Private Robert William Leaf - Matakohe Memorial

 http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C8621?rs=%2fwar-memorial%2fonline-cenotaph%2fsearch%3fn%3dleaf&ck=21ef5d7da8d736a183b9612adbdc34ce&ordinal=1

Robert William Leaf known as "Willie" was the eldest of 5 boys and 1 girl.  Born and raised in Matakohe his father had been one of the pioneering 'Albertlanders', the name given to a thousand immigrants who arrived at Port Albert in the Kaipara harbour in 1862. 

Prior to enlisting Willie had been sheep farming with his younger brother Toin in the Kaipara region and together they enlisted at the beginning of October 1916,  embarking from Wellington on 2 April 1917.

They marched alongside each other into Sling camp, England,  Etaples camp, France  and then on 25 July 1917 joined the 2nd Battalion of the Auckland Infantry Regiment at Messines.  Less than a week later the brothers were separated by death,  when Willie was killed in action on 1 August 1917.   Months later on 27 March 1918 Toin was seriously wounded, receiving injuries to his face and right arm.  He ultimately lost an eye and was invalided back to New Zealand a few days before the Armistice was declared.

Willie's body was never recovered and he is remembered on the Messines Ridge (New Zealand) Memorial, Messines Ridge British Cemetery, Belgium.   His family back in New Zealand struggled with the fact that Willie had no known grave.  A line from a memorial poem placed regularly by the family on the anniversary of his death in the years following the war, shows the depth of their feeling and grief. 

 "But the unknown grave is the bitterest blow" 

They also placed notices in the New Zealand Herald asking returned servicemen for any information on Willie's death in the hope that his body would be located and given a proper burial.

 

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18157, 1 August 1922, Page 1

  

Back in New Zealand Toin's suffered poor health as a result of the injuries he suffered in the war.  He died in 1929 of pulmonary tuberculosis.

 

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 154, 2 July 1929, Page 5

 

A further brother Alfred also served in World War One enlisting on 9 March 1917 and embarking on the 'Ulimaroa' on 26 July 1917, only days before his brother was killed in action.  Before departing he married Phyllis Grice on 19 June 1917.  Alfred survived the war but not unscathed.  

There is a note on his Cenotaph database record stating he returned to New Zealand with a nervous disorder caused by a train accident.  After looking at Alfred's service record I concluded the accident he was involved in was the Bere Ferrers train accident which took place on 24 September 1917.

A train carrying disembarked New Zealand troops from the 'Ulimaroa' and 'Norman'  was on route from Plymouth to Sling camp on the Salisbury Plain. The train stopped for signals at Bere Ferrers in Devon, when troops mistakenly got off the train thinking  they had reached their refreshment stop in Exeter.   The soldiers were hit by an oncoming express train as they alighted from the wrong side of the train.  Ten New Zealand soldiers were killed as a result of the accident.

 http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/page/bere-ferrers-rail-accident

Lance Corporal Edward Angel - Matakohe memorial

Corporal Edward Angel was the youngest of three brothers who together embarked on 14 February 1915 aboard the 'Warrimoo' as part of the 1st Maori Contingent.  According to newspaper reports Edward was only 15 years old or thereabouts when he enlisted.  In James Cowans' book 'Maori in the Great War' Cowan tells us how:

"...it was the custom of the Maori to enter the firing line in the early teens.  Many a man of the old generation went on his first war trail at the age of twelve."

How old Edward actually was is open to debate, I could not find any official entry of his birth and on his Commonwealth Grave Commission record it states he was 19 years old when he died of his wounds in December 1917.  Before embarking Richard the eldest of the three brothers would most likely have promised his parents William and Mary Angel, that he would watch out for his younger brothers.  

The Maori contingent was not at the initial landing at Gallipoli in April 1915,  instead they were camped in Malta awaiting orders.  Finally after a frustrating wait and watching troops come and go from the Gallipoli Pennisula the contingent left for Gallipoli in June 1915.

On 6 August 1915 at the Battle of Sari Bair, William was wounded and subsequently medically evacuated back to Malta and from there to England.  In February 1916,  he returned to New Zealand minus a finger and with a bullet wound to the leg.  He was medically discharged on 10 May 1916.  In his service record I found evidence that he attempted to re-enlist at the beginning of June of the same year, however I could find no evidence that he was accepted.

