Staff Nurse Lindsay Gray

[MKC]

I'm looking for any information about a nurse, presumably Staff Nurse, Lindsay Gray who traveled out-bound from Australia to England via Suez, Alexandria, and Gibraltar aboard HMAHS Kanowna during July-August 1916. The National Archives of Australia don't appear to have a personnel file for her, so I'm wondering where else to look. A letter she wrote was published in an Australian newspaper in December 1916. 

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Mike

[frev]

Hi Mike - and welcome to the forum

 

Lindsay Gray was actually Alice Fullerton Gray, and at the time she was returning to the UK on the Kanowna, she was a member of (and in charge of) the 20 Red Cross Bluebirds being sent to France as a 'gift' from Australia.

See this link for more detail on the Bluebirds: https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/groupstories/8432

 

Unfortunately the National Archives don't have a file of any sort on her for me to be able to link my (incomplete) file to, but I'll attach what I have here for your info:

 

GRAY, Alice Fullerton (aka Lindsay) – Sister, BRC / FRC (Bluebird)

 

Born on the 23^rd of October 1879 in Sydney, NSW – daughter of William GRAY and Anne MAHONEY – who married in Vic in 1863

 

Siblings: Mary Jane b.1864 Yambuk, Vic; Edward John b.1865 Y; James b.1870 Belfast, Vic; Margaret Anne b.1872 Belfast, Vic – WW1: Sister (ARRC) BRC – d.16/1/1933 NSW; Agnes b.1874 B – Nurse – marr (Rev) James Thomas BATE 1901 Woollahra – d.1944 Nowra; Catherine Grace b.1877 B

 

Trained in nursing at the Coast Hospital, NSW

Travelled to Fiji and Honolulu in February 1914 on the SS Marama (with Nurse Norma Drewe) – Lindsay continued on from here to the UK in late 1914 to join her sister Margaret and serve in the war effort

 

WW1:

From the 30/12/1914 she served with the British Red Cross units in England and France before returning to Lismore for a brief holiday

1915: Brighton Royal Pavilion Indian Military Hospital, England (6mths from Dec 1914)

1915: No.2 British Red Cross Hospital, Rouen (with her sister Margaret)

Apr 1916: Returned to UK (with Margaret who was on Leave) – attending the Anzac Day parade in London on the 25^th

Returned to Australia on the Medina, departing London on the 28/4/1916

 

Resailed 4/7/1916 on the Kanowna in charge of the Red Cross Bluebirds

Served with French Red Cross units Apr 1917 to Sept 1917

 

Returned to Australia late 1917 / early 1918

 

Married Adolph MORITZSON on the 14^th of March 1923 at St Clement’s Church, Honolulu

 

The couple were living in Dunedin, NZ, in 1928, 1935

 

Adolph died in New Zealand on the 16/6/1935 and Lindsay returned to Australia where she died on the 2^nd of May 1936 in Cremorne, NSW

Cremated Rookwood Crematorium

 

 

The Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser (NSW), Tue 1 Dec 1914 (p.2):

Nurse Norma Drewe, who left some months ago for Fiji and Honolulu with Nurse Lindsay Gray, has returned to New South Wales, and will arrive this week on a visit to her sister, Miss B.B. Drewe, of Lismore.  Nurse Lindsay left for England to join her sister, Matron Gray, and Nurse McKenzie.

 

Northern Star (Lismore, NSW), Thur 18 Feb 1915 (p.2):

