"LIVERPOOL'S OWN" IN ACTION
WAIKIWI SOLDIER’S STORY.
A GRAPHIC NARRATIVE.
Private Charles McCurdy, who was formerly on the staff of Royds Bros, and Kirk, writing to a member of the Southland Times' literary staff, has the following to say about a fight with the tribes on the Western portion of Egypt:
Western Frontier. Egypt, Sunday, 30/1/16.
Just having come off Church parade I am taking a few minutes to give you an account of our last bit of a go. During the past few weeks out battalion has been on the outpost work in connection with our camp here, and so last Friday week past our platoon was on at No. 5 sangar. That night it rained as it usually does at this time of the season here (at night's) and so we didn’t have a too joyful sleep, but still got an hour or two. Next day at one we were relieved and on arriving in camp, received orders to get ready to go out into the desert for two or three days. We left camp at 3.15, and after a very strenuous and gruelling march until 9.15 we arrived at our camping ground for the night. We got to work and built a wall of stones (of which there are any amount), but were not allowed to light fires owing to being in the vicinity of the enemy. It was raining by this time, but getting our blanket and overcoat we soon settled down to sleep, having a few hours rest. We left there at 6.30 next morning, leaving the road and going inwards. We were the right flank guard of the column but no side issues took place, and we marched on until 9.15 when we halted for half an hour, which was much appreciated by all as the marching had been very gruelling and uninteresting. Just after beginning to move forward again a cheer went up as the sound of big gun firing came to us from the front, which told us that this was no wild goose chase, as the last 54 mile march had been. We continued on and now could see the bursting of the enemy's shrapnel, while we could also see the flashes of our own artillery as they got to work. We were on the desert, and for miles around it looked like a billiard table with no ridges, excepting one small one in front, which we rightly guessed was where the enemy were. Our column marched to their deploying point, which was under our ranged machine gun fire and unfortunately a few of these found marks amongst our chaps, while still in the column, although personally I had only one that passed anyway near me, going between Cecil Reid and myself. When here we found out we were the reserve battalion, and so I cannot give you any details of the main fighting, which, judging by the casualties, must have been fairly severe. We lay there for a while watching the operations, the firing being pretty solid, especially by the machine guns, of which there seemed to be a plentiful supply on both sides. We were particularly interested in a party of our’s (not E.L.O.) retreating from some of the enemy on the right flank. They were retiring in short rushes followed up by about 500 of the enemy, who also had two machine guns. We (B Co.) were then ordered to attack this crowd, who were about 1700 yards away. We approached in lines extended to seven paces, myself being in the front line, advancing for some 300 yards before they turned their rifle fire on to us, which by the way did no damage. They then turned their machine guns on to us, and so we advanced for a short distance in sectional rushes until about 1200 yds from them, when we lay down and bringing up two machine guns we began to put in the lead. We were answered fairly well, especially by their machine guns, but their bullets just went clipping our heads, landing about 50 yards behind us. We kept this up for a half hour or more when they began to get out of it at the double, and as we were the reserve we just had to march back to head-quarters having only had one wounded. We waited there uninterrupted until the various units returned, and judging by reports the enemy were well driven back with fair loss. It began to rain and as we were about wet through by this time things were rather miserable, but we kept up our hearts, as we were told we could light fires and have some hot tea, (we still have a drop of water left), as long as no snipers were about. We were allotted our camping ground, and set to work to build the usual protection wall, having it nicely completed and some wood gathered when our section was ordered to go on outpost. Through an unavoidable happening we couldn’t get our blanket or overcoat and being wet through, and as it was still raining off and on, we did not look forward to this but, however, of such is the soldier’s' life composed. We were marched to our post a few hundred yards in front of the camp and just where the fight began, and there took up our post. Of all the miserable nights I have ever put in this takes the cake. When on duty for two hours absolute quietness and steadiness was essential, and then when actually off sentry we had to lie on the wet ground not being able (or allowed) to move about to keep ourselves warm. However, the night passed without an incident, and next morning we were anxious to get on the move again, as underfoot it was very sloppy and still raining and very cold. We had a biscuit and a drop of water, and away we went but our progress was slow as the going was very heavy, while our platoon had to lend a hand to carry the wounded back until the vans could get up to them. We landed hack to our previous camping place fairly early that night, and after fixing up our position we lit a lire and you will understand the first cup of hot tea was very acceptable. We got our blanket and overcoat and you can see I was fairly tired when I tell you I slept just on seven hours, although they told me it rained a good deal during the night, and was also very cold. We got going for home at about 9.30, arriving at 5 that night in good order, excepting for our feet, which suffered a good deal. We had marched (with our equipment and rations) fully 60 odd miles during that time, and as you see with not too much sleep, but, however. in a day or two we were back to our old form and feeling A 1 again. It is these gruelling marches that makes the life in this part so strenuous, although when we have a go it is the open attack, and is fairly nervy as there is not overmuch natural covering on the desert. It was just as well they did not have the right range on to us as their bullets went over us in waves backward and forward. We have been having a fairly easy time since then and enjoying ourselves as well as possible. -Southland Times, 15/3/1916.
