Wilson, James Drysdale

buried Addington Cemetery, plot 55C

OBITUARY.

MR JAMES DRYSDALE WILSON.

One of the few survivors of the Crimean war, James Drysdale Wilson, of Christchurch, passed peacefully away to his rest on Friday afternoon, at the age of 85 years.

Mr Wilson had been ailing for the past six months and went into hospital about two months ago for the purpose of undergoing an operation, but owing to the weak state of his health, the doctors postponed an operation.

Few persons have had a more adventurous and romantic career than has the late veteran. He was born in Edinburgh, and in 1851 he joined the 10th Royal Hussars, and a year later left, with his regiment for India, where he saw a "bit of scrimmaging." When rumours of a war with Russia were current he left with two of his companions for the Crimea. They arrived there on the eve of the battle of Balaclava. After seeing further service Mr Wilson became orderly to General Wyndham, commandant of Sevastopol.

On peace being declared Mr Wilson returned to England, and having three brothers already in New Zealand he decided to join them. He arrived in Christchurch in 1859, and remained here till his death.

Mr Wilson possessed three medals for service in India, Crimea, and Turkey.

On September 10th, 1912, Mr Wilson was one of the parties in a romantic wedding in Christchurch, when, at the age of 82 years, be married Miss Graham Sime, who was seven years his junior.

Deceased leaves two daughters, who reside in Wellington, and a son, who lives in Auckland. Mr Wilson was a leading member of the Veterans' Association.

The remains of deceased were laid to rest in the Addington Cemetery yesterday with military honours. The route of the funeral procession was lined with many hundreds of people who wished to pay their last respects to a brave man, and the scene at the graveside was an impressive one.

The troops who were to form the escort assembled at the King Edward Barracks at 2.30, and were representative of all branches of the service. The men of the E Battery, with the gun carriage, were in charge of Farrier-Sergeant Stokes; Captain Northcote represented the Defence Department; Lieutenant Wilkie was in command of the Territorial detachment, and Sergeant Page in charge of the firing party, which was provided by the 1st (Canterbury) Regiment.

A good squad of the Veterans were also in attendance, under Lieutenant Timbrell, the President of the Association, and the C.Y.C. Band headed the procession.

The coffin, on the gun carriage and covered with the Union Jack was taken by way of the East and South belts, down Selwyn street to the Cemetery. The Rev. P. J. Cocks the burial service, and at its conclusion the three volleys were fired, and the "Last Post" blown by the buglers of the 1st Regiment.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15334, 19 July 1915, Page 3

WILSON - on 10 July at 42 Brougham St, Sydenham, Jane, dearly loved wife of James Drysdale Wilson, & loving mother of J.D.Wilson, & M.J.White of Wellington, also E.A.Jenkins, of this city, aged 69.

Henwood, Edwin Alfred

died 3 December 1909 aged 80 years
buried Linwood Cemetery, block 31 plot 73
Painter of Rutland Street, Christchurch

DEATH OF A CRIMEAN VETERAN.

A Crimean veteran in the person of Mr Edwin Alfred Henwood died recently at Rutland Street, St. Albans, at the age of 80 years.

Mr Henwood, who was a private in the first battalion of the 19th Regiment of Foot, left England with the British troops for the Crimea in April, 1854, and fought at the battles of Alma, Inkerman, and Sebastopol, and was also one of the storming party at the Redan. He was wounded while on guard over some Russian prisoners at Inkerman. Mr Henwood was one of seven who alone returned out of 1020 men that went out.

At a later period he was sent to India, from which place be, was invalided home. Mr Henwood served ten years in the Army, and then got his discharge. He received the Crimean medal, a clasp for Alma, Inkerman, and Sebastopol, and a Turkish medal.

The late Mr Henwood was born at Truro, Cornwall, on November 14th, 1829. He came out to New Zealand in the ship Rakaia, with his wife and four children, and landed at Lyttelton on February 16th, 1875. His wife died eight years ago. He leaves four sons, three daughters, and ten grandchildren.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13603, 11 December 1909, Page 10

Fox, Michael

Date of death 11 October 1905
buried Sydenham Cemetery block 15B Plot 41
Aged 72 years
labourer born Ireland

An old Crimean veteran named Michael Fox, who died in the Christchurch hospital, and whose funeral took place yesterday in the Linwood (sic) cemetery, had gained the Imperial Long Service medal, the Crimean medal, the Indian Mutiny medal, and the Good Conduct medal.

The medals were stolen from him on the West Coast ten or eleven years ago, but he had the ribbons on his coat.

He was an Imperial Army pensioner for the past thirteen years, and he had the Campaign pension.

