413145 Flight Lieutenant Kenneth William Stewart DFC, 7/10/1915-3/8/1960.

Kenneth Stewart studied law and was admitted to the Bar in June, 1939.  He enlisted in the Air Force in 1941 and underwent basic flying training at Wigram in Christchurch.  In 1942 he was transferred to the UK for further training and then a course which led to postings as an instructor.  Eventually, in May 1944, he was posted to No. 54 Operational Training Unit to begin his career as a night-fighter pilot.

After OTU, he was posted to 488 Squadron, flying De Havilland Mosquitos.  He proved an exceptional night-fighter pilot, his exploits including what can only be called a nocturnal dogfight between Stewart and a German pilot, both flying radar-equipped planes.  This combat and much more of his career, including photos, can be found in an excellent story by Andrew Thomas, here.

AWARDS TO AIRMEN

D.F.C. FOR DUNEDIN OFFICER 

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 28. The Distinguished Flying Cross has been awarded to the following four New Zealand airmen: — 

Flight Lieut. N. J. Ingram D.F.M.; father, Mr N. A. Ingram, Wellington. 

Flight Lieut. Kenneth William Stewart; father. Mr W. Stewart, Dunedin. 

Flying Officer H. E. Brumby; mother, Mrs R. G. Brumby, Auckland. 

Flying Officer M. A. Barry; mother, Mrs R. G. Barry, Wellington.

Flight Lieutenant Stewart, who is a son of Mr and Mrs W. Stewart, of Highgate, Roslyn, was educated at the Kaikorai School and the Otago Boys’ High School. A graduate of the University of Otago with the degree of LLB, he was prior to his enlistment a member of the staff of Messrs Brent and Anderson, solicitors. He gained his commission before leaving the Dominion in November, 1941, and was for a time engaged in instructional duties in the United Kingdom. He was then posted to a night fighter squadron and he also took part in operational flights over Germany. He was with a squadron operating from a base in Holland at the time hostilities ceased.  -Otago Daily Times, 29/6/1945.

GALLANTRY IN AIR

NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN

CITATIONS TO-DECORATIONS

Echoes of the air war in Europe are contained in citations to Distinguished Flying Crosses won recently by New Zealand pilots and navigators. The citations have now been received by the Air Department from the Air Ministry, London.

A long record of operational flying stretching from sorties flown from France in 1939 until he returned to New Zealand recently is reviewed in the citation to the award to Flight Lieutenant Norman J. Ingram, D.F.M., son of Mr. N. A. Ingram, 12 Eden Street, Island Bay, Wellington. In May, 1941, Flight Lieutenant Ingram was shot down while attacking shipping at St. Nazaire, but evaded capture and returned to England. "He has at all times displayed great keenness and a fine fighting spirit," concludes the citation. "Both in the air and on the ground he has set a fine example by his devotion to duty." 

Flight Lieutenant Kenneth William Stewart, son of Mr. W. Stewart, 354 Highgate Street, Roslyn, Dunedin, is credited with having destroyed at least four enemy aircraft in air combat within a period of three months. "In December, 1944, he destroyed two Junkers 88's within 45 minutes after an exceedingly arduous chase," his citation states. "In February, 1945, he destroyed another Junkers 88 and a month later he destroyed a Messerschmitt 110 and probably destroyed a Heinkel 111." Flight Lieutenant Stewart is described as having shown superb skill and enterprise in his work.  -Evening Post, 2/8/1945.

DEATHS

STEWART, Kenneth William — On August 3, 1960, at his residence 48 Earls road, Dunedin, dearly loved husband of Vi Stewart; aged 44 years. Much loved. Late Flight Lieutenant, R.N.Z.A.F. D.F.C. (Suddenly.) The Funeral will leave Knox Church. Tomorrow (Saturday), August 6, 1960, at the conclusion of a Service, commencing at 11 a.m.. for the Andersons Bay Crematorium. Hope and Sons. Ltd.  -Press, 5/8/1960.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

8/2670 L/Corporal George Thomas McCleery, 22/11/1889-28/7/1919.

SOLDIER'S SUDDEN DEATH

THE INQUEST.

