of returning soldiers who reached Auckland last week was brought on here yesterday by special train from Christchurch. The train got away from Christchurch at 25 minutes past 11, and made a fast run of only 7 1/2 hours, reaching here at five minutes to 7. Of the 150 men for Otago and Southland, about 30 were set down at stations north of Dunedin, and the remainder came on here.
A large crowd was ready on the platform and outside the station to welcome the men, and though the authorities had apparently been somewhat liberal with next-of-kin passes, there was no confusion to speak of when the train drew in. The men were in charge of Major Fleming, and the great majority of them were evidently in fair health. Among them were at least two holders of decorations — Lieutenant J. J. Moor, wearer of the Serbian decoration and the Military Medal, and Private Lainchbury, Military Medal (Mornington). The Southland men were sent to the Leviathan Hotel, and will continue their journey by the express this morning. For the Dunedin men the Otago Motor Club had made liberal provision in the way of motor cars, and though the unreasoning behaviour of the crowd hampered their movements not a little, the cars were got away with satisfactory despatch. Each of the soldiers was greeted with cheering as he appeared at the doorway of the station entrance. -Otago Daily Times, 20/5/1918.
Thomas Lainchbury figures no more in the newspapers after his return home. I suppose that, like so many men who had survived the war, he simply got on with his life as best he could. He was a coal carrier before the war - perhaps he became fit enough to resume his old job. He was single on enlistment and he seems not to have married.
Deaths
LAINCHBURY. — On October 6, 1948, at Dunedin, Thomas, beloved eldest son of the late John and. Eliza Lainchbury; in his seventy-fourth year. "At rest." — The Funeral will leave our Chapel, 78 St. Andrew street, To-day (Thursday), the 7th inst., at the conclusion of the service commencing at 11 a.m., for the Anderson’s Bay Cemetery. — Hope and Kinaston, funeral directors. -Otago Daily Times, 7/10/1948.
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