He was seventy-two years of age. The fact that the old veteran, who had no family, went to his last resting place unattended by anybody except one old Army veteran like himself, does not reflect credit upon the authorities.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12324, 14 October 1905, Page 9

The Crimean veteran, Michael Fox, whose death was referred to in Saturday's issue, joined the Imperial forces at Kilkenny, Ireland, and was drafted into the 57th Regiment.

He went out to the Crimea, in 1854, and was through the engagements at Alma, Inkerman, Balaclava and took part in the siege of Sebastopol.

He returned with his regiment to Malta in 1856, and was at Aden the next year, afterwards going to Bombay, whence he came to this country with the troops in 1861.

He was in New Zealand engagements in Taranaki, and also at Wanganui and Nukamarau during the time of the native disturbances. In addition to the Crimean, British, and Turkish medals, he claimed to hold medals for China and India services.

He was discharged with a good conduct medal. Fox, in addition to to his Army pension, was drawing the Old Age Pension at the time of his death.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12325, 16 October 1905, Page 6

Dewe, Richard

born circa 1834, Sutton Courtney, Berkshire, England
died 11 April 1905 at 29 Cadogan Street, Sydenham aged 71 years.
buried Sydenham Cemetery, Christchurch, New Zealand, block 1H plot 17.


Dewe - On April 11th 1905 at Cadogan Street, Sydenham, Richard Dewe, beloved husband of Harriet Dewe, after a long and painful illness, in his 72nd year, late of the 23rd Welsh (sic*) Fusiliers. At rest.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12167, 12 April 1905, Page 1

The headstone of Richard Dewe, Sydenham Cemetery, Christchurch.

A Crimean veteran, Mr Richard Dewe, has just passed away. Born at Sutton Courtney, Berkshire, he enlisted in May, 1854, in tho 23rd Regiment Foot, the Welsh (sic*) Fusiliers, and earned the Crimean medal with bars for Sebastopol, Balaclava and Alma, and also the Turkish Crimean medal.

He served for two years and two months, and was discharged on pension at the age of twenty, on account of disability, owing to wounds received in action.

He came to Canterbury in 1874, and mainly resided in Sydenham. He worked for about twenty years for Vincent and Co., and since, then he lived a retired life, his kindly and generous disposition making him greatly respected.

Mr Dewe was present at the inspection of veterans by the Prince of Wales, on the occasion of his visit in 1901. He was twice married, and leaves two daughters.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12167, 12 April 1905, Page 6



Sergeant Luke O'Conner of the 23rd Regiment of Foot, the Welch Fusiliers winning the Victoria Cross at the Battle of Alma
Wikipedia

Death of a Crimean Veteran.

Christchurch, March 12.

Richard Dewe, a Crimean veteran, died yesterday. He was at Alma, Balaclava, and Sebastopol, being wounded at the last named.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11532, 12 April 1905, Page 5


Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12092, 14 January 1905, Page 1

* It was one of the oldest regiments in the regular army, hence the archaic spelling of the word Welch instead of Welsh

Ashton, John

died 13 February 1902 at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr R. Forsey, 10 St Asaph Street, Linwood, Christchurch aged 85 years
buried 16 February 1902 , plot 1432B, Addington Cemetery, Christchurch

A SOLDIER'S FUNERAL.
THE LATE STAFF-BUGLER ASHTON.

The remains of the late Staff - Bugler John Ashton were accorded a military funeral yesterday afternoon, and a large number of people, estimated at over 10,000, turned out to witness the procession.

The local Volunteers mustered at the drillshed at 2 p.m., and marched to the late residence of the deceased, in St Asaph Street east, where the cortege was formed in the following order: Firing party, with reversed arms, of thirteen City Rifles, under Sergeant Yates Garrison Band; the coffin, covered by the Union Jack, surmounted by the sword, bugle, cap and accoutrements of the deceased soldier, on one of the E Battery Nordenfeldt gun carriages, drawn by four horses, with the bearers, ex-Quartermaster-Sergeant Fox and five Sergeants of the Battery.

About one hundred private friends of the family, three mourning coaches, one hundred Oddfellows, representing the various Lodges of the Manchester Unity in the Canterbury district the Volunteers, while a number of carriages brought up the rear. The streets through which the cortege passed to the Addington Cemetery were thickly lined with people.

En route the Garrison Band played the Dead March in "Saul," The Garland of Flowers and Beethoven's "Funeral March." Upon arrival at the cemetery some little difficulty was experienced in forcing a passage through the vast crowd which had gathered there. The gun carriage was taken into the cemetery and the coffin was met by the Rev A. W. Averill, chaplain to the Civil Service Corps, who read the Burial Service.

The deceased's accoutrements were carried to the grave by Mr James Perrin, of Kaiapoi, a Crimean veteran, and around the grave were assembled a number of other veterans, wearing their medals. The City Rifles and the Natives Corps had provided a detail to keep a space clear round the grave.