An inquest on the body of George Thomas McCleery, who died suddenly at Upper Junction on Monday afternoon, was held before Mr. H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., sitting as coroner, at the morgue yesterday afternoon. Deceased was 31 years of age, and had returned to the Dominion only three weeks ago. Sergeant McKenzie represented the police. 

Hugh McCleery, father of deceased, said his son's name was George Thomas Alley McCleery. Before going to the war with the 6th Reinforcements the deceased had been a mill hand. He enlisted in Dunedin. The deceased returned by the Prinzessin about three weeks ago, and obtained his discharge. He was a lancecorporal, and was away three years and 352 days. He seemed to be in good health when he returned. Witness had been told by deceased's wife that be had complained of a pain in the left side, and had complained of the same thing in England. He married in England. He had written, saying he had been gassed, and had said he had been wounded in the right side. Witness was very much surprised to hear of his death. He never hoard of heart trouble in the family. Deceased was born at Outram.

Dr Evans, in reply to the coroner, said he had not yet made a post-mortem. The Coroner said he would later adjourn the inquest. 

Charles Hume, a returned soldier, said he met deceased for the first time on Monday morning. The two had been to the Repatriation Board to get a job on the Westmoreland. Finding that they could not get a train to Port till evening, they arrranged to go to Normanby by tram and walk over the hill. They left town at 1 o'clock. They had one drink at the hotel at Normanby. After the tramcar and going about 200 yards up the hill deceased said: "Don't go so fast. I've got a pain in my chest." He seemed to be short of breath, he said his heart had never troubled him. He also said he had not been gassed. They took matters very steadily, and took several rests. Deceased seemed to get better, if anything. Just after passing the school near the Junction, deceased said: "Come into the side of the road. I feel bad." He fell down into the water channel. He groaned slightly, and his breath was labored for a few seconds, but he never spoke. A man came along in a vehicle, and witness got his assistance, to prop deceased up against a bank. Deceased became quite still. Somebody on foot came along and felt deceased's pulse, and tried his head, and said: "You can do nothing. The man's dead." Witness had been to a house to see if he could get some spirits to revive deceased, but no one was in. Two men in an express waggon came along, and they brought the body down to Normanby, where the local constable took charge. Deceased was quite cheerful, and in good spirits on the way.

The inquest was adjourned till 3.15 this afternoon at the courrthouse.

The Coroner, speaking to Mr Hume, said: "We wish to thank you for your attention to this man at the time, afterwards, and all the way through."  -Evening Star, 30/7/1919.

The eventual verdict of the Coroner was that George McCreery had died of "syncope" - or passing out, due to enlargement of his heart.

The funeral of Lance-corporal George Thomas McCleery, who died on Monday, took place to-day. The remains were interred at Anderson Bay Cemetery, Chaplain R. Fairmaid, assisted by Chaplains R. F. Watson and Hopper, conducted the service at the home and the graveside. Lancecorporal McCleery left with the 6th Reinforcements, and after serving three years and 352 days, returned to New Zealand three weeks ago.  -Evening Star, 31/7/1919.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

42601 Private Arthur William Tuffen, 21/1/1878-29/12/1919.

INQUEST

DEATH UNDER PECULIAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

An inquest on the body of Arthur Tuffen, a returned soldier, who was charged with drunkenness at the Police Court on Saturday last, and was remanded for a week for medical treatment, and who died in the Hospital on Monday evening, was held at the Hospital yesterday before Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M. (coroner). Subinspector Mathieson represented the police. 

John Raffills, hairdresser, said that he had known deceased for about 12 years. He was a wharf labourer, and went away with the 23rd Reinforcements, returning by the Port Hacking about five months ago. He had been wounded twice, but did not complain about his health until about four weeks ago, when he said he had a oough and a pain in his right side. He was looking ill, and witness advised him to see a doctor at once. He was a pretty heavy drinker. Witness saw him at the Hospital on Saturday night, and again yesterday, when he was unconscious. Deceased had no relatives in New Zealand. He told witness that he had a married sister in London. 

