12/486 Private Sydney Charles Wells, (26/5/1893-17/3/1938). "high praise of the nurses"

OBITUARY

SYDNEY CHARLES WELLS. 

The news of the sudden passing of Mr Sydney Charles Wells on Thursday, 17th March, came as a great shock to his many friends, as although he had not always enjoyed the best of health, nothing of a serious nature was suspected. A native of Auckland Province, Mr Wells spent most of his life in the North Island. At the outbreak of the Great War he immediately joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, serving with the Auckland Infantry Battalion in Egypt and Gallipoli until wounded, when he returned to New Zealand. As an officer of the Health Department he had been stationed at Auckland, Whangarei, Napier, Wellington and elsewhere. Following a short stay in Dunedin, he was transferred to Central Otago two years ago with headquarters at Alexandra, and during his residence in this district became well and favourably known both for his work as Health Inspector and as a private citizen. Whilst in Alexandra, Mr Wells was a member of the committee of the Alexandra District Returned Soldiers' Club, President of the Alexandra Miniature Rifle Club, President of the Alexandra Defence Rifle Club, in the formation of which he had taken a very active part, and a member of the Alexandra Bowling Club. At gatherings connected with these institutions his cheery presence will be greatly missed. The funeral which took place at the Alexandra Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, was largely attended, members of the Health Department and of the various clubs with which he was connected, acting as pall-bearers. The "Last Post" was sounded by Bugler L. McKellar. The services at the house and at the graveside were conducted by the Rev. J. M. Templer. Deceased is survived by a wife and two daughters, Mary and Joan, to whom the sympathy of the community will be extended in their irreparable loss.  -Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, 23/3/1938.

Sydney Wells was wounded by a bullet in his left hand at Gallipoli in May, 1915.  After treatment he returned to the front and was then hospitalised with diarrhoea. He was repatriated to be discharged on medical grounds at the end of that year.

Private S. Wells, of Tararu, a member of the 6th Hauraki Company Main Body, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, has returned to Thames, and is meeting with an enthusiastic welcome. Private Wells, who was wounded in Gallipoli and later attacked with sickness, was invalided home in the Willochra and was sent direct to Auckland hospital, where he has been since undergoing treatment. He is making satisfactory progress towards recovery. Private Wells speaks in high praise of the nurses at Malta and Egypt, and appreciatively refers to the splendid work accomplished by the sisters on the Willochra and at the New Zealand hospitals.  _Thames Star, 11/12/1915.

Alexandra Cemetery.