Nurse Lindsay Gray writes from Brighton on 22^nd December last: - “Nurse Gray has gone to a hospital (as superintendent) of 85 beds, and, though I understand it is a profound secret here, she, I believe, is to have charge of a hospital in Boulogne soon after Christmas.  I hope err this reaches you that she will be there, and so I shall not be guilty of telling State secrets.  For myself, I was sent here as one of twenty supervising sisters, in response to an urgent call from the War Office, with the promise that we shall all be sent on to France at the first opportunity.  Since last writing you there has been some hitch in the sending of nurses abroad.  Our fourteenth unit, told to be in readiness to leave for France at a minute’s notice, was stopped at the last moment.  Indeed, some were already in the train.  As a matter of fact we are doing a big? work here.  King George asked that the Royal Pavilion and Dome should be turned into a hospital for the Indian troops.  So the Corporation of Brighton has also turned over the county schools.  The pavilion was built by George IV, as a palace, but of late years used as a concert hall.  It is a beautiful place, great space filled now with beds and nice grounds.  Here, as a patient, and a very sick one too, they have the first Indian to receive a V.C.  He bayoneted a German officer, then 10 men.  After that he feigned death, was hit by a German with the butt of his rifle, but never turned a hair, and later on he and a German officer dressed each other’s wounds.  He tells the tale quite simply.  Nothing to make a fuss about he thinks.

I have been placed in charge of 95 patients, in eight wards, on two floors.  The Colonel in charge was very averse to the sisters doing work of any sort, so would not allow us to do a thing towards making the many class-rooms, etc., fit to receive sick people.  Alterations were still going on by the carpenters, plumbers, etc, when it all meant some work.  I went to see my wards in the morning, and met my chief medical officer, who told me 375 patients were expected after lunch but none were coming to our wards.  I decided I’d take a look round in the afternoon, and, whilst doing so, found one of my orderlies in great distress.  A Ghurka had been brought in, and what would he do.  Whilst we were fixing him, the wounded came in like ants – some walking, some being carried.  Such a hullabaloo.  Our 95 beds were quickly filled, and still they came.  There was not an inch of space to put another bed up, so we had to send them off to other wards.  I used to think six admissions in one day was a fair number, but 95.  However, I have a major and captain, English medical officers, and three Indian doctors with English diplomas, and who speak perfect English, so we got going and attended to 95 wounds, some, of course, trifling.  I have 21 orderlies, but some are colliers, some clerks, and other trades, none at all domesticated, not even able to wash a bowl.  But they have all made wonderful strides and are quite useful now.  Now I have breathing space, and can see a little of the patients and enjoy them.  There are all sorts and conditions, wonderfully intelligent, quick to learn, happy, and most grateful.  To-day I have been trying to explain the difference between Austria and Australia.  They are picking up English, and I Hindustani.  They are like children, and so philosophical.  Two have lost an eye each, and say “eye finish,” and then is interpreted, “It is war time, so they expect it.”  Oh, their poor frost-bitten feet and hands, but then they say “raining, and water in trenches, so being war time they must expect that,” and so, too, their coughs.  One man has to have his two feet amputated on account of frost bite.  They all say “trench.”  Now in one ward, where they are all pretty well convalescent and very bright, as soon as I go in they all salute and say “Salaam Mem Sahib,” then proceed to recite the following- “Inglees, good, Belg good, Roose good, France no good (none of them can be made to like the French).  Now I have taught them to add Orsthralian very good.  Then quickly they say “Germans no good, Turks no good.”  I had to get the interpreter, as they were hopelessly confused between Australia and Austria, so he explained about the Australian troops coming to Egypt, and probably to come on here, and then the fuss and excitement began again.  We were honoured last Sunday by a visit from H.R.H. Princess Henry of Battenberg (the late King Edward’s youngest sister).  She was most gracious to me, and visited every patient in my wards.  We are expecting the King and Queen after Xmas.

