Mr John Duncan, Mataura, received word on Saturday that his son. Lieutenant James Duncan, had been awarded the Military Cross. He is the third son of Mr and Mrs John Duncan, and was born at Mataura about 22 years ago. He was barely 18 when he went away with the Main Body and remained in Egypt with the Remount Depot for about two years. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in the Camel Corps and later to sergeant major, but in order to be with his old company went back to the rank of sergeant. Lieutenant Duncan was educated at Mataura, and after leaving school was employed by the late firm of C. D. McConnell and Co. He was a member of the Mataura Football Club and also of the Mataura Lodge, I.O.O.F. -Mataura Ensign, 16/12/1918.
The Official History of the James' unit, "With the Machine Gunners in France and Palestine" contains the citation for his MC: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Dumar on 30th September, 1918. With great skill he worked his guns forward to the edge of a pass which was packed with retreating enemy troops and transport. From the range of one hundred yards he inflicted heavy casualties, which resulted in blocking the road for further passage of the enemy, and the capture of many waggons, machine guns and a train which was on the line which ran through the pass.
BACK FROM THE WAR.
SOLDIERS’ RECEPTION.
A MATAURA FUNCTION'.
In honor of the return from the front of Lieutenant James Duncan and Privates Henry and Allan Cameron and Sister L. Y. Scott a reception was tendered in the Mataura Horticultural Hall on Wednesday night. There was a good attendance, including several visitors from the outlying districts. Dancing was indulged in, splendid music for which was provided by Miss McGowan (piano) and Mr J. McDowell (violin), while the duties of M’s-C. were ably carried out by Messrs James Broome and R. Friend.
Before the supper adjournment a verse of the National Anthem was sung.
The Mayor (Mr John Bowden) formally welcomed the returned soldiers and Sister Scott back to Mataura. After referring to the occupation and evacuation of Lille, and the joy which it brought to the French people, the speaker said our feelings were just the same as those of the French at the return of our soldiers. We had sent them away to beat the Germans, and they had done so. When the history of the war was written the New Zealanders and Australians would occupy a prominent position. Sister Scott, who went from. Mataura, had served three years in. the New Zealand Hospitals at Home. The speaker Concluded by asking those present to give their heroes a hearty welcome, winch was done by acclamation.
Lieutenant James Duncan was heartily applauded upon rising to respond. On behalf of Sister Scott and his comrades the speaker thanked the people of Mataura for their cordial reception. Referring to the sister, the speaker said the nurses had done wonderful work, and no one could understand unless he had seen for himself. New Zealand should be proud of the work the sisters had done. The gifts the people of New Zealand had sent to the soldiers at the front were very much appreciated by the soldiers. (Applause)
Supper was dispensed, after which dancing was resumed until 1 a.m., when a pleasant evening was concluded with "Auld Lang Syne”, and a verse of the National Anthem. -Mataura Ensign, 7/3/1919.
Later that year, James Duncan was in Wanganui hospital, being treated for malaria and dysentery which he acquired during the war. There were no officers' accommodations at the hospital and he was transferred to Rotorua - there were also concerns that, according to the Matron, he had returned to the hospital more than once "under he influence of liquor." This situation was felt to be "not conducive to good discipline, " according to Captain Douglas Wilson of the Medical Corps.
The engagement is announced of Miss Ruby Thompson, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Thompson, 155, Thorndon-quay, to Lieutenant James Duncan, M.C., third, son of Mr. and. Mrs. John Duncan, of Mataura. -Evening Post, 11/10/1919.
A military wedding was celebrated recently at St. Paul's pro-Cathedral, when Lieut. James Duncan, M.C. (Main Body, N.Z.E.F.), of Mataura, Southland, was married to Miss Ruby Thompson, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Thompson, Thorndon-quay, Wellington. The Ven. Archdeacon Johnson officiated. Lieut. W. Wilson (Main Body) was the best man, and Mr. Archer Thompson was the groomsman. The bride was given away by her father, and wore a dainty gown of accordion-pleated ivory crepe-de-chene and georgette. The train was lined with shell pink and trimmed with pearls and orange blossoms. She wore her mother's wedding veil, and carried a bouquet of white roses and maidenhair fern. The bridesmaids were Misses Elsie Duncan, Myrtle Butts, and Gladys Armstrong (train bearer), wearing respectively accordion-pleated frocks of pale pink, blue, and heliotrope crepe de chine and ninon. Their flats were of transparent black tulle with long streamers, while the bouquets were of pink ross and maidenhair, the little maid wearing a wreath of flowers round her head, and carrying a basket of flowers. The bridegroom's presents were silver jewel cases to the bridesmaids, a gold bangle to the trainbearer, and a cheque to the bride. The bride's gift to the bridegroom was a silver-mounted shaving outfit. After the wedding a reception was held at the residence of the bride's parents. Lieut. and Mrs. Duncan left for a visit to the South Island, the latter wearing a navy blue tailor costume, with buff embroidery and a hat to match trimmed with ospreys. -Evening Post, 23/12/1919.
From here, James Duncan seems to have led a blameless life, or at least an unreported one. He must have dealt with his malaria and reached a decent age before leaving the world and being buried beside family at Mataura Cemetery.
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