William Jolly joined his local Terrtorial unit in his home town of Cromwell in 1900. By the time war came in 1914, he was getting on in age for active service but his military experience was valuable.
ANZAC RAIDS.
GREAT GALLANTRY SHOWN.
CAPTAIN JOLLY'S HEROISM.
WELLINGTON, July 19. The following special message has been received from the New Zealand Official War Correspondent:— ANZAC HEADQUARTERS, July 17.
With varying success the New Zealanders continue to raid the enemy's trenches in the vicinity of Armentieres. A German counter-raid caused several casualties, mainly during the enemy's bombardment. One machine gun crew was "casualtied" and buried with the guns, but the gun was dug out and brought into action again.
A recent attempted raid by the Maoris was unsuccessful, but they cleverly outwitted an enemy ruse to entrap them, and returned without casualties. The Germans concerned were caught in the open by our guns and rifle-fire. They were thrown into confusion and suffered loss.
A party from the Rifle Brigade successfully raided a German frontline trench, inflicting casualties. Our bombardment wrecked three German trenches and their dead were badly shattered. Our casualties were slight. An Otago regiment was less lucky, being caught by the enemy's fire in "No Man's Land," but the splendid bravery of officers and men made amends. Captain Jolly was wounded, but he refused to go to a stretcher while his men needed attention. With great gallantry he carried on, but he was subsequently killed. His body was located at dawn near our parapet and brought in under cover of darkness next night. A private, who was under a suspended sentence of five years' penal servitude, behaved with great heroism. He was seen boldly standing up under heavy fire repeatedly lifting wounded men over the parapet. His sentence was remitted. -Sun, 20/7/1916.
CAPTAIN JOLLY.
LEAVES WIFE AND SIX CHILDREN.
Captain W. D. Jolly, whose gallant death is announced in the message from the New Zealand official war correspondent published to-day, is a well-known Cromwell man, being the eldest son of Mr D. A. Jolly, who established the old firm of I). A. Jolly and Sons, general merchants, at Cromwell. Mr Jolly, sen., has, of course, retired from active connection with the firm, and has resided for some time at Musselburgh. Latterly he has been ill. Captain Jolly was not a young man. Probably he was nearer 50 than 45, but having been a volunteer soldier all his life, as was his father before, him, he felt impelled by a keen sense of duty to offer his services to the Government. He was posted to the Seventh Reinforcements, and left New Zealand about the same time as did the first and second battalions of the. Rifle Brigade. The Seventh did not arrive in time to be sent to Gallipoli, so that the engagements he saw in France would furnish his first experience of actual fighting. But he was undoubtedly a competent officer, and one in whom men placed implicit trust. He was an officer who was deservedly popular, for on the word of men who may he relied upon to speak authoritatively, there were few officers who did more for the comfort of their men during the period at Trentham Camp last year, when sickness laid up even the sturdiest soldiers. It is stated that Captain Jolly even went so far as to deny himself comforts in order that his men might not want. It is not to be wondered at that such an officer should win the affections of his men so completely. In the Cromwell district Captain Jolly's death will be received with expressions of sincere regret, for the deceased officer is survived by a wife and six children, the eldest being not more than 15 years of age. Captain Jolly was keenly interested in many local organisations, and in former years took a prominent place in athletics. He was probably the best long-distance runner in the goldfields in his day, and as a rifle shot he had few equals. In later years he had done good service for the district, and will be especially remembered for being largely instrumental in securing the erection of a new school.
The above is but a brief account of the deceased officer's career, but, imperfect as it is, it conveys some idea of a strenuous life, ended in the way he would have wished.
It is stated that a brother of Mrs Jolly (she was a Miss Waddel), who has been serving with a French regiment on the western front, has been decorated for distinguished service in the field. Captain Jolly"s brother Ernest was wounded in the South African War. -Evening Star, 20/7/1916.
CAPTAIN JOLLY.