Boxing Day – another start.  We have had a very busy week.  Xmas Day came and went like a dream.  When we came to Brighton, we were billeted at a boarding house, and were to have furnished two large houses near the hospitals, but in the meantime the War Office took over a large boarding house, quite 20 minutes walk, and got us a matron for the home, so we leave at 9 a.m. in a Red Cross motor ambulance, returning for lunch from 12.30 till 2 p.m., and then home at 4.30 p.m.  When we are so busy we rarely get home before 5 to 7 p.m.  One of the sisters, whose home is in Wales, had two large plum puddings sent for us by her mother, and we certainly appreciated her kindness.  The King sent each Indian soldier a p.c. with his own and the Queen’s photographs, and a message on the back of it.  They were all so delighted.  Each one had to show them specially to the “Mem Sahib” (myself) and most familiarly said “George,” then as an after thought added “King”.  They really are most loveable.  We have a gramophone, and they all know “It’s a long, Long Way to Tipperary.”  In one ward of 10 beds, 20 more joined the concert yesterday afternoon.  Those in bed who were convalescent got up, and gave their beds as chairs for the visitors.  (No chairs in the hospital yet.)  One man got out of bed, and a few minutes later returned in a wheel chair himself.  I am posting you a card with the words of the recruiting song “Fall In.”  It is very fascinating when sung by a good baritone.  You will have heard already, before this letter leaves Brighton, of the aeroplane over Dover, and the …?… right up the Thames.  Certainly it is only an odd one, but if one can get in so easily, surely more can.

The Daily News (Perth, WA), Sat 29 May 1915 (p.5):

Mainly About People

Sister A.F. Lindsay Gray, of Dongrayald, Lismore (NSW), who has been working in a hospital for wounded soldiers in England, left London last month for the No. 2 British Red Cross Hospital, Rouen.  Her sister, Margaret, has been there since January.

 

Northern Star (Lismore, NSW), Mon 2 Aug 1915 (p.4):

PERSONAL

Mr O. Balhausen received a letter from Nurse Lindsay Gray from Reims, France, stating that she would be leaving for Australia on the 8^th September, and would remain here a month before going on to Honolulu to take charge of a hospital there.

 

Nurse Lindsay Gray of Lismore:

1915:

Jan 1915, Letter dated 10/12/14:  http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/72107939

Sept, Letter extracts from her patients: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/72090522

 

1916:

June: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/92796568

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/92796372

Brief visit home: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/92796837

 

 

Northern Star (Lismore, NSW), Thur 6 Jul 1916 (p.5):

A PRETTY PICTURE – DEPARTURE OF NURSES

LISMORE REPRESENTATION

SYDNEY, Wednesday – A pretty picture was presented at the wharf yesterday, when an army of nurses, with Miss Lindsay Gray (Lismore) as senior sister, and a masseuse who are being sent by the Australian branch of the British Red Cross Society to France took their departure.  The nurses were wearing their new uniforms, consisting of navy blue costumes with Norfolk coats and navy overcoats piped with light blue.  Their navy blue felt hats had bands of pale blue ribbon finished in front with special enamel badges, showing a red cross on a white ground and pale blue band inscribed “Australia – N.S.W.”  Streamers of gaily-colored ribbons hung from the ship, and the nurses’ arms were laden with flowers given them by friends.

 

Northern Star (Lismore, NSW), Wed 2 Aug 1916 (p.8):

NURSES’ LETTERS

Mrs Harris, secretary Lismore Red Cross, has received letters from Nurse Lindsay Grey and Nurse D.G. Duffy, from somewhere at sea, en route to France.  Nurse Lindsay Grey says – I am very proud indeed to be nominated by your Society, but after seeing some of the goods which were sent on board for our use I realise still more how fortunate I am.  You will all be pleased, I am sure, to hear that I have been placed in charge of our unit.  This, of course, is an unofficial position, but you all realise that it is very necessary to have a head one, but there is every probability of our being separated when we reach France.  Everything has been done for our comfort.  We are quite overwhelmed by the kindness of the Australian R.X.S. deck chairs, hot water bags, writing pads, cushions, bed linen, etc., and what we find specially useful – overalls – but it would take too long to tell you all we did find.  Regular lucky dips, and so many things from our own North Coast – Wyrallah, Coraki, Clunes, Woodburn, Bungawalbyn, and of course, Lismore.  You will have heard of the very useful leather kit bags given us by the French-Australian League.  We are all agreed that we are the most pampered unit that has left New South Wales.  We are finding the Bight fairly trying, but hope to be out of it to-morrow.  Our French lessons commenced on Friday, 7^th, and we have three hours’ tuition daily, and what with study, life boat parade, and so on, our days are fully occupied.  A rumor is afloat that we are going via ………. after all, so just try and picture that lovely £7 worth of cigarettes being hurled to the boys.  I know this is a dull letter, but none of us are feeling very brilliant to-day.  Australians always do try to do a thing well, and this old Bight is no exception.  She really can produce a good sea when put to it.

