88/360 Private William Wilkinson Bemrose, (10/7/1883-6/8/1919). "take thy rest"

William Bemrose was selected for enlistment by ballot in September, 1918.  His Army record shows no clue as to his cause of death, but Wakari Hospital in Dunedin was a recently built one for tuberculosis treatment.

DEATHS.

BEMROSE. — On August 5, 1919, at Dunedin, Private William Wilkinson (46th Reinforcements, N.Z.E.F.), dearly beloved eldest son of the late William and Emily Bemrose, of Waikaia; mourned. Canterbury papers please copy.   -Evening Star, 7/8/1919.

MILITARY FUNERAL 

NOTICE. 

THE Friends of the late Private William W. W. Bemrose (and family) are respectfully invited to attend his Funeral, which will leave the residence of Mr William and Emily Full, Waikaia, on SATURDAY, the 9th inst, for the Waikaia Cemetery. 

A. S. ARCHER AND CO.. Military Funeral Directors.  -Evening Star, 7/8/1919.

IN MEMORIAM.

BEMROSE. — In loving memory of William Bemrose, who died at Dunedin on August 6, 1919. 

Sleep on, beloved, and take thy rest, 

They miss you most who love you best. 

— Inserted by his loving mother and brothers.

BEMROSE. — In loving memory of our dear brother, William Bemrose, who died at Dunedin on August 6, 1919. 

'Tis sweet to know we'll meet again, Where parting is no more, 

And that the one we loved so dear, Has only gone before. 

— Inserted by his loving sister and brother-in-law, R. and A. Webster, Waikaia.  -Otago Daily Times, 6/8/1920.

Waikaia Cemetery. Photo from "Find a Grave."

8/74 Private Thomas Millar, (24/8/1891-2/5/1915). "for his king and country"

PRIVATE MILLAR. 

Private Thomas Millar (reported as missing) is the youngest son of Mr Charles Millar, of Outram. He was born at Otokia on August 24, 1891. He was brought up at Outram and educated at the local school. He followed farming pursuits, and prior to the outbreak of war resided in Wellington with his brother. Being a Territorial in the 10th (Otago) Regiment, he came to Dunedin and enlisted. He left with the main force. He was a prominent member of the Outram Oddfellows' Lodge, and a good sport. He has one other brother at the front, and one in training at Trentham.  -Otago Daily Times, 18/6/1915.

MILLAR. — On May 2, 1915, killed in action at the Dardanelles, Private Thomas Millar, dearly beloved youngest son of Margaret and Charles Millar, of Outram; in his 24th year. 

He gave his life for his King and Country.   -Otago Witness, 9/2/1916.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE

IN MEMORIAM

MILLAR. — In loving memory of Private Thomas Millar, killed in action at the Dardanelles, May 2. 1915, beloved youngest son of Charles and Margaret Millar, of Outram; aged 24 years. 

For King and Country's sake.  -Otago Witness, 17/2/1916.

Thomas Millar died during the first attempt of New Zealand forces to break out of their landing area on the Gallipoli Peninsula and make progress towards their ultimate goal - the heights overlooking the Straits and the defending Turkish forts which had repulsed the Royal and French Navies earlier.  His death was the verdict of one of many Courts of Enquiry held after the eventual evacuation.

He has no known grave.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

Gladys Christian Mary Cameron, (1889-9/2/1928). "none named her but to praise"

THE LATE MISS G. C. M. CAMERON

AN APPRECIATION 

(Contributed.) 

They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old; 

Age shall not wither them, nor the years condemn. 

At the going down of the sun and in the morning 

We will remember them. 

Yesterday afternoon Gladys Christian Mary Cameron was quietly laid to rest by her family and a small group of intimate friends. Rarely is the passing of a young woman mourned by so wide a circle. Hers was a radiant spirit, a brilliant mind, a warm heart, and valiant courage.

None knew her but to love her; 

None named her but to praise.

