DEATHS.
HODGSON. On January 3, 1943, at Balclutha Hospital (result of accident), Lieutenant James Robert Hodgson, beloved son of Mr and Mrs H. Hodgson, 211 Macandrew road, and brother of the late Pilot officer William Hodgson, D.F.C.: aged 20 years. — The Funeral will leave St. Peters Church, Cargill road, on Wednesday, the 6th inst., at 2 p.m.; service to commence at 1.45 p.m. — Hugh Gourley Ltd., funeral directors.
MURDOCH. — On January 2, 1943, at Balclutha, Staff-sergeant James Edward Ernest, No. 600531, dearly loved husband of Irene May Murdoch, 1 Wickliffe Terrace, Port Chalmers, only son of Annie Louise Murdoch, of 41 Fitzroy street, South Dunedin; aged 33 years. Deeply mourned. — Funeral intimation later. — Cole and Son, funeral directors. -Evening Star, 4/1/1943.
ARMY OFFICERS KILLED
FATAL ACCIDENT AT WAIWERA
Two Army officers from Dunedin lost their lives as a result of being crushed by a military lorry against a post on a stone bridge near Waiwera on Saturday afternoon.
The men were:
Second-lieutenant James Robert Hodgson, single; aged 22, of 241 Macandrew road, South Dunedin, and
Staff-sergeant James Edward Murdoch, married, aged 33, of Dunedin. His district address was not available this morning.
Both officers were standing on the bridge, when an Army convoy came along. One of the lorries suddenly swerved and crushed the men against a post.
They were seriously injured and were removed to the Balclutha Hospital, where Sergeant Murdoch died yesterday afternoon and Lieutenant Hodgson last evening. They will be given military funerals. Lieutenant Hodgson's being set down for 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the Anderson's Bay Cemetery. Arrangements in regard to Sergeant Murdoch's funeral had not been completed this morning.
A board of inquiry sat to-day to investigate the circumstances of the accident. -Evening Star, 4/1/1943.
THE WAIWERA TRAGEDY
FUNERAL SERVICES TO-DAY
The funerals of Second-lieutenant James Robert Hodgson and Staff-sergeant James Edward Ernest Murdoch, victims of the Army truck accident at Waiwera on Saturday, were held to-day. Both funerals were of a military nature, and left St. Peter's Church, Cargill road, for the Anderson's Bay Cemetery, Sergeant Murdoch's taking place this morning and Lieutenant Hodgson's this afternoon.
The funerals were attended by the fortress commander, Colonel J. G. Jeffery, a number of officers from the 1st Battalion, Otago Regiment, under the command of Major Adams, Captain J. H. E Davies, of the fortress staff, and Lieutenant H. J. Moynihan, area records officer.
A detachment of warrant officers and n.c.o.s from the 1st Battalion, Otago Regiment, acted as pall-bearers, and support was given by a detachment of men from the 3rd Battalion, Otago Regiment, who had formerly been attached to the 1st Battalion. This detachment was under the command of Lieutenant W. Pere.
The services were conducted by the Rev. A B. Pywell, assisted by Major H. T. Peat, chaplain to the forces, attached to the 1st Battalion. Otago Regiment. Lieutenant Moynihan conducted the returned soldiers' service.
TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT HODGSON.
A tribute to the qualities of Lieutenant Hodgson was paid yesterday by Mr A. M Davidson, head master of the Macandrew Road Intermediate School. "From his earliest days at school Lieutenant Hodgson displayed remarkable, capabilities." Mr Davidson said. ''On numerous occasions teachers remarked on his potentialities, as he appeared to be marked out for leadership even as a primary school boy. His willingness to co-operate with teachers and pupils won him the goodwill of all at the school. He was held in great respect, and we feel that by his death the community has lost a young man who would have given real service to the country, not only in the military sphere but also in civic activities."
At the sitting of the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board yesterday the chairman (Mr D C. Cameron) expressed sympathy with Mr H. Hodgson, a member of the No 2 Armed Forces Appeal Board, in the loss of his son. -Evening Star, 5/1/1943.