Nurse Duffy writes: – Our days are very busy.  Five hours French study, parade and life-belt drill and meals.  We (the 20 Red Cross nurses) are all so grateful for all the comforts the Red Cross gave us.  We got all sorts of things from Lismore, clothes, bags and soaps, etc., and Clunes sent lots of papers and envelopes.  Please let your Red Cross ladies know how much we appreciate all you have done for us.  We don’t expect to see …………. till the end of August.  This is such a slow old ship, and we don’t know how we are going.

 

Northern Star (Lismore, NSW), Mon Dec 1916 (p.6):

LETTER FROM NURSE LINDSAY GRAY

The following interesting letter has been received by Mrs Harris, secretary of the Lismore Red Cross, from Nurse Lindsay Gray, who writes from Gibraltar: – Leaving Gibraltar, 21^st August, 1916 – Dear Mrs Harris – We anchored off Suez on the morning of the 9^th, but no one got leave.  Left again at 5.30 p.m.  At the entrance of the Canal was and armed merchantman on guard.  So we were paraded on deck as we passed her, and stood at attention, whilst our O.C. and the Naval Officer saluted.  She looked like a great big watchdog.  Wild excitement when we came to our own Australian camps.  Coo-ees loud and long.  Beautiful clean camps with crowds of camels in the background.  And sand, sand, sand.  We threw in many tins of cigarettes that a few of my Lismore friends had given me.  But it soon became too dark for the men to find them, so had to put the rest by till next morning.  We all passed a rather restless night, jumping up to see anything that was doing, and at 4 a.m. I was up rousing the others, and got rid of the remaining cigarettes.  We arrived at Port Said about 9 a.m. on the 18^th, and all got leave to go to Cairo.  I suppose you know that Port Said holds the record for coaling.  They put up planks from the coal barge, and the natives carry all the coal up one plank and down the other, singing, or, rather, moaning all the time.  Great competition amongst the boatsmen as to whom would get the fares.  But with all the din we managed to fight our way into several boats and made for shore, where we got the mid-day train for Cairo.  The train ran back along the Canal as far as Ismailia, showing us the backs of the camps that we had passed by in the ship.  How we coo-eed and called to every Australian as we headed by the band, and I believe they were so delighted to have a word from newly arrived home folk.  One of our fellow passengers was a New Zealander, who was in the Katia scrap, and so we got all the news first hand.  It seems a New Zealand General went for a joy ride in an aeroplane, and, after going some distance, noticed a moving body, so they descended till, when they got a certain height, they were fired upon, the General responding.  Then they flew back with the news that the Turks were so near and great was the excitement with the thought of a scrap at last.  Our Light Horse were in it, and a great many Turkish prisoners were taken, but the Germans mostly got away.  The Turkish prisoners were marched to Cairo, headed by the band, and I believe they were a motley crowd, having been on the march for seven months and living on dates.  We were also told that there were a whole lot more coming on and more fighting expected in a week, but then we heard they were hard at it again the day we left.  It was a most interesting trip to Cairo, and I don’t think I’ve seen anything in my travels that has fascinated me quite so much as the camels, native villages, heavily-laden donkeys, and miles and miles of desert.  It was just like a book of Bible pictures, and seemed so weird to be seeing the real thing.  We passed through Tel-el-Kebir, now a deserted camp, and here had a yarn with a Light Horseman from Victoria, who had been through the whole campaign and even the evacuation of Gallipoli.  He was a typical Australian – handsome, lean, brown as a berry, and such an air of reliability.  We reached Cairo at about 5 p.m. and put up at Shepherd’s, the famous hotel.  I may tell you here that all travelling expenses, hotel, etc., are reduced to military and Red Cross people by just half, which is a big consideration.  Mr Heywood, the Red Cross Commissioner, has his office in the hotel building, and was very good in placing it at our disposal, also his knowledge of Cairo.  Mr Elworthy, of Grafton, is also there, and as far as I could hear the Red Cross Society is doing a big work.  Miss Hindmarsh visited the bazaars with us.  It was nice having her.

