8/2776 Private Richard Rackley, 26/7/1890-15/1/1917. "found floating"

 

Richard Rackley joined the Army in 1915, landed at Gallipoli but was shortly afterwards admitted to a Hospital Ship with rheumatism. He was eventually repatriated and given a job on the SS Kaiapoi.

FOUND IN LYTTELTON HARBOUR

(TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.

The body of a man was found floating in Lyttelton Harbour to-day. Papers found on the body showed that his name was Richard Rackley, aged twenty-seven. He had been assistant cook on the s.s. Kaiapoi, and had previously served in the Otago Battalion at the front. His parents reside at St. Kilda, Dunedin.   -Evening Post 15/1/1917.

FUNERAL NOTICE

THE Friends of Mrs Mary Rackley (and family) are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of her late son, Richard Rackley, which will leave her residence, 15 Larkworthy street, St. Kilda, TO-MORROW (Thursday), the 18th inst., at 2.30 p.m., for the Southern Cemetery. HOPE AND KINASTON. Undertakers, 30 St. Andrew street. 

ENTERPRISE LODGE, U.A.O.D. 

THE Brethren of above and Sister Lodges are invited to attend the Funeral of our late Bro. Richard Rackley, which will leave his mother's residence, 15 Larkworthy street, St. Kilda, TO-MORROW (Thursdav), the 18th inst., at 2 30 p.m., for the Southern Cemetery. 

By order of the Arch-Druid. W. B. STEEL, Secretary.   -Evening Star, 17/1/1917.

Richard's entry in the "Online Cenotaph" contains a comment from a relative to the effect that Richard, because in those days rheumatism was regarded as an old man's disease, was accused by shipmates of cowardice and pushed overboard. His death was investigated no further than the verdict of "found drowned."

Richard's Army record contains a single page with a telling comment. Several pages deal with his diagnosis of chronic rheumatism.  And contains the words:

"Enlisted 31/8/1914."

"Deserted 15/10/1914."

It is too long ago to know what occurred in 1914.  Perhaps Richard realised that his condition - which was a family one - meant he would be a burden to himself and the Army as a soldier. It seems, according to his record, that he left the Army without permission and re-enlisted to be given a different service number and no punishment.  It is possible that his shipmates got to know about this, perhaps from Richard himself.  However, this is mere speculation.