At the conclusion of the Burial Service, P.P.G.M. Bro Caterer read the Oddfellows' Ritual, after which three volleys were fired, and the last trumpet call was given by the E Battery bugler. The Oddfellows then filed round the grave, and each deposited a sprig of green on the coffin.

The Volunteers then reformed in review order and marched back to the drillshed, headed by the Garrison Band, which played the quickstep marches "El Capitane" and "King Cotton."

Amongst a large number, of floral tributes was a handsome wreath from the E Battery.

The parade was under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Slater who had on his staff Lieutenant-Colonel Day, Major Wolfe, Captain Hobday, district adjutant, Captain M'Gee and Staff-Sergeant-Major Farthing. The parade state was as follows:-

Lyttelton Naval Artillery (Chief, P.O. Toomey 34
Canterbury Mounted Rifles (Sergeant Bradley) 22
E Battery (Captain Donald) 60
Engineers (Lieutenant Jones) 46
City Guards (Captain Sandford) 48
City Rifles (Captain Foster) 40
Sydenham Rifles (Captain Smith) 44
Civil Service Corps (Sergeant Garton) 20
New Zealand Native Rifle Corps (Captain Oakes) 50
Highland Rifles (Sergeant M'Lean) 20
Linwood Rifles (Lieutenant Johnson) 30
Imperial Rifles (Lieutenant Matheson) 45
Christ's College Rifles (Captain Harper) 34
Cycle Corps (Lieutenant Finnis) 14
Bearer Corps (Lieutenant Finlayson)28
Garrison Band (Bandmaster Merton) 25
Staff 6

Star, Issue 7330, 17 February 1902, Page 1

Tyler, James

OBITUARY.

A veteran soldier, in the person of Mr James Tyler, died at Crescent Road, St Albans, yesterday. He was born at Chepstow, and on Nov. 27, 1843, when he was nineteen years old he entered the army, joining the Fourth Light Dragoons (now a Hussar Regiment).

He served for seven months in thr Crimean War and in Turkey, obtaining the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava and Sevastopol, and the Turkish Crimson for his services in that war.

He obtained his discharge on Dec. 24, 1867, having twenty-four years and twenty-five days to reckon towards pay and pension, and, in addition to his other military decorations, was the possessor of no less than five good conduct badges, while he had acted an orderly to the late Duks of Wellington.
He emigrated to New Zealand about twenty-five years ago, and spent some years on the West Coast, afterwards settling at St Albans, where he continued to reside until his death.

Mr Tyler was a widower, and left no children. His funeral, which will be a military one, will take place to-morrow afternoon.

Star, Issue 6838, 4 July 1900, Page 3

A BALACLAVA VETERAN.

There died yesterday, at his residence, Crescent road, St. Albans, Mr James Tyler, one of the few remaining survivors of the famous charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava.

Mr Tyler was born at Tidenham, Gloucesrtershire, and was about 76 years of age when he died. He joined the Fourth Light Dragoons in 1843, and when serving in the Crimea was a farrier-sergeant.

He was a participant in, tbe famous charge, and was wounded, by an eight-ounce grape shot, which entered his right side, and, as it was a spent shot, was taken out from under his skin on the left side.

It appears that when the Brigade was about 120 yards from the guns they were despatched to capture one of the batteries opened on them, and Tyler as he passed the battery at an angle received the spent grape shot. He was invalided Home, and eventually served his twenty-four years in the army. He had three medals and three clasps. The medals were British, Turkish, and one presented by the King of Sardinia in connection with the Crimean War. The clasps were for Alma, Balaclava, and First Siege of Sebastopol.

In 1873 Mr Tyler came out to New Zealand in tie ship Dillharrie, and some time after landing at Lyttelton went to Kumara, where he followed the occupation of a miner. He was on the West Coast for about nine years, returning to Christchurch at the end of that period. Since then he has resided at St. Albans, and has been engaged attending to some land of Mr Chaney's, in Innes's road, St. Albans.

Mr Tyler Was a widower, his wife having died about eighteen years ago. He had no children. Since his discharge from the Army he was in receipt of a pension of 14s per week.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10700, 5 July 1900, Page 2

Choat, William

died 17 October 1924 aged 89 years
buried 19 October 1924 Linwood Cemetery Block 20 Plot 26

Crimean Veteran.
Committs Suicide
(by Telegraph—Press Association)
Christchurch. Oct. 17.

William Choat, a veteran of the Crimean war aged 89 years, was found hanging in a shed at the rear of his house.