We did the bazaars and pyramids on the night of our arrival and sat in the sand in front of the Sphinx and had our fortunes told by an awful old humbug – closely surrounded by natives and their donkeys.  After a lot of argument as to which donkeys we should hire, we at last trotted back to the car, the boys (natives) running beside us and begging for “buck sheesh” (tips).  We had a generous supply of pence on hand and the news evidently had spread, for it was Bedlam let loose.  I don’t know where they all turned up from, but after a little persuasion on the part of a native policeman who brandished a murderous looking baton, we got into the car and were soon away.  Next day we did the Mosques, the Citadel, and the fascinating bazaars again.  Then at night Mr Heywood and Mr Elworthy took us for a sail up the Nile in a native boat, and our cup of joy was filled when one of the natives produced a tom tom.  Next day we left for Alexandria, where our ship was taking on 400 patients and 40 nurses for England.  We reported at 12 (mid-day) and were again given leave till next day, Sunday 13^th.  You see they are glad to have the ship fairly free when taking on patients and coaling, etc.  We went out to the Casino San Stefano Hotel for the night, our O.C. recommending it.  It is a gorgeous place and we did enjoy the change.  The sea beating gently up on the beach and our room fortunately overlooked it, also the out of doors dining room, with colored lights, white clad Egyptian waiters with red sashes and red caps, a glorious orchestra, and the women with their gay frocks.  After dinner we sat on our own little balcony and watched the dancing and tried hard to imagine that there was no war.  We got back safely next day and in good time, and I was so glad to find Sister Stobo (Mrs Oakes’ sister) was one of the new arrivals.  We had spent some time on leave together in London a few months ago.  However, she got orders to leave us at Malta and join the hospital ship Guilford Castle.  Next day we started on our French studies once more, and I do think that all the girls have worked hard and not always under the nicest conditions either.  We anchored in the outer harbor of Malta on the afternoon of the 16^th, and on our arrival a fine big transport crowded with men left.  However, next morning early back she came, don’t know why.  About noon we anchored in the Grand Harbor and went ashore for a couple of hours, visiting that most wonderful place, the Chapel of Bones, St John’s Church, etc., all of which I had seen before, but thoroughly enjoyed again.  To-day, 21^st, we anchored off Gibraltar and took on a few new patients and now are on our way to Southampton, which we should reach by Saturday or Sunday, so I shall post this as it is and write again later.  I am afraid my letters are rather dull, but a ship is the last place in the world to try and write in.  I am now standing up in my cabin writing on the dressing table, whilst the ship’s carpenter, commonly called “Chips,” is painting Red Cross labels all over our luggage, in the hope that it will hasten our passage through the Customs.  I hope to write something of more interest to you all when we get to work.

 

Northern Star (Lismore, NSW), Tue 5 Sept 1916 (p.3):

THE KANOWNA

A cable has been received from Colonel Brockway, stating that the hospital ship Kanowna has arrived safely at Southampton (Eng.).  The Kanowna carried 20 Red Cross nurses for service in France, Nurse Lindsay Gray, of Lismore, being in charge.  Another Lismore worker, Nurse Duffy, is a member of the unit.

