On Friday evening at Woodlands, Private H. Capon, who is down on final leave, was entertained at a social, at which a large number of residents were present. Mr J. D. Trotter, who presided, on behalf of the residents of the district, presented Private Capon with a wristlet watch, and in doing so referred appreciatively to the recipient, both as a man and a soldier. Addresses were also given by the Rev. Mr Jupp and the Rev. Mr I Vickers. A splendid concert programme was gone through, the following contributing; — Piano selection, Miss Waddell; song, Miss Phillips; comic song, Mr A I Mayne; song, Miss Drake; recitation, Mr I Hiskens; song, Mr Jas. Wyeth; comic turn, Messrs A. Mayne and Geoff. Stewart; recitation, Mr L. Stewart; violin solo, Mr Henderson; recitation, Rev. Mr Vickers; pipe selection, Mr McKay; recitation, Mr Hiskens; song, Mr A. Mayne. Supper was provided by the ladies, and a most enjoyable dance followed. The function was well carried out, and was successful from every point of view. -Southland Times, 4/6/1917.
Herbert Capon was with the 4th Company, 1st Battalion, of the Otago Infantry Regiment on August 25, 1918, when they advanced against German positions in the Bapaume area "somewhere in France."
The assault was delivered at 5 a.m., being supported by an effective artillery barrage. The enemy was almost immediately encountered in considerable strength; but the extreme density of the morning fog permitted many of the page 335attacking troops to reach unobserved within point-blank range of the German machine guns, which constituted the first line of real resistance. The crews, huddled round their guns and uncertain of the development of the action, realised too late that the attacking troops were upon them. An extraordinarily large number of machine guns, sited so as to threaten any advance east of Biefvillers, were with their crews thus completely knocked out before half the distance between that village and the Bapaume-Arras Road had been covered. Without check, the leading Companies topped the crest of the rising ground, gained the Bapaume-Arras Road and then proceeded to advance beyond it. But from that point an intense volume of machine gun fire burst upon them; and as the fog had now lifted and casualties were severe, further progress became impossible. Four heavy tanks, which were late in arriving, now lumbered through our advanced line with the intention of clearing the machine gun nests in the locality of Monument Wood and the Bapaume Cemetery, but had only progressed a short distance when they were knocked out in quick succession. The final line established by 4th and 8th Companies was astride the Bapaume-Arras highway, commencing from a point on the northern edge of the town. An armoured car which had previously exchanged several bursts of fire with our own troops owing to a misunderstanding, now attempted to penetrate along the road leading into Bapaume, but failed to achieve any definite object beyond revealing some of the enemy machine gun strength which held the town. -Official History of the Otago Regiment.
The Official History goes on to say: "The Battalion's casualties during this operation were heavy, particularly those of the right Company, the 4th, which lost over 50 per cent of its initial strength, including its commander, Captain E. V. Freed, M.C., who was shot down when in the van of the attack."
Herbert Capon suffered a gunshot wound to his back and died in a hospital in Rouen, France.
PRIVATE H. CAPON.
Private Herbert Capon, wounded on August 25, enlisted in 1916 with the 27th reinforcements. He was born, at Winchmore, Ashburton, and was educated at the Winchmore and the Ashburton High Schools. Private Capon, whose parents are Mr and Mrs F. G. Capon, of Woodlands, was part owner of a chaff-cutting plant, and before being accepted for service he had been turned down. Motor cycling is Private Capon’s favourite outdoor amusement. A younger brother, who left with the Main Body, returned home on duty in May, and another left with the 35th reinforcements. -Southland Times, 13/9/1918.
FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE.
CAPON. — On September 20, 1918, somewhere in France, died of wounds, Private Herbert Capon, eldest son of F. G. and K. I. Capon, of Woodlands; aged 25. “He fought for freedom, not for fame.” -Southland Times, 2/10/1918.
Roxburgh Cemetery.
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