The Angel brothers may well have been together when Richard led a section out to clear barbed wire entanglements from Chailak Dere,  before the main attack on 6 August 1915.  When the battle was over Richard was promoted to Corporal and awarded the Military Medal for bravery as a result of his actions, his citation reads:

'Bravery in attack on Turkish trenches on Bauchop's Hill and removing wire entanglements in Chailak Dere, Gallipoli, on August 6th.  Led his section with the utmost dash.'

After the evacuation of Gallipoli Edward and Richard embarked for France at the beginning of April 1916.  In July 1916 Edward was admitted to hospital suffering from debility, today  debility would be known as chronic fatigue syndrome.  Edward was at the most only 17/18 years of age and had been exposed to all the horrors of war while still a boy, witnessing more death than life.  This must have had a profound negative effect on his physical and mental health.  Yet less than a month after hospitalisation he was back at the front until he contracted mumps in May 1917. After recovering he returned to the front again and spent a short spell at the casualty clearing station with influenza, before going on leave on 18 July 1917.

Edward returned from leave at the end of July and was promoted to Lance Corporal on 8 December 1917.  Shortly after his third Christmas as a soldier away from his home and family in New Zealand he was fatally wounded on 28 December 1917.  He was buried at Ramparts Cemetery. Lille Gate, Ieper, Belgium.

Richard survived the war and when the armistice was announced on 11 November 1918, he was on leave in Paris.  Despite the celebrations followed his thoughts would most likely have been of is younger brother Edward. Richard returned to New Zealand in February 1919.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16760, 29 January 1918, Page 5

Emotional reception for piece of Gallipoli - Waikato Times

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/66325204/emotional-reception-for-piece-of-gallipoli

Matakohe Memorial - Northland

 

 

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17980, 4 January 1922, Page 4

Papers Past 

I came across the Matakohe war memorial by chance on a drive back from the Far North last year.  The memorial is well place on a hill overlooking the land beyond, on which many of those inscribed on the memorial would have farmed on before enlisting and embarking for war.

The memorial was unveiled on 3 January 1922.

New look Cenotaph Database

I love the new look of the Cenotaph database from Auckland Museum.  Congratulations to all involved.  I especially like how we can all contribute to the site. Take a look.

http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph 

Private Harry McKillop - Mt Eden War Memorial

 

http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C9822?rs=%2fwar-memorial%2fonline-cenotaph%2fsearch%2f%3fn%3dharry%2bmckillop&ck=befb76715cb2e8a0e7a423e69ca20a72&ordinal=0 

Harry McKillop and his brother Gordon were both young boys when orphaned in 1902.  Their father Arthur, was killed as a result of a railway accident at Mt Eden in February 1900 and their mother Annie dropped dead on the street, most likely from a heart attack in 1902.  The boys were then taken into the care of their maternal grandmother and raised at 27 Virginia Avenue, Mt Eden.  

After finishing school they sought careers at sea.  Gordon with Huddard, Parker & Co. and Harry with Union Steamship Company.  When war broke out they were keen to enlist despite their young ages.

Harry (the eldest of the two) enlisted first in February 1915 aged 19.  Embarking with the Auckland Infantry Battalion on 13 June 1915.  At Gallipoli he was invalided to hospital in Malta with exhaustion in reality he was most likely suffering shell shock/shell concussion.  His recovery was slow and he was sent to England in September 1915 where he spent time at Bethnal Green Hospital. 

In July 1916 the powers to be decided, he was once again fit for military service and he rejoined his unit with the Auckland Infantry Battalion in Armentieres, France.  Shortly afterwards he was wounded in action on 27 September 1916, receiving a gun shot wound to chest.  He was admitted to the 38th casualty clearing station where he died aged 20, on 6 October 1916.  He is buried at the Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-l'Abbe, Somme, France. 

Meanwhile his younger brother Gordon despite being only 18 years of age had enlisted and embarked on 27 May 1916 arriving in England in July 1916.  Gordon no doubt was looking forward to being reunited with his brother in France.  Sadly however he did not leave for France until late in October 1916, after his brothers death.  Gordon survived the war  and was discharged in April 1920 only 20 years old.  After returning to New Zealand he married and eventually moved to Australia where he died in 1978 aged 80.