 

The Sun (Sydney, NSW), Sun 22 Oct 1916 (p.17):

RED CROSS WORK

The matron in charge of the nurses sent by the Red Cross to France writes to Australia: – “I’ve just come in from seeing eight of the girls off to France.  We arrived safely on August 26.  Mr Hicks, Red Cross representative, met us at Southampton, and made everything so easy, and Mr Lamb met us at Waterloo.  Wish you could have seen us coming here in two very ancient buses, piled high with luggage.  The driver had to hammer the wheels on before starting, so we began the pilgrimage in some fear and trembling.  Taxis are hard to get at night, and whistling for them is not allowed.  On the 28^th we all had to go to the French Red Cross and see the matron.  On Tuesday the president entertained us at tea, and next day sent us tickets for the war pictures.  Sisters Jamieson and Hughes were to have gone to-night also to the ‘Ulster’ Hospital at Lyons, but there was a hitch in the arrangements, so they are going elsewhere.  Cook and Fraser Thomson have gone to Cannes, Hough and Loxton to Palavas, Sheridan and Hutchinson to Mentone.  Sisters Robinson and Crommelin have gone as far as Rouen with the others, but leave them there and go on to Les Andeleys.  At present it is expected that we shall have several days in Paris, and be appointed from there.  The waiting is rather wearisome – we shall all be glad to be settled and at work.  I think they have enjoyed their stay in London, and we had a Zep raid last Saturday, which was most thrilling, especially for those of us who have rooms on the top floor.  It all seemed so close to us, and we could see the sparks and flashes so plainly, and such crack! crack! of the guns.  I don’t think there is anything else.  Everybody is well, and all anxious to start work.  With best wishes.”

 

The Richmond River Express and……. (NSW), Fri 11 May 1917 (p.8):

Australian Red Cross Work in France

Following are some extracts from a letter received by Mrs Alex Campbell, of Bruton, from Nurse Lindsay Gray, from France, dated May 4^th[sic].  Nurse Gray was one of the twenty nurses lent by New South Wales to the French.  In the course of an interesting letter she writes: – Since coming here we have had many Australian visitors from the lines, and this little town was teeming with our boys, but now each day they are getting further and further away, and we don’t even hear the big guns at the front.  Just occasionally in the wee small hours we may hear the boom a long way off, but never the close rumble we used to have.  A friend of mine was in yesterday, an Australian Colonel, who had been watching the fighting day before yesterday and said we did very well, quite satisfactory results.  Wish I could tell you the battalions which were in it, but it would not be right.  Here in this French hospital during the winter we have had medical cases and been kept comfortably busy, but hope to move on soon as we can find out where most of the French nursing will be needed.  There is dreadful difficulty in getting near the French clearing hospitals.  They simply refuse to have any but French girls, but as we “crawled” in here, and have all the necessary papers, we hope that we may have a chance.  It has been a dreadful winter, ice thick everywhere for weeks, but at last the days are quite mild.  Our Australian Red Cross here has been a God-send to us.  Mr Hordern has been so very good.  He is being moved to Boulogne now, and Mr Connell, from Melbourne, is taking his place.  Food, of course, is expensive here, and sugar unobtainable.  Chops cost anything from 7d each upwards.  We draw a daily ration allowance of 2s 6d, but it would not nearly cover our expenses were it not for the Australian Red Cross here.  They give us supplies.  It has been an experience, and we have been very happy, and only hope we can get where the work is when they start in properly.  Have had some gassed cases and pneumonias, who fortunately have all done well.  As soon as I can get a chance to print them I’ll send you a few snaps of our bit of the Somme, at present very bare, of course, but in summer the river must be lovely, though with the amount of transport going on I should think this place could compete with any other for mud in winter and dust in summer.

 

Northern Star (Lismore, NSW), Thur 24 Jan 1918 (p.3):

DISTRESSED ALLIES

Mrs A.E. Brown, convener for the distressed Allies, wishes to express her gratitude to the many friends who so generously supported the cause during the past year, …………………………….

