Gordon Anderson Parks, (1923-30/1/1944). "regulations preclude"

DEATHS 

PARKS. — On January 30, 1944 (accidentally), at Paretai, Gordon Anderson, loved fifth son of Mr and Mrs E. M. Parks, of Paretai; in his twenty-first year. Deeply mourned. — Friends are invited to attend his Funeral, which will leave his parents’ residence To-day (Monday), at the conclusion of the service commencing At 2.45 p.m., for the Balclutha Cemetery. — W. Lovie, funeral director.  -Otago Daily Times, 31/1/1944.

Gordon Anderson Parks, aged 20, single, was electrocuted near Kaka Point, Dunedin, early on Sunday morning. He was returning by car from a dance when he saw by the roadside another car which had collided with a power pole. Going to render assistance in the darkness, he made contact with a broken power line and was instantly killed.  -Wairarapa Times-Age, 1/2/1944.

MAN ELECTROCUTED

CONTACT WITH LIVE WIRE 

Comment on the fact that the breaking of a high-tension electric power wire did not result in an automatic cut-off of the whole circuit was made by the district coroner, Mr W. Roy, when he presided at an inquest in Balclutha yesterday into the death of Gordon Anderson Parks, aged 21, who was electrocuted on January 29. Constable Boyle conducted proceedings for the police, and Mr J. T. Walter represented the parents of the deceased. 

James Douglas Aikenhead, farm worker, aged 16, said he was driving a car from Kaka Point on the night of January 29, when it collided with a power pole. 

William Noel Alex Murdoch, cheese factory assistant, said that he was a passenger in Aikenhead’s car. After the crash passing motorists stopped to give assistance, and one of these, the deceased, apparently came in contact with a high-tension wire which had been broken by the impact and was lying across the door of the car. Death appeared to have been instantaneous. 

John Findlay Gardiner, electrical engineer for the Otago Power Board, said that the indicator at Stirling would not show unless the broken wire had touched another wire, and then the power would go off for about 10 seconds, as it did on this occasion. The power would then go on again. The public works regulations did not allow for the power being completely cut off in such cases. It was sometimes difficult to know whether a cut-out was due to a broken wire or simply to an opossum up the power pole, witness explained. 

A verdict was returned that the deceased had been accidentally electrocuted. The coroner added that it seemed a pity that the power could not have been cut off entirely when the wire broke, but apparently the regulations precluded this from being done.  -Otago Daily Times, 19/2/1944.

Balclutha Cemetery.

8/1279 Driver James Lyall, (1894-9/9/1916). "in a very precarious condition"

PERSONAL

Mr James Lyall, of Stirling, who left New Zealand as a trooper with the Expeditionary Forces and was some time ago invalided home, is now an inmate at the Pleasant Valley Sanatorium, Palmerston, in a very precarious condition.   -Clutha Leader, 8/9/1916.

The death is reported from the sanatorium at Palmerston of Driver James Lyall, youngest son of Mr John Petrie Lyall and the late Mrs Lyall, of Stirling. He was 22 years of age, and was a member of the 2nd Reinforcements, having enlisted as a driver in the artillery section. Educated at the Stirling and Balclutha District High Schools, he later joined the staff of the New Zealand Railways as a porter, and was for some time stationed at Balclutha. Prior to enlisting he was engaged at the Benhar Pottery Works. The deceased will be accorded a military funeral to-day.   -Otago Daily Times, 12/9/1916.

The Palmerston sanatorium was built before the war for the treatment of tuberculosis, and it was that disease which killed James Lyall.

MILITARY FUNERAL.

There was a very large attendance of the public and members of the Territorial Forces at the military funeral of the late Driver James Lyall (N.Z.A.B.) on Tuesday afternoon. The cortege left the residence of the late soldier's parents at Stirling early in. the afternoon, headed by a firing party. The gun carriage bearing the coffin was draped with the Union Jack, upon which were laid a large number of wreaths, the carriage being surrounded by a guard of honour. Immediately after the gun carriage came a procession of Territorials and Cadets, the whole of the military arrangements being under the command of Captain Stevens. The Balclutha Brass Band, which met the cortege near the top of North Balclutha hill, played the "Dead March" until the cemetery was reached. Two members of the 18th Reinforcements, with the aid of two Territorials, acted as pall-bearers. Rev. Webster (Presbyterian minister, Stirling) read the burial service at the graveside, after which Bugler A. Brown, of Stirling, sounded the "Last Post.'' When the coffin had been lowered into the grave the firing party discharged three volleys in honour of the memory of the fallen soldier.  -Clutha Leader, 15/9/1916.