Of Scottish parentage, she wars born in New Zealand in 1889, the eldest daughter of the late Mr and of Mrs W. H. Cameron. She leaves a sister, Mrs C. L. Purdie, and four brothers (Keith, Alex., Clive, and Stuart), all of whom served throughout the late war. 

Gladys Cameron gave early evidence of unusual mental capacity, being dux of her class at both the Kaikorai School and the Otago Girls’ High School, where she was also winner of special prizes. She entered Otago University in 1907 with a junior university scholarship, and in her first, year won the Parker Memorial Medal. In 1909 she was winner of the Stuart prize in physics, and completed her B.Sc. degree, holding the senior scholarship in zoology. She obtained the Master of Science degree with first-class honors in zoology in 1911. The professor in charge of the subject states that she was probably the most brilliant scholar who has passed through his department.

Though she won many honors and prizes, they came as incident rather than objective, and were received in a spirit of humility which recognised the limitations of all human knowledge. She had the artist’s appreciation of the wonders which her subject revealed. Her scientific studies served to strengthen her deeply religious character. 

Her first staff appointment was at the Gore High School. Leaving there, she took the appointment of science mistress at the Methodist Ladies’ College, Melbourne. In 1911 T Miss Cameron entered the home science department, obtaining the bachelor’s degree in that subject in two years, and winning the highest commendations of the dean. After teaching at the Wellington Girls’ College, she was called to the University of Otago in 1917 and made lecturer in bacteriology and hygiene. She acted as director of this department in 1920 and 1921, during the absence and illness of the professor, lecturing to the medical and home science students in addition to administering the department. Such heavy responsibility, in addition to the anxiety for those at the war, unquestionably contributed to the undermining of her health. She was one of those whose war service, though less spectacular, was as truly great as those who fought at the front.

Miss Cameron was the first New Zealand woman to be awarded the Rockefeller international Fellowship. In 1924 she went abroad, studied at the University of Chicago, and carried on research in soil analysis. She also travelled in Britain and Europe. During this time she represented the New Zealand Federation of University Women, being a member of the Executive Council, at the World Conference held in Oslo, Norway. At this conference, where twenty-three nationalities were represented, comments were made on the excellent contribution made by Miss Cameron. She was the first national secretary of the New Zealand Federation, and at the time of her death secretary for the Committee on International Relations, having in the meantime served as president of the Otago branch of the Federation of University Women. 

Her intellectual and social abilities qualified her for intercourse with the best minds, and at this world conference she was able to respond in a way highly creditable to her country women. Entertained by the King and Queen of Norway, the King and Queen of Belgium, and by the President of the United States, she gave a vivid account of these meetings and of the conferences upon her return to New Zealand just two years ago. 

Miss Cameron resumed her work at the Medical School in 1926, but was compelled by illness to resign at the close of the year. Literally hundreds of students who came in touch with her gracious personality will mourn her loss. The loss is not only that of a scientist, but of a truly beautiful woman of lofty ideals. 

Her delight in words and in rhythm gave her a command in language whose delicate discrimination was a joy to listen to. It was the literary side of her nature that was perhaps most widely known and loved by her many friends. Her after-dinner speeches had a flavor all their own — a curiously happy blend of humor, perspicacity, and idealism, with a felicity of phrasing which carried her message to the heart as well as the mind of her audience. Her speech at the federation banquet held in Washington, D.C.. was voted the wittiest, and her contributions at the council’s meetings of the federation which she attended in both Brussels and Vienna made a lasting impression. She truly exemplified “sweetness and light,” combined with insight, appreciation, and love of “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report.” 

She was not content to be a passive recipient of the love and care of her exceptionally devoted family, but always she followed the urge to attain the larger issues of life and serve the cause of womankind. Highly endowed, thoroughly trained, clearly inspired, she stood on the threshold of large achievements. Only those who have been in close communion with her can realise the loss she is to the wide issues of life for which she strove — international understanding, peace and good-will to the world. 

Oliver Wendell Holmes, who also combined the knowledge and training of the scientist with poetic genius, furnishes us appropriately a simile taken from zoology, in his poem ‘The Chambered Nautilus,’ which exemplifies the mental and spiritual growth of this beautiful character: 

Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul! 