Constable Todd, night watch-house keeper at the police station, said that at about 9.30 p.m. on Friday last he received a ring on the telephone from Dr Fitzgerald, assistant medical officer at the Hospital, stating that a man in a very drunken condition had been brought there. Witness sent Constable Melville to the Hospital, and he brought deceased in a taxi to the police station. Deceased was very drunk — so much so that he could scarcely stand. He was put in a cell and made comfortable. He was visited every half-hour, and given cups of tea during the night. He improved as the night went on. He was given plenty of blankets. At 5 o'clock on Saturday morning he was bright and cheery. Witness asked him several times if he wanted a doctor, and he said "No." Witness would have sent for a doctor at once if he had thought that the man needed medical attention. Deceased had been previously locked up for drunkenness, and was remanded in 1912 for a week for medical treatment. 

Constable Melville said that he had gone to the Hospital to remove the deceased to the police station. Deceased was sitting in a chair and was helplessly drunk. Witness took him in a taxi to the police station. He assisted Constable Todd in making him comfortable in the cell. Deceased was very groggy on his legs — he could not stand. Witness considered that the deceased was helplessly drunk. He saw the deceased on the following morning at 10 o'clook. Deceased looked very bad and could not stand up. He appeared to suffer pain in his legs when he was being taken in the taxi cab from the Hospital. 

Constable Munro, assistant gaoler, said he first saw deceased about half-past 10 on Saturday last. Witness saw he was in a very weak condition, and immediately rang up Dr Evans. Dr Evans arrived about five minutes past 11. Deceased was quite comfortable. He was examined by Dr Evans, who ordered his removal to the Hospital, and he was taken there by the horse ambulance at about half-past 11. 

Dr Drennan said that he had conducted a post-mortem examination on the body, which was well nourished. There was no evidence of alcoholism — that deceased was a chronic drinker. In witness's opinion the cause of death was pneumonia, complicated by endocarditis and terminal meningitis. Probably the meningitis had been on the deceased for the previous two or three days only. 

In answer to a question by the coroner, witness said he considered the deceased had got as good treatment in the police station as anywhere. He did not think that if deceased had received the best treatment in the Hospital the result would have been any different. 

Dr G. P. Fitzgerald, assistant medical officer at the Hospital, said the deceased was brought to the Hospital in an intoxicated condition. Witness examined him and could find no trace of illness. His temperature and pulse and reflexes were normal. Deceased smelt strongly of drink, and appeared to be helplessly drunk. Witness rang up the police to remove him. 

Dr W. Cr. Scannell, first assistant medical officer at the Hospital, said he saw the deceased on the Saturday. Witness came to the conclusion then that deceased could not last. Deceased was treated for pneumonia and heart failure. He never regained consciousness. 

Peter Reilly, proprietor of the Glasgow Restaurant, said the deceased had boarded with him since July. He seemed to be in good health when he returned from the war. About a week ago deceased was ill, and witness advised him to see a doctor, but he said he was not bad enough. He was a very heavy drinker. Witness produced deceased's discharge as a soldier. 

The Coroner said that, according to the discharge, deceased had been two years and 137 days abroad. He would be about 41 years of age. Witness, continuing, said that so far as he knew deceased had no relatives in the dominion. He believed he had a sister in London and a brother in Canada. The night porter had drawn his attention to the condition of deceased on the Friday night. He had been lying on the sofa all day, and one of the boarders advised witness to get a doctor. He rang up Dr Evans, and said he thought Tuffen was pretty bad, and the doctor told him to take the man to the Hospital. Witness took the deceased in a motor car to the Hospital. He had to carry him down the stairs — he had no legs at all. Witness put it down to the fact that the man was dying then. They had to wheel the deceased from the car into the Hospital. He informed them that Dr Evans had told him to take the deceased to the Hospital. He understood that the man had been in the smoke room all day — he did not see how he could have had any drink all day. As soon as witness reached home he was rung up from the Hospital by a doctor and told that the deceased was drunk. He did not see how he could be — the other boarders in the house said that the deceased had not been out of the room all day. Witness told the doctor that, so far as he knew, deceased was not drunk. He considered that tho man was dying when he was being taken from the smoking room to the Hospital — he was gasping for breath. Witness said this doctor who rang him up from the Hospital appeared to be very excited — that he appeared to think that witness had had no right to take the deceased to the Hospital. Deceased could have had drink without witness knowing, but the boarders said that he had not had any. Deceased had come down for his three meals on the Thursday (Christmas Day). Deceased had become very weak the last week or two — he had fallen away to a shadow. Witness could not explain how the had smelt strongly of drink when he was admitted to the Hospital. 