In Harry's military record I found a short typed note requesting that in the event of his death a message be sent to his Aunt (Miss L. Ross) asking that:

"If Gordon,  comes back safe give him my ring, watch and pen and tell him to always keep them"

I hope that Harry's wish was carried out and that today they are the treasured possessions of Gordon's descendants.

Bert & Syd Rinaldi - Waiau Memorial, Canterbury

http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C13079?rs=%2fwar-memorial%2fonline-cenotaph%2fsearch%2f%3fn%3drinaldi&ck=2cd61a227028f0bf8085de51b0ed4ac7&ordinal=0     
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C13080?rs=%2fwar-memorial%2fonline-cenotaph%2fsearch%2f%3fn%3drinaldi&ck=2cd61a227028f0bf8085de51b0ed4ac7&ordinal=1 

Herbert Edward Rinaldi and Sydney Thomas Rinaldi (known as Bert & Syd) were the two eldest sons of Edward and Margaret Rinaldi of Waiau.  Both boys were born in West Eyreton in Canterbury and educated in Waiau and after leaving school were employed on local farms in the area.

At the outbreak of war both were keen to enlist.  Being the eldest Bert was first enlisting in February 1915,  just 20 years old.  He embarked with the Field Artillery on 13 June 1915.  After a few months in the Middle East, Bert sailed for France aboard the 'Minnewaska" on 5 April 1916.  Once in France he was soon at the Front where during the first Battle of the Somme he was killed in action on 17 September 1916.  He was buried at Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, Somme.  Bert's family would have been devastated at the news of his death,  especially as their second son Syd was already on his way to France.  

Syd like his brother was also keen to enlist, doing so just after his 20th birthday on 1 May 1916.  He embarked with the Canterbury Infantry Battalion on 21 August 1916, disembarking in the UK towards the end of October.  After a spell in Sling camp he left for France on 15 November 1916.  On 7 April 1917, five days before his 21st birthday, Syd was killed in action near Messines, Belgium.  He was buried at La Plus Douve Farm Cemetery, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium.

As I have said before we can only imagine the grief felt by the Rinaldi family, losing two sons so young and in less than a year.  I came across a lovely description of Syd in 'The Press' dated 27 April 1917:

"... a young man of quiet retiring disposition, and of sterling qualities, and was most highly respected throughout the district"

Such words I'm certain could be used to describe many of the young men who left New Zealand to serve in World War One, keen to do their duty, fighting a war thousands of miles away, not knowing the horrors that lay before them.

Both brothers are remembered on the Waiau Memorial.

     

2nd Lieutenant Lionel Matthew Tansey - Ohakune Memorial

Prior to enlisting in September 1915, Lionel Tansey who was 30 years old, had for several years been a solicitor in Ohakune in partnership with Thomas A. Harris.  His parents Michael & Frances Tansey were farmers at Raetihi.

Lionel embarked from Wellington on 5 February 1916 with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade (NZRB) aboard the 'Ulimaroa'.  His younger brother Frank Ellis Tansey embarked from Wellington on the same day also with the NZRB aboard the 'Arawa'. 

On arrival in Suez the brothers were reunited aboard the 'Alaunia' on which they embarked for France on 7 April 1916.  Once in France Lionel fell sick and was hospitalised for a short time. He rejoined his unit, the 3rd Battalion NZRB, at the beginning of July 1916 where he would again be reunited with Frank who was also part of the 3rd Battalion. 

On 15 September 1916 the Battalion took part in the the First Battle of the Somme at Flers-Courcelette.   The Battalion was part of the NZ 3rd Brigade of whom 2800 were deployed that day.  By the end of the day 308 of the 3rd were killed and 892 wounded including sadly Frank Tansey who was one of those who died.  All together 602 New Zealanders died on 15 September 1916, 43% of them from the 3rd Brigade.  Of some comfort to the Tansey family back in New Zealand was the knowledge that Frank's body had been recovered and buried in the A.I.F. Burial Ground, Flers. Many of the dead that day were never recovered or identified.  Frank is also remembered on the Raetihi memorial.