William Kingsley Macfarlane, (1906-25/4/1935). "fired where he thought the stag's body would be"

DEER-STALKING TRAGEDY

MAN DIES FROM INJURIES 

INQUEST ON VICTIM 

(Special to Daily Times) BALCLUTHA, April 27. 

An inquest on the body of William Kingsley Macfarlane, who died in the Balclutha Hospital on Thursday morning, after being shot in the knee while deer stalking in the Blue Mountains, was held at the Balclutha Courthouse on Friday afternoon before Mr W. Kean, J.P., acting coroner, and a jury comprising Messrs S. V. White (foreman), T. Incrocci, W. Stewart, and W, Anderson. Constable Boyle conducted the inquiry on behalf of the police. 

Evidence was given by Dr D. G. Radcliffe, of Balclutha, who stated that he had gone to the camp to which the deceased had been carried after the accident, and had found him to be suffering from a wound in the left leg. The main artery had been severed and the thigh bone completely shattered. After to the wound witness had had deceased transported to the Balclutha Hospital. He was suffering greatly from shock. He lingered until the following morning, when he died at 5 o’clock. The actual cause of death was shock, accentuated by the long interval that elapsed before he could be medically treated. The wound was consistent with that caused by a softnosed rifle bullet. 

Alan Norman Macfarlane said that he had been farming at Clydevale with his brothers. During the Easter holidays it had been customary for some of them to go deer stalking in the Blue Mountains, and this year he had arranged to go with his brother “King.” Each had a .303 rifle, and they were using softnosed bullets. They were out shooting each day until the date of the accident. After breakfast on the 24th they travelled about three-quarters of a mile from camp, and then separated. They heard a stag roaring, and the deceased went after it, while witness kept straight on. and came on another stag. He waited expecting to get a shot. The stag was below witness, and moving about. Witness thought he heard a movement in the bushes, and caught sight of what he thought was the blade of antlers, and fired where he thought the stag’s body would be. Immediately his brother called out, and witness dropped his rifle and ran to him. His leg was doubled up under him. Witness examined the wound, and with his brother’s belt made a tourniquet above the wound. Witness left to go for assistance. He telephoned Balclutha for a doctor, and his brothers. Witness explained how his brother was brought in from the mountains. The scrub was thick in parts where the accident had occurred, but there were clear patches, although the visibility was not good. There were places where one could not see a deer if it was only three yards away. Witness had done a lot of shooting in the last four years. His brother must have changed his plans to be where he was when witness fired, and witness thought he must have heard the same stag that witness heard. 

Evidence was also given by William Macfarlane, father of the deceased, and James Frederick Simmers, of Popotunoa, who was one of the party that carried deceased out. 

The jury returned a verdict that deceased died from shock, after being accidentally shot in the leg. A rider was added commending the action of deceased’s brothers and the others who had brought him out of the mountains. The acting coroner expressed his sympathy with the relatives of the deceased. 

The funeral of the deceased took place to the Balclutha cemetery to-day, the cortege including over 60 motor cars.  -Otago Daily Times, 29/4/1935.

OBITUARY

MR W. K. MACFARLANE

Mr William Kingsley Macfarlane, the victim of the tragic deer stalking fatality on the. Blue Mountains last week, was born in 1906 and spent his childhood at Brydone, Southland. Later he removed with his parents to Canterbury, where he completed his primary education at Waimate by gaining the Waimate High School Board of Governors’ Scholarship. He afterwards attended the Waitaki Boys’ High School, where he matriculated in 1922, and qualified for a higher leaving certificate in the following year. He had also taken an agricultural course with a view to going on to the land. The knowledge thus acquired was put to practical use after leaving school on his father’s farm in North Canterbury, but two years later, at the age of 21, he was entrusted with the management of the Hinemoa Estate, Clydevale, where he carried on farming, latterly in conjunction with his brothers. Among the younger generation of farmers in the district his was an outstanding personality, characterised by unselfishness, bright, cheery optimism, and by industry and devotion to duty. His well-stored mind made him an interesting companion wherever he went. The traditions of his old school were worthily upheld to the last during the long journey from the mountains, when he uncomplainingly endured his painful injuries for a lengthy period before reaching the hospital.  -Otago Daily Times, 4/5/1935.

