8/31 Sergeant John Alexander Dalgleish, (15/4/1892-9/8/1915). ""

Hastings News on page 8. Sgt Jack Dalgleish, North Otago Infantry who is in to-day's casualty list, is a brother of Mr It. W. Dalgleish, of Napier.  -Daily Telegraph, 5/5/1915.

Sergeant Jack Dalgleish (Canterbury Battalion) is now fit and well again, and has returned to the front.  -Lyttelton Times, 9/6/1915.

SERGEANT DALGLEISH. 

Sergeant Dalgleish, reported by the Court of Inquiry to have been killed in action, was a Timaru man, voungest son of Mrs M. Dalgleish, Elizabeth Street, who received notice on Monday evening of the finding of the Court of Inquiry, that her son was killed in action on Gallipoli on August 9, 1915. Sergeant Dalgleish left with the Otago quota to the Main Body, took part in the historical landing, and was wounded in one arm three days later. He went to hospital, and returned to his regiment and active duty a month later, where he remained until the time of his death. His last letter home was dated August 4. A letter written to his friends by Sergeant-Major Swinard of Oamaru, dated Egypt, January 24, 1916, described how Sergeant Jack Dalgleish was wounded in the back by shrapnel, and was given first aid by two men, but the writer was almost certain that he had never been brought in, as there would have been some record of him if he had. SergtMajor Swinard thought he may have been dead when found, but no one reported burying him, and he may have been buried by the Turks. 

Sergeant Dalgleish was born in Scotland, but was educated at the Waimaitaitai School and Timnra Boys' School. After leaving school he was for some time in Mr D. C. Turnbull's office, and then became shipping clerk for the North Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association at Oamaru. He was an athlete, won the High School junior championship for running and swimming, and played football for the Timaru Club, later for the Zingari, and then for North Otago. He was also a tennis player. Sergeant Dalgleish was a popular young man, and the news of the certainty of his death will revive the regrets that were felt when Serjeant-Major Swinard's letter was first published, and the sympathy that was felt and expressed for his mother and her family.  -Timaru Herald, 29/3/1916.

Amongst the first men to enlist in North Otago was Sergeant Dalgleish, who is now reported by the Court of Inquiry to have been killed in action at Gallipoli on August 9th. He was present at the first landing, when he was wounded in the arm, but this put him out of action for only a month, and he was in all the fighting that was to be had up till the big engagement of August. His last letter home was dated August 4th. A letter written to his friends by Sergeant Swinard, of Oamaru, in January last, described how Sergeant Dalgleish was wounded in the back by shrapnel and attended by two of the Ambulance Corps, but the writer was almost certain that he had not been brought in, as the records failed to show him among the wounded. Sergeant Swinard thought he might have been dead when found, but no one reported burying him, and possibly he received burial at the hands of the Turks. Many inquiries have been instituted by his friends as to Sergeant Dalgleish's welfare, and on several occasions he was reported as being with his regiment, but this information was obviously incorrect, and there can be no doubt as to his fate. Sergeant Dalgleish was born in Scotland but was educated at Timaru's High School, where he won the junior swimming championship. Later he played football with the Timaru Club, and on coming to Oamaru was one of the most reliable members of the Old Boys' Club and the North Otago team. He was also a popular member of the Oamaru Tennis Club, and of the Oamaru Swimming Club, in whose competitions he was frequently successful. Jack Dalgleish was very enthusiastic in everything he adopted, and was well liked by all who were associated with him either in business or in sport, so that there are many who will regret that he will never return to share his life with us.  -North Otago Times, 1/4/1916.

Timaru Cemetery.

Acting-Captain Erice George Rhodes, (1890-15/8/1945). "at Ottawa"

DEATHS

RHODES — On August 15, 1945, at Ottawa, Acting-Captain Eric George Rhodes, R.N., member of the British Admiralty Technical Mission to Canada, younger son of the late George Hampton Rhodes, of Claremont, Timaru.  -Timaru Herald, 21/8/1945.

OBITUARY

CAPTAIN E. G. RHODES

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, August 20. 

