James Duthie, 1891-17/11/1909

ACCIDENTS & DEATHS

JAMES DUTHIE’S DEATH. 

The Inquest into the circumstances of the death of James Duthie, the engine cleaner who was killed at Athol on Wednesday afternoon last, was held in Invercargill on Saturday morning hy Mr G. Cruickshank, Coroner. Evidence was given by John Duthie of Enwood (father of deceased), and by Charles Gohl and Timothy Kelleher, driver and fireman, respectively, of the ballast train on which James Duthie had been riding just prior to the accident.

Duthie was 18 years 6 months old, and had been in the railway service for about nine months. At the time of his death he was employed at Athol as cleaner to the ballast engine there. The evidence showed that he had joined the ballast train from Lumsden at Eyre Creek, seven miles on this side of Athol, and obtained permission to ride on the engine because he was anxious to learn the work of firing. He told the fireman that he would jump off at Athol, but was advised not to do so until the engine stopped. He jumped off, however, before the train reached the platform, and was noticed by the fireman to be running along and holding on to the handrail of the engine. Before the train could be stopped he let go the rail, and fell just as the engine approached the raised platform, where he was caught by the projecting plough of the ballast van. Had he let go sooner the plough would have passed over him. The Coroner returned a verdict that Duthie was accidentally killed by jumping off a train.  -Southland Times, 22/11/1909.

Invercargill Cemetery.

Martin Forde, 1901-24/4/1927.

BODY FOUND AT FOOT OF CLIFF

Advice has been received in Invercargill of the death of a young man, Martin Ford, under somewhat unusual circumstances. Ford was employed by the Port Craig Timber Company and on Sunday morning he left for Tuatapere. His intention was to travel along a bush track between the two townships. As he did not arrive at Tuatapere that night, fears were entertained for his safety and a search party was formed. The body was found later at the foot of some steep Cliffs not far from Port Craig.  -Western Star, 29/4/1927.

Port Craig is a fascinating place - one day I hope to get there.  It was a logging and sawmilling settlement, started in 1916 with technology new to New Zealand which promised an efficiency of operation new to the industry.  Part of what is left is the largest surviving wooden viaduct in the world - 125 metres long and 36m high.

Loading of wood onto ships at Port Craig was a difficult operation.  Sawn timber was sent down on a cable to ships lying off the port - an impossible task in a heavy swell from the south.  The  1923 opening of the Otira rail tunnel under the South Island's Southern Alps put a serious dent in the fortunes of the Port Craig company, allowing East Coast cities easier access to West Coast timber.  Port Craig ceased operations in 1928.

Information on Port Craig and links to more can be found here.

Invercargill Cemetery.

NZ391981 Aircraftsman 1st Class Lindo James Thomson 1921-9/4/1941

There is little to be found surrounding the circmstances of the deaths of Lindo Thomson, his pilot, Lionel Squire and Ernest Johnson.  But a brief description from a list of RNZAF flying accidents was enough: "Aircraft took off from airfield but soon returned with thick smoke pouring from exhaust. Made a steep turn at 100 feet, stalled and dived into ground at Nelson."

The aircraft involved was a Vickers Vildebeest, a 1920s biplane light bomber.  It was obselete by the time of World War 2 and used by the RNZAF for training and a few coastal patrols when there was nothing else handy.  On this occasion it was being flown by No. 2 Squadron, RNZAF, patrolling Cook Strain out of Nelson.

Related to many residents in Riverton, the recent death of Aircraftsman Lindo James Thomson at Tahunanui Aerodrome, Nelson, was deeply regretted. The young man was 20 years of age and was the son of Mr and Mrs J Thomson, of Invercargill. He was buried at the Eastern Cemetery on Tuesday and the pall-bearers were members of the RNZAF at present im the district.  -Western Star, 18/4/1941.

