BOMBS' DEADLY WORK.
AN INTERESTING PROCLAMATION
Surgeon-Captain Cyril Baigent (Otago Battalion), who was reported wounded on Saturday, writing to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. Baigent, Waimea street, under date June 2nd, says: — We have been in reserve lately, but expect to go in the trenches any day now, and have shifted up behind the first trenches. The shelling on the beach got a bit warm the other day, and we had to pick a quiet time for a swim. The other day we had just finished our swim when the enemy shrapnel began to fall. Two other officers and myself were just entering the reserve gully when a shell burst nearly over us, and bullets buried themselves in the ground two or three feet behind us. Had we not lain flat on the ground when we heard it coming we must have been hit. The other night the enemy built bomb-proof shelters at the end of a sap, not more than nine feet from our trenches. They were demolished next morning after some bayonet work. Bomb throwing is a. prominent feature of both sides. They are villainous things, and inflict frightful injuries. Although we are in reserve we go into the trenches if anything much is doing. . . . To-day has been awfully quiet until just now, when the enemy began shelling our lines two or three minutes ago, and almost immediately one of our batteries replied, and they are now having a little go on their own. June 17th. — You should see the Japanese bombs being fired. There is a fair noise when the bomb leaves the gun. You can then see it going up, turn round, and come down. Then follows a tremendous explosion. When the bomb starts to come down our men yell, "Allah, Allah!" —the war cry of the enemy. Bombs are deadly affairs, and do tremendous damage to the enemy's men and trenches. We have other varieties of shells, which also cause a lot of excitement. . . Flies are becoming an awful nuisance, but are not so bad as at the next post, where they simply swarm. In regard to clothing Captain Baigent says: — We really cannot have anything but what we carry about with us, so our only requirements at present are an occasional pair of socks and similar articles.
In an earlier letter Captain Baigent writes: — Last Sunday a colonel from the enemy's lines came in to arrange for an armistice to bury dead from 7.30 to 4.30 p.m. on Monday. Only the burial parties were allowed out in front of the trenches. They had to wear the Red Cross brassard or a white band, while the enemy wore the Red Crescent. Parties went right along the line between the two front trenches and left men, Turks and Australians, with flags marking the neutral line. Neither side was allowed past their marker. I went out with the burial parties to try and identify some of our men. However, although I went over all the ground where the battalion had been fighting I could not locate any. The ground was covered with dead in an advanced state of decomposition, as they had been lying there for at least two or three weeks. There were very few of our forces, but in places the Turks were simply lying in hundreds. It was recently estimated that they lost 3000 in their last attacks, and it apparently agreed with that estimate. It took each burial party at least seven hours to complete their work. According to agreement the Turks were to carry any of our dead to the neutral line, and we were to do the same with theirs. Consequently there wore hundreds of each party assembled along the line, and the men were standing up in the trenches watching. One or two of the — could speak English, but had evidently been ordered not to say anything. The men were apparently well clothed and fed, and officers, especially staff officers, were dressed in very showy uniforms. I am enclosing a notice which I picked up amongst the enemy's dead. Evidently they had some idea it might encourage our men to surrender. (The notice, which is riddled with bullets and blood stained, reads as follows, the words omitted being where the paper has been shot away.):
"Englisch soldiers taken prisoners by us state they have been told that each soldier which has fallen into, our hands will be killed. Don't believe that lie only told to persuade you to prefer being killed than to surrender. Be convinced that everybody of you who has been taken prisoner will be treated just us well as the international law commands.
"France, England and Russia have been awfully and suffered tremendous losses the last few days. More than 100,000 Russians have been taken prisoners by the Gems in Polonia. Libau a russian harbour in the Baltic sea has been taken by the Germans. Dunquerque has been bombarded with the heaviest guns. Calais and Warsaw are in danger. The very next days will bring new losses to the allied forces. There is no chance for you to get the narrows."
Writing on June 10th, Captain Baigent says: — The Fourth Reinforcements arrived here two days ago, and are doing their turn in the trenches with the other companies. Yesterday afternoon was a quiet one. An officer looked at his watch during the afternoon, and no shots were fired for 45 seconds! That is really about as long an interval since we landed seven weeks ago, so you will understand what it is like here. -Colonist, 24/8/1915.
The health of Dr. C. V. Baigent of Ashburton, is reported to be very critical. He is an inmate of a private hospital. Dr. Baigent belongs to a Nelson family, and was on active service during the Great War. -Manawatu Standard, 2/1/1923.
OBITUARY
DR. C. V. A. BAIGENT.
It is with regret that we have to record the death of Dr. Cyril Victor Atmore Baigent, which took place at his residence in Ashburton yesterday afternoon after a severe illness that had confined him to his bed for the past month or so. Although Dr. Baigent’s affliction was a serious one; and little hope was held but for his recovery from the outset, the news of his death came as a shock to the community, by whom he was held in the highest esteem.
Born in Nelson 33 years ago, the deceased entered Nelson College in 1902, where he received most of his education, leaving there in 1907 for Dunedin. Determined on the medical, profession, he entered the Dunedin University as. a medical student and qualified as a medical practitioner in 1912. Shortly afterwards he was engaged as a house surgeon in the Dunedin Hospital and he was in that position when the war broke out in 1914. Immediately answering the call to the colours, he resigned from the Hospital staff and left New Zealand as a member of the Main Body, being attached to the Medical Corps. On Gallipoli he rendered valuable service and he was wounded there whilst in charge of an advanced dressing station. His kindly and skilful treatment of the wounded endeared him to hundreds and earned him the highest praise. No trouble was too great for him if it meant the relief of some sufferer, and his disregard for his personal safety won him a high reputation. After the evacuation he went to France, where he had charge of a stationary hospital. In the field he again distinguished himself, and was recommended for the D.S.O., this being the second occasion, the first being when he was on Gallipoli. The coveted honour not granted, however later he was decorated with the Order of the British Empire.
