Roseneath School WW1 Memorial

[ZackNZ]

Hi all

I’ve always been intrigued by little discrete WW1 memorials doting the New Zealand landscape and one that is very close to home is Roseneath School in Wellington New Zealand. Such memorials are probably doted around the globe and this is my little attempt to put some ‘fresh on the bones’ for 12 names inscribed on stone from another time. Well I’ve reviewed these young men’s’ military files and will provide further details over time. The Roseneath School memorial lists the following 12 men who either died of wounds (5), disease (2) or were killed in action (5).

1. ASTON Francis Cyril 4/1028 Sapper Sixth Reinforcements New Zealand Field Engineers Killed in action, Gallipoli 11/11/15 Buried EMBARKATION PIER CEMETERY

2. BRIDGE Hugh Decimus 24332 Sergt-Major11th Reinforcements 2nd Battalion, F Company New Zealand Rifle Brigade "B" Coy. 3rd Bn. 3rd Killed in action, France, 25/11/17 BUTTES NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, POLYGON WOOD

3. BRIDGE Lance 8/2255 Private Otago Infantry Batln died of wounds at sea x Gallipoli 13/8/15 Buried LONE PINE MEMORIAL

4. DUNN James 71202 Gunner Died of disease UK, 22/9/18 TIDWORTH MILITARY CEMETERY

5. HARLEN Percy 10/2430 Private Wellington Infantry Batln Died of disease, Mudros x Gallipoli 14/11/15 Buried PORTIANOS MILITARY CEMETERY

6. HODDER Herbert 26/1618 Rifleman New Zealand Rifle Brigade Killed in action, France, 12/9/16 Buried SERRE ROAD CEMETERY No.2

7. PACKER Delroy Baron 69280 Private Killed in action, France, 15/7/18 Buried GOMMECOURT WOOD NEW CEMETERY, FONCQUEVILLERS

8. ROBERTS John Victor 2/2252 Gunner Bombardier Field Artillery Draft Seventh Died of wounds, France, 27/8/18 Buried BAGNEUX BRITISH CEMETERY, GEZAINCOURT

9. SCOTT Hubert George 50524 Gunner Died of wounds, France, 27/9/18 Buried LOUVERVAL MILITARY CEMETERY, DOIGNIES

10. SMITH John Black 2/2543 Gunner Eighth Reinforcements New Zealand Field Artillery Died of wounds, France, 6/10/16 Buried DARTMOOR CEMETERY, BECORDEL-BECOURT

11. WEST John Bruce 8/3431 Private Eighth Reinforcements Otago Infantry Batln Killed in action, France, 3/7/16 Buried CITE BONJEAN MILITARY CEMETERY, ARMENTIERES

12. WILSON James Alexander 11/1869 Trooper Wellington Mounted Rifles Draft Seventh Died of wounds, France, 14/12/17 Buried MENIN ROAD SOUTH MILITARY CEMETERY

I invite all forum members to contribute to this dedication.

Watch this space for my contribution.

Regards

Zack

[ZackNZ]

The following two websites have further details of the 12 Roseneath Memorial men. Warning: websites are not always accurate – which I’m sure most researchers understand. There are five men on the Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph who have photos, although one is a little dubious as to whether or not it is the man.

1 ASTON Francis Cyril 4/1028 Sapper Sixth Reinforcements New Zealand Field Engineers Killed in action, Gallipoli 11/11/15 Buried EMBARKATION PIER CEMETERY

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...casualty=605751

http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/c...2&Ordinal=1

2. BRIDGE Hugh Decimus 24332 Sergt-Major11th Reinforcements 2nd Battalion, F Company New Zealand Rifle Brigade "B" Coy. 3rd Bn. 3rd Killed in action, France, 25/11/17 BUTTES NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, POLYGON WOOD

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...casualty=480129

http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/c...8&Ordinal=1

3. BRIDGE Lance 8/2255 Private Otago Infantry Batln died of wounds at sea x Gallipoli 13/8/15 Buried LONE PINE MEMORIAL

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...casualty=719973

http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/c...2&Ordinal=1

Note: The above site has a photo of ‘Tpr Lance Bridge’ – Source: Auckland Weekly News 1915

4. DUNN James 71202 Gunner Died of disease UK, 22/9/18 TIDWORTH MILITARY CEMETERY

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...casualty=405938

http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/c...6&Ordinal=7

Note: The above site has a photo of ‘Pte Jock D Dunn’ - Source: Auckland Weekly News 1918