Nurse Lindsay Gray, who has just returned, emphasises the fact of the great need for our assistance to the French children in the matter of clothing.  The public schools of the district have always taken a keen interest in this work.  ………………………………………………….

 

Northern Star (Lismore, NSW), Wed 13 Nov 1918 (p.4):

RED CROSS ENTERTAINS SOLDIERS

The Red Cross entertained the returned soldiers at the M.G. rooms yesterday afternoon.  There were about 100 present.  Nurse Lindsay Gray was also present.  Lieut-Col Board thanked the society for having entertained the soldiers, and moved a vote of thanks accordingly.  ……………………

 

Lindsay & Margaret:

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/93001729

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/93001729

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/93007197

 

The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 25 Apr 1923 (p.10):

MARRIAGES

MORITZSON – GRAY – March 14, 1923, at St Clement’s Church, Honolulu, by Rev w. Maitland Wood, M.A., Adolph Moritzson, of Dunedin, N.Z., to Alice Fullarton Lindsay Gray, formerly of Lismore, NSW.

 

The Sydney Morning Herald, Mon 4 May 1936 (p.8):

DEATHS

MORITZSON – May 2, 1936, at 37 Illiliwa-street, Cremorne, Alice Fullerton (Lindsay) Moritzson (suddenly).

The Sydney Morning Herald, Mon 4 May 1936 (p.7):

FUNERALS

MORITZSON – The Funeral of the late ALICE FULLARTON MORITZSON will leave St Peter’s Church, Waters-road, Neutral Bay, THIS AFTERNOON, after a service commencing at 1.30 o’clock for the Rookwood Crematorium.

 

(NZ) Evening Post, Vol CXIX, Issue 142, 18 Jun 1935, Page 11:

OBITUARY

MR A. MORITZSON

Mr Adolph Moritzson, who died at Dunedin on Sunday, aged 81, was for many years a prominent figure in the commercial life of that city.  He was born in Schleswig-Holstein of Danish parents, and went to Dunedin in the late seventies.  He engaged in commercial pursuits and was for some time closely associated with Sir Thomas Mackenzie.  At a later date he commenced business with his brother at the corner of Bond and Jetty Streets in the building which still bears his name.  The firm acted as auctioneers and dealt in fruit and general produce, and the business was carried on until Mr Moritzon’s retirement about 10 years ago.  On his retirement he went to live in Honolulu, and while there his wife died.  He carried on a business there for a short time and then went to live in Sydney.  About six years ago he returned to Dunedin, where he had since lived quietly.  He was a member of the Otago Expansion League and was prominently associated with several movements connected with the development of Central Otago.  Mr Moritzson remarried, and his wife survives him.

 

(NZ) Evening Post, Vol CXX, Issue 7, 8 Jul 1935, Page 11:

ESTATE OF £17,000

PHILANTHROPIST’S WILL

(By Telegraph – Press Association)

DUNEDIN, This Day

The will of the late Mr Adolph Moritzson, a retired merchant, has been sworn for probate at £17,000.  There is a bequest of £100 to the Salvation Army, Dunedin, and a similar bequest to Dr Barnardo’s Homes, London.

After a number of private bequests have been satisfied the residue is to be divided equally among the Otago University, the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, and the New Zealand Nurses’ Memorial Fund.

 

 

Cheers, Frev

 

[MKC]

Hi Frev,

 

Thank you - it does help to have the right name!!  It was the Dec letter in the Northern Star I was referring to in my post - the key was that she mentions Louisa Stobo as coming aboard, which quickly narrowed the ship down to the Kanowna. 

 

Interesting that so many NGO personnel were carried on Australian troopships. 

 

Had you noticed that she was married by Rev William Maitland Wood in Honolulu - he was a former AIF Chaplain. See NAA 1919447. I wonder if their service careers during the war intersect - another rabbit burrow to dive down!

 

Again, thank you

 

Mike

[frev]

No Mike - I hadn't picked up on the Rev being ex-AIF - but best of luck on your journey down that burrow...

Cheers, Frev