With the sighing of the Armistice, Dr. Baigent, with the rank of Lieutenant, was placed in charge of the Codford Military Hospital, where he again rendered conspicuous service among the New Zealand sick and wounded. He remained in charge of Codford until the institution was closed, when he returned to the Dominion in charge of a hospital ship but went back to Edinburgh, where be gained further experience in his profession gaining the degree of F.R.C.S.
Returning to New Zealand finally, he took up a position on the Pensions Board, and took over Dr. G. Lyon’s practice in Ashburton about two and a-half years ago. During his student days at the Dunedin University, Dr. Baigent took a prominent part in athletics, and more than once represented his University in inter-’varsity meetings in field events. In those days, as also during his trying time in France, where he was severely gassed, his genial nature endeared him to all who knew him, and his work in Ashburton placed him in the highest regard with a large number of people, by whom his death at so early an age will be deeply regretted. The deceased gentleman leaves a widow and one three-year-old child. His parents are very well-known residents of Nelson, in which town he will be buried on Sunday next. -Nelson Evening Mail, 9/1/1923.
OBITUARY
DP. CYRIL BAIGENT
The sad news of Dr. Cyril Baigent's death, which occurred at Ashburton yesterday afternoon, will be received with widespread regret. It is not many years since he was a boy attending Nelson College, and as a member of one of .Nelson's bestknown and oldest families he was well known right through the district. On leaving Nelson College he continued his studies at Dunedin University, obtaining his M.B. and B.Ch. Degrees. On account of the brilliancy of his examination results he was at once offered a position as Junior House Surgeon at Dunedin Public Hospital, which post he accepted, and within two years had risen to the position of Chief House Surgeon, he holding this appointment at the outbreak of war. He immediately volunteered for active service and left .New Zealand with the Main Body as Captain in charge of the Field Ambulance of the Otago Infantry Battalion. He served right through the Egyptian and Gallipoli campaigns, his ambulance being constantly in touch with the fighting and in advanced positions. He was several times then offered promotion, which he refused, his letters home emphasising the fact that he considered promotion valueless if it meant leaving his battalion as he was proud to be associated with men of their calibre, and wished to remain with them as long as any of the Main Body men were left. After one night's advance his battalion found their new position was enfiladed from both sides, and his ambulance station therefore being unprotected, was constantly sniped day and night for some four days. He, however, remained at his post until the withdrawal, just previous to which he was shot through the arm, the bone being pierced and his condition was then such that he at once went down with dysentery and enteric fever. As soon as convalescent, he rejoined his unit, and was present at the evacuation of Gallipoli and the transfer to France. He was there promoted, and with the exception of a few months in New Zealand on special duty, he remained with the forces until the Armistice, at which time he was medical officer in charge of Codford Camp, with the rank of Lieut.-Colonel. For his war services he was decorated at Buckingham Palace with the O. B. E. He then applied for. and was granted demobilisation in England, and at once proceeded to Edinburgh to study for the F.R.C.S. Degree, and on receiving the diploma he returned to New Zealand. He then entered private practice at Ashburton and soon established a very large connection, but he had not escaped unscathed from the privations of the war, and about six months ago he was able to diagnose a trouble caused in the first instance by severe chill or exposure, which trouble he knew must sooner or later result in his death, and which imperatively demanded a complete rest. Knowing the incurable nature of his illness, he, however, decided to carry right on, which he did, he successfully performing a serious operation on the morning of his collapse. It was at first expected that he would recover sufficiently to come through to Nelson, but he gradually sank and passed away yesterday afternoon. The late Dr. Baigent leaves a widow and one child, and to them and Mr and Mrs H. Baigent, of Waimea street, sincerest sympathy will be extended. The body is being brought to Nelson for burial. -Nelson Evening Mail, 10/1/1923.
The brief description of Cyril Baigent's fatal disease would indicate that he was one of the many New Zealanders who contracted tuberculosis in the trenches and died after their return home.
FUNERAL NOTICE
THE friends of the late Dr. Cyril V. A. Baigent are informed that his funeral will leave the residence of the parents, Mr and Mrs H. Baigent, of Waimea street, on SUNDAY Morning at 9.45 o'clock for the Nelson Cemetery.
G. FLEMING & SONS, Funeral Directors. -Nelson Evening Mail, 12/1/1923.
PERSONAL ITEMS
The funeral of the late Dr. Cyril Baigent, of Ashburton, son of Mr and Mrs Henry Baigent, of Waimea street, was held yesterday morning. There was a large attendance of all sections of the public, including representatives of the Nelson Returned Soldiers’ Association, the medical profession, and many personal friends. A number of beautiful floral tributes were sent, including wreaths from the Ashburton Returned Soldiers’ Association, the Ashburton Trotting Club, Ashburton County Racing Club, Ashburton War Relief Fund, arid St. John’s Ambulance Association, as well as from numerous private individuals. The service at the graveside was read by Rev. H. Edridge, while Pastor C. S. Matthews, of Ashburton, a close personal friend of deceased, paid a warm tribute to the late Dr. Baigent’s memory. -Nelson Evening Mail, 15/1/1923.
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