Constable Pratt, relieving watchhousekeeper, stated that he took charge of the watchhouse at 5 a.m. on the Saturday morning. Deceased was then lying on his bunk with a pillow and covered with blankets. Witness went into the cell and asked deceased how he was feeling. He replied, " Oh, all right." He did not ask for anything nor make any complaint. Witness visited the cell three times between 5 and 9 o'clock. Each time witness asked the same question, and each time he made the same reply. From witness's observations he thought deceased was recovering from the effects of drink. At 10 minutes to 10 witness went to the cell to prepare the deceased for the court, and he then noticed a decided change in the man. He appeared to be ill then. Witness asked him if he thought he could manage to get up. Deceased said he thought he could, but although he tried he was not able to get on his feet. Deceased appeared to get much worse after 9 o'clock. Porridge, bread and butter, and tea was brought for deceased's breakfast, but he did not eat any of it. That, however, was not an unusual thing. Sergeant Scandrett said he saw Tuffen lying in the cell at 8.30 a.m. on the Saturday. Witness saw him a little after 9 o'clock and again at 9.30. He saw him again about 10 minutes to 10. He said they would go over to the court. Deceased did not look so well then. Deceased made an attempt to get up, and witness saw he was ill — that he could not use his lower limbs very well. He was made comfortable. At the court witness applied for a remand for seven days for medical treatment. On witness's return from the court he noticed a marked change in the deceased. 

The Coroner, in summing up, traversed the evidence. He said the question arose whether Dr Fitzgerald, when he first saw the deceased in the Hospital on the Friday, was justified in believing that he was helplessly drunk, or whether he ought to have known that there was something more than that; secondly, whether he was taken proper care of at the Police Station on the Friday night; and, thirdly, whether his removal to the Police Station and back again to the Hospital had any serous effect on him.

From the ovidence it was quite clear that he must have been drinking on the Friday. Taking the whole of the history together, he did not think that any blame was attachable to Dr Fitzgerald. As regards the statement by Dr Fitzgerald that deceased had no temperature — that was, no rising temperature — when he saw him at the Hospital, he (the coroner) had since seen Dr Drennan, and he had stated that this was not an uncommon thing, so that he thought Dr Fitzgerald was not to blame in coming to the conclusion he did — that the man was puffering from a severe form o£ drunkenness. In regard to the man's removal to the Police Station, from the whole of the evidence and from the statement of Dr Drennan, it did not appear that that would have had any effect upon him. At the station he appeared to have been as well looked after as possible. Of course, speaking in tho light of after events — and only in that light — he wanted to make this very clear: that it would have been better for the man had he been put to bed as soon as he got to the Hospital — in fact, some days previously — but the removal to the Police Station had no effect upon him, nor had his removal back again to the Hospital. It was very questionable whether, if he had been put to bed in the Hospital, the result would have been very different from what it was. There was no blame attachable to either Dr Fitzgerald or to the police or the gaol officials. He thought, in regard to the latter, that they had done all that it was possible to do for a man who was in a state of drunkenness, and also afterwards. His verdict would be in accordance with Dr Drennan's evidence: that deceased's death was due to pneumonia, complicated by endocarditis and terminal meningitis.  -Otago Daily Times, 31/12/1919.

PROPERTY SALE. 

Messrs Alex. Harris and Co. report having offered at auction yesterday, in the estate of the late Arthur William Tuffen, a freehold section located in St James Park, NorthEast Valley, and containing 28 poles (more or lees). This section was knocked down to Mr Laing for £40.   -Otago Daily Times, 25/11/1920.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

13206 Private Cuthbert Richard Mathews, 6/3/1890-8/1/1923.

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

MR. CUTHBERT MATHEWS. 

The death occurred at Wakari on Monday morning of Mr Cuthbert Richard Mathews, eldest son of the Rev. R. 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 thirty 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 Adelaide, South Australia. Later he went to Fiji, and was placed in charge of the wireless station at Taviuni. Shortly after the war broke out he came to Queenstown, New Zealand, and enlisted, going across to France in D Company (15th 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. Deceased was a brother of Mrs P. Mackenzie (Walter Peak, Lake Wakatipu), Nurse J. Mathews (of the Children's Rest Home, Mornington), and Mr E. Wilfred Mathews (post master at Lautoka, Fiji).  -Evening Star, 10/1/1923.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

8/555 2nd Lieutenant William Sarsfield Clancy, MM, 14/5/1885-29/10/1934.