As the swift seasons roll, 

Leave thy low vaulted past. 

Let each new temple, nobler than the last, 

Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast, 

Till thou at length art free, 

Leaving thine outgrown shell on life's unresting sea.  -Evening Star, 121/2/1928.

Before the ordinary business was proceeded with at the monthly meeting of the Otago University Council yesterday after noon the Chancellor (Mr T K Sidey, MO) referred in feeling terms to the death of Miss Gladys Cameron, and moved as follows: — “That the Council of the University of Otago expresses its deep sorrow on learning of the death of Miss Gladys Christian Mary Cameron. Miss Cameron was a distinguished student of the University of Otago, where she obtained the degrees of M.Sc, and B.Sc. in Home Science together with other distinctions. In 1917 she was appointed assistant to the professor of bacteriology, a position which she occupied with great success until at the end of 1926 she was compelled through ill health to resign her post. To Miss Cameron's relatives the Council expresses its most sincere sympathy." The motion was carried, the members standing for a few moments in silence. -Otago Daily Times, 14/2/1928.

Gladys Cameron's death at 39, two years after resigning her post due to ill health, would suggest a lingering fatal illness. Tuberculosis, a slow and inexorable killer, is a likely culprit. 

Who knows what further success she might have had; what an ornament to the City of Dunedin she might have been; had there been a cure then for whichever disease ended her life at the age of 39.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

8/3259 Lieutenant William Brierley, (20/1/1893-16/9/1928). "a pleasant nature"

MR W. BRIERLEY

PASSES AWAY AFTER LINGERING ILLNESS. 

News of the death in Dunedin of Mr Wm. Brierley, formerly of Waimate, will be received here with wide spread regret. Mr Brierley was confined to his bed some four years, his illness being from the effects of war disabilities. The deceased was born in Dunedin. He was pursuing law studies with the outbreak of the Great War in which he served with distinction. He gained promotion and also was awarded the D.C.M. After receiving his discharge, he joined the firm of Hamilton and Fitch, Waimate, and resumed his interrupted studies. Soon he completed his law examinations and was admitted as a member of the Law Society. About 1923, however, he was compelled to leave his employment with the firm of Hamilton and Fitch on account of war disability making itself apparent. He went to his home in Dunedin, and has been bedridden ever since.

Of a pleasant nature, Mr Brierley had a wide circle of friends, and few missed the opportunity of visiting him during his illness if they happened to be in Dunedin. Although he possessed a quiet, retiring nature, a more sincere friend and companionable conversationalist it would be difficult to find. Mr Brierley was highly thought of in sporting circles in Waimate, being a keen cricketer and golfer. He carried out the duties of secretary to the local Golf Club for a number of years. He also took an active part in the work of the Waimate R.S.A., on the Committee of which body his professional knowledge and business ability proved most helpful. He was valued highly by his fellow committeemen. About twelve months before he took ill, Mr Brierley married a daughter of Mr Fraser, the one-time proprietor of the Empire Hotel. His wife and a little son remain to mourn their loss.  -Waimate Daily Advertiser, 17/9/1928.

Unfortunately, I have been unable to find either a description of the "acts of gallantry in the field" for which William Brierley won his Military Medal or the reason for his death.  He was sent on a course to learn how to be an officer during late 1918 and was on this course when the war ended.

The illness which caused his death is described as "war disability." His Army record shows no serious wound and the most likely illness, one that often took years to kill, would be tuberculosis.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

8/1739 Private Edward Frye, (15/1/1885-23/6/1915). "he did his duty"

DEATHS.

FOR KING AND COUNTRY. 

FRYE. — Killed in action at the Dardanelles, June 23, 1915, Private Edward Frye (4th Contingent Otago Infantry), eldest son of Mr Charles Frye, gas inspector, 90 Main road. Caversham; aged 30 years.  -Evening Star, 12/7/1915.

PRIVATE E. FRYE.

