Seaward Downs, those who fell, World War 2.

 

413875 Sgt pilot Frederick Thomas Martyn, (7/8/1921-11/9/1942). "on active service"

Frederick Martyn was born at Seaward Downs and went to the Southland Boys' High School.  He was working for the Post and Telegraph Dept. at Edendale when he enlisted in 1940. Frederick Martyn received his flying training in New Zealand then Canada and was serving in No. 8 OTU (Operational Treaining Unit) at Montrose Scotland when he was killed. He was on a training flight in a Spitfire fighter when he lost control in rain and spun into the ground. He was buried in Montrose Cemetery.

FOR THE EMPIRES CAUSE

MARTYN. — Gave his life on active service with the R.A.F., Sergeant-Pilot Frederick Thomas Martyn, dearly loved second son of Frederick and Robina Martyn, Seaward Downs; aged 21 years.  -Southland Times, 21/9/1942.

4210091 Flying Officer Errol Philip Parcell, (26/1/1920-3/12/1944). "missing"

Errol Parcell was born in Cromwell and went to Southland Boys' High School then Lincoln Agricultural College, enlisting after two years there. He was presented with his Wings at Wigram in March, 1943. He arrived in Britain the following July for more training.  With training completed, he was sent to India and trained on the B-24 Liberator bomber. He flew two missions over Burma as second pilot. On his second mission his plane collided with another over the Gulf of Matarban.  All crew were listed as "Missing," then "Missing, presumed killed."

10654 2nd Lieutenant Carson Walker Welsh, MM, (31/3/1915-22/3/1944). "disregarding the officer's order"

Carson Walker Welsh enlisted from Hokitika in October, 1939. He was with the New Zealand 26th Battalion during its advance in North Africa after the victorious Battle of El Alamein.  On the way to Tunis, capital of Tunisia, the advance was halted before Enfidaville.  His Battalion's Official History tells the story of Carson Welsh's part in the Battle, which won him the Military Medal:

'Despite its severity casualties were relatively light, although many of the men were badly shaken. Seven were wounded on the 19th and 20th, and on the 22nd D Coy reported two men killed and four wounded. During a period of very heavy shelling the same day a tank officer with B Coy was wounded. Corporal Welsh left his trench to attend to him. Disregarding the officer's order to go back, Welsh bandaged him and, with shells exploding all around, assisted him to the RAP. (Regimental Aid Post)

Corporal Welsh's action put new heart into the men, who not only had to stand up to the enemy fire but also had to contend with some very troublesome mosquitoes. Several men were evacuated with eyes completely closed by bites. Many others, while not as badly affected, were unable to sleep for the pain and irritation of their bites. The forward troops kept constant watch for any enemy movement in the hills and ridges ahead. Whenever anything was sighted a report was sent back and artillery, tank, or mortar fire directed on it. By the 23rd enemy fire from some of these points had slackened off or had ceased altogether. Allied planes made constant attacks, and while they were around the enemy's guns remained silent. An aircraft recognition signal in the form of a letter ‘T’ was placed on the reverse slope of the ridge ahead of B Coy.

COURAGE UNDER FIRE

Seaward Downs Sergeant 

The citation covering the award of the Military Medal to Sergeant Carson Walker Welsh (Seaward Downs) for bravery on the Enfidaville Line states that he was the sergeant of a platoon which captured the foremost objective of the company at Takrouna. The area in which they consolidated was 500 yards from the nearest troops, and they were still in very close contact with the enemy. The ground was being continuously swept by shell, mortar, and machine-gun fire. Sergeant Welsh crossed this area many times, maintaining contact with company headquarters and guiding over the officer commanding and the commander of the supporting arms. 

During April 25, while his platoon was still under fire and not in the most favourable position to withstand a counter-attack, Sergeant Welsh set his men such an example by his coolness and complete disregard of personal safety that he contribubted largely to the excellent behaviour of the men, and the position was maintained. 

In an attack several nights earlier Sergeant Welsh was blown off his feet by a near shell-burst without being wounded, but he carried on as if nothing had happened, his personal example putting great heart into his men. 

The citation pays a tribute to the courage and steadfastness under fire of Sergeant Welsh, which, it states, has been of the highest order. In all operations in which he has taken part he has been a most reliable n.c.o.  -Southland Times, 8/7/1943.

Carson Welsh died in the slogging match which was the Battle for the Italian town of Orsogna, on the way to Monte Cassino, one of many from his Battalion. Its Official History continues:

The leaders decided that the alternative lines of action were to push on into the enemy positions or to pull back. They determined to try the former. Word was passed along that the advance would continue: a shout was given and the men rose to dash over the next rise. Almost immediately, the leading ranks were shot down. Second-Lieutenant Carson Welsh ran to assist one of the wounded, but as soon as he appeared over the rise his body was literally riddled with bullets. With most of their leaders gone and with no room to manoeuvre, the survivors sought cover. Captain Irving decided that to ask these men to attempt a further advance was to invite them to commit suicide. He therefore called the attack off. Under cover of heaps of rubble, he managed to dribble his men across to the right flank and thence back to the school buildings.

WELSH. — In loving memory of 10654 Carson Walker Welsh, killed in action at Cassino, Italy, March 22, 1944. 

We will remember him forever. 

— Inserted by Joan and John. 

WELSH. — In loving memory of our dear son and brother, 2nd Lt. Carson W. Welsh, who was killed in action in Italy, March 22, 1944. 

— Inserted by his loving mother, father and brothers. 

WELSH. —

In fond remembrance of our dear brother, 2nd Lt. Carson Welsh, killed in action at Cassino, March 22, 1944. 

— Inserted by Helen and Jack. 

WELSH. —In loving memory of our dear friend, No. 10654 2nd Lt. Carson Walker Welsh, killed in action, Italy, March 22, 1944. 

We think of him in silence, We often speak his name; 

What would we give to clasp his hand. And see him smile again. 

— Inserted by Muriel and Herb (overseas), and Morton.  -Southland Times, 22/3/1945.

239562 Private Leslie Alexander Robert Wylie, (1916-17/3/1944). "well and favourably known"

FOR THE EMPIRE’S CAUSE

WYLlE. — Killed in action, Private Leslie Alexander Robert, son of Mr R. Wylie, Seaward Downs.   -Southland Times, 29/3/1944.

SOUTHLAND CASUALTIES 

Private Leslie Alexander Robert Wylie, who has been killed in action, was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Robert Wylie, of Seaward Downs. Born 28 years ago he was educated at the district school where he was dux in 1930. He followed the occupation of farming for a few years and became a competent shearer. He was well and favourably known by the farmers in the surrounding districts, where his services were always in demand. During the last five years he had with his partners shorn many thousands of sheep in the Mokoreta, Wyndham, Waimahaka, Clinton, Edendale and Dacre districts. He was musical and a lover of the bagpipes, having been taught by Mr J. A. Cameron, of Mataura. He joined the Wyndham Pipe Band as a lad and remained a member until it disbanded. He was a member of the Masonic Order and Lodge Mokoreta, Wyndham. Two brothers are on active service, Private J. D. Wylie in the Pacific and Corporal W. J. Wylie, who fought in the Egyptian campaign and later in Italy and is now in a military college in London.  -Southland Times, 30/3/1944.

Seaward Downs, Southland.