Our Cromwell correspondent wires that a wave of extreme sadness swept over the town and district when the unofficial announcement was received that Captain Jolly had fallen in action. There is an almost forlorn hope that the. report may yet prove to be incorrect.. No official confirmation has yet come to hand. -Evening Star, 21/7/1916.
CAPTAIN JOLLY'S DEATH CONFIRMED.
Our Cromwell correspondent wires today that the death of Captain Jolly was officially confirmed late yesterday afternoon. It may be said that no calamity in the presents great struggle has move deeply affected the community than has his death. His answer to the call to arms was surrounded with extreme sacrifice, and was not confined to his extensive business connections, but also in parting with his wife and six young children, to whom the very deepest sympathy goes out. A lifetime attachment to volunteering and a steady promotion in the ranks of the Territorials no doubt inspired his action in going forth to do battle. His life was one of enterprise, energy, grit, and consideration for those associated with him — noble characteristics which were displayed in his dying moments. Immediately on receipt of the official news flags were flown half-mast, and the citizens assembled at the Mayor's request and passed a motion of sympathy with his wife and family, and arranged for a public memorial service. Other local bodies have passed touching motions to his loss. -Evening Star, 22/7/1916.
THE WAR
LATE CAPTAIN JOLLY.
MEMORIAL SERVICE.
(From Our Own Correspondent.) CROMWELL, July 31. A public memorial service for the late Captain Jolly was held yesterday, and was attended by residents from miles around. The service was preceded by a procession, in which the military, band, friendly societies and local bodies were fully represented. An impresive service was conducted in the hall by the Rev. Mr Rankin. The building was packed to the door. -Otago Daily Times, 1/8/1916.
WAR NOTES.
OUR BOYS.
Alexandra folk will be pleased to know that Private McKellar has fully recovered from his wounds and is back in active service again. A brother of Mrs C. E. Richards of this town, one of the well-known Nicholson family of old time Matakanui has been wounded in a gas attack in France. Writing to his father a young New Zealander speaks in high terms of praise concerning the late Captain Jolly, whom he describes as a great man who entered into all the interests of his men and treated them as comrades and brothers in a great and glorious cause. The thoughtfulness of the late Captain Jolly, and the interest he took in his men has been shown in a letter written by him to Mr Schaumann of this town shortly before he got his own call. It runs as follows, and has a singular interest coming after the gallant writer is himself no more: — "I regret to inform you that your son was wounded through the arm last night whilst out in front of our trenches with the firing party. I am pleased to inform you that it is not serious and he should be about again in a month, so you have no cause to be anxious about it. Your son has been in good health and spirits. I personally saw him before sending him to the dressing station and he was bright and cheery. With kind regards to all Alexandra folk and the same to Mrs Schaumann and self. — Yours sincerely, W. D. Jolly, Cap. 4th Otago Coy., etc. -Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, 20/9/1916.
The Fallen and Wounded
Personal Notes
Private Harold Roseveare (wounded find reported seriously ill) is the youngest son of Mr Thomas Roseveare, late of Waiwera South. He was in the employ of the D.I.C., and left that firm to join the Seventh Reinforcements as a private, and latterly joined the machine-gun section. He has seen some very desperate fighting, especially (as he describes) the never-to-be-forgotten night when Captain Jolly and a number of Otago boys were killed. Heroic deeds were done that night by the Otago lads, and many a brave and gallant action was done that may never be recorded. Lance-Corporal Keorner, a cousin of Private Roseveare, was also wounded about the same time, and is now reported missing. He signed on with the Twelfth Reinforcements. -Press, 2/11/1916.
A memorial window will be unveiled at Cromwell to-morrow to the memory of the late Captain Jolly. A number of returned soldiers will parade on that date as a tribute to the memory of a gallant soldier, and all men who possibly can attend are urged to do so. -Otago Daily Times, 28/9/1918.
No comments:
Post a Comment