Choat was born in West Ratting, Cambridgeshire, in 1835. He served in the Crimean war with the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Artillery, and was wounded in the shoulder at the battle of Inkerman. He emigrated to New Zealand and arrived here in the ship Canterbury in 1865. He was a carpenter by trade, but retired some years ago. At the inquest to-day Choat's son said his father had never had a day's illness in his life, and until recently had never complained. A few months ago he said he was worried and was suffering from pains in the back. A verdict of suicide by hanging while in an unsound state of health was returned.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 October 1924, Page 5

Gudsell, Thomas

born 5 December 1831 Sanderstead, Surrey, England
died 5 July 1923, 70 Division Road, Christchurch, New Zealand

A Crimean Veteran:
The Late Mr John (sic) Gudsell, of Christchurch.
One of the few remaining Crimean veterans died in Christchurch last week, in the person of Mr Thomas Gudsell, who was in his 92nd year. As a young man he went to the Crimea and served in the commissariat for one year and ten months, returning to England by the last transport from the Crimea. He was later one of the miners engaged in the construction of the Lyttelton tunnel.

He leaves a family of one daughter (Mrs Hight) and five sons - Mr Thomas Gudsell, Timaru; Mr Robert Gudsell, St Albans; Mr. George Gudsell, Maheno, Otago; Mr Harry Gudsell, Riccarton; and Mr James Gudsell, Auckland.

Mr Gudsell's other descendants number 26 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Mr Gudsell did not take an active part in public affairs, but was, many years ago, a member of the Weedons School Committee.
(from unknown newspaper)

The Commissariat Camp in the Crimea, 3rd Division.

Stringer, Joseph Henry

Another Crimean Veteran Dead.
Mr Joseph Henry Stringer

The death is announced of the late Mr Joseph Henry Stringer at his residence, "Linwood," Christchurch, in his 84th year.

The late Mr Stringer was a veteran of the Crimean War in which he gained the D.C.M. at the final bombardment of Sevastopol. Also he was awarded one of the 500 French war medals distributed amongst the British army at Crimea. Only two officers received this medal, namely, His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and Sir William Codrington. He also received the Crimean and Turkish medals for the same war. He was a gunner in the Royal Horse Artillery.

The late Mr Stringer arrived in New Zealand over 60 years ago, during the 'sixties. He took the first mob of cattle from Canterbury to Central Otago, and drove the first four-in-hand coach from Christchurch to Timaru, with His Majesty's mails

Mr H. G. Stringer, of Feilding, who is a son, leaves for Christchurch to-day to attend the funeral, which takes place to-morrow morning.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 4121, 19 October 1920, Page 5

Davies, Selwyn

died 14 December 1908 at Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch aged 79 years.
buried Linwood Cemetery block 11 plot 5A

Late of Regent Street, Woolston, Christchurch. Father of S. J. G. Davies of Burlington Street, Sydenham and Mrs E. J. Z. Curran, Hawkes Bay.

Star , Issue 9417, 15 December 1908, Page 3

Presentation.— A very pleasing ceremony took place in the Square at noon today, being a presentation to Mr Selwyn Davies by a few of his fellow-carriers on his attaining his seventieth birthday. The present took the form of a cake with a ribbon attached, a parcel of tobacco, &c. Mr R. Offwood officiated, and complimented the old Crimean veteran on his arriving in good health at such an advanced age.

Mr Davies briefly responded, thanking the donors for their handsome present. He said he felt proud of his comrades' esteem and likened the occasion to that on which Her Majesty pinned the Crimean medal on his breast. The ceremony was enthusiastic throughout and musical honours were accorded Mr Davies. The meeting terminated with the singing of God Save the Queen."

Star, Issue 4948, 11 May 1894, Page 3

Crimean Veterans.— Mr Selwyn Davies, an old Crimean veteran, formerly of the Scots Fusilier Guards, but now and for many years a driver of an express van in Christchurch, advertises that he will be glad to meet any old comrade in Cathedral Square on Thursday, being the fortieth anniversary of the Battle of Alma, the hour of meeting to be that at which the action commenced.

Star, Issue 5059, 19 September 1894, Page 3

The rapidly thinning ranks of Crimean veterans were further depleted some days ago, records the Press, when Mr. Selwyn Davies, sen., of Christchurch. passed away.

Mr. Davies was born at Coleford, Gloucestershire, England, and at the age of sixteen joined the Scots Fusiliers' Regiment of Foot Guards. In 1850, at Monmouth, he was enlisted for the 4th Dragoon Guards. From February, 1854, to July, 1856, he was present at the Battles of Alma and Balaklava, and the Siege of Sevastopol. He was the youngest soldier of the regiment, and his apparent youth drew from Queen Victoria, while her Majesty was presenting him with his medals, the remark ''You are very young to be one of my soldiers you are a mere boy."

Mr. Davies's only brother, who fought beside him, was shot down, a bitter experience that was ever green in the veteran's memory. Together with other old soldiers, Mr. Davies was presented to the Duke of York upon his visit to New Zealand. Mr. Davies arrived in New Zealand in 1863 by the ship Captain Cook.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 144, 17 December 1908, Page 7