DEATHS OF AIRMEN

CRASH ON GOLF LINKS

EVIDENCE AT INQUESTS 

(0.C.) NELSON, Friday. The inquests into the deaths of Flight-Lieutenant Lionel Mountjoy Squire, of Blenheim, Aircraftsman Lindo James Thomson, of Invercargill, and Corporal Ivan Ernest Johnson, of Greatford, Rangitikei, were held at Nelson before the coroner, Mr, F. Mitchell. The evidence showed that all the men died as a result of burns and shock received when their aeroplane crashed on the Tahunanui golf links. Nelson, on April 9. In describing the accident, Squadron-Leader R. J. Cohen said he saw the aircraft gliding to the edge of the aerodrome to land. When over the golf links at a height of about 50ft it began turning into the wind. It stalled and crashed on to the links about 10 yards from the edge of the aerodrome and burst into flames. He immediately went to the scene of the accident on the fire tender.

With the aid of the fire crew they were able to remove Johnson from the aeroplane alive, but the other two could not be got out owing to the intensity of the flames. Johnson was seriously burned and was removed to hospital immediately. The aeroplane had had its normal routine inspection before the flight and had been signed out as serviceable. 

Squadron-Leader Cohen said he was satisfied from what he saw that the crash was accidental.  -Auckland Star, 24/5/1941.

Invercargill Cemetery.

NZ412916 Sergeant James Henry Johnstone, 1921-24/7/1943.

James Johnstone was trained in Canada as part of the Empire Air Training Scheme, learning bombing, wireless operation and air gunnery in Manitoba.

It was a long way from there to serving as gunner on an RNZAF Lockheed Hudson in the Pacific Theatre. 

On July 24, 1943, he took off with his crew on a routine patrol from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, covering the area between the islands of New Georgia and Bouganville. The Hudson was attacked by eight Japanese Zero fighters which were also on patrol in the area.

The Zeros set fire to both engines of the Hudson. Although the fire was extinguished, the pilot had to ditch the plane at sea and the Japanese fighters fired at the survivors in the water.  I should add the detail that the shooting of surviving crew in the water, on land or under parachutes - if they were likely otherwise to return to combat - was perfectly legitimate according to the rules of war but frowned upon by many pilots.  

Johnstone died in the water with all but one of the crew.  The tail gunner, Trevor Ganley, survived and swam to a nearby island where he found an abandoned US life raft with some chocolate aboard.  He survived on that and some coconuts on the island, eventually repairing the raft and paddling to another (Japanese occupied) island.  He was helped by the native population there, who would be well aware of the risk to themselves and their families if caught.

James' crew was posted as "missing" on September 6, 1943, and most of them "missing, believed killed" on October 18, presumably after Trevor Ganley was able to tell his story.

James Johnstone, one of 14 children of Robert and Lily, married Elsie Denny shortly before leaving New Zealand.  His remains have not been found.

Invercargill Cemetery.

Rose Alma Shields (1928) and Ettie Irene Shields (1929-25/2/1948).

ENGAGEMENT

HAMILTON — SHIELDS — Mr and Mrs R. Shields, Tay street, Invercargill, have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their second daughter, Rose Alma, to Dempster Carr, eldest son of Mr and Mrs J. D. Hamilton, Humber street, Oamaru.    -Otago Daily Times, 22/4/1947.

At Least Five Dead, 20 Badly Injured

EXPRESS TRAIN DERAILED

BLENHEIM, Wed. (P.A.). —The south-bound main trunk express was derailed between Seddon and Blind River, about 20 miles south of Blenheim, today. It is known that five are dead and at least 20 badly injured. It is feared that the casualties will be much higher. The train was derailed at a curve in a cutting, the locomotive being badly damaged and the driver and fireman seriously injured.

The first five cars of the train remained on the lines but the right side of the third carriage was torn out and the remaining four cars telescoped. Nearby settlers worked feverishly to extricate the dead and injured from the train.

Doctors were on the scene about midday, together with railway gangers, and a start was made in evacuating the injured by cars, trucks and ambulances to hospital.

Doctors and nurses were rushed from Blenheim, and ambulances called from Blenheim, Picton, Kaikoura and the Air Force.

There were 110 passengers on the train, which comprised an engine, seven passenger cars, a guard’s van and an extra waggon for luggage and mails.

The train left Blenheim at 10.40 a.m today.  -Northern Advocate, 25/2/1948.

