At first glance, Fred Maitland's gravestone is an anomaly. With the same shape as the standard "RSA" stone, it has the Australian Army badge engraved on it. A little research brings up the saddening record that Fred died in Seacliff Mental Hospital.
Although New Zealand born, he embarked from Melbourne as a Sapper in an Auistralian Engineers Company in August 1914 - his civilian trade was a pipe fitter. He served at Gallipoli.
SAPPER FRED MAITLAND.
Sapper Fred Maitland, wounded, and now in Malta Hospital, was born at Pelichet Bay, Dunedin, and is an Albany Street schoolboy. Being engaged in the dredging industry at Miller's Flat Otago, he went under engagement to the Malay Peninsula for three years. Returning home, he went across to Australia, and was engaged at electrical works in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. At the outbreak of war he at once enlisted in the first Australian contingent. Sapper Maitland is the youngest son of Mr. William Maitland, Forth Street, Dunedin. -Auckland Star, 18/8/1915.
FOR KING AND COUNTRY.
DEATH.
MAITLAND. — On May 19th, 1919, at Dunedin, Sapper Fred Maitland, of Australian Engineers, dearly beloved husband of Edith Maitland, and youngest son of William and Clara Maitland. Deeply mourned. -Evening Star, 20/5/1919.
The remains of Sapper Fred Maitland, late of the Australian Engineers, were buried with military honors at the Northern Cemetery this afternoon. There was the usual firing party, and ‘The Last Post’ was sounded by a bugler at the graveside. The funeral left the home of the deceased in Forth street, and every flag in the neighborhood was flown at half-mast. -Evening Star, 22/5/1919.
I have been able to find nothing in contemporary newspapers referring to the cause of death of Fred Maitland. His Australian Army record is not to be found online, unlike those of New Zealand soldiers. It is probable that he is the Private Maitland (Sapper is a corresponding Engineer rank) referred to in the story below.
SOLDIER MENTAL PATIENTS.
The Prime Minister having stated that before he could consider the association’s request for a public court of inquiry into the admission and treatment of soldier mental patients at Seacliff definite cases would have to be cited, the sub-committee recommended that the ‘‘following names of ex-mental patients and others” be submitted to Mr Massey — Privates Donald Macintosh (Hanmer), A. R. D. Box (Port Chalmers), W. B. Miller (Portobello), Nurse Miller, Mrs J. K. Macfie, and Colonel T. W. McDonald. The report mentioned that Private Macintosh had allegations to make as to the treatment of Privates Creely and Maitland, and that Colonel McDonald would give evidence in support of other cases. Mr Jones moved, and Mr McNish seconded, the adoption of the report, with a view to sending it on to the Prime Minister. After further discussion the motion was carried. -Evening Star, 20/10/1920.
The concerns that the RSA had about soldiers being put in mental hospitals were mainly that they were not being committed after due process and that some who had been wounded in the head were being placed in conditions which were not helpful to their condition. The Defence Minister's response was that the lack of formal committal was to avoid the stigma associated with time spent in a mental hospital. I can see both side, assuming that the issue stated was all that the RSA had problems with under the heading of "treatment."
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