Balclutha Cemetery.

618453 Private Edwin Howard Scully, (1922-17/3/1946). "a five gallon keg of beer"

FATAL ACCIDENT

CAR DRIVER CHARGED 

INTOXICATION ALLEGED 

(O.C.) BALCLUTHA, Apl. 17. 

In the Magistrate's Court in Balclutha to-day Ivan Ballantyne Edwards, a slaughterman, employed by the South Otago Freezing Company, Ltd., was charged with being intoxicated in charge of a car, thereby causing death, and with negligent driving thereby causing death. The charges arose as the result of a fatal accident on the Main South road near Balclutha early on the morning of March 17, when a car, owned and driven by the defendant, ran off the road and up a bank before overturning and killing the only passenger, Edwin Howard Scully. The defendant was represented by Mr J. T. Walter and Senior Sergeant D. Vaughan prosecuted. Messrs W. Roy and J. R. Copland, justices of the peace, were on the bench. 

Constable W. S. Boyle (Balclutha) stated that, when he arrived at the scene of the accident about six miles and a-half west of Balclutha, he saw a car leaning against the bank of a cutting on its incorrect side of the road. The body of the deceased was lying on the road, and the defendant was standing a little distance away, his hands in his pockets, and his body swaying. The defendant admitted having two or three beers. At witness’s request. Dr W. L. Dodds had examined the defendant at the scene of the accident. Later, at the Balclutha Police Station, another sobriety test had been made by Dr D. M Frengley.

Witness said that in a statement the defendant, while admitting that he himself had taken three or four bottles of beer when he and the deceased set out the previous afternoon for the Waiwera sports, had denied that Scully had contributed any liquor. Later, the defendant had admitted that the deceased had put a five-gallon keg of beer in the car. Further, the defendant had admitted having hidden the empty keg in a paddock near the scene of the accident and the keg had since been recovered. The beer had been consumed at Waiwera. 

To the bench, witness stated that when he first saw the defendant after the accident he could not say whether or not Edwards was in a fit state to drive a car, but he had formed the opinion that the defendant was under the influence of alcohol. 

Medical Evidence

Dr William L. Dodds stated that on the night of the accident driving conditions were very bad owing to heavy fog He had received an urgent call to the scene of the accident, and on examining the deceased had found that death was due to a fracture of the base of the skull and lacerations of the brain. After examining the defendant, he had formed the opinion that Edwards at that time was not intoxicated, but was suffering from shock. - Edwards had appeared to be very upset at the death of his friend, but had given a logical account of the events leading up to the accident.

Dr Edwin M. Frengley, who examined the defendant about two hours later at the Police Station, stated that in his opinion Edwards at that time was in a fit state to drive a motor car, but that it would be mere guesswork to say what the defendant’s condition had been an hour or two earlier.

James Alexander Shanks, a farm labourer, of Warepa, stated that he had had a few beers at Waiwera with Edwards and Scully. He had seen the defendant after the dance, which finished at midnight, and would say that Edwards was then sober.

Murdoch Campbell, store manager of Balclutha, said that when he was returning from Invercargill in his car the defendant had signalled the car to stop. Witness, his four passengers and the defendant had extricated Scully’s body, which had been pinned beneath the car. Edwards had been visibly shocked when told that his friend was dead. 

Committed for Trial

Evidence by Constable G. Claridge, police photographer, of Dunedin, and William N. Taylor, county traffic inspector, of Clinton, concluded the case for the prosecution. Edwards, who pleaded not guilty and reserved his defence, was committed for trial at the Supreme Court, Dunedin, bail being allowed at £100, with one surety of £100.   -Otago Daily Times, 16/4/1946.

In those days, before breath testing for alcohol, proving that a driver was under the influence was more difficult for the purposes of evidence at trial.  Thick fog and carelessness ere blamed by the defence, and Ivan Edwards was found not guilty.

FOR THE EMPIRE’S CAUSE 

In Memoriam

SCULLY. — In fond and loving memory of my beloved son, Private Edwin Howard Scully, who was killed on March 17, 1946. 

The wound is deep, it will not heal, But Jesus knows just how I feel; 

He’ll smooth the path beneath my feet, And guard my loved one till we meet. 

God gave me strength to bear it, And courage to fight the blow: 

But what it meant to lose him No one will ever know. 

— Always remembered by his loving mother

SCULLY. — In loving memory of my dear brother, Eddie, who was killed on March 17, 1946. 

