Daniel McVey served with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles and it seems he contracted typhoid while in Egypt, where he died.
William McVey served with the Otago Infantry Regiment and was wounded, with a penetrating gunshot wound to his chest on May 25th, 1917. He was off the Regiment's strength for nearly two months.
On the night of the 3rd (of August) an inter-Company relief was effected, 14th Company relieving 8th Company, and 4th Company (William's) taking over the positions occupied by 10th Company; and as before the two supporting Companies carried out the exhausting work of maintaining supplies of rations and water to the front line garrison. Owing to the low-lying nature of the ground and the difficulties of drainage, the trenches and approaches were in places almost thigh deep in mud and water, all movement calling for the expenditure of a great deal of energy. On the 5th the enemy threw a considerable number of lachrymatory (tear gas) shells over our forward posts during the hours of darkness. -Official History of the Otago Regiment.
William McVey suffered a gunshot wound to his right thigh on August 5th, from which he died. Their brother, Thomas George McVey, fought in both World Wars and also as a volunteer fighting Franco's fascists in Spain. I published his story in 2020.
ROLL OF HONOUR.
McVEY. — Died of wounds, somewhere in France, on the 8th of August, 1917. William Robert McVey, 18th Reinforcements.
Also;
McVEY. — In Egypt, on 28th of August, 1915, Daniel Morrison McVey, (Main Body). Both in their 27th year.
The Empire's hand has written, upon the scroll of fame;
They did their duty, fought and died, so honoured be their name. -Timaru Herald, 28/8/1917.
IN MEMORIAM.
McVEY. — In honoured memory of William Robert McVey, died of wounds in France, on 8th August, 1917; also Daniel Morrison McVey, died of typhoid fever in Egypt, on 28th August, 1915.
Days of remembrance sad to recall.
When they whispered adieu to the shores of New Zealand,
And sailed with their brave-hearted comrades away,
We cherished the hope, when the war clouds had vanished;
They'd return to the scenes of their boyhood some day.
They have made a page in our Island story,
Clothed with honour for all to see;
Written a record of death and glory.
Never to fade through eternity.
And while we stun with cheers our homing braves
O God, in Thy great mercy, let us nevermore forget
The graves they left behind — the bitter graves.
— Service.
— Inserted by their loved ones. -Timaru Herald, 8/8/1919.
ROLL OF HONOUR.
McVEY. - A loving tribute to the memory of our dear sons and brothers, Daniel Morrison McVey and William Robert McVey, who gave their lives that we might live in peace, the former on the 28th August, 1915, and the latter on the 8th August, 1917.
Now peace dawns o’er the country side,
Our thanks shall be to the lads who died.
Oh, quiet hearts can you hear us tell
How peace was won by the men who fell. -Timaru Herald, 8/8/1922.
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