13314 Private Samuel John Linton, (1915-27/11/1941). "underneath the alien stars"

SOLDIERS HONOURED AT OREPUKI

The Regent Hall, Orepuki, was scarcely large enough to hold the crowd of wellwishers and friends who met to do honour to the local members of the 3rd Echelon. During the evening a parade was held from the Post Office to the hall, the Tuatapere Pipe Band leading about 50 local and visiting soldiers and returned men.

The president of the Territorial Association, Mr C. D. Bone, made a presentation to each of the following: — 2nd Lieutenant C. W. McLean, Sergeant J. T. Fitzgerald, Lance-Corporal N. M. Dudfield, Privates S. J. Linton, R. W. Lennon, W. Barrie, W. Latchford, F. J. Coote, O. Kelly, G. W. Henderson, R. Watson, L. Brooks, Sappers A. Pahl, P. S. Houlihan, T. Fitzgerald, G. F. Bryan. Mr J. Smith was master of ceremonies.  -Southland Times, 23/8/1940.

Samuel Linton served with the 26th Battalion through the Greek Campaign and, after a rest in Egypt, the 26th were back in Libya for the offensive to relieve the besieged port of Tobruk.  The 26th's Official History has this to say about the day Samuel died:

The strongpoint which D Coy had attacked on the 26th was still causing trouble. Snipers operating from this area had already killed several men and were harassing traffic moving to and fro from Brigade HQ and B Echelon to the forward troops. Brigadier Barrowclough gave orders for it to be captured; Maj Mantell-Harding, not knowing the strength of the enemy position, detailed 7 Platoon for the task. One carrier and a detachment of mortars were to give covering fire. The Platoon Commander, 2 Lt Nottle, made a rapid reconnaissance and decided to attack from the west while the carrier moved around from the south. The mortars were to fire smoke and high explosive.

The platoon manæuvred into position and then attacked. Almost immediately it came under machine-gun, mortar and anti-tank fire, which became heavier as the troops ran over the uneven ground and neared the enemy. Some of the men were hit, but the rest carried on until pinned down by strong small-arms fire within a hundred yards of their objective. For nearly an hour the men hugged the ground while bullets passed over their heads and bombs exploded all around. 2 Lt Nottle realised that the enemy strongpoint was no machine-gun post but an extensive chain of defences. The platoon had already passed several concreted dugouts and gunpits. The Platoon Commander decided to withdraw. Taking advantage of any lull in the firing, the men raced back towards their start point. The evacuation of the wounded was a more difficult problem but was safely completed with the aid of the Bren carrier. The latter came under heavy fire as it approached the area and on each trip was chased along the escarpment by anti-tank shells.

The mortar detachment had given the platoon close support, not only during the initial stages of the attack but also during the withdrawal. Sergeant McIntosh, the Mortar sergeant, stood up in a carrier to gain better observation, although by doing so he attracted fire on himself. An unusual incident occurred while this attack was in progress. There was a heavy fall of rain which pelted down with such force that everyone was soon soaked. Not one platoon weapon would fire. Breeches and bolts were already covered with fine sand which the rain turned to cement. The enemy was in a similar position for all small-arms fire ceased, only the mortars and anti-tank guns continuing to fire. In some instances it took half an hour to get the gun mechanisms working again.

Orepuki Soldiers 

Two prominent members of the Orepuki Football Club were among the casualties suffered by the New Zealand Division in the fighting in Libya. They are W. (“Bill”) McKenzie, who was wounded, and S. J. (“Jack”) Linton, who was killed in action.

In recent years both McKenzie and Linton were staunch members, both as players and officials, of the Orepuki club. McKenzie played in the Western District Sub-Union and the Southland Sub-Unions’ team as a front-row forward and Linton showed more than average ability as a five-eighths. They joined the Army and left New Zealand in different echelons, but a close association which existed between the two since their school days was linked again when the two were placed in the same hut in Egypt, only to be severed by the death of Linton.   -Southland Times, 19/12/1941.

Private Samuel John Linton, who has been reported killed in action, is the eldest son of Mrs Susan Linton and the late Mr Joseph Alexander Linton, of Orepuki. He was born at Orepuki and educated there. Afterwards he worked on his father’s farm. He was well known in the surrounding districts and was a prominent member of the Orepuki Football Club. He enlisted early in the war and saw service in Greece and the Middle East. He was among the last boatload of soldiers taken, off Greece. He was 26 years of age.  -Southland Times, 20/12/1941.

IN MEMORIAM

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE

LINTON. — In loving memory of my dear son, No. 13314 Pte S. J. Linton (Jack), who was killed in action, November 27, 1941, at Sidi Rezegh. 

They layed him where he fell in battle, far away from me. 

Where I cannot plant his grave with flowers of memory.

That last sweet solace is denied, an exile still he lies. 

Underneath the alien stars of unfamiliar skies.

Yet the part of him I loved, the spirit and the mind. 

Is clothed in immortality and could not be confined. 

To the faith life is death—and no dark gulf divides. 

He will dwell within my heart as long as life abides. 

— Inserted by his loving mother, Orepuki. 

LINTON. — In loving memory of our dear brother, No. 13314 Pte S. J. Linton (Jack), who was killed in action, November 27, 1941, at Sidi Rezegh. Also his fallen comrades. 

— Inserted by his loving brother and sisters. 

LINTON. — In memory of Pte Jack Linton, killed at Sidi Rezegh, November 27, 1941. 

— Inserted by his mate, Bill McKenzie.  -Southland Times, 27/11/1945.

Orepuki Cemetery.