Mr Charles Frye, Gas Inspector, of Dunedin, has received word that his eldest son, Private Edward Frye, has been killed in action at the Dardanelles. Private Frye, who was 30 years of age, was born at Caversham, and educated at the local school, and afterwards at the Port Chalmers District High School. He was a carpenter and builder by occupation. Private Frye was a member of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Society and of the Dunedin Amateur Boating Club.  -Press, 13/7/1915.

Edward Frye arrived on Gallipoli Peninsula in early June. He and the others of his group were welcome, despite their lack of combat experience.  The period during which he died was one of ongoing, casualties, as reported in The Official History of the Otago Infantry Regiment:

"On June 9th reinforcements, the 4th, were received to the number of four officers and 239 other ranks. Owing to the reduced strength of the Regiment these were urgently required. There was a daily toll of casualties, even under what might be regarded, in a comparative sense only, as normal conditions. On the morning of June 5th Captain V. J. Egglestone, Battalion Quartermaster, who had rejoined the Regiment when it was at Helles, was killed while drawing rations at the Brigade Dump. Lieut. A. C. Boyes succeeded to the post of Quartermaster.

"Relief of the garrisons of the Posts within No. 3 Section was now effected. In the holding of Courtney's two companies of Otago Battalion were disposed along the crest line, with two companies in immediate support in the terraced bivouacs below. The garrison of the forward line was periodically violently harassed by the enemy, and on these occasions numerous casualties were suffered and the defences badly breached."

Edward Frye was buried in the Shrapnel Valley Cemetery on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

IN MEMORIAM.

FRYE. — Killed in action at the Dardanelles. June 23. 1915, Private Edward Frye (4th Contingent, Otago Infantry), eldest son of Mr Charles Frye, 90 Main South road, Caversham; aged 30 years.

He did his duty.  -Otago Witness, 28/6/1916.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.

Constable Malcom John Clarke, (1902-5/3/1927). "listening to his engine"

MOTOR AND TRAM COLLIDE.

DEATH OF CONSTABLE. 

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) DUNEDIN, March 6. 

Malcolm John Clarke, police constable, who, when riding a motor-cycle on Friday, collided with a tram-car and had his right leg broken and his head injured, died in hospital yesterday. Constable Clarke, who was 25 years of age, joined the force in April, 1926. At the inquest evidence of identification was given, and the inquest was adjourned.  -Press, 7/3/1927.

DEATHS.

CLARKE. — On March 5, 1927, at Dunedin (result of an accident), Malcolm John Clarke, police constable, of Dunedin; aged 25 years. — The Funeral will leave the Dunedin Hospital (Cumberland street entrance) on Tuesday. 8th Inst., at 2.30 p.m., for the Anderson’s Bay Cemetery. — R. McLean and Son, undertakers.   -Otago Daily Times, 7/3/1927.

 FATAL COLLISION

CONSTABLE CLARKE'S DEATH 

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST

“The evidence shows that the only one at fault was the unfortunate deceased himself, and no blame is attachable to the motorman,” said the Coroner (Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.) in returning a verdict of accidental death at the adjourned inquest this morning on the circumstances of the death of Constable Malcolm John Clarke, aged twenty-five years, who died on March 5 as the result of injuries received on March 4.

Dr Durward, house surgeon at Dunedin Hospital, said that he saw the deceased immediately after his admission at 9.45 a.m. on March 4. He was unconscious, and suffering from a compound fracture of the right leg, abrasions to the right font, left thigh, both hands, and right side of the face. The leg condition was treated, but the general condition of the patient gradually became worse, and he died without regaining consciousness at 4 p.m. on March 5. The cause of death in his opinion was laceration of the brain and hemorrhage into and around the brain. 