“Ever remembered.”

— Inserted by his sister and brother-in-law, Elma and Fred.

SCULLY. — In loving memory of my dear brother. Private Edwin Howard Scully, who was killed, March 17, 1946. 

A day of remembrance sad to recall. Of the dear one missed by us all; 

Beautiful memories, fond and true, Will ever remain, dear Eddie, of you. 

Deep in our hearts you are living yet; We loved you too dearly ever to forget.

— Inserted by his loving brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Mavis, and family, Greymouth.

SCULLY. — In loving memory of my dear brother, Private Edwin Howard Scully, who was killed on March 17, 1946.

Gone is my brother I loved so well; How much I miss him no one can tell. 

Deep in my heart a memory is kept, I will always remember when others forget.

— Inserted by his loving; brother, Jim.

SCULLY. — In loving remembrance of dear Eddie, who died (result of accident), March 17. 1946. "Always remembered.’’

— Inserted by his loving brother Len. and sister-in-law, May. 

SCULLY. — In fond and loving memory of our dear brother Eddie, who was killed in motor accident at Balclutha on March 17, 1946. 

No more to see his smiling face Or hear him say “ Hullo ”; It came a shock we did not expect, A hard and bitter blow. 

What happy days we once enjoyed, When we were all together: How sad and changed it all is now Since he has gone forever, 

If all the world were ours to give. We’d give it, yes, and more. To see the face we loved so much come smiling round the door. 

— Inserted by his loving sister Lill, and brother-in-law Leo. 

SCULLY. — In fond and loving memory of our dear brother, Eddie, who was killed in a motor accident at Balclutha on March 17, 1946

Dearer to memory than words can tell, Is the brother we lost and loved so well. 

Kind, unselfish, a brother so true, Our dearest possessions are memories of you.

— Inserted by his loving sister, Voilet, and brother-in-law, Wally, and wee Marlene. 

SCULLY. — In sad and loving memory of my dear uncle, Private Edwin Howard Scully, who was killed on March 17. 1946. 

His loving smile, his cheery ways, Loved and remembered by me always. 

— Inserted by his loving niece, Mavis.  -Otago Daily Times, 17/3/1947.

IN MEMORIAM

SCULLY. — In sad and loving memory of my dear son. Private Edwin Howard, who Was killed on March 17, 1946. 

My heart still aches with sadness, My eyes shed many a tear; 

God only knows how I miss you, Eddie, As it ends this second sad year. 

Time cannot heal my aching heart, Or from my memory tear 

The face and form I loved so well; It will dwell for ever there. 

The rolling stream of life goes on, But still the vacant chair 

Recalls the love, the smile, the voice Of one who once sat there.

— Inserted by his loving mother. 

SCULLY. — In sad memory of my dear brother, Edwin Howard, who was killed on March 17. 1946. 

‘Tis sweet to remember a brother so dear, Though absent from us, yet ever so near; 

Unseen by the world, he stands by our side, And whispers, “ My loved ones, death cannot divide.” 

— Inserted by his loving brother and sister-in-law." Jack and Mavis, West Coast. 

SCULLY. — In loving memory of my dear brother Eddie who was killed on March 17, 1946. 

You are not forgotten, dear Eddie; Nor will you ever be. 

As long as life and memory last, I will remember thee. 

— Inserted by his loving brother, Jim. 

SCULLY. — In loving remembrance of dear Eddie, died result of accident, March 17, 1946, Balclutha.

— Inserted by Len, May and family. 

SCULLY. — In fond and loving memory of our dear brother, Eddie, who was killed in a motor accident at Balclutha on March 17, 1946. 

No more to see his smiling face Or hear him say “Hallo.” 

It came a shock we did not expect: A hard and bitter blow. 

What happy days we once enjoyed, When we were all together; 

How sad and changed it all is now, Since he has gone for ever. 

If all the world were ours to give, We’d give it, yes, and more 

To see the face we loved so much, Come smiling round the door. 

— Inserted by his loving sister and brother-in-law, Lill and Leo. 

SCULLY. — In loving remembrance of dear Eddie who died (result of accident) March 17, 1946. Always remembered. 

— Inserted by his loving sister. Violet, and brother-in-law, Wally, and wee Marlene. 

SCULLY. — In loving memory of my dear Uncle Eddie, who was killed on March 17, 1946. 

