In Dunedin's Southern Cemetery is something rare in the way of epitaphs, and a very familiar date. On October 12, 1917, the men of the Otago Regiment - and others - were sent through knee-deep mud where once there was a creek and up to Bellevue Spur where the German Army had built concrete pillboxes for their machine guns and placed barbed wire around them against just such an attack.
Usually the wire and concrete would be demolished as much as possible by artillery before an attack. But the mud delayed the guns' arrival and many of those that were in place on the morning of the 12th had no solid platforms and had to be aimed after each shell fired. Many of their shells fell on the men of the Otagos before they left their trenches. When they left to cross the mud and assault the ridge the German fortifications were barely touched. It was a criminal massacre. More than 300 Otago men lost their lives that day or died of their wounds in the days following. Their story is exemplified by that of William Alexander Brown.
ABOUT PEOPLE
On Saturday morning the staff of Messrs J. Rattray and Son, Ltd., assembled in force to say goodbye and make a presentation to one of their number, Mr W. A. Brown, who has enlisted for active service at the front. The presentation was made by the manager, Mr Maclean, who referred to Mr Brown’s excellent record and the energy, zeal and ability displayed by him during his career as the Company’s country representative in Southland. On behalf of the staff he handed Mr Brown a silver wristlet watch, appropriately inscribed, and a Loewe pipe, as tokens of the goodwill and esteem in which he was held by his fellow employees. In responding, Mr Brown said he hoped his successor, Mr Wood, would derive as much pleasure from his association with the Company as he himself did. Mr Brown leaves on Thursday with the 16th Reinforcements. -Southland Times, 3/5/1916.
A GROUP OF SERGEANTS IN THE EIGHTEENTH REINFORCEMENTS. From left (standing): Sergeants W. A. Brown, G. Blythe, B. McGregor, and W. Grieve. Sitting: Sergeants A. Devlin and A. Peterson. -Otago Witness, 29/11/1916.
THE DAY OF A PRIVATE.
Sergeant W. A. Brown, late of Messrs Rattray and Son, Invercargill, writes: —
What a surprise the voyage from New Zealand has been to most of us, who, thinking we were making some sacrifice and under the necessity of many inconveniences, find that we struck a real joy ride and conditions are greatly superior to what we expected. First of all, the Reveille is sounded at 6 a.m., when we spring to it and make for the bath room; and owing to limited accommodation for such a number of troops, it is wise to get there early. We each have an allowance of fresh water measured out to us to wash in, and a plentiful supply of hot and cold salt water for the baths. After the morning bath, we get our shaving water and return to cabin to shave and tidy our bunks according to regulations, and, taking plate, pannikin, knife, fork and spoon, get upon deck ready to be marched down to the mess room.
Each company has a certain part of the ship allotted to it as a parade deck, and our company has the port side of the boat deck. Here we squat down and wait for the sergeant's order to "Fall in,” when the roll is called, and on the ship’s bugler sounding “Come to cookhouse door” at 6.45 a.m., we march down to the mess room.
There are two mess rooms on the ..... the aft and for'ard, the former accommodating 250 and the latter 350. In the aft mess room there is only one relay and in the for’ard we have two relays, the first at 6.45, the second at 7.30 a.m., each of certain companies taking week about at first and second relay. The for’ard mess room has 21 long tables, some seating 22 men, others 18 and have two mess orderlies waiting at each table. These men go down half an hour before mess time and place the sugar, salt, pepper, jam and butter on the tables. Then, just on time, they get a big dish of sausages, stew, apples and rice, apricot and sago or whatever may be on for the particular meal, ready to serve out to the men when all are seated. The din at first is deafening, such a clatter of plates and mugs and a jingo of voices, some expressing their likes and dislikes, what they want and what they don’t want with a little variation in the way of barrack. When all are served the noise ceases until the washing-up commences, each man washing and drying his own dishes, using tin of hot water and towel placed at end of each table. We then wander up on deck to smoke the pipe of peace and bask in the morning sunshine, write, play cards, read or play quoits, until 9.30 a.m., when the “fall in” goes.
After the sergeant has called the roll, the officer reads out routine orders containing any instructions to be carried out on board, then we have three-quarters of an hour at physical drill and three-quarters of an hour at either musketry or semaphore signalling, which is more of a pleasure than otherwise. At 11 a.m. we are dismissed and can carry on at cards, quoits, photo printing, etc., until mid-day, when lunch takes place. The “Come to Parade” is sounded at 2 p.m. and we have more physical drill, musketry or signalling till 3.30 p.m., when the day’s drill is finished, unless the syren goes for boat drill, as it often does when least expected. On the first sounding we all make for cabins and put on life-belts. On the second sounding we leave cabins and make for part of dock opposite the life-boat which has been allotted us. On the third sounding, the officer in charge of life-boat calls the roll, and on fourth syren, we are dismissed. After 3.30 p.m., there is usually some keen boxing going on and all are settled down to some amusement. The last meal of the day takes place at 5 p.m., and is generally tip-top.