WAIWERA BRIDGE TRAGEDY
INQUEST ON VICTIMS
(Own Correspondent.) The inquest concerning the deaths of Second-lieutenant James Robert Hodgson, aged 21, and Staff-sergeant James Edward Ernest Murdoch, aged 33, who were accidentally killed on the bridge over the Waiwera stream on the main highway on the afternoon of January 2, was concluded at Balclutha yesterday before Mr W. Keen, J.P., acting coroner, and a jury of four.
The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence of Dr Dick, who attended the victims in Balclutha Hospital, and the coroner expressed sympathy with the relatives of both deceased.
Second-lieutenant R. D. Gillespie said that on January 2 he was driving from Clydevale to Waiwera, driving the leading truck of a convoy. On approaching the Waiwera bridge he saw two members of his regiment leaning against the parapet of the bridge. There was a small scout car standing well back on the Clinton side of the bridge. This car had been driven there by Lieutenant Hodgson.
In passing the men, witness said, he felt a bump, and, on getting out of the truck, he found the two men lying on the bridge. Apparently they had been caught between the truck and the bridge wall.
Witness said that near the bridge on the Clinton side there was a sharp bend in the road, and possibly he had not made allowance for enough space between the truck and the parapet when bringing the truck back into the straight. He also suggested that the camber of the road might have had some bearing on the accident. Witness said that the two men turned their heads towards him and smiled as he approached. The cab and projecting part of the truck were past the men when he felt the bump. In his opinion, it must have been some part of the tilt which struck them.
Lieutenant Gillespie's evidence was corroborated by Ivan Stewart Dickson, who was in the truck with him.
Staff-sergeant Graham Finney, who was cycling towards the bridge from the north side, said the convoy was travelling well within the regulation speed, and Lance-corporal James Sylvester Henderson, who was driving the last truck of the convoy, said that their speed was between 17 and 20 miles per hour. He examined Gillespie's truck and and it was in perfect condition.
Donald Sutherland, a Public Works employee, who was working in the garden of his home, 60yds from the Waiwera bridge, said that he saw two men leaning well over the parapet of the bridge, and as the leading truck of the convoy approached one of the men began to straighten up and turn. He saw this man make a gesture towards the driver of the truck, and heard a voice call a greeting. As the truck slowly approached he saw one of the men turn towards the front of the truck. He was struck against the pillar of the bridge. The truck swerved and shuddered as if from a sudden application of the brakes. It stopped at a point two lengths past the men.
Constable Timmins said that he took measurements at the bridge after the accident. He found that the bridge was 19. ft wide. It was a two-way bridge, and the parapets were 3ft 5in high. The overall width of the truck was 7ft 5in. The small scout car was standing 102ft from the bridge on the Clinton side. There was no suggestion of liquor in connection with the case. -Evening Star, 15/1/1943.
IN MEMORIAM.
HODGSON. — In loving memory of Pilot officer (Bill) Hodgson, D.F.C., killed on active service in England on March 13, 1941. — Inserted by the Lloyd family.
HODGSON. — In loving memory of Pilot officer William Henry Hodgson, D.F.C., Royal Air Force, killed in air accident March 13, 1941.
Gone from us that smiling face, Those cheerful, pleasant ways,
The heart that won so many friends In happy bygone days.
— Inserted by his loving parents.
HODGSON. — In fond memory of Pilot officer Bill Hodgson, D.F.C., Royal Air Force, killed in air accident, March 13, 1941.
A great pal. Sadly missed.
— Inserted by his mate, Ted Jackson (overseas).
HODGSON. — In loving memory of Pilot officer William Henry Hodgson, D.F.C., Royal Air Force, killed in air accident, March 13, 1941. Also Lieutenant James Robert Hodgson.
Treasured and beautiful memories of our two dear nephews, Bill and Jim.
Their duty nobly done. Our heroes.
— Inserted by their loving uncle, aunt, and cousins, Harry, Lucy, Bowler, Sydney. -Evening Star, 13/1/1943.
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