 

http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C15439?rs=%2fwar-memorial%2fonline-cenotaph%2fsearch%3fn%3dtansey&ck=829268a115cca50aa6d5c93fbeb1e5d2&ordinal=1 

Despite his brother's death or maybe because of it, Lionel rose quickly through the ranks eventually receiving a commission in the field and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 15 January 1917 being transferred to NZ Machine Gun Corps.  On his military record he was described as a:

" Very capable officer with a good command of men"

After enjoying leave in the UK from 10 September 1917 Lionel rejoined his unit in the field on 24 September 1917.  He then saw action at Passchendaele where on 12 October 1917 he was severely wounded by machine gun fire in the left shoulder.  Invalided back to the UK the shoulder proved slow to heal and he was transferred from hospital to a convalescent home in Brighton, Sussex.  Eventually he was given 3 months sick leave and sent back to New Zealand in April 1918.   In New Zealand Lionel's health deteriorated due to him contracting TB. At his own request he was admitted to the Mona House private hospital on Carlton Gore Road in Auckland.   On 12 March 1919 at the age of 33, Lionel died at Mona House.  His body was returned to Raetihi where he was buried in the cemetery.  

After Lionel's death Thomas A. Harris, with whom he had been in practice with as a solicitor in Ohakune, made sure that whoever acquired his business at a later date would keep both the names of Harris & Tansey in the name of the firm.   This was no doubt a form of remembrance to Lionel and Harris's son Roy who had been killed in action on the Somme on 5 April 1918.  

Both Lionel and Roy are remembered on the Ohakune Memorial.

Sources: From the Uttermost Ends of the Earth, John H. Gray, 
Auckland Cenotaph Database,
Papers Past, National Library of New Zealand,
CWGC 

Lance Corporal Charles Basil Beeson - Remuera Memorial

Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 31-B1912.

Lance Corporal Charles Beeson was the son of George and Joanna Beeson, he was born and educated at Waiorongomai in the Bay of Plenty on completion of his schooling he became a teacher and prior to enlisting in May 1916 he was teaching in Matamata where by all accounts he was well respected.    His father passed away in 1909 and his mother lived at 81 Clonbern Road, Remuera at the time of Charles's enlistment.  He was one of four of nine sons who served in World War One.

Charles embarked with the 8th reinforcements as part of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade on 23 September 1916 aboard the Pakeha.  Charles came close to surviving the war but was sadly killed in action on 8 September 1918 at Havrincourt, France most likely from machine gun fire or a sniper.  He was buried at Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, France.

The photo of Charles above depicts a confident and happy man and this is surely how his family would have remembered him.  A photo taken of him in September 1918 would most likely have told a very different story one of a battle weary, aged man waiting for the war to end.

 

Charles's three brothers who served survived the war, Alfred Victor Beeson was invalided home to New Zealand before the end of the war.  Gordon Ivan Beeson who was signed up in 1918 never left New Zealand and Ernest Stanley Beeson who was in the USA enlisted with the Aviation Corp of the USA. He returned to New Zealand after the war.

 

Costar Brothers - Papakura Memorial

 

http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/Cenotaph/3222.detail?Ordinal=3&c_surname_search=costar&c_warconflict_search=%22world+war+i,+1914-1918%22 

http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/Cenotaph/3221.detail?Ordinal=2&c_surname_search=costar&c_warconflict_search=%22world+war+i,+1914-1918%22 

Far away from those who loved them

Comrades gently laid them to rest

In far away graves they are sleeping

Two of God's bravest and best

In the pride of early manhood

Like the dawn of a beautiful day

They fought with the bravest of the brave

In the thickest of the fray

Every night when the sun goes west

And the toil of the day is done

How I long for the boys who we all loved well

And the smile of the lads that have gone 

The poem above was inserted in the New Zealand Herald on 9 December 1918 in memory of the Costar brothers by their family on the one year anniversary of the death of Walter Costar.

Reginald (known as Reg) and Walter (known as Wally or Walt) Costar were the sons of Matoaka and Sarah Costar farmers in Karaka.  Their father arrived in New Zealand in 1865, he was born on the journey from London aboard the Matoaka somewhere in the Atlantic hence his parents named him Matoaka Atlantic Costar.

