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.