Advice has been received in New Zealand of the sudden death in Ottawa of Captain Eric George Rhodes, R.N., of Christchurch, who was serving with the British Admiralty Technical Commission in Canada. Captain Rhodes was the younger son of the late Mr George Hampton Rhodes, of “Oakford,” Riccarton. Born at Christchurch in 1890, he was educated at Kent Lodge, Christchurch, and Twyford School, near Winchester, England. At the outbreak of the 1914-18 war he was in command of the destroyer Moy for a time. He was a member of the staff of the Devonport gunnery school and subsequently he served in the Channel patrol, on the coasts of Palestine and Syria, at Suez Canal, the Dardanelles, in the first and second landings at Gallipoli and the evacuation and in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea. He was promoted to lieutenant-commander in 1918. At the end of the war he served on the Austrian Disarmament Commission as gunnery officer and then retired from the service and returned to New Zealand. In 1930 he was posted to the retired list with the rank of commander. Shortly before the second world war he went to England, and on the outbreak of war he was given a command in the London docks. In 1940 he went to the Navy Office in Bombay, where he served for two years before being transferred to the Navy Office at Newcastle-on-Tyne. He was to have returned on leave to New Zealand last year, but at the last moment was appointed to the British Admiralty Technical Commission in Canada with headquarters at Ottawa and promoted to the rank of acting captain.  -Southland Times, 21/8/1945.

Timaru Cemetery.

23/53 Rifleman Archibald Lamont Annand, (8/11/1887-10/9/1916). "farming pursuits"

Rifleman Archibald Lamont Annand, died of wounds, was the fourth son of Mr W. Annand, Opawa. At the time of his enlistment he was engaged in farming pursuits. He took part in the engagement with the Senussi in Egypt before leaving for France.  -Poverty Bay Herald, 11/10/1916.

Archibald Annand was killed just before the Battle of the Somme.  His Battalion had taken over a section of trench from British troops on that day and it is likely he was fatally wounded by a German sniper.

DEATHS.

ANNAND. - September 10, in France (died of wounds), Rifleman Archibald Lamont Annand (lst N.Z. Rifle Brigade), fourth son of William Annand, Opawa; aged twenty-eight years. For King and Country.  -Lyttelton Times, 30/9/1916.

Timaru Cemetery.

6/435 Private Norman Crawford, (18/8/1894-8/5/1915). "the unreturning brave"

Private Norman Crawford was the, third son of Mr A, Crawford, who has been in business in Timaru as a tea merchant for a number of years. Private Crawford, who was barely twenty years of age, was an exceptionally bright boy at school, gaining considerable distinction. He began his business life in the office of the Timaru Post, but subsequently decided to study law and was articled to Mr J. Emslie at Timaru. He was in Mr Emslie's office when war broke out, and was

 among those who enlisted early. His ability and application to his work gave promise of a very successful career.   -North Otago Times, 15/6/1915.

TRINITY CHURCH.

RETURNED SOLDIERS WELCOMED  (excerpt)

On Thursday evening the congregation of Trinity Church, Timaru, accord, id a welcome-home social to the young men of the congregation who had seen service abroad or at home, in the recent war. There was a large and representative attendance, and the Rev. T. Stinson presided. 

The chairman in the course of his opening remarks, extended a hearty welcome, to the returned men present, and stated that recently a number had left the district. He also read a letter of apology for unavoidable absence, from Mr E. Drake, who expressed his regret at being unable to be present. Continuing, Mr Stinson referred to the creditable record the congregation had, between 50 and 60 of the men having joined up. He also spoke of the readiness with which the eligible members of the congregation had enlisted, and stated that long before compulsory service was instituted every eligible single man in the congregation had offered his services. (Applause). He paid a fitting tribute to the services of the men who had been fortunate to return, and also referred eloquently to those who would always be remembered amongst "the unreturning brave." He thought it was only right that at such a function as that they should remember those who made the supreme sacrifice for liberty and right, and he asked all present to be upstanding in affectionate remembrance of Norman Crawford, Harold Hay, Bob Norrie, Willie Wotton, Wallace Simmers, Lawson Calvert, Victor Duncan, and Willie Stark.   -Timaru Herald, 15/11/1919.

