Monday 8 May 2023

Edward Lockyer, 1878-20/1/1918.

DUNEDIN, January 14. Edward Lockyer, aged 40, a seaman on a Union Company steamer, fell over the embankment at Carey Bay on Saturday. He was taken to the Port Chalmers Hospital, where he died yesterday.

Later. In connection with the death of the seaman Edward Lockyer, at Port Chalmers, the inquest was opened and adjourned, owing to a suggestion that Lockyer's death might have resulted from injuries received in an altercation with John Crammond, junior, who, it was alleged, pushed him immediately prior to his receiving the injury that may have caused his death. The police are enquiring fully into the circumstances. It was stated that deceased was "cranky" when slightly under the influence of liquor.  -Ashburton Guardian, 15/1/1918.


Rifle Row Ends Fatally

"You Are a German Spy."  

(From "Truth's" Dunedin Rep.) 5

Last Saturday, Edward Lockyer, aged 40 years, seaman on an overseas vessel, was out shooting rabbits at Carey's Bay, when some altercation took place between him and others. A scuffle ensued, and deceased, it is alleged, was hit or pushed down an embankment. Lockyer was intoxicated at the time, he also had a flask of whisky in his possession, and also a loaded rifle. The dispute arose in connection with the rifle, and Lockyer called one of the men, John Crammond, " a — liar!" "a German — ," and "a German spy." Crammond pushed Lockyer away, and the latter rolled down an embankment. 

On Monday last Mr. . H. A. Young, S.M., took formal evidence at Port Chalmers. Lawyer B. S. Irwln represented John Crammond. 

Joseph Davis, a seaman, said he knew the deceased, who was on the same ship as he was. He last saw him alive at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday. He left the ship with a gun to go out shooting rabbits, and was quite sober. Witness next saw him in the hospital dead. He was all right when sober, but he had had an accident to his head some years ago. In liquor he was a bit cranky. All witness knew about deceased's parentage was that he was born m Japan of Irish parents. He was a well-educated man, kept a diary,  could paint, and dabbled in photography. Deceased was very reticent of has private affairs.

John Flynn, captain of the steamer, said the deceased was a good seaman, having a slightly excitable temperament. Witness had only occasion to "log" him once in four years. Deceased had had some trouble with the military authorities over his registration. Witness had given deceased permission to go out shooting rabbits on the day in question. The inquest was adjourned until January 21.  -NZ Truth, 19/1/1918.

Port Chalmers New Cemetery.  DCC photo.



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