L-CPL McCurdy.
Lance-Corporal Charles McCurdy was officially reported “missing and believed to be killed in action.” He has not yet been officially reported killed in action, but advice received from his chum leaves little room for doubt as to his fate. This chum saw Lance-Corporal McCurdy fall and states that he was killed. The deceased soldier was a son of Mr Alexander and Mrs Jane McCurdy, of Prestonville, Invercargill. He was 28 years of age and was born at Waikiwi, and educated at the Waikiwi and Waihopai schools. Prior to leaving with the Main Body of the Earl of Liverpool's Own, he was employed as storeman by Messrs Royds Bros, and Kirk, with whom lie had been for nine years. He was a keen sport, and had been for several years a prominent member of the Waikiwi Football and Cricket Clubs. He was of an exceptionally cheery disposition, and was a great favourite with all with whom he came in contact. He received his stripe in France. He was for several months in Egypt and took part in the operations against the Senussi. He left Egypt for France with the Main Body. -Southland Times, 30/11/1916.
Charles McCurdy's Army records contain the following note, from the Court of Enquiry held after the battle in which he died: "At Fler on 15th Sept. at about 10 o'clock I saw Rflmn McCurdy hit and fall. I went over to him and examined him. I found him to be dead. He was hit through the back. Cpl Reed of my company also examined him and collected the pay book etc from his body."
The coinciding portion of the NZ Rifle Brigade's Official History contains the following: "The 1st Battalion, detailed for the task of securing the final objective, consisting roughly of Grove Alley, moved forward immediately behind the 2nd and 3rd. The advance was made on a two-company frontage. "A" Company (Capt. L. M. Inglis) on the right and "B" (Capt. B. R. Lankshear) on the left, leading, with "C" (Capt. P. A. Elder) and "D" (Capt. H. C. Meikle) following in support. Part of "D" Company had been detailed as battalion reserve. Approaching the Blue Line the battalion began to suffer heavy casualties from machine-gun fire coming from the left. Lance-Corporal F. N. Fletcher, with a bombing-party of six men from one of the rear companies, swung out beyond the left flank, located the enemy machine-gun, and attacking it from flank and rear succeeded in bombing out the crew and destroying the gun, thus removing a serious obstacle to the advance."
Charles was in "B" Company and it is reasonable to assume that he met his death from the German machine gun.
IN MEMORIAM.
McCURDY. — In sad but loving memory of L./Cpl. Charles McCurdy, fourth son of Alexander and Jane McCurdy, of Waikiwi, who was killed in action somewhere in France, on September 15, 1916.
Just when life was brightest, Just when his hopes were best,
His country called, and he answered; Now in God’s hands he rests.
We pictured his safe returning, And longed to clasp his hand.
But death has postponed the meeting, ’Twill be in a better land.
Inserted by his loving parents, sisters, and brothers. -Southland Times, 16/11/1918.
ABOUT PEOPLE
Misfortune has fallen with heavy hand on the home of Mr and Mrs Alexander McCurdy, Prestonville, Waikiwi. On Sunday last a son, John, passed away after an illness of six weeks, and on Wednesday Samuel, another son, also died. “Jack” was held in high esteem by the residents of the district, and any deserving cause received his wholehearted sympathy and practical help, while his brother also possessed many good qualities. He was for a long time engaged on the clerical staff of the Southland Education Board, and a few months ago proceeded to Auckland to participate in the work of the Y.M.C.A. there. About six weeks ago, however, his health became so bad that he had to return to his home, and medical aid was unavailing. It is a singular and sad coincidence that John died on the second anniversary of the death of a brother, Lance-Corporal McCurdy, who was killed in action on September 15, 1916. -Southland Times, 21/9/1918.
DEATHS.
McCURDY — At her residence, James St., Prestonville, on Sunday, October 5, 1924, Jane, beloved wife of Alexander McCurdy; in her 65th year. “A Patient Sufferer Gone to Rest.” The funeral will leave the house at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, the 7th inst., for St. John’s Cemetery, Waikiwi. Friends please accept this (the only) intimation. — Macdonald & Weston, Undertakers (successors to Kingsland & Ferguson). -Southland Times, 6/10/1924.
Durham St Cemetery, Invercargill.