Photo courtesy of The Marlborough Express/Stuff website.

Home After Wedding

BLENHEIM, Fri. (P.A.). — The two sisters, Misses Rose (22) and Ettie Irene Shields (24), of Tay Street, Invercargill, whose bodies have been identified as victims in the Seddon train disaster, travelled from Invercargill to Blenheim to attend the wedding of their cousin, Mr R. Sim, last Saturday. 

On Monday they came to Nelson to see relatives, returning to Blenheim by service-car on Wednesday morning to catch the express for the south. 

They were daughters of Mr and Mrs R. Shields, of Invercargill.

The boy who was killed has been definitely identified as Stephen Henry James Warmin, aged 4, of 31 Torlesse Street, Avonside, Christchurch. The boy's parents both suffered injuries. “Words cannot express the appreciation of the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) and the Government of the services given by everybody at the accident,” said the acting-Minister of Railways (Mr Hackett) yesterday. “This applies especially to settlers who provided food, blankets, sheets and bandages even before any request was made.”

The remainder are making satisfactory progress and there is now nobody on the danger list. It is expected that in the next few days the discharges will become progressively larger, leaving only those with fractures, burns and severe lacerations requiring treatment. 

Those discharged are: Miss Frances Black, Christchurch; James Brooks, aged six, Blenheim: Mr Rangi Wehipeihana, Ohau; Mr Conrad Blythe, Alexandra; Jon Findlay Aitken, Kurow; Mrs Elizabeth Evans, Renwick. 

One of the most seriously injured victims at present is the driver of the engine, Mr Joseph William Gurr, aged 29, of Christchurch, who is suffering from extensive burns. 

INQUIRY SOON Today's south-bound express pulled out from Blenheim on schedule, to be the first passenger train to pass over the scene of the smash. The train carried a full complement of passengers. Among them were several who were injured on Wednesday and who were discharged from hospital this morning.

Mr Hackett had a special word of appreciation for the doctors, nurses and staff of the hospitals, and for those who made conveyances available to bring the injured to Blenheim. It was all a remarkable demonstration of what the community would do in an emergency, he added. Nobody had spared time, effort or expense in giving whatever assistance was within their power.

LINE CLEAR By the use of equipment which included a 40-ton crane on a special break-down train, bulldozers and tractors, the litter of wreckage has now been cleared. This was accomplished early yesterday afternoon and today normal services on the line were resumed. Since the first bulldozers and tractors were requisitioned, and with the arrival of the break-down train from Christchurch, miracles of salvage have been performed at the cutting where the disaster occurred.

The acting-Minister of Railways (Mr Hackett) announced that a commission of inquiry will be opened as soon as possible at Blenheim.

The chairman would be Sir Francis Frazer, but the other two members of the commission have not yet been appointed. Mr Hackett added that the wrecked engine was being left in its position at the scene of the crash until technical experts complete their examination and until it is inspected by members of the commission.

More than 50 men worked all night under acetylene flares at the tremendous task of cutting the twisted debris clear of the lines. As each section was cut apart a big crane lifted it clear, and early yesterday there remained only one carriage to be removed.

By 2.30 yesterday afternoon the line was again operable and the first train passed over the section, a heavily laden goods tram with perishable cargo from Blenheim to Christchurch. The wrecked engine of the express still lies at a crazy angle against the bank of the cutting, but well clear of the line.

An attempt will be made to lift it during the week-end. Six of the 36 injured in the disaster have been discharged from hospital.  -Northern Advocate, 27/2/1948.

Photo courtesy of The Marlborough Express/Stuff website.

TRAIN DRIVER GURR APPEARS IN COURT

(P.A.) BLENHEIM, June 12. The preliminary hearing of evidence before justices of the peace began in the Police Court of charges of manslaughter against Joseph William Gurr, driver of the south-bound express which crashed near Seddon on February 25. 

Gurr faces five charges of manslaughter, the first in connection with the death of Gwendoline Rose Cresswell and the second relative to the deaths of Kathleen Margaret Flyger, Ettie Irene Shields, Rose Alma Shields, Stephen Henry James Warman, and Ronald Spencer Hawkins. 