William Clancy was a Dunedin tram driver when he enlisted in the Army.  He was a Lance-corporal on Gallipoli when he was wounded for the first time.  He was made Sergeant and then Second Lieutenant "for good service in the field."

Personal Items

News has been received by Mr L. Clancy, of Caversham, that his son, Lieutenant William Sarsfield Clancy, has been awarded the Military Medal and received his commission for conspicuous services on the Somme battlefield. Lieutenant Clancy left with the Main Body, was all through the Gallipoli campaign (during which, he was wounded slightly), and has been in France since the New Zealand troops first went there.   -Press, 19/1/1917.

On June 13, 1917, the Otagos were ordered to advance over no-man's-land in the dark and progressively occupy the advanced German positions opposite theirs.  As the Otago Regiment's Official History puts it: "It was calculated that the undertaking was a comparatively simple one; that it was merely a question of dribbling forward small parties unobserved by the enemy and seizing successive objectives on the way, each objective affording support and covering fire for the capture of the next. It was further presumed that the enemy had withdrawn his main strength. The task, however, was really beset with many difficulties, and was by no means as easy of accomplishment as was anticipated."

In the dark, with no artillery support and German guns firing as the result of earlier aerial reconnaisance, the night attack was a failure.  William Clancy was wounded with a bullet in the spine.  He never walked again.

Many returned men yesterday attended the funeral of the late Lieutenant William Sarsfield Clancy, who left with the Main Body of the N.Z.E.F.; in 1914, and the special R.S.A. service was read over the grave at the Anderson’s Bay cemetery. Deceased, who was well known, was severely injured as a result of his war service, but bore his suffering lightly.   -Evening Star, 1/11/1934.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

Alice Mary Fyfe, 1859-28/10/1894. (and wee Freddie)

 LATE TELEGRAMS.

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH ]

(from our own correspondent.) 

SERIOUS LOSS OF LIFE 

WRECK OF THE WAIRARAPA.

DUNEDIN, November 1. The Wairarapa was wrecked on the North end of the Great Barrier Island, on Sunday night, in a thick fog, while coming from Sydney. Captain McIntosh and 134 passengers and crew were drowned. The survivors reached Auckland this morning. 

[The above was issued yesterday as an extra.] 

Latest. The Wairarapa struck on the north end of Great Barrier and became a total wreck. There was a thick fog and a heavy sea running at the time. One hundred and eleven passengers and 13 of the crew, including Captain McIntosh and chief steward were drowned. Until the vessel struck there was no sign of land. Captain McIntosh believed he was on course. Where the ship struck is known as Miners Head, the northernmost part of Great Barrier. Though there were some terribly heart rendering scenes there was nothing approaching panic. Immediately the vessel struck Captain McIntosh gave orders to launch the boats but owing to list of the ship and heavy seas this became a work of the greatest difficulty. The starboard boats were capsized and a number of the occupants were drowned. Life buoys were thrown into the the sea, and were the means of saving a considerable number enabling them to support themselves until rescued by boats. The majority drowned appear to have made for the steamer’s bridge when the ship struck, and remained there until it was swept away. Captain McIntosh was observed at his post until the last moment, and as the bridge was carried away he was seen it is said to plunge into the sea, but never rose again. A number of passengers sought safety in the fore and main riggings. 

So far as is known the Wairarapa had 85 saloon and 70 steerage passengers on board. Among the passengers lost is W. Scoullar, his wife and two daughters, of Jetty-street. Dunedin. Mrs Fyfe, wife of Mr Fyfe, of the firm of Fyfe and Cuming, her child, and Mr George Chick, of Chicks Hotel, Port Chalmers, and brother-in-law to Mr Warry, were also drowned. 

The crew drowned were: Captain John McIntosh; chief steward, H. H. Judd; stewards, F. McLean, J. McDonald, and Croucher; stewardess, Mrs C McDonald; assistant stewardess, Miss McQuaid; fore cabin stewardess, Miss L. Greenrood; baker, H. Monaghan; chief cook, H. Year; assistant fore-cabin steward, A. Holmes; firemen and trimmers, Jas. Coope, E. Jones, John McGee, A. Morrill, and Burke; seamen, W. Simpson, John McLeod, C. Pratt, Jas. McDonald (apprentice). ln r ormation has been received that the third officer (H. H. Johnston) and the fourth officer (W. A, Tullock) have been saved, also the assistant purser (R. L. Jones). 