Walter embarked with the 9th Reinforcements on 8 January 1916 before enlisting he had been employed as an electrician with A & T Burt of Auckland. He was first wounded on 19 June 1917 but soon recovered and was back in the field before the end of June 1917.  He was awarded the Military Medal for 'Bravery in the field'.  I found an account in the New Zealand Herald dated 12 February 1918 which stated that:

'Fitter Costar was awarded the Military Medal for repairing a gun under heavy shell fire and for rescuing a comrade whose gun have been blown to pieces'

On 5 December 1918 Walter was wounded a second time with fatal consequences.  He died of his wounds on 9 December 1917 aged 24 years and was buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.

His brother Reginald embarked with the 26th Reinforcements on 12 June 1917 when he disembarked at Devonport, England on 16 August 1917 he was immediately hospitalised with Measles.  Once recovered he was sent to Codford camp and then to Sling Camp where he would have received the news of his brothers death.  He finally embarked for France in December 1917 attached to the Auckland Infantry Battalion, however by February he was back in hospital with Influenza. Once recovered he rejoined the Auckland Regiment in March 1918. 

On 13 September 1918 Reginald was wounded in the thigh and admitted to the advanced dressing station of the 3rd New Zealand field ambulance.  He died of his wounds the same day aged 22 and is buried at Serre Road Cemetery No 2, Somme, France.

The family continued to remember the boys in the New Zealand Herald on the anniversary of their deaths for many years to come including through the second world war.   

Frozen in time: see WW1 soldier's room left untouched for a century - Daily Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-one/11179250/Frozen-in-time-see-WW1-soldiers-room-left-untouched-for-a-century.html

Take a look inside the French World War One soldier's room which has been preserved in time for almost 100 years since his death on the battlefields of Flanders - an amazing story.

Amazing photographs from the Daily Telegraph of the poppies surrounding the Tower of London

Take a look at this amazing sight a real tribute to those who fell in WW1

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-one/11190262/Poppy-Appeal-Artwork-commemorates-the-fallen-soldiers-of-First-World-War.html

2nd Lieutenant Gordon Gerald Harper - Waiau Memorial, Canterbury

http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/Cenotaph/6400.detail?Ordinal=1&c_serialnumber_search=7/516

Second Lieutenant Gordon Gerald Harper was born in Christchurch the sixth son of George and Agnes Harper of Christchurch.  The Harper family were a well known Canterbury family and a deeply religious one - Gordon's grandfather Right Rev Henry J.C. Harper had been the first  Anglican Bishop of Canterbury (Agnes Harper Gordon's mother was a Roman Catholic and the children were baptised Catholic).   When Gordon enlisted with his brother Robert, known as Robin, in August 1914 they had been a sheep farmers in Waiau, North Canterbury.  Gordon had recently been selected to be the Reform Party candidate for Riccarton however he withdrew his candidacy before embarking. 

 

Press, Volume L, Issue 15071, 12 September 1914

Both Gordon and Robin embarked with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles as part of the Main Body on 16 October 1914.  Another brother Philip Hamilton Harper who had served in the Boer war also embarked with the Main Body. Once at Gallipoli all three brothers saw plenty of action.  Philip took part in the Anzac day landing and Gordon was wounded at Suvla Bay on 21 August 1915 with a gun shot wound to the neck and medically evacuated to England.

Gordon and Robin were both awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.) for their actions at Suvla Bay.  Their citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry between the 21st and the 30th August, 1915, at Kaiajik Aghala (Dardanelles), when in charge of machine guns. He invariably displayed great bravery and devotion to duty. L.G. 11 March 1916, p2746.

Both brothers were also Mentioned in Despatches (M.I.D.): in connection with operations described in General I. Hamilton's dispatch dated 11 December 1915. L.G. 28 January 1916, p1210.
 
In a letter printed in Glyn Harper's book 'Letters from Gallipoli' Gordon writes to his mother of his concern at leaving his brother Robin behind in Gallipoli:

"What worries me more than the pain is having to leave Robin behind still in a very dangerous place.... Robin deserves the V.C. carrying me out of the trench to the doctor..."

Whilst in England Gordon received his commission and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in October 1915.  He also received the news that Robin too had earned a commission and that he had been invalided to Malta which came as a great relief to Gordon knowing that Robin was away from the firing line.  Philip too was invalided and a letter written by Gordon to his mother mentions that he had seen Philip in England recovering from gastritis.

