Joseph MacGinnis, a farmer from the Earnscleugh area, had unsuccessfully volunteered for the Army when he was called up in February 1917. He asked the Military Service Board for time to get his harvest in and square things up and was given it.
After arriving in France, he was assigned the the 2nd Battalion of the Auckland Infantry Regiment, and would have been with them when they withstood - but only just - the high point of the German attack which was part of their Spring offensive.
On March 30, the 2nd Aucklands made a surprise attack on German positions, as described in their Official History: "Lying in front of the New Zealand line, and in some parts dominating it, was the ridge and farmhouse of La Signy. Possession of this would very greatly improve the strength of the line, and would drive the enemy everywhere into the valley, leaving him in such a position that a general assault on his part would be very much hampered by the lack of a suitable jumping-off point. It was resolved to take La Signy and to entrust 2/Auckland with the task. The attack was planned as a pure surprise, and was to take place at 2 p.m. on the afternoon of March 30th. There was no preliminary artillery bombardment, but at zero hour a shrapnel barrage went down on the Hun line, and at the same moment the infantry leaped from the trenches, deployed out and went straight forward. The Hun sentries were evidently extremely careless, and fearing nothing, stood down and kept their heads below the parapet when the shelling commenced. It was the most impossible and most improbable time for an attack to take place. The greater part of the trench garrison were asleep in their dugouts. Some were writing home on British Y.M.C.A. paper. They were in great numbers — the trench was packed with them. Machine-guns were mounted every few yards. So sure, so confident were the Huns, in their own strength, in their feeling of certainty that their opponents would remain entirely on the defensive, that the idea of a surprise attack over that two hundred yards of level grass field never entered their heads. The Aucklanders were half way across before they were seen. They were on the parapet of the German trench before the machine-gun crews could reach their weapons. The 3rd Company, on the right, and the Waikatos on the left, went straight in with rifle, bayonet and bomb. Many of the enemy were killed actually in the trench. Many more were shot down as they endeavoured to escape. Numbers of them surrendered. In two places only was there strong opposition. Right in the centre of the position, at the end of Southern Avenue, an enemy strong point held out. A platoon of the Waikatos, advancing up the sap, found the enemy on the alert. For a moment the whole line of them were exposed to the direct fire of an enemy gunner. Fourteen fell — every man shot through the head. Two or three more were wounded, including Captain McFarland. The attack here was held up until Colonel Allen, in response to an urgent message, came up to the spot, and with him the trench mortar officer, Captain Morgan, who with all speed brought one of his guns into play. This played havoc with the Huns, who speedily surrendered. On the extreme right, by the Serre road, another post still held out, but a bombing party of the 3rd Company under Sergeant Buckthought quickly reduced it, while the Colonel and the Padre looked on. This established touch with 1/Wellington on the right."
The Battalion lost altogether 130 men killed or wounded in the attack on March 30. Joseph MacGinnis was in the Waikato platoon and is likely one of the victims of the "enemy gunner."
FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE
IN MEMORIAM
MacGINNIS. — In sad and loving memory of our dear brother, Joseph Augustine MacGinnis, and his brave comrades of the 16th Waikato Company, who were killed in action at La Signy Farm, France, on March 30, 1918.
Sacred heart of Jesus have mercy, on their souls. And these have paid, paid the immortal gold
Of their great youth in splendid sacrifice.
— Inserted by his loving sisters and brothers.
MacGINNIS. — In loving memory of our dear brother, Joseph Augustine MacGinnis, who was killed in action in France on March 30, 1918.
As long as life and memory last We will remember thee.
— Inserted by his loving brother and sister-in-law, M. P. and B. MacGinnis.
IN THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE
IN MEMORIAM
MacGINNIS. — In loving memory of Private Joseph A. MacGinnis, who was killed on March 30, 1918. — Inserted by his loving brother and sister-in-law, M. P. and B. MacGinnis, Earnscleugh. R.I.P.
MacGINNIS. — In fond and loving memory of our dear brother, Joseph Augustine MacGinnis (late of Earnscleugh), who was killed in action at La Signey Farm, France, on March 30, 1918. — R.I.P.
There is one link death cannot sever, Fond remembrance lasts forever.
— Inserted by his loving sisters and brothers. -Otago Witness, 6/4/1920.
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