Denzil John Simpson, solicitor, said that on March 4 he was a passenger on the 9.20 a.m. south-bound car from Howe street, sitting in the rear platform with his back to the driver. The car did not stop at Dundas street, but slowed up to take the intersection. Just before the ear reached the south side of Dundas street the motorman commenced to gong the bell sharply. As far as witness could remember he gave three double taps. On hearing the bell witness jumped up and looked towards the front of the car. Just when he had risen to his feet the car pulled up sharply. Witness thought the car was pulled up easily within half of its own length. The impact took place about a second after the car had been brought to a standstill. After the collision witness alighted from the car and went round to the front. The motor bicycle was jammed against the front right-hand side of the car. The rider was lying with his head and shoulders on the ground, slightly to the right of the rear of the bicycle. His left leg was twisted under the petrol tank.

To Sergeant Dunlop: As far ns witness knew there was no other vehicular traffic on the street at the time. From the position of the motor bicycle it seemed as if the rider had veered to his left on hearing the bell but had not succeeded in getting off the line in time. Witness did not actually see the accident happen, and could not say what the course of the bicycle was. 

Arthur Plaister said that on the day in question he was conductor on a tram from Howe street to St. Kilda, leaving Howe street at 9.20 a.m. When nearing Dundas street the motorman sounded the customary gong for passing intersections. When crossing the intersection of Dundas and Castle streets witness heard loud gongs by the motorman. Witness was inside the saloon portion of the car, and on looking up ho saw a motor cycle and sidecar coming on the same track towards the tramcar. Just over the intersection the car stopped, the motor cyclist then being about 12ft away. He was travelling very fast, roughly about twenty miles an hour. Witness saw the motor cyclist, when almost on top of the car, swerve to his loft, but too late to avoid collision. From the position he could see that an accident was unavoidable. On going round to the front witness noticed that the motor cyclist was seriously injured, and he rang up for the ambulance. 

To the Coroner: There would be a very strong sun in the cyclist’s eyes, it being a bright sunny day. 

To Sergeant Dunlop: The cyclist was on his wrong side. 

James Swan said that he had been a motorman for eleven years. On the day in question witness left the Howe street terminus at 9.20 a.m., southbound for St. Kilda. When approaching Dundas street intersection witness sounded the gong and slowed down. He started to pick up speed again, when he noticed a motor cyclist and side chair coming towards him at about twenty-five miles an hour. The cyclist had his head down and was looking towards the left-hand side. He was running on the tram rails and on his wrong side of the street. Witness started to sound the gong and applied his brakes at the same time. As far as witness could see he could not attract the deceased’s attention, which made witness think deceased was listening to his engine. During this time witness was continually sounding his gong, and the car pulled up very quickly. Immediately before the impact deceased became aware of his position, and a second or two alter the car stopped the collision took place. Deceased made an attempt to swerve to the left, but struck the car with considerable force, the window of the car being shattered by the force of the collision. Witness corroborated the evidence of the witness Simpson in regard to deceased’s position after the accident. The car had to he backed to let the cycle off. Witness did not think deceased struck the tramcar. When the cycle struck he must have been thrown right back. 

In returning his verdict, the Coroner said that the evidence of Simpson corroborated that of the motorman and the conductor, and showed that the tramcar was being driven quite properly and carefully. It slowed down at the Dundas street crossing, and when about over the intersection the gong had been sounded very loudly and the car pulled up suddenly, the motor cycle crashing into it. The evidence showed that deceased had been riding at a fairly fast speed, and the question arose as to how the motor cycle came to crash into the tramcar. The evidence disclosed that there was a strong sun shining in deceased’s eye, but that alone was not sufficient to account for the accident. 

The motorman’s evidence as to the position of the cyclist tended to clear the matter up, the Coroner continued, the deceased having his head down near the engine. The noise of the exhaust probably prevented him from hearing the gong.

A verdict was returned that deceased's death was due to injuries caused by an accidental collision with a tramcar while he was riding a motor cycle.  -Evening Star, 4/4/1927.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

65945 Gunner Charles Allan Grant, (2/11/1919-5/2/1944). "and four wounded"

Charles Allan Grant, a paint miller, aged 19, was ordered to be detained in a Borstal institution for two years for forgery. The offence, said his Honour, was committed within a month of the prisoner's being released on probation on another charge. He did not apparently appreciate the leniency of being granted probation.   -Evening Post, 28/7/1939.