His life a beautiful memory. His death a silent grief; 

He sleeps in God’s beautiful garden, In the sunshine of perfect peace. 

— Inserted by his loving niece, Mavis.  -Otago Daily Times, 17/3/1948.

Balclutha Cemetery.

John Donald Souness, (1913-21/12/1935). "hands tied in front"

TAIERI DROWNING

DECEMBER FATALITY RECALLED 

INQUEST PROCEEDINGS CONCLUDED 

An open verdict that death was due to drowning in the Taieri River on December 21, 1935, was given by the coroner (Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.) at the adjourned inquest this morning on the body of John Donald Souness, .aged 25 years, of Clydevale, who was found lying with his hands tied together on the edge of the river. Detective-sergeant Hall conducted the proceedings on behalf of the police, and Mr F. G. Rolfe appeared for the relatives of the deceased. 

Dr W. Evans said that he examined the body of Souness at the morgue. It was in an advanced stage of decomposition. There were no external signs or injury or marks of violence on the body, and he was of the opinion that the cause of death was drowning. He considered it was quite possible that the deceased tied his hands m front of him before he entered the water, as this would prevent him from striking out when in the water. 

Dr Marion K. Steven gave evidence regarding a post mortem examination of the body. 

Robert Francis Keith, hotel licensee at Henley, said that on December 5 or 6, 1935, a young man named Don. Softness was booked into his hotel by his wife. Witness was informed that Souness came from Dunedin on a motor lorry. He had no personal belongings with him, and remained about the hotel for several days. During that time he had no friends. He was quiet and morose, and appeared to be brooding over something. He was a man who had little to say, and did not speak about himself. He had a few drinks, but was never under the influence of liquor. Two young men named Pope and Mercer were staying at the hotel, and Souness appeared to become friendly with them. On December 10 Souness went to Berwick with the two young men in the picture circuit van, and they returned about 11.30 p.m. The last witness saw of Souness was when he was standing with Mercer and Pope in the passage, when they had a drink at the slide. Witness did not see Souness go out at the front door, and thought he had gone to bed. The next morning witness was informed that Souness had not slept in his bed. Witness thought he had probably obtained a lift from someone, and had gone home, as he had spoken of doing so on several occasions. He paid up to lunch on December 9, and at the time of his disappearance he owed witness 10s. He paid for his board and drinks as he went along. He did not give witness any idea that he contemplated suicide. 

William Ronald Augustus Mercer, a picture exhibitor, said that about the beginning of December, 1935, he and his partner, a man named Pope, were travelling round a moving picture circuit, and were staying a few nights at Henley. While there he met a young man called Don, but whose name he had since been informed was Souness. Don Souness joined the witness and his partner when they were having a few drinks, but he was not communicative about himself. He said he had been working at Clydevale, but did not mention anything about any woman while in witness’s company. On December 10 witness and his partner were showing a picture at Berwick, and the former asked Souness early in the evening whether he would like to come to Berwick for a ride. He agreed to go with them. On arrival at Berwick the deceased helped witness to erect the screen and curtain in the hall. He then stood about until about 9 p.m., when he came in and sat down in the hall. After the show about 11 o’clock Souness helped with the taking down and packing of the gear in the van, and the three of them drove back to Henley. Inside the hotel the three of them and the licensee, Frank Keith, had a drink at the passage slide. They then went into the sitting room, and witness thought Souness had an untouched drink on the mantelpiece when he walked out of the hotel without indicating where he was going. Witness and his partner retired without thinking anything more of the deceased until in the morning the licensee’s wife said that Don had not slept in his bed the night before. Witness could not offer any explanation of where the deceased had gone, and he never saw the deceased with any quantity of money. About two weeks later witness called at the hotel, and was informed that the body of the deceased had been found in the Taieri River. At no time while the deceased was in witness’s company did he give any indication that he contemplated suicide. 

Thomas James Outram, a fisherman, residing at Taieri Mouth, said that about 12,15 p.m. on December 21, 1935, while taking his wife and family for a picnic up the Taieri River, he noticed the body of a man lying at the edge of the river on the western side opposite a spot known as Governor’s Chimney. The body was lying face downward, was fully clothed, and the hands were tied in front by a pocket handkerchief. He considered it was possible for anyone to tie his hands as those of the deceased were tied. He notified Mr McKenzie, a local J.P., and the police were also informed. He assisted Constable Watt to bring the body to the jetty at Taieri Mouth. The body was very much decomposed, and had been lying in the position in which it was found for several days, and had probably been washed up about the time of the previous spring tide on December 11. 1935. 

