The weather broke fine on the morning of September 15th. Zero hour was fixed at 6.20 am., and by 6 o'clock all ranks had breakfasted and were fortified by a stout issue of rum. In order as far as possible to conceal from the enemy the hour of attack there was no increase of our artillery fire immediately before the assault was timed to commence. Shortly after 6 o'clock three distinct lines of troops of the 2nd Battalion of Otago, which in conjunction with the 2nd Battalion of Auckland was to open the New Zealand Division's attack, had formed up in front of the new Otago Trench at intervals in depth of about 50 yards, and a fourth line was in Otago Trench itself.
Zero hour, 6.20 a.m., was the common signal for a mighty effort on the part of infantry and artillery. An intense and hurricane-like barrage of field artillery instantaneously broke out along the line; the great howitzers in the rear, hitherto firing but intermittently, now burst forth in extreme violence, and the anxiously awaiting lines of infantrymen stepped forward as in one accord and moved straight to their task. But the advancing waves had not proceeded far before officers and men began to drop from the ranks, for heavy machine gun fire was coming from the left and from the front of High Wood. -Official History of the Otago Regiment.
DEATH.
FOR KING AND COUNTRY.
WABY, WILLIAM WILSON, officially reported killed in action in France on 15th September, 1916, third son of the late Cooper and Fanny Waby. He died for the sake of those he loved. -Evening Star, 20/1/1917.
Wiliam Waby's death was the verdict of a Court of Enquiry and the circumstances around it are detailed below.
FALLEN NEW ZEALANDERS.
PRIVATE BENJAMIN COOPER WABY.
Private Benjamin Cooper Waby, reported killed in action in France at the taking of Messines, was the eldest son of the late Mr Cooper, Waby and Mrs Fanny Waby, of Roslyn. He was born at, Dunedin in the year 1876. He was educated at the George Street School, and after leaving school joined the wholesale jewellery firm of D. Benjamin and Co., with whom he served his apprenticeship, and remained in their employ for many years afterwards. The deceased was in later years in business on his own account in George street. He subsequently went to Invercargill to manage a business there, but returned to Dunedin, and enlisted with the 12th Reinforcements. He left New Zealand in the early part of last year, and fought at the battle of the Somme. In a letter received this morning by his sister, Mrs V. Sykes, of No. 225 High street, dated May 1, the deceased speaks of the beautiful May Day in France, although the effect was somewhat marred by the continual roar of the guns. He also speaks of the glorious coming of the spring, as the soldiers were longing for a glimpse of the warm sunshine. When the deceased wrote this letter he had just come from the front line trenches for a short spell, on account of an attack of dysentery. He, however, was evidently only on leave a very short time, as he was killed a few weeks later. Private Waby was well known throughout this city as a man of a very bright and jovial nature, and was very popular with all with whom he came in contact. Ho was a good all-round sportsman, and took a very keen interest in football. The deceased soldier leaves a wife and a large family. The Waby family have shown a true patriotic spirit, as altogether three sons have given their services to King and country. The third son, Private William Wilson Waby enlisted with the 10th Reinforcements. This soldier was reported wounded on September 15 last year, was later on reported missing, and as the result of a court of inquiry was supposed to have been killed through the bursting of a shell while at the dressing station. His younger brother, Corporal George Chester Waby also enlisted in the 10th Reinforcements and the brothers were together all through the Somme fighting. Corporal Waby saw his brother William fall in action, and as the latter fell he called out to George to "carry on." Private William Waby was educated at the Kaikorai school, and was a prominent member of the Kaikorai Football Club. So far as is known, Corporal George Waby is safe The latter was only 21 years of age last December, and gained his stripes on the field. -Evening Star, 28/6/1917.
DEATHS
FOR KING AND COUNTRY
WABY — On June 7th, 1917 (killed in action), Benjamin, beloved husband of Gertrude Waby; aged 40. For those he loved. -Evening Star, 23/6/1917.
Benjamin's Army record shows an interesting event in his military career. He reached Britain as a member of the NZ Rifle Brigade and, in September 1916, went absent without leave for 21 days. He was posted as a deserter and, presumably on his return, transferred to the wellington Regiment. His record does not show what punishment - and there was surely some - was administered.
Benjamin died on the first day of the Battle of Messines.
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