5. HARLEN Percy 10/2430 Private Wellington Infantry Batln Died of disease, Mudros x Gallipoli 14/11/15 Buried PORTIANOS MILITARY CEMETERY

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...casualty=626827

http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/c...2&Ordinal=1

6. HODDER Herbert 26/1618 Rifleman New Zealand Rifle Brigade Killed in action, France, 12/9/16 Buried SERRE ROAD CEMETERY No.2

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...casualty=608938

http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/c...5&Ordinal=2

Note: The above site has a photo of ‘Rfmn H Hodder’ - Source: Auckland Weekly News 1916

7. PACKER Delroy Baron 69280 Private Killed in action, France, 15/7/18 Buried GOMMECOURT WOOD NEW CEMETERY, FONCQUEVILLERS

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...casualty=305589

http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/c...2&Ordinal=1

8. ROBERTS John Victor 2/2252 Gunner Bombardier Field Artillery Draft Seventh Died of wounds, France, 27/8/18 Buried BAGNEUX BRITISH CEMETERY, GEZAINCOURT

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...?casualty=57921

http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/c...8&Ordinal=1

9. SCOTT Hubert George 50524 Gunner Died of wounds, France, 27/9/18 Buried LOUVERVAL MILITARY CEMETERY, DOIGNIES

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...casualty=267527

http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/c...3&Ordinal=1

Note: The above site has a photo of ‘Gunner H G Scott’ - Source: Auckland Weekly News 1918

10. SMITH John Black 2/2543 Gunner Eighth Reinforcements New Zealand Field Artillery Died of wounds, France, 6/10/16 Buried DARTMOOR CEMETERY, BECORDEL-BECOURT

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...?casualty=39223

http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/c...3&Ordinal=1

11. WEST John Bruce 8/3431 Private Eighth Reinforcements Otago Infantry Batln Killed in action, France, 3/7/16 Buried CITE BONJEAN MILITARY CEMETERY, ARMENTIERES

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...casualty=277625

Note the regimental number listed in the CWGC site above is incorrect i.e. the “1” after the “8” shouldn’t be there.

http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/c...9&Ordinal=1

Note: The above site has a photo of ‘Pte J Bruce West’ - Source: Auckland Weekly News 1916

12. WILSON James Alexander 11/1869 Trooper Wellington Mounted Rifles Draft Seventh Died of wounds, France, 14/12/17 Buried MENIN ROAD SOUTH MILITARY CEMETERY

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...?casualty=97204

http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/c...2&Ordinal=3

The interesting issue is will these men’s military files accord with what’s recorded in the above websites? We will see.

Zack

[ZackNZ]

Roseneath Memorial Wellington New Zealand

[ZackNZ]

Roseneath Memorial from the front

[ZackNZ]

Forum members may have noticed (?) that I posted only 12 members of the Roseneath Memorial when in fact there are 13 - a baker’s dozen! The missing man - mea culpa - is:

13 HUGHES Bertram William Pitt 69350 Corporal L/Cpl, Killed in action, France, 8/10/18 Buried NAVES COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION

Website references:

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...casualty=307843

http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/c...4&Ordinal=1

Apologies Bertram!

Zack

[ZackNZ]

Well I've reviewed all 13 men's files and will post summaries soon.

Zack

[ZackNZ]

Hi all

While I haven’t forgotten my commitment to place a summary of the Roseneath men on the forum here is a newspaper article I’ve come across on one of them - Lance Bridge’s death!

A SOLDIER’S DEATH

Some particulars of the death of Lance-Corpl Lance Bridge, son of Mr H B Bridge, of Oriental Bay, and brother of Mr Rex Bridge, of Kaponga, have reached Wellington, says the Dominion: “I was speaking to two chaps who saw the last of him, and the way he died was equal to anything I have ever read about in the history or the war. There had just been a charge by the Turks, and, of course, our chaps were out of the trenches to meet them. When the charge was repulsed, and our fellows were back in the trenches, Lance noticed another ex-Samoan lying wounded about ten to twenty yards out. He immediately dropped his rifle and rushed out to pull his mate in. He got his man up over his shoulder, and had started back with him when the Turks turned a machine gun on to the two of them. The wounded man was immediately killed, absolutely riddled, and poor old Lance got it all up and down one side. He managed to get back to the trench, but within half an hour he was almost completely paralysed. They carried him down to the beach, and tried to get him abroad one of the hospital boats, and now comes the best of the whole incident: Lance knew he was done, and he absolutely refused to be placed aboard the vessel, making room for chaps less seriously wounded. He had to be left on the beach, exposed to the heat of the day, and to the flies and insects, which simply swarm, over there. He only got food and water from chaps who passed casually. This went on for very near a week, and when the congestion of the wounded slackened off he was placed abroad a boat but died at sea.”