Timaru Cemetery, Timaru CC photo.

Joseph William King, (1854-18/11/1891). "heel caught in something"

Fatal Accident. — In Timaru yesterday Joseph King, head miller at the Royal Flour Mills, got his foot caught in the points of the railway siding near the Mill and a truck ran over it. He was taken to the hospital, where the leg was amputated above the knee by Drs Hogg, Lovegrove, and Reid, but he failed to recover the shock to his nervous system, and he died shortly after the operation.  -Temuka Leader, 19/11/1891.

Inquest. The inquest on the body of Joseph King, head-miller at the Royal Flour Mills, Timaru, resulted in a verdict that no one was to blame. Deceased's brother told the jury that he saw deceased at the hospital before the doctors arrived, and he told him his heel caught in something and the truck threw him down, and no one else was in any way to blame.  -Temuka Leader, 21/11/1891.

Timaru Cemetery.

Dunbar McQueen, (1852-20/6/1891). "not the worse for liquor"

Fatal Accident. 

A man named Dunbar McQueen, employed as clerk at the Levels station, met with a fatal accident at the Washdyke last Saturday night. He arrived at Washdyke hotel, in company with another, from Timaru after 11 o’clock and called up the barman to give him a bottle of whiskey. As he was remounting his horse the animal went away before be was properly seated, and Mr McQueen fell. He was picked up unconscious, and when Dr Lovegrove arrived he found life extinct.  -Temuka Leader, 23/6/1891.

INQUEST.

An inquest touching the death of Dunbar McQueen woe held yesterday afternoon at the Doncaster Hotel, Washdyke, before W. O. Beswick, Esq, acting coroner, and the following jury: — Mr Charles Bourn (foreman), and Messrs J. Mansfield, J. Stevenson, B. Tremsin, J. Gardner, and O. Brader. 

Sergeant-Major Mason called 

James King, livery stable keeper at Timaru, who said that the deceased and James Dunnett, a shepherd on the Levels station, cane to his stable about 10.20 on Saturday night and left for home, McQueen's horse going array from the stable in a walk. McQueen was not the worse for liquor, and got on his horse all right. 

James Dunnett, shepherd on the Levels, said that he left King's stable with the deceased, who was clerk on the estate, about 10.30 on Saturday night, and arrived at the Doncaster Hotel about 11 o'clock. The house being shut deceased got off his horse, went round by the side fence, and woke up the inmates. A young man named Bebbington came to the door, and McQueen went in. He came out and tendered witness a drink from a bottle of whiskey, went into the hotel again and on coming out remounted his horse, starting off at a canter. He had not ridden more than 100 yards when witness heard the horse stop, ran up, and found McQueen lying on the road in an unconscious state. He assisted Bebbington to take McQueen back to the hotel. McQueen was not the worse for liquor. 

Harry Bebbington partly corroborated the evidence of last witness, and added that McQueen purchased a bottle of whisky and then rode off. He had not gone many yards when witness saw the horse swerve near the ditch at the side of the road, and McQueen fall from the saddle. On going up he found McQueen lying face downwards on the road, quite insensible, and he assisted Punnett to take the deceased to the Hotel. Deceased had no drink at the hotel. 

Dr Lovegrove said that he was called to see the deceased about midnight on Saturday, but on arrival found life extinct. He could not say what was the actual cause of death, but had no doubt after hearing the evidence that it was caused by the injury to deceased's head, due to being thrown from his horse. No constable being present, he made an inventory of the articles found on the deceased, a list of which he read over. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.  -Timaru Herald, 23/6/1891.

Timaru Cemetery.

Lieutrenant-Colonel Walter Beckingham VD, (1867-31/12/1912). "worthy of the higher honour"

 TIMARU RIFLES.

