Walter John, (1912-9/10/1939). and 16877 Private Robert Percival, (1914-8/5/1945) Hunt. "feelings of the deepest regret"

OBITUARY

We regret to record the death in Dunedin on Monday last, of a wellknown and popular young man iu the Upper Clutha district in the person of Mr Walter John Hunt, of Luggate, at the age of 27 years. The young man had been in ill health for some little time past but it was not considered to be of a serious nature and his somewhat sudden passing came as a shock to his relatives and friends. He was the eldest son of Mrs M. A. Hunt and the late Mr T. J. Hunt, Luggate, and had spent practically the whole of his life in that district. A good living young man of the highest character, he was respected and esteemed by many friends from all parts of the Upper Clutha district, and the news of his passing at so early an age would be received with feelings of the deepest regret. The deepest sympathy of many friends will be extended to the bereaved mother and family on their sad loss. The funeral took place in the Pembroke Cemetery on Wednesday, the Rev. Father Harrington officiating at the graveside.  -Cromwell Argus, 16/10/1939.

SOLDIER KILLED

STRUCK BY TRAIN 

Robert Percival Hunt was killed instantly when he was run over by a goods train on the Palmerston-Dunback line about noon on Tuesday. The deceased, a soldier, aged 31 years, who had returned to New Zealand by the last furlough draft after four years’ service in the Middle East, was travelling to Dunedin with his brother to undergo a medical examination. The car in which they were travelling was waiting at the crossing at Inch Valley, about four miles from Palmerston, for the train to pass. As the train approached the crossing Hunt is stated to have left the car and dived under the train, which was travelling at a slow speed. He was killed instantly. 

The deceased was a single man, and his home was at Luggate. An inquest was opened at Palmerston before Mr G. K. Graham (coroner), and, after evidence of identification had been given by the deceased’s brother, George Francis" Hunt, the hearing was adjourned sine die.  -Auckland Star, 12/5/1945.

Robert Hunt served with 23 Battalion and was wounded in August, 1942, at a time when the 23rd was in a relatively quiet sector of North Africa.  The nature of his wound is not reported and the Auckland Star was one of the few newspapers that reports that he dived under the train.  It is possible that the medical examination and the dive under the train - if that is really what he did - were connected.

Wanaka Cemetery.