The Wairarapa was valued at L30,000, and was wholly uninsured. 

The second officer, Mr Clarke, says “It was ten minutes past midnight when the vessel struck. We felt a severe shock which roused everyone on board, and it soon became known that the vessel had run on to rocks. The night was so dark that no land was visible, until the steamer struck; there was a big sea running. The passengers behaved with great coolness. Captain McIntosh was on the bridge when the vessel struck, and at once gave orders to get the boats out. The boats on the port side were quickly got out, and some of the lady passengers were got into them with great difficulty, as the ship had filled with water. A sea was breaking over her and washing people away. We tried to launch the starboard boats, but owing to the heavy list of the vessel and the heavy seas, they were smashed, and the few people who were in them were precipitated into the water. A great many more would have been saved but for the fact that the ship suddenly canted over to port, and the water coming over her at the same time swept the decks, carrying numbers into the sea. She was at such an angle that it was impossible to get up to the high side without crawling on one’s hands and knees. When all the boats were got out, those who were still on the steamer tried to go on to the rigging, but many of them remained on the upper deck to windward of the bridge house, " The sea was continually breaking over the vessel, sweeping the decks. At about 2 o’clock in the morning the funnel was carried away, and somewhere about three or four o’clock the bridge and all those there, including the captain, and those clinging to it, were washed overboard. When daylight came we found that the vessel had struck against a cliff some 600 ft or 700 ft high with no means of easy landing. We saw several dead bodies floating around us, and a few persons still supporting themselves on bits of wreckage, while few others had succeeded in obtaining a landing on the end of rocks. After I had seen all the boats launched I took to rigging. When daylight broke I unrolled the jib halliards and signal hallyards and tried to heave the latter on shore. There were then about 60 people on board in the fore and main rigging and several were clinging to one of the starboard davits. We failed to heave it on shore. Kindall, the second steward volunteered to take the line ashore and succeeded. The jib halliards rope was then hauled on shore and by this means those on board were safely landed by being pulled through the water, with the exception of two who lost their hold and were carried away by the current. They were passengers but I do not know their names. We remained on the rocks until three o’clock on Monday afternoon when several Maoris boats came out and took all except ten to Copperilne Bay, some to Maori Bay, the rest remaining on the wreck until next morning, when they were taken of by Maoris. Some of our people went overland to Port Fitzroy and reported the wreck, the s.s. Argyle coming round and taking us off after having been ou the rocks for about 30 hours. Shortly before the vessel struck the cabin passengers were singing “Shall we gather at the River,” and "Pull for the shore Sailors.”  -Dunstan Times, 2/11/1894.

The wreck of the SS Wairarapa.  Hocken Library photo.

LOST RELATIVES. 

The relatives of a number of those drowned at the wreck have arrived in Auckland with the object of recovering the bodies if possible and taking them to their homes for interment. The work of recovery and identification is being vigorously prosecuted at the Barrier by Sergeant Gamble and a posse of constables, but owing to the infrequent communication with the island the information available respecting the bodies so far recovered is somewhat limited.

Two gentlemen, relatives of some of those drowned, called upon us this morning, and gave us the following particulars to aid those who are engaged in identifying the recovered bodies on the Barrier. Mr J. Fyfe, the husband of Mrs Fyfe, who was drowned together with her child, states: "Upon the vessel striking the reef Mrs Fyfe went on deck with the baby wrapt in a shawl. She was in company with Miss McKellar, one of the survivors. The two hung on to the rail for about four hours, till daylight, when the wave which carried away the bridge also washed them overboard. Miss McKellar was subsequently rescued. While in the water she saw Mrs Fyfe and the baby close to each other and saw them being drowned. Miss McKellar states that she afterwards saw the body of Mrs Fyfe washed on shore. My wife wore a wedding ring and a gold ring set with emeralds and diamonds. The only clothing that she had on was a nightdress. She was of a fair complexion with reddish brown hair and prominent eyes and nose. She was of medium height."

