Private Albert (1891-23/7/1916), 45343 Rifleman John Peterson (24/101896-12/10/1917), and 1789 Sergeant Henry Francis (-5/12/1941) Cuthbertson. "their loved sons"

DEATHS

CUTHBERTSON. — On July 23, died from wounds received while in action-in France, Albert, the dearly beloved eldest son of Robert and Ellen Cuthbertson. Sunny Vale, Green Island; aged 25 years and 1 month. Greater love has no man than this: to lay down his life for his friends.  -Otago Witness, 9/8/1916.

IN MEMORIAM

CUTHBERTSON. — In loving remembrance of our dear son and brother, Private Albert Cuthbertson (8th Reinforcements), who died on July 23 from wounds received while in action in France. 

How little we thought when we bade him good-bye, It was the last parting between him and us. 

How sad was the news to us that befell, For we were not with him to wish him farewell. 

He was a man, and so when Britain found a foe, He did no hanging back. 

To him came not in vain the bugle's stirring strain. The brave New Zealand lad. 

At last a place of rest. He'd done his all and best — And what can man do more? 

He fought his fight and won and gave his life for all, 

And now has safely passed Through France's open door. 

— Inserted by his loving parents, sister, and brothers.  -Otago Daily Times, 23/7/1917.

Albert Cuthbertson's Army record is absent from Archives NZ.  If, as is likely, he joined the Otago Infantry Regiment, he would have been killed during a relatively quiet period but still one during which "fighting patrols" were sent out at night to harass the opposing Germans.

THE RECENT BALLOT. 

We are advised that John Peterson Cuthbertson, tanner, of Green Island, who was called up in the recent ballot, had previously been called up in the second ballot, and left with the 25th Reinforcements.  -Otago Daily Times, 14/5/1917.

John Cuthbertson was with the NZ Rifle Brigade on the disastrous day of October 12, 1917, when they and other New Zealand units attacked German defences, over a no-man's-land of knee-deep mud, of concrete machine gun posts surrounded with barbed wire.  There was no artillery preparation and no chance of success. John was listed as "missing," and his death was made official six months later.

Henry, or Harry Cuthbertson was wounded and evacuated from Tobruk on the SS Chakdina.  Just after 9pm on December 5th a torpedo struck the ship and it sank in three and a half minutes.  Four hundred men died, 80 of which were New Zealanders.  Henry was being reported as "wounded" two weeks after his death. He was reported "missing" in early January, 1942, "believed drowned" two weeks later.  He has no known grave.

Green Island Cemetery.