By January 1916 Gordon was back in the Middle East and reunited with his brother Robin.  On 9 August 1916 Robin together with his horse would again carry his brother wounded from the battlefield.  Sadly this time Gordon's wounds were fatal and he died a few days later on 12 August 1916 in Cairo hospital. Below is an extract from the 'History of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, 1914-1919' which recalls the event:

A great fight was put up by the machine guns. Lieut. Gordon Harper, the gallant commander of the section of machine guns attached to the Canterbury Regiment, was mortally wounded and brought out with great difficulty by his famous brother, Captain Robert Harper, O.C. Machine Gun Squadron.

In a letter from Robin to his parents George and Agnes after Gordon's death recounts Gordon's last words to him:

"I am not the least afraid of death but it is only for Mother and Father and the others that I am thinking"

Robin was heartbroken at the death of his brother telling his parents in the same letter:

"he was more than a brother if that's possible... the last 2 years... we have fought side by side all the time"

In Gordon's personal effects which Robin sent home to his parents was a rosary that Gordon had apparently carried with him to the operating theatre in the Cairo hospital where he died.  Gordon was a devout Roman Catholic and I am sure his family and especially his mother were comforted by the return of the Rosary beads. In many of his letters to his mother Gordon had often mentioned his faith, telling her in a letter dated Sunday, 25 July 1915 that:

"Robin and I are safe and sound so far, thanks I am sure to the continued prayers sent up for us by you and so many at home..."

In a further letter dated 22nd August 1915 he mentions how Father Dore had heard their confessions before Gordon was medically evacuated from Gallipoli (in August 1915).  He also told his mother how  "I never forget to say the two hymns of the Vespers and Compline every night as they are so appropriate."

Gordon was 31 years old and was buried at Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.   Robin and Philip sadly missed the funeral. Although Robin did arrange his brother's headstone and hoped that one day his parents would see Gordon's resting place.

I found this wonderful tribute to Gordon in 'The Press' newspaper by one of his old school masters Mr O.T.J. Alpers, which gives us a real insight into Gordon's personality:

 

 

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16081, 11 December 1917

Robin survived the war despite being badly wounded in November 1917. He was by then commander of the machine gunners he was wounded three times and carried to safety. In Terry Kinloch's book 'Devils on Horses' there is an account of his rescue by Sgt Sydney Emmerson:

'...worked his (Sgt Emmerson) machine gun until it was disabled, then picked up his wounded officer, ran down the hill and swam with his officer across the river to safety.'

Sgt Emmerson won a D.C.M. for his actions but tragically he died of disease on 19 October 1918 in Palestine he is buried at Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel.

Robin Harper was decorated several times during WW1 receiving a Distinguished Service Medal (D.S.O.), Military Cross (M.C.) and the D.C.M. he won with his brother.  He was also M.I.D. three times.  He went on to serve in WW2 returning to Egypt for a short time which must have been a very emotional and poignant time for him.  He died at the age of 85 in 1972.  His wife Barbara edited letters sent by Gordon and Robin during WW1. A copy is held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum and have been invaluable in putting this piece together.

Philip Harper survived the war too however he died after complications from a fall aged 50 in 1933.

Following in his brothers footsteps a further brother Eric Tristram Harper embarked for the Middle East with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles on 31 May 1917.  Eric was a former member of the All Blacks from 1904-06.  He married Beatrice Randall at Westminster R.C. Cathedral, London in 1913 returning to New Zealand shortly after and at the time of enlisting they had two small children.   Eric was sadly killed in action less than a year later in Palestine on 30 April 1918 at the age of 40 years old.   Eric is remembered on the Jerusalem Memorial, Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel.

 

  

 

http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/Cenotaph/6396.detail?Ordinal=1&c_surname_search=harper&c_firstname_search=eric 

The Harper family undoubtedly served their country well and I am certain George and Agnes Harper were proud of all their sons but it had come at an enormous cost with the death of two sons.  To add to their grief a further son Edmund died of illness in 1917 at home in New Zealand.  He had served in the Boer War with Philip and another brother Cuthbert.

War News - 28 October 1914

  Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 103, 28 October 1914

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Otago Daily Times , Issue 16216, 28 October 1914