THE ROLL OF HONOUR
PRIVATE J. B. HUNTER.
Another who will never again tread his native heath. Private John Boyd Hunter, who stood to attention to the great Roll Call on December 3, was a son of Mr R. Hunter, of Wharehuanui, Queenstown. Twenty-eight years ago he was born at Miller’s Flat, Wharehuanui, where he also received his education. He left farming to go forward with the Fifth Reinforcement. Besides being a member of the Wakatipu Mounted Rifles. Private Hunter was a footballer and successful track runner, and assisted with all sports in and around Arrow and his own district. -Southland Times, 3/1/1918.
John Hunter's Battalion (8th) of the Otago Infantry Regiment was, on the day of his death, held in reserve at the beginning of the Otagos' disastrous attack on the remains of Polderhoek Chateau during the Battle of Paesschendeaele. It was not sent into the fight, and on the following night (4/5 December) was sent up to take over part of the front line which was the result of the meagre success of the attack.
John, it seems, was killed behind the front line and there are a small number of ways in which that could occur. It might have been a German shell, sent over to prevent reinforcements being brought up. A sniper's bullet is also a possibility.
Arrowtown Cemetery.
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