TIGHE-UMBERS, Crofton Gordon
Born: 5 June 1884; died 22 November 1918; buried 23 November 1918; age 34
He survived being seriously wounded in the Boer War, was probably one of the youngest soldiers in the British South African Army to receive a special medal, risked drowning in a plucky rescue in Dunedin and then succumbed to an influenza strain that swept the world in 1918.
Crofton Gordon TIGHE-UMBERS was born on 5 June 1884 in Dunedin, first born son of John Charles Augustus Tighe-Umbers and Mary Jane SMITH. John and Mary were married on 3 December 1881 in New Zealand, (the burial record for Mary said she was a native of Melbourne and John a native of Auckland.)
John and Mary had four other children: Maud Naomi, Audrey Hazel, Headley Clarence Arthur, and Allan Kingsley Irvine.
The children attended George Street School in Dunedin; Crofton being admitted on 10 June 1889. He also attended Bannockburn School in 1891. His siblings spent time at Oamaru North School, Waipori School, St Kilda School and George Street School.
Crofton served in the Boer War with the New Zealand Military Forces in South Africa as a trooper attached to the 2nd Scottish Horse Contingent. He attested at Cape Town on 24 August 1901 and his discharge was confirmed in Johannesburg on 6 May 1902. In 1904 he was awarded the Imperial South African War Medal plus 5 clasps.
A newspaper report on 6 January 1901 said he was slightly wounded in a fight at Brakenslaagle. In 1902 he was severely wounded in a night attack. By the time he returned home to New Zealand in May 1902, he was in good health. Around this time, the newspapers of the day carried letters he had written home to his father.
In February 1911, newspapers across New Zealand reported that he had averted a fatality in the surf at St Clair beach Dunedin by making a plucky rescue. The breakers on the beach were particularly heavy, and a cold, wintry gust made the rescue risky.
On 8 February 1913 Crofton married Bathia Howie STUART in Dunedin, where he was working as an accountant. The 1914 Electoral Roll for Dunedin West has Crofton and Bathia living at 34 Pacific Street, Roslyn, Dunedin. Bathia (known as Bathie) was born on 10 May 1893 in Hastings, the daughter of Ellen DOWNIE and Alexander STUART.
Dunedin’s Evening Star, dated 22 February 1913 carried this “Footlight Flash”:
“During the week Miss Bathie Howie Stuart, a prominent member of the Smart Set Entertainers, and who met with marked success in connection with the Dunedin Competitions for the past two seasons, this week became Mrs Crofton Umbers. Mr Umbers is the son of a well-known member of the Postal and Telegraph Department, who some years ago took an active part in connection with the performances of the Dunedin Amateur Operatic Society.”
Bathie’s fondness for comic opera began early, and later gave her the confidence and ability to branch out into several related careers. At the age of 14, she had joined Tom Pollard’s juvenile opera company, which performed in New Zealand and Australia. When the company disbanded in 1910 she returned to Dunedin and participated in operatic productions and competitions.
Crofton shared her love of Gilbert & Sullivan and appeared alongside her in some productions in Dunedin. These productions are widely reported in the Evening Star newspaper.
Their only child, Graham Stuart Tighe-Umbers, was born on 13 July 1913 in Dunedin. (He later married Enid Rosina RUDDICK in 1939 and died in Auckland on 26 March 1999. Enid died in 2001.)
In 1917 the family moved from Dunedin to Wellington. Bathie and Crofton contracted influenza in 1918 and both were admitted to the Wellington College Temporary Hospital from their home at 7 Hay Street, Oriental Bay. Bathie recovered but Crofton died on 22 November 1918. He was buried in the public section of Karori Cemetery on 23 November 1918.
Headstone:
Crofton Gordon Tighe-Umbers
Died 22 November 1918
“Our hearts deep love was his”
His plot was purchased by his wife on 28 October 1919.
