54140 Private William Hutchison King, (22/9/1884-4/12/1917). "nobly fell"

Military Service Boards

Sitting at Balclutha (excerpt)

Leslie Norman McCullough (bush-cutter, Kahuika) appealed for time to dispose of 2000 posts. — He did not appear, and the appeal was dismissed. 

William Hutchison King (cordial manufacturer, Balclutha) asked for time till the end of May to arrange his affairs. — He was allowed till the end of April.  -Otago Daily Times, 27/3/1917.

William King was in the 4th Company, 1st Battalion of the Otago Infantry Regiment when he fell as part of the attack on the fortified remains of a ruined chateau called Poelderhoek.  As the following passage from the Otagos' "Official History" shows, it was a debacle.  William might have died from the mis-directed "friendly" artillery or the strong force of German machine-gunners in and around the chateau.

Success Denied.

By a set of circumstances, in the course of their development curiously alike those which marked the tragic failure of Passchendaele, the attack against Polderhoek Chateau was from the outset destined to fall short of its mark. The fixed starting line of the artillery barrage for the operation was 150 yards in advance of that on which the foremost infantry were assembled. By some fatal miscalculation or influence a considerable part of the entire weight of the barrage fell across the area occupied by the first waves of the assaulting troops. The immediate outcome was that the two leading Companies, 4th on the left and 10th on the right, became seriously involved in the destructive fire of our own artillery. The losses incurred were at once severe. To move forward was accepted as the quickest method of escaping our own fire, because more appeared to be falling to the rear than to the front. Captain Hines, commanding 4th Company, accordingly gave the order to advance, and 10th Company on the right almost immediately followed suit. But the irregularity of the barrage was such that some distance had to be covered before it was cleared, and by that time casualties, now increased by enemy machine gun fire, were so heavy as to seriously prejudice the success of the attack. It was during this stage of the advance that 2nd-Lieut. F. Marshall, of 4th Company, was killed, and that Captain Hines was wounded, though he continued to lead forward his Company. Approximately 150 yards beyond our old front line the second wave merged into the first. Captain Bryce, commanding 10th Company, was at this moment severely wounded, and while making his way back was killed. Command of 10th Company was taken over by Lieut. H. Digby-Smith.

Intense machine gun fire was now being directed to practically every point of the attack from the enemy blockhouses and the locality of the Chateau, and from the commanding ground of Gheluvelt to the right. The enemy's artillery barrage, which had opened out four minutes after zero, had added to the destruction. Reinforcements were sent forward to fill the gaps and press on with the assault, but they came under the same heavy fire as they moved up, and, suffering badly, were unable to make any impression when thrown into the breach, Continuation of the advance was seriously threatened, and despite many individual efforts of gallantry and leadership, it was not long before it was definitely held up.

But despite all this intense fire and the initial disorganisation and certain inevitable confusion caused by short shooting, there were determined elements of both attacking Companies who had succeeded in penetrating to a point which brought them abreast of the Chateau, and in some instances even beyond it. On the right, Lieut. Digby-Smith and a handful of men reached a position which was actually in advance of the Chateau ruins, but were forced to withdraw for a short distance, and there hung on until blown out by shell fire, On the left of the attack a small proportion of 4th Company's strength had pressed on until they also were abreast of the main Chateau buildings, and in a position which gave them observation to the rear. Further advance was impossible against the heavy machine gun and sniping fire which the enemy, in considerable force, directed from the shelter of the ruins, from fortified shell-holes, and from a trench about 60 yards in length sited to the left rear of the Chateau. Our artillery barrage had some time since outstripped the infantry, and the smoke barrage was on the final line of the attack. Captain Hines was now wounded a second time and could only be carried out under cover of darkness, one of the stretcher-bearers being killed on the journey. Command of this advanced group, numbering 12 in all, was taken over by Sergt. J. H. Wilson, M.M., who organised the party in shell-holes and set up a definite and determined stand against the enemy. Snow had now commenced to fall.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE. 

DEATHS. 

KING. — On December 15, 1917, "Somewhere in France," Private William Hutchison, youngest dearly beloved son of Christina and the late James King, North Balclutha; aged 33 years. Deeply regretted. 

He nobly fell.  -Otago Daily Times, 3/1/1918.

 IN MEMORIAM. 

KING. — In loving memory of our dear son and brother, William Hutchison, killed in action in France on December 15, 1917; aged 33 years. 

He sleeps not in his native land, But under foreign skies; 

Far away from those who love him, in a heroe's grave he lies. 

— Inserted by his loving mother, sisters, and brothers.   -Otago Daily Times, 16/12/1918.

IN MEMORIAM

KING. — In loving memory of William Hutchison, who was killed in action on December 15, 1917, dearly loved youngest son of Christina and the late Jas. King, North Balclutha; aged 33 years. Sadly missed. 

We mourn his loss, we held him dear. 

But the parting won't be long; 

It was God's will it must be so, 

At His command we all must go. 

— Inserted by his sorrowing mother, sisters, and brothers.  -Otago Witness, 16/12/1919.

IN MEMORIAM

KING. — In loving memory of William Hutchison, dearly beloved youngest son of Christina and the late Jas. King, North Balclutha, who was killed in action in France, December 15, 1917; aged 33 years. . 

When we see the boys returning 

Our hearts do throb with pain, 

To think that you're not there, Hutchie, 

And will never come back again. 

— Inserted by his loving mother, sisters, and brothers.  -Otago Daily Times, 15/12/1921.