Source: The Hawera and Normandy Star Monday October 25 1915 page 4

Cheers

Zack

[ZackNZ]

Another interesting little article on the Roseneath School and the Mount Cook School – Wellington NZ”

"At the Roseneath School, Corporal Aldrich, who has served on Gallipoli and in France, spoke to the young pupils, standing besides the monument which has been erected to the memory of all boys who have fallen on the field of battle. Major Andrews told the story of Gallipoli to the children of the Mount Cook School, and suitable addresses were also given at all the other schools, in one of which the Minister for Education told the children that “one crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name.”

Source: New Zealand Freelance May 2 1918 page 17

More to come.

Cheers

Zack

[ZackNZ]

The following is an interesting article on Herbert B Bridge father of the Bridge boys who feature on the Roseneath memorial:

"Mr Herbert B Bridge, of Oriental Bay, who was sub editor of the Wellington ‘Post’ until he retired from harness many years ago, was in evidence at the soldiers farewell on Monday last. He was cultivating what Victor Hugo calls ‘The Art of Being Grandfather’. I fine, chubby little infant was in his arms and its sire was just off to the front, leaving Grandpa to keep an eye on wife and bairn. Hugh Decimus is the fourth of the Bridge boys to go to the front, and as his name implies he is the tenth son of the family (also the youngest). Lance fell at Gallipoli gallantly fighting for his country, Cyprian is in charge of a machine-gun section of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, and Leonard is QMS of the 3rd Battalion of the same Rifle Brigade. The grandfather of these boys, who all manifest such a fine patriotic spirit, was Colonel Bridge of the 58th Regiment (the old ‘Black Cuffs’) which served with distinction in the Maori wars, and whose battle-torn colours bearing the names of the most celebrated battles in India and the Peninsula War now repost as sacred relics in Auckland.

By the way, a recent par in the Freelance touching the celebration of Herbert Bridge’s 67th birthday led some Manawatu pressmen in the sleepy watches of the night to jump to the conclusion that Herbert had shuffled off this mortal coil at the age of 67, and he forthwith wrote and printed a complimentary obituary. A friend snipped it out of the paper and posted it on to Mr. Bridge with the laconic comment: ‘ Have informed offending press fiend that you are out after his scalp armed with a meat axe."

Source New Zealand Freelance September 29, 1916

Cheers

Zack

[ZackNZ]

Archives NZ References for Roseneath men

Archives NZ now has for those interested PDF copies of the following 10 Roseneath Memorial men’s files:

ASTON Francis Cyril 4/1028

http://archway.archives.govt.nz/SimpleSear...Francis%20Cyril

BRIDGE Hugh Decimus 24332

http://archway.archives.govt.nz/SimpleSear...0Hugh%20Decimus

BRIDGE Lance 8/2255

http://archway.archives.govt.nz/SimpleSear...=BRIDGE%20Lance

DUNN James 71202

http://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?OID=17131118

HARLEN Percy 10/2430

http://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?OID=16791713

HODDER Herbert 26/1618

http://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?OID=18048565

HUGHES Bertram William Pitt 69350

http://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?OID=18050627

PACKER Delroy Baron 69280

http://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?OID=7858709

ROBERTS John Victor 2/2252

http://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?OID=10936607

SCOTT Hubert George 50524

http://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?OID=7826342

The following three files are not yet on line:

1. SMITH John Black 2/2543

2. WEST John Bruce 8/3431

3. WILSON James Alexander 11/1869

Cheers

Zack

[ZackNZ]

Photos

If anyone is interested I’ve photos of the following 8 Roseneath Memorial men:

BRIDGE Hugh Decimus 24332

BRIDGE Lance 8/2255

DUNN James 71202

HODDER Herbert 26/1618

HUGHES Bertram William Pitt 69350

SCOTT Hubert George 50524

SMITH John Black 2/2543

WEST John Bruce 8/3431

Zack