Dunedin’s Evening Star of 23 November 1918 published this obituary:
Mr Crofton Gordon Tighe-Umbers, of Dunedin, died at Wellington yesterday from influenza. Mr Umbers left here about three months ago to take up a position as accountant in the Public Service Superannuation office at Wellington. He was accompanied by his wife, who is so well known on the concert platform as Miss Bathie Howie Stuart. Both Mr Umbers and his wife took part in the amateur performance of the 'Gondoliers' in Wellington earlier this month, and both contracted influenza at the conclusion of the season. The deceased was the eldest son of Mr Charles Umbers postmaster at Moray place. He was born at Dunedin, and educated at the George Street School under Mr McNicol, the then head master. On leaving school he joined the office staff of Messrs Nimmo and Blair, and later entered the employ of Messrs Gaudin and Marr. He remained with the latter firm for some years, and then joined the office staff of Messrs A. and T. Burt, Ltd., remaining with that firm up to the time he was appointed to the position at Wellington. He was a member of the Dunedin Orphans' Club, and gave valuable assistance at that society's gatherings; but he very seldom appeared on the public platform. He married Miss Bathie Howie Stuart about six years ago. At the time of the Boer War the deceased left Dunedin to take up a position in Reuter's office at Capetown. He was then only 17 years of age. On reaching Capetown he changed his mind, and joined up with the 2nd Scottish Horse. He served through the South African campaign, and was wounded on two occasions—once in Mlddelburgh operations; but his more severe wound was received in the memorable battle of Brackenlaghatte. In that battle the Boers, under General Botha swept over the British, who suffered very severely. Colonel Benson, who was one of the most gallant artillery officers in the field, was killed in this battle. Crofton Umbers was the youngest soldier in his squadron. He gained the Queen's Medal and five bars, and was probably one of the youngest, soldiers in the British South African army to receive such distinction. The deceased, who was in his 35th year, was of a most genial disposition, was very popular, and had a wide circle of friends. As a business man he was particularly smart, and was always thorough in his work. In a letter to his father, received four days ago, the deceased mentioned that Mrs Umbers had had a very severe attack of influenza, but she was recovering.
One of deceased's brothers, Lieutenant Clarence Umbers, of the Royal Air Force, is at present on furlough in Dunedin, and has just recovered from a severe illness. He left New Zealand with the main body of the Expeditionary Force, and fought through the Gallipoli campaign. He afterwards saw active service at Salonika, and was wounded there by the bursting of a shell fired by an enemy anti-air craft gun. Another brother, Corporal Allen Umbers, left New Zealand with the 2nd Reinforcements attached to the Otago Mounted Rifles. He saw active service in Egypt, and afterwards went through the Gallipoli campaign. He subsequently went to France with the New Zealand troops, and was wounded some time ago on the Western Front.
Wellington’s Evening Post, on 23 November 1918 (and several other newspapers) also published an obituary:
Mr Crofton Umbers, son of Mr J C A Umbers, postmaster at Moray-place, Dunedin, died at Wellington College hospital on Thursday night. Mr Umbers, who was on the accountant’s staff of the Superannuation Board, came to Wellington about three months ago, and took part as a member of the chorus in the amateur performance of “The Gondoliers”. His wife (who played the role of Tessa in that performance) was seized with the influenza on the last day of the season, but managed to struggle through her part at night. Both Mr and Mrs Umbers were seriously ill during the next week, and in the case of Mr Umbers, pneumonic developments took place, with fatal results. Mrs Umbers is still in a convalescent home. A brother of the deceased, Flight-Lieutenant Clarence Umbers, has been seriously ill in Dunedin for the past fortnight. Mr Crofton Umbers leaves a widow and one child.
The Dominion, on 11 December 1918 also reported:
Social and Personal
Mrs Crofton Umbers, who has recovered from a very severe attack of influenza, contracted when she was appearing in the “The Gondoliers” with the Wellington amateurs, has left for Dunedin. She intends later on to reside with her parents at Mangere, Auckland.
During the 1920’s Bathie became a writer for the New Zealand Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic Review and went back on the stage professionally, working for Henry Hayward. From 1927 onwards she regularly travelled between the United States and New Zealand. She retired in 1975 and lived by herself in a trailer park near Laguna Beach, California. She never remarried.
In 1986 she was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for having promoted New Zealand in the United States for more than 40 years. She died on 22 June 1987, aged 94. Her ashes were scattered off the coast of Laguna Beach, California.