Constable Watt gave evidence regarding the removal of the body, and stated that it would be possible for the deceased to have tied his own hands in the manner in which they were found. 

Detective-sergeant Hall said he commenced inquiries concerning the death of the deceased on December 23, 1935, in company with Detective Russell. His inquiries showed that the deceased exchanged a motor car for a motor cycle at Dunedin on December 4. On that day Traffic-inspector Cameron stopped the motor cycle in King street and found it to be unroadworthy. The deceased said his driver’s license was at Clydevale, but it was afterwards ascertained that he did not have a license there. He stayed at various Dunedin hotels from November 18 until December 5, and when he left his belongings remained at the last hotel at which he stayed. He stayed at the hotel at Henley, and when he walked out of the hotel after having returned from Berwick with Mercer and Pope he was never seen alive again. There was a balance of £215 13s 3d in the Post Office Savings Bank account to his credit at the time of his death. He was regarded as a fair swimmer, and on one occasion while he was staying at Henley he went swimming in the Taieri River with two women from the hotel. The deceased could easily tie his own hands in front of him before he went into the water. 

In giving an open verdict that death was due to drowning, the coroner remarked that the police were to be (words missing from here)  -Evening Star, 12/3/1935.

Balclutha Cemetery.

4310789 Leading Aircraftsman Leonard John Cunningham, (1925-16/11/1944). "crashed at Springbank"

TWO KILLED.

CRASH OF AN AEROPLANE.

ACCIDENT ON TRAINING FLIGHT. 

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. When a R.N.Z.A.F. Harvard aircraft from Wigram crashed at Springbank, near Cust, at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon while on a dual flying training flight two occupants were killed. They were: 

Pilot-Officer John Vesey Hamilton Robinson (pilot), whose mother is Mrs. Y. Robinson, of Lake Timara, Blenheim. 

Leading-Aircraftman Leonard John Cunningham (pupil under training) whose mother is Mrs J. A. Cunningham, of Balclutha. 

Pilot-Officer Robinson, who was aged 21 was horn at Christchurch and educated at the Waihi Preparatory School and Christ’s College. He was a member of the college first Rugby fifteen in 1940, and champion swimmer, as well as taking a prominent part in other sports. He was working on his father’s farm at Lake Timara before entering the Air Force at the beginning of last year to train as a pilot. On completion of his training he was commissioned and retained in New Zealand as an instructor. 

Leading-Aircraftman Cunningham who was 19, was educated at South Otago High School, and was a porter before he graduated to the R.N.Z.A.F. from the Air Training Corps in August, 1943.  -Ashburton Guardian, 17/11/1944.

An inquest held the following month determined that the Harvard had got out of control and that both men died of "cerebral laceration and multiple injuries."

Balclutha Cemetery.

263816 Sapper Clifford Eldon Ball, (1919-1/11/1943). "many casualties to personnel"

Clifford Ball served with the 23rd Field Engineers in the Pacific theatre of the Second World War.  He died of his wounds shortly after the landing on Mono Island on October 27, 1943.  It was the first "opposed" landing of New Zealand troops since Gallipoli.  I have found few details of how Clifford died but the conditions on the island can be imagined from the following citation for another of his Company:

"Sapper Jack Keith Duncan, 23rd Field Company, NZE. For bravery in the field during the landing of a brigade group on Treasury Islands on 27 October, 1943. Beaches were subjected to very heavy shelling and mortar fire for about five hours after the initial landing had been made. This resulted in many casualties to personnel and damage to ships that were unloading. Sapper Duncan, during the whole of this time, ånd with utter disregard for his own personal safety continued to operate his bulldozer on and in the close vicinity of these beaches in constructing the tracks vitally necessary for the expeditious unloading of ammunition, stores and equipment. His fine example was a very steadying influence on unloading and carrying parties."

FOR THE EMPIRE’S CAUSE

BALL. — On November 1 (on active service), 263816 Gnr. Clifford Endon Ball, loved youngest son of Mr and Mrs I. J. Ball, Charlotte street, Balclutha; aged 24 years. Died of wounds in Pacific. 

“His duty nobly done:”  -Otago Daily Times, 4/11/1943.

Clifford lies in the NZ Military Cemetery on Bourail, New Caledonia.

Balclutha Cemetery.