Effie Arundel Barr, (1904-1928). "the silver chord was loosed"

 

OBITUARY.

EFFIE ARUNDEL BARR; Aged 24. 

The death took place at Routeburn Station, Kinloch, on Saturday of Mrs Barr, wife of Mr Alex. Barr. Deceased, who was only 24 years of age, had been in rather delicate health for some time past, but it was hoped that medical skill and the tender care of loved ones would eventually restore her to health. However, her condition gradually became weaker, till at length the silver cord was loosed and the patient sufferer passed into the vale. 

Mrs Barr was the elder daughter of the late Wm, Clingin and Mrs Lewis Groves of Routeburn Station. She was born at the Head of the Lake and had spent most of her life there. Some two and a half years ago she was married, and for the past nine months she had been in residence at Kinloch with her mother. 

Mrs Barr was a young woman of very sweet disposition. Her bright smile and winning way never failed to make for her lots of friends, while her quiet charm had an appeal that was irresistible. Mrs Barr’s death will be regretted by a large circle of people. For her husband, her mother and other near relatives much sympathy, will be felt in their sore bereavement. 

The funeral took place yesterday afternoon, when the remains were interred in the Glenorchy cemetery, a very large number of district residents paying their tribute of respect. The Rev. J. Collie of St. Andrew's Church, Queenstown, conducted the obsequies.  -Lake Wakatip Mail, 20/11/1928.

Glenorchy Cemetery. Photo from "findagrave".

Colin Douglas Drysdale, (1926-25/11/1956). "into a swamp"

 DRIVER DROWNED

TRUCK PLUNGES INTO SWAMP NEAR TE ANAU 

(New Zealand Press Association) INVERCARGILL. November 25. 

A Dunedin bridge contractor was drowned early this morning when the truck he was driving left the road and plunged into a swamp about four miles from Lake Te Anau. He was: 

Colin Douglas Drysdale, aged 30 of 42 Cavell street. Anderson’s Bay, a partner in the firm, Murrell and Drysdale, which is bridge-building in the area. 

The accident occurred between 4.30 and 5 o'clock in the morning at Kakapo swamp on the Lumsden-Te Anau highway. The truck left the road and went over a 10-foot bank into the swamp. 

It was thought Mr Drysdale was alone in the truck. The swamp was dragged by Constable A. R. Gilmour of Invercargill, but no trace of a passenger was found.  -Press, 26/11/1956.

Anderson Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

281407 Private Ronald Bruce Wright, (1920-9/12/1943). "an ambush"

The Official History of Ronald Wright's Battalion, the 23rd, has this to say about the day that he was killed in Italy:

Lieutenant Don Foote's patrol from 17 Platoon, which went out at 7.15 a.m. next day to discover whether or not Poggioforto was still occupied, was by no means so fortunate. Apparently expecting that the enemy would be falling back as he had done on the slopes above the Sangro, Foote led his daylight patrol forward with more resolution than care and ran into an ambush. The Germans saw the patrol approaching, held their fire until it was cut off by Spandaus on both flanks and then pinned it down, forcing the leaders to surrender. Private Fastier was shot through the neck. Examined by two German soldiers, he was left for dead and later made his way back to the battalion, where he reported the fate of the patrol — 1 killed, 2 wounded, and 5, including Foote, missing believed prisoner of war. The enemy was obviously making a firm stand on the line of the Ortona road.

ROLL OF HONOUR

WRIGHT — Killed in action, December 8. 1943, Private Ronald Bruce Wright, beloved husband of Myra Ellen Wright. Fairlie and Waimate, and dearly loved only son of J. R. I. and F. E. Wright, of Morven.  -Timaru Herald, 4/1/1944.

IN MEMORIAM. 

WRIGHT — In loving memory of Ronald Bruce Wright, killed in action in Italy, December 8, 1943. —Inserted by his cousins Joan and Thelma.  -Press, 8/12/1944.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

49275 Private Stephen Leslie Carey, (1896-7/4/1926). "his host of friends"

The name of Stephen Leslie Carey, who died at Ettrick on Wednesday, is the latest to be added to the roll of those who paid so dearly. “Steve,” as he was popularly known among his host of friends, was employed in the town clerk’s department of the Town Hall, and went to France to serve in the signalling section of the New Zealand Engineers. He returned from the war in ill-health and for several years worked in his old position. Becoming worse, however, he went to Central Otago several years ago, but he failed to improve in health, and died on Wednesday at the age of thirty-one. “Steve” was a prominent member of the Otago Rowing Club, and took part in many of the club’s races. Of a happy disposition and a thorough “sport,” he was very popular among his club mates and those with whom he worked.  -Southland Times, 9/4/1926.