Erl Lortie, a former Railways Department platelayer who was a passenger on the train, said that soon after the train left Seddon he made a complaint that it was travelling too fast to make curves. “Then I felt a jolt and saw a cloud of dust. All I felt at the back of the train was two or three short jolts and I then reached out and pulled the air brake.” 

Later, witness said there was another railway man in the carriage and he went to pull the emergency brake but witness beat him to it. 

Witness, who said he had had experience in several countries as an enginedriver, stated that none of the express trains on which he was a passenger had travelled at anything like the speed of this train. 

This evidence was taken because witness intends shortly to leave for America. 

Further evidence will be given, probably by 30 witnesses, in Blenheim starting on June 28.  -Gisborne Herald, 14/6/1948.

JURY BLAMES RAILWAYS DEPARTMENT FOR SEDDON SMASH: DRIVER ACQUITTED

(P.A.) BLENHEIM, July 10. The cause of the Seddon railway disaster on February 25, when six passengers lost their lives, was due to inefficient, administration of the Railways Department, according to the verdict of a jury in the Supreme Court trying the driver of the train, Joseph William Gurr, on charges of manslaughter.

The trial, which commenced on Tuesday, ended at 9.30 last night, after 30 witnesses had been called on behalf of the Crown, including several departmental technical experts. The jury retired at 4.45 o’clock yesterday afternoon and returned at 9 p.m. to inform Mr. Justice Stanton that it thought it would reach an agreement within half an hour.

His Honour granted the extension and the jury returned at 9.30 with a verdict of not guilty and putting in the rider mentioned. When the Grand Jury returned a true bill on Tuesday, it presented a rider to the Bench that in the interests of public safety instruments to determine speed should be installed on railway engines.  -Gisborne Herald, 10/7/1948.

Invercargill Cemetery

23506 Private Daniel Brew 26/3/1891-24/11/1918.

Daniel Brew was born in Ireland and working as a labourer in the Invercargill area when he joined the Otago Regiment of the New Zealand Army in 1916.

He was wounded on October 13, 1917, during the Battle of "3rd Ypres," better known as Passchendaele.   The concise entry ("GSW back") and a status of "seriously ill" from his gunshot wound on other pages hint at a world of pain for Private Daniel Brew.  His classification as "unfit" by a Medical Board would have been a mere formality for a man paralysed from the waist down.

Daniel died not long after the announcement of the Armistice which ended the hostilities of the Great War.  I cannot imagine how he and his family could have felt on that day, thirteen days before his death.

Invercargill Cemetery.

NZ411753 Sergeant Laurie Albert Frampton 1922-29/7/1942.

Laurie Frampton has not been an easy man to find out about.  My usual source, "Papers Past," has little containing his name beyond a few "Official Lists" and the family's announcement.  

Laurie, after aircrew training in Canada, joined 75 (NZ) Squadron of the Royal Air Force, which has a very useful website run by the son of one of its members. It is truly a labour of love. There I was able to find the following account of the last mission of Vickers Wellington bomber Z1570 and its crew:

Wellington Mk.III Z.1570 AA-B crashed near the small town of Lingen, 130 miles South West of Hamburg and close to the Netherlands border. It may have been attacked by a night-fighter either en route to the target or on its way back to base. Whatever the situation, Sgt. Johns the captain, was unable to maintain control and a crash landing became inevitable. It was not survivable and all crew members died. They were initially buried at Lingen-on-Ems, but later transferred to Reichswald Forest Cemetery.

Laurie was listed as "missing on air operations" in August, 1942, and then "missing presumed killed" on January 2, 1943.

On January 11 the family made their announcement in the local paper.

Photo courtesy of the Online Cenotaph.

DEATH.

For the Empire's Cause. FRAMPTON.— Sergeant Laurie Albert (Dick), dearly loved son of Harold Albert and Helen Frampton, 118 Yarrow street, Invercargill, killed on air operations over Germany July 29, 1942; aged 20 years. R.I.P. Buried in New Cemetery, Lingen-on-Ems, Germany.   -Evening Star, 11/1/1943.

Invercargill Cemetery.