It is possible that the Charles Allan Grant mentioned above is not the one mentioned in a gravestone in Dunedin.  I think it very probable, as the reported age agrees with his date of birth, and his entry in the "Online Cenotaph" notes his profession as "Painter."

It is also possible that Charles volunteered for the Army as an alternative to completing his sentence.

The only consolation, when the field guns went into action on 5 February south-east of Monet Trocchio, with 41 Battery guarding the gun areas, was that there were many partners in sin. The neighbourhood bristled with guns and the 25-pounders seemed puny alongside the 8-inch and 155-millimetre American howitzers already in position. It was a clear day after rain which made the mountains seem dangerously close, and all but 29 Battery and A Troop of 41 Battery were in position before dark. The guns were south of the main road to Cassino, Route 6, between M. Trocchio and the smaller M. Porchia, with the 4th Field astride the Rome-Naples railway. The 26 Battery gun crews struggled with drag ropes for four hours to get their guns into the muddy position and they were extremely lucky that the enemy did not shell the regimental area. The 5th Field area was crowded with vehicles as the guns deployed and two 105-millimetre gun-howitzers shelled it all afternoon, wounding a sergeant of RHQ and a gunner of 47 Battery. The 6th Field attracted even more attention, a reconnaissance party suffering one killed — Gunner Grant — and four wounded. In the evening all access roads were shelled quite heavily and 29 Battery was lucky to get through unharmed.  -2nd NZ Divisional Artillery, Official History.

Charles Grant is buried in the Cassino War Cemetery, Italy.

 

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

8/1803 Lance-corporal David Pryde Miller, (9/8/1891-27/9/1915). "by court of enquiry"

DEATHS.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE.

MILLER. — Believed by Court of Inquiry to have been killed while in action at the Dardanelles, David Pryde Miller, second son of Robert Miller, Seacliff, aged 24 years.   -Otago Daily Times, 10/2/1916.

David Miller was working as a farm labourer on the family farm at Seacliff when he enlisted in the 4th Reinforcements in 1915.

The circumstances of David Miller's death, on September 27th, 1915, seem to be a mystery.  The Official History of his Regiment, the Otago, report that, after the furious and tragic attacks of the August offensive on Gallipoli, the Regiment went to the island of Mudros to rest and recuperate.

They were relieved on the Peninsula on September 14th and returned to the fight on November 11.

A Court of Enquiry in Egypt found he had died on the 27th. He has no known grave.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

William James Patrick, (1911-27/11/1927). "he was still alive"

ACCIDENTS & DEATHS.

KILLED BY FALL OVER CLIFF. 

(Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, November 27. 

James Patrick, aged 17 years, was found dead at the bottom of a cliff at Tomahawk this morning. He had bought a new dog the previous day and was taking it for a walk along the top of' the cliff, when he must have slipped and fallen. His body was badly mangled by the fall.  -Ashburton Guardian, 28/11/1927.

BOY FALLS OVER CLIFF

TRAGEDY AT TOMAHAWK

William James Patrick, aged sixteen years, lost his life yesterday morning through falling over a cliff at Tomahawk. 

At an inquest held this morning before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., the lad’s father, James Patrick, of Tomahawk, gave evidence to the effect that his son had left home at about 11.45 a.m. with the intention of taking his dog for a run. When the dog returned home some time later without the boy he and his wife became alarmed, and began to search for him. At about 1 p.m. the boy was found lying on the rocks at the foot of a cliff 100ft high. Although he was badly injured, he was still alive, but died before the arrival of Dr Linden, who had been summoned immediately.

Evidence was given also by Mrs Patrick and Dr Lindon. Constable Meiklejohn, of the Anderson’s Bay police station, pointed out the dangerous nature of the locality where the boy met his death. The Coroner returned a verdict that deceased died from shock and injuries caused by his falling over a cliff at Tomahawk.  -Evening Star, 28/11/1927.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.