Stephen Carey's Army record is currently unavailable online so my best guess as to his cause of death after so many years, plus a move to sunny Central Otago in the hope of improvement, is tuberculosis.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

8/597 Private Alexander William McNeill, (1895-2/1/1924). "aching heart and tearful eyes"

Private Alexander William McNeill (wounded) is the eldest son of Angus McNeill, of Arthur street, Dunedin; also the nephew of John McNeill, Beaumont street, Invercargill. He is 20 years of age, and was born at Naseby and educated at the Macandrew Road School, where he was a Junior Cadet. For two years he was a Territorial in the Coast Defence, and when war broke out was one of the first to pitch camp at Tahuna Park. He left with the Main Body for the seat of war, and was at the first invasion on April 25 at the Dardanelles.  -Otago Witness, 15/9/1915.

Mrs A. McNeill, of Russell street, received! a cablegram on Saturday stating that her son, Private Alexander William McNeill, who was wounded on Hill 971 on the night of August 7, was convalescent, and would be coming home shortly. Private McNeill, who left New Zealand as a member of the Otago Battalion of the Main Expeditionary Force, has been in the Pont de Koubbeh Hospital, Cairo, since he was wounded. He received a gunshot wound in the left foot, which gave the doctors a good deal of trouble. Finally, it was decided to amputate the foot just above the ankle. In a letter to Mrs McNeill, Major-chaplain Mackenzie Gibson says: "The lad is doing as well as can be expected, and is bearing up bravely. The splendid courage and cheerfullness of our dear New Zealand lads under pain and torture are a matter of daily and hourly amazement to chaplains, doctors, and nurses. You may rest assured that your lad is thoroughly well cared for, and has every bit as much skill and attention given to him as would be possible at home. His loss is not to be compared with that of many, many others, and by the by he may be able to get a new foot — such are the wonders of modern surgical science — and only his intimate friends will know of it. We parents have every reason to be proud of our New Zealand boys. They have fought magnificently, and, what is more, they suffer and die magnificently." Prior to joining the colours he was apprenticed to the iron moulding trade at Messrs Cossens and Black's.  -Otago Daily Times, 16/11/1915.

"Seeing Red." — John Duncan McLennan and Alexander William McNeill each pleaded guilty to drunkenness, and also to wilfully damaging a screen and a quantity of crockery, the property of Edith Henrys. The facts as stated by Sub-inspector Broberg were that at 11 o'clock on Saturday night the defendants went into the restaurant occupied by the complainant and got into an altercation with others. They used some very bad language, and it was alleged that one of them struck one of the ladies in the restaurant. They also upset the tables and eatables and smashed the crockery. — The defendants pleaded that they had no recollection of the occurrence. — The Magistrate said he could see no excuse for their "seeing red," and they were fortunate that they were not to be dealt with more severely than he proposed dealing with them. For the first offence they would each be fined 5s, or 24 hours, and on the charge of damaging property they would each be fined 10s, and ordered to pay 10s each towards the cost of the damage done.  -Otago Daily Times, 6/6/1916.

McNEILL. — On January 2, 1924, at his parents’ residence, 25 Nairn street, Roslyn, Alexander William McNeill, No. 8/597, Main Body, N.Z.E.F., beloved oldest son of Angus and Mary Jane McNeill; aged 29 years. Deeply regretted. “A patient sufferer gone to rest.” Private interment. — R. McLean and Son, undertakers.  -Evening Star, 2/1/1924.

Mr Alexander William McNeill, who died on January 2, was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Angus McNeill, and grandson of the late Mr John Eccles, of Naseby. In August, 1914, when war broke out, Mr McNeill enlisted at Dunedin, and left for Egypt with the Main Body. He was at the Gallipoli landing on April 25, 1915, and was severely wounded in action on August 7, losing a limb, From this he really never recovered. The funeral was private, and the service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. Isaac Jolly.   -Evening Star, 5/1/1924.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE.

IN MEMORIUM. 

McNEILL. — In loving memory of our dear son Alexander William McNeill (No 8/597, Mam Body), who passed away on January 2, 1924, at his parents’ residence, Nairn street, Roslyn. 

Just two years ago to-day, dear Willie, 

We stood with aching heart and tearful eyes, 

And gently held your hand 

Until you peacefully passed away into the Better Land. 

— Inserted by his sorrowing mother and father. 

McNEILL. — In loving memory of our dear brother, Alexander William McNeill (No. 8/597, Main Body), who passed away on January 2, 1924, at his parents’ residence, Nairn street, Roslyn. 

Though his loving voice is silent, 

And his fond heart ceased to beat, 

How we missed his well-known footsteps 

And his form we used to greet. 

— Inserted by his loving brothers and sisters.  -Otago Witness, 5/1/1926.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

15206 Private Cuthbert Richard Mathews, (1892-8/1/1923). "severely gassed"

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE. 

DEATH. 

