4/1499 Sapper Henry Cornwell, (30/1/1881-1/6/1920). "held in high esteem"

FOR KING AND COUNTRY.

DEATH.

CORNWELL. — On June 1, at Dunedin Hospital, Henry Cornwell (late member Dunedin Fire Brigade), 4/1499, Tunnelling Corps, late of Portsmouth, England: aged 41 years.   -Evening Star, 2/6/1920.

OBITUARY

The death occurred in the Dunedin Hospital on the night of June 1 of Fireman Henry Cornwell, .a member of the Dunedin City Fire Brigade. The deceased was a returned soldier, having served for four years in France with the New Zealand Tunneling Corps. He had been attached to the City Brigade for about 12 months, and was held in high esteem by his officers and comrades, and his death came as a great shock to them. He was a native of Portsmouth, where his sister and aged father reside. He had no relatives in New Zealand. Three of his /brothers were killed while on active .service with the British Army during the Great War. The deceased, who was in his 40th year, was interred at the Anderson Bay Cemetery yesterday afternoon. The funeral was attended by the associated brigades of Dunedin City and suburbs. The coffin was conveyed to the cemetery on a gun-carriage, Lieutenant Healy representing the military. The bearers were six stalwart returned soldier firemen, whose service ribbons showed that each man had given the last few years to the defence of his country. The cortege left the Hospital at 2.50 p.m., and the bell in the station tower was tolled at minute intervals. There were three fire engines and other vehicles in attendance, and when the gun-carriage arrived at the Oval the fire engines and firemen on duty in the City lined up, gave a last salute, and returned to the station. The cortege then proceeded on its way, and on reaching the cemetery the coffin was escorted to the graveside by over 40 volunteer firemen from the suburban brigades. The Rev. Bryan King, who had attended deceased during his illness, read the burial service, and Deputy-superintendent J. J. Salmon read the firemen's ritual, after which Bugler Napier sounded the 'Last Post.' Amongst these present were Mr W. Scott and Mr J. T. Hamann, representing the Fire Board. The scene at the graveside, with the blue uniforms and brass helmets of the firemen, was a most impressive one.  -Evening Star, 4/6/1920.

Henry Cornwall's Army record shows that he died of "septicemia, pneumonia and heart failure."  It also shows offences, in September 1917, of "drunkenness," "offering violence," "absence without leave" and "entering a cellar in search of plunder."  His three years "P S" (presumably Penal Servitude) were remitted by the General commanding the Third Army.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.