After dinner the band plays on the aft part of deck where there is always a crowd assembled to hear a few selections, finishing up with "God Save the King,” at 7.30 p.m. Then there may be a concert on deck or in the mess rooms, and there is no lack of talent, singers, musicians, reciters and dancers, etc., or perhaps a card tournament and the usual means of recreation fill the evening till 8.30 when “Tattoo” sounds the warning for bed, and "Lights out” goes at 9.15 p.m.
Besides all regular parade duties, there are fatigues, some permanent fatigues in which the men all do their share, turn and turn about, nearly 50 per cent, being necessary out of each company for orderlies, ship’s police, sanitary police, pantrymen, cooks and dormitory work. For instance, the dormitory fatigues clean up the dormitories where the men sleep and need to make a very thorough job of it. Each morning, except Sunday, commencing at 10 a.m., the captain of the ship, the adjutant, and orderly officer make a tour of inspection. They carry electric torches, and every nook and comer is carefully searched. Coming on an untidy bunk, the owner’s name is taken and he is on the mat, ultimately chasing the C.B. call. The fatigues do not go on parade and when their work is done may be seen on the aft deck reading, etc.
Each company takes its turn as unit for duty, when all the men of the unit are kept busy carrying provisions, washing decks, cleaning brass, life-buoy guards, etc., and as there are only six companies on board, these duties come round every six days. Then washing day takes place once a week when every three men get a tub, small piece of soap and a bucketful of water, in which to do their washing, only one platoon washing at a time. The clothes arc then hung out to dry on the aft lower dock. On Sundays at 10 a.m. we have Church Parade, the Protestant service being conducted in the mess room, the Roman Catholic in the saloon, and a voluntary service is held at 7.30 p.m. either on deck or in the mess room. For those interested in Bible study or willing to learn, a Bible class is held two nights a week, and has a very good attendance.
Near the aft deck we have the canteen where we can purchase soft drinks, tobacco, tinned fruit, lollies, etc., and there is big business done at times, the soft drinks and tinned fruit getting a great run in warm weather.
Truly we are well catered and cared for, and are sure to land in England healthy and in good heart, ready to do our bit and put some ginger into it too. The associations and good fellowship are indeed healthy, the man who plays the game being the strong man in this life. Knocking around in our shorts, legs and faces well browned, we are as happy as school boys on holiday, for verily we are Bill Massey's tourists. -Southland Times, 19/3/1917.
THE ROLL OF HONOUR
CORPORAL W. A. BROWN.
Word has been received of the death in action of Corp. W. A. (Tiger) Brown, who for a considerable time represented Messrs' Rattray and Co. in Otago and Southland. He was born in Dunedin 34 years ago, and after occupying various positions with the Company in that city came south. Corporal Brown, who was a brother of Mrs Pasley (Wallacetown), went away with the 16th Reinforcements as Sergeant, and was reduced to the ranks upon arrival at the front, in accordance with the usual procedure. He has taken part in all the big movements made by the N.Z. Division, and up to the time of his death had escaped untouched. Corporal Brown represented Rattray and Co. in Southland for five years, and virtually laid the foundation of the firm’s country business. He was highly esteemed both by his associates and clients, and before leaving for the front was prominent in all the Southland Travellers’ war activities. At a meeting of the Travellers held on Saturday evening the chairman made reference to Corporal Brown’s death, and asked all those present to stand in silence as a mark of respect for one who had made the supreme sacrifice. -Southland Times, 5/11/1917.
Particulars have just come to hand from Lieutenant Thompson, of Balclutha, regarding the manner in which Private W. A. Brown met his death at Passchendaele Ridge. It appears that Private Brown and a mate were in a shell hole, and in another shell hole was Corporal Hardy. Hardy was wounded and Private Brown went to his assistance, and after helping him returned to his orginal cover. Hardy called out again for assistance, and although remonstrated with for the great risk he ran, Brown immediately started to go to his corporal, and was shot through the back, expiring irnmediately. Private Brown was well known throughout Otago and Southland as a commercial traveller when he enlisted. -Otago Daily Times, 16/4/1918.
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