Mr F. Willis, chemist, of Christchurch, was not drowned in the Wairarapa, as supposed. On the very day the vessel left he decided to stay another week, and so came over by the Manapouri.

Mr M. J. Fyfe, of Dunedin, has arrived in Auckland to identify the bodies of his wife and child. When last seen, Mrs Fyfe had her baby in her arms, wrapped in a white woollen shawl, her only clothing being a nightdress. They hung on by the rails, the sea washing continually over them for four hours, when at length a big wave washed them all overboard.   -Auckland Star, 9/11/1894.

Deaths.

Fyfe. — Drowned in the Wairarapa, October 28, Alice Mary Fyfe; aged 33 (wife of Maxwell J. Fyfe, Dunedin). Also Freddie; aged one year and eleven months.   -Evening Star, 21/11/1894.

Alice and "wee Freddy" are commemorated in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery but do not appear in the online records of Dunedin cemeteries.  Sadly, it must be assumed that their bodies were not found.

Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.

74 Sapper Frederick Albert Maitland, 1887-19/5/1919.

 

At first glance, Fred Maitland's gravestone is an anomaly.  With the same shape as the standard "RSA" stone, it has the Australian Army badge engraved on it.  A little research brings up the saddening record that Fred died in Seacliff Mental Hospital.

Although New Zealand born, he embarked from Melbourne as a Sapper in an Auistralian Engineers Company in August 1914 - his civilian trade was a pipe fitter. He served at Gallipoli.

SAPPER FRED MAITLAND. 

Sapper Fred Maitland, wounded, and now in Malta Hospital, was born at Pelichet Bay, Dunedin, and is an Albany Street schoolboy. Being engaged in the dredging industry at Miller's Flat Otago, he went under engagement to the Malay Peninsula for three years. Returning home, he went across to Australia, and was engaged at electrical works in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. At the outbreak of war he at once enlisted in the first Australian contingent. Sapper Maitland is the youngest son of Mr. William Maitland, Forth Street, Dunedin.  -Auckland Star, 18/8/1915.

FOR KING AND COUNTRY.

DEATH. 

MAITLAND. — On May 19th, 1919, at Dunedin, Sapper Fred Maitland, of Australian Engineers, dearly beloved husband of Edith Maitland, and youngest son of William and Clara Maitland. Deeply mourned.  -Evening Star, 20/5/1919.

The remains of Sapper Fred Maitland, late of the Australian Engineers, were buried with military honors at the Northern Cemetery this afternoon. There was the usual firing party, and ‘The Last Post’ was sounded by a bugler at the graveside. The funeral left the home of the deceased in Forth street, and every flag in the neighborhood was flown at half-mast.   -Evening Star, 22/5/1919.

I have been able to find nothing in contemporary newspapers referring to the cause of death of Fred Maitland.  His Australian Army record is not to be found online, unlike those of New Zealand soldiers.  It is probable that he is the Private Maitland (Sapper is a corresponding Engineer rank) referred to in the story below.

SOLDIER MENTAL PATIENTS. 

The Prime Minister having stated that before he could consider the association’s request for a public court of inquiry into the admission and treatment of soldier mental patients at Seacliff definite cases would have to be cited, the sub-committee recommended that the ‘‘following names of ex-mental patients and others” be submitted to Mr Massey — Privates Donald Macintosh (Hanmer), A. R. D. Box (Port Chalmers), W. B. Miller (Portobello), Nurse Miller, Mrs J. K. Macfie, and Colonel T. W. McDonald. The report mentioned that Private Macintosh had allegations to make as to the treatment of Privates Creely and Maitland, and that Colonel McDonald would give evidence in support of other cases. Mr Jones moved, and Mr McNish seconded, the adoption of the report, with a view to sending it on to the Prime Minister. After further discussion the motion was carried.  -Evening Star, 20/10/1920.

The concerns that the RSA had about soldiers being put in mental hospitals were mainly that they were not being committed after due process and that some who had been wounded in the head were being placed in conditions which were not helpful to their condition.  The Defence Minister's response was that the lack of formal committal was to avoid the stigma associated with time spent in a mental hospital.  I can see both sides, assuming that the issue stated was all that the RSA had problems with under the heading of "treatment."

Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.