MATHEWS. — At Wakari Sanatorium, January 8, Private Cuthbert Richard Mathews, eldest son of the Rev. R. T. and Mrs Mathews, the Vicarage, Suva, Fiji.  -Otago Daily Times, 9/1/1923.

FUNERAL NOTICE. 

The Friends of the late No. 15206 Private CUTHBERT RICHARD MATHEWS (and Family) are respectfully invited to attend his Funeral, which will leave St. Matthew’s Church, Stafford street, TO-DAY (TUESDAY), the 9th inst., at 11 a.m., for the Anderson’s Bay Cemetery. 

HOPE & KINASTON, Undertakers, 36 St. Andrew street.   -Otago Daily Times, 9/1/1923.

OBITUARY.

Our Dunedin correspondent telegraphs that the death has occurred, at Wakari, of Mr Cuthbert Richard Mathews, eldest son of the Rev. E. T. Mathews, Suva, Fiji, and Administrator; of the Diocese of Polynesia, who, with his wife, is at present on furlough in Dunedin. Deceased, who was 30 years of age, was born at Mount Lofty, South Australia, and when just a child he came to New Zealand with his  parents and was placed at Christ's College, Christchurch, where he received his education. Subsequently he was trained as a cable operator at Nelson, whence he was transferred to Singapore, and then to Adelaide, South Australia. Later he went to Fiji, and was placed in charge of the wireless station at Tavani. Shortly after the war broke out he came to Queenstown, New Zealand, enlisted, going across to France in D. Company l6th Reinforcements. At Messines he was severely gassed, and this, combined with exposure, set up pulmonary trouble, which necessitated his going into Cambridge Sanatorium on his return to New Zealand in 1918. From that time on up to the present, with the exception of a short spell when he went to his parents at Suva, and suffered badly in the influenza epidemic of November, 1918, he had been under treatment in the sanatoria of the Dominion, finally succumbing to the fell disease, and to heart trouble resultant from his war experiences.  -Press, 11/1/1923.

Memorial Arch — It was decided, at the request of Mrs P. Mackenzie, junr., Walter Peak, to have the name of her brother Cuthbert Richard Mathews (deceased) placed on the Roll of Honour on the Memorial Arch.  -Lake Wakatip Mail, 10/4/1923.

Anderson Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

36519 Private Thomas Arthur Taylor, (30/9/1896-4/1/1923). "alcohol occasionally"

PRISONERS FOR SENTENCE. 

AN AMATEUR BURGLAR. 

Thomas Arthur Taylor came up for sentence on two charges of breaking and entering with intent to commit a crime, charges to which he had pleaded guilty in the lower court. Mr Irwin, on his behalf, said that Tailor was 23 years of age, and saw considerable service during the war. He went away from here while quite a boy and was wounded in the head at Passchendaele. His conduct at long intervals had been a little bit erratic, and on one occasion he collapsed while at work. He had a job as an electric linesman at Roslyn, and when spoken to by a detective he made a clean breast of the whole thing. There appeared to be no evidence against him except his own statement. He forced a cash box open, but he took nothing away from either house he visited. It had been stated that he wore rubber shoes, but that was necessary in his occupation for insulation. His conduct before he went to the war and while he was at the war was good. He had obtained employment in the country, and his employers were anxious that he should sign on there with them for a time. He was working on a farm out from Milton under arrangement with the probation officer. 

Mr F. G. Cumming said he had a number of references for accused. His previous character had been good. He recommended probation. The police report was that he was a good worker, but he took alcohol occasionally. 

His Honor: Do you recommend any condition as to restriction of alcohol? 

Mr Cumming said he would recommend the taking out of a prohibition order. 

Accused said that at the time of the offence he was under the influence of liquor. 

His Honor said be thought it was a case in which the prisoner ought to be given a chance. He would be ordered to be released on probation for a term of three years, one of the conditions being that he abstain altogether from alcoholic liquor, and take out a prohibition order against himself, and renew it from time to time. He must pay the costs of the prosecution, £3 12s, within one month.  -Evening Star, 14/2/1921.

FOR KING AND COUNTRY. 

DEATH.

TAYLOR. — On January 4th, 36519 Private Thomas Arthur Taylor, N.Z.E.F., fourth son of Elizabeth and the late William John Taylor; aged 24 years. Deeply mourned, private interment. — Hope and Kinaston, undertakers.  -Evening Star, 5/1/1923.

The death occurred at Wyndham Hospital recently of Mr Thomas Arthur Taylor, son of the late Mr 'William John Taylor. Deceased left New Zealand in the 22nd Reinforcements, and served for three years with the machine gun section in the Great War, and was wounded at Passchendaele. He was well known among Rugby football followers, having been a member of the Zingari-Richmond first fifteen.  -Evening Star, 6/1/1923.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.