On Monday evening a special meeting of the Timaru Rifles was held in the drillshed reading room. Major Jowsey occupied the chair and officially informed the men that on account of his promotion to the position of Major of the newly formed South Canterbury Battalion, the captaincy of the corps was vacant. Therefore, he had much pleasure in moving a resolution to the effect, "That Lieutenant Walter Beckingham be elected to be captain, and that Mr John Lilley Gillies be elected to the position of Junior Lieutenant." Major Jowsey drew attention to Lieutenant Beckingham's career as a volunteer, and pointed out that he had been a member of the corps since its formation; that he had served as a private; had received various promotions, and was well worthy of the higher honour.  -Timaru Herald, 7/7/1897.

The ball in aid of the Waimataitai school piano fund is to be held at the schoolroom this evening, the grand march being timed for 8 o'clock. Yesterday and last evening the members of the committee were very busy in preparing the rooms. The two main rooms are to be used as the ballroom, and have been splendidly decorated. The rooms are large, and should prove ample for the purpose named. The infant room is to be devoted entirely to the refreshment department, in which the ladies of the district will preside and lay out a supper that should be equal to any ever partaken of before. Three other rooms adjoining the main rooms will be furnished as cloak, drawing and card rooms, their furnishing being m the able hands of Mr Walter Beckingham, who can be relied upon to produce the best results. Music will be provided by Mr Shield's band; the piano for the use of the school being "christened" on the occasion. The m.c. will be Chief-petty officer Stephen. The ball should be a great success.  -Timaru Herald, 9/9/1897.

His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to approve of the award of the Colonial Auxiliary Forces long-service medal to Captain Walter Beckingham, Timaru Rifle Volunteers, he having a total efficient rank and commissioned service to 31st August, 1903, entitling him thereto.  -Timaru Herald, 6/10/1903.

Volunteer Promotion - Captain (Acting Major) Walter Beckingham, of the South Canterbury Battalion of Infantry Volunteers, has been promoted to be Major (second in command). A notice to this effect appears in the last issue of the "Government; Gazette."  -Ashburton Guardian, 16/1/1905.

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BECKINGHAM.

[From Our Correspondent,] TIMARU, December 20. 

It was widely reported last night that Colonel Beckingham, who has been lying seriously ill for some days, was dead. The report proves unfounded. Colonel Beckingham was in a very grave condition yesterday, and remains the same to-day.  -Star, 20/12/1912.

OBITUARY.

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BECKINGHAM. 

News of the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Walter Beckingham, which occurred just after midnight, will be received with very general regret throughout South Canterbury. Colonel Beckingham was the only son of the late Mr James E. Beckingham, who was one of the earliest residents of Timaru, and opened the first cabinet-making and furniture warehouse in the town. About twenty years ago the late Colonel Beckingham left the drapery trade, with which he had become to join his father in business, and the firm of Beckingham and Son, formed a year or two ago into a company, with Colonel Beckingham as managing director, was established. 

From an early age the late Colonel Beckingham took a warm interest in defence matters. Having gained his stripes in the "Old Cadets," he soon became an officer when he joined the Timaru Rifles. He remained a volunteer through the ''Russian scare," and, continuing to make a close study of military matters, rose rapidly in the service, being appointed Major in 1904. and Lieutenant-Colonel later. His first class military record would have completed its full period next year. 

The late Colonel Beckingham took a foremost part in farewelling and welcoming home again the New Zealand troopers who went to the South African war. He took no prominent part in municipal affairs, but was always closely interested in them. An enthusiastic sportsman, he did good work at the Council of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society.

Colonel Beckingham leaves a widow, sister, one son and four daughters, three of whom are married, to mourn his loss. The funeral will probably take place at ten o'clock on Thursday morning, with full military honours.  -Timaru Herald, 31/12/1912.

A military funeral was accorded to the late Lieutenant-Colonel Walter Beckingham at Timaru yesterday, Those present were the Officer Commanding in Canterbury, Colonel Cooper, representing the Commandant, Colonel Jowsey, other officers from Christchurch and a large attendance of South Canterbury officers of Territorials and Senior Cadets.  -Lyttelton Times, 3/1/1913.

Timaru Cemetery.