Researched and written by Beverley Hamlin
Grave Information:
Section: PUBLIC2
Plot: 311 l
Sources:
1. New Zealand Births Deaths & Marriages historical – www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
2. Newspapers – www.paperspast.natlib.gov.nz
3. Karori Cemetery – www.wellington.govt.nz > Services > Community & Culture > Cemeteries
4. New Zealand Electoral Rolls and family information – www.ancestry.co.uk
5. School Records and family information – Kiwi Index from New Zealand Society of Genealogists
6. Biography of Bathia Howie Stuart (published in New Zealand Biography 1998) – www.tera.govt.nz
7. Cemetery records Dunedin – www.dunedin.govt.nz
8. South African War and World War I records – www.archway.archives.govt.nz
Born: 5 June 1884; died 22 November 1918; buried 23 November 1918; age 34
He survived being seriously wounded in the Boer War, was probably one of the youngest soldiers in the British South African Army to receive a special medal, risked drowning in a plucky rescue in Dunedin and then succumbed to an influenza strain that swept the world in 1918.
Crofton Gordon TIGHE-UMBERS was born on 5 June 1884 in Dunedin, first born son of John Charles Augustus Tighe-Umbers and Mary Jane SMITH. John and Mary were married on 3 December 1881 in New Zealand, (the burial record for Mary said she was a native of Melbourne and John a native of Auckland.)
John and Mary had four other children: Maud Naomi, Audrey Hazel, Headley Clarence Arthur, and Allan Kingsley Irvine.
The children attended George Street School in Dunedin; Crofton being admitted on 10 June 1889. He also attended Bannockburn School in 1891. His siblings spent time at Oamaru North School, Waipori School, St Kilda School and George Street School.
Crofton served in the Boer War with the New Zealand Military Forces in South Africa as a trooper attached to the 2nd Scottish Horse Contingent. He attested at Cape Town on 24 August 1901 and his discharge was confirmed in Johannesburg on 6 May 1902. In 1904 he was awarded the Imperial South African War Medal plus 5 clasps.
A newspaper report on 6 January 1901 said he was slightly wounded in a fight at Brakenslaagle. In 1902 he was severely wounded in a night attack. By the time he returned home to New Zealand in May 1902, he was in good health. Around this time, the newspapers of the day carried letters he had written home to his father.
In February 1911, newspapers across New Zealand reported that he had averted a fatality in the surf at St Clair beach Dunedin by making a plucky rescue. The breakers on the beach were particularly heavy, and a cold, wintry gust made the rescue risky.
On 8 February 1913 Crofton married Bathia Howie STUART in Dunedin, where he was working as an accountant. The 1914 Electoral Roll for Dunedin West has Crofton and Bathia living at 34 Pacific Street, Roslyn, Dunedin. Bathia (known as Bathie) was born on 10 May 1893 in Hastings, the daughter of Ellen DOWNIE and Alexander STUART.
Dunedin’s Evening Star, dated 22 February 1913 carried this “Footlight Flash”:
“During the week Miss Bathie Howie Stuart, a prominent member of the Smart Set Entertainers, and who met with marked success in connection with the Dunedin Competitions for the past two seasons, this week became Mrs Crofton Umbers. Mr Umbers is the son of a well-known member of the Postal and Telegraph Department, who some years ago took an active part in connection with the performances of the Dunedin Amateur Operatic Society.”
Bathie’s fondness for comic opera began early, and later gave her the confidence and ability to branch out into several related careers. At the age of 14, she had joined Tom Pollard’s juvenile opera company, which performed in New Zealand and Australia. When the company disbanded in 1910 she returned to Dunedin and participated in operatic productions and competitions.
Crofton shared her love of Gilbert & Sullivan and appeared alongside her in some productions in Dunedin. These productions are widely reported in the Evening Star newspaper.
Their only child, Graham Stuart Tighe-Umbers, was born on 13 July 1913 in Dunedin. (He later married Enid Rosina RUDDICK in 1939 and died in Auckland on 26 March 1999. Enid died in 2001.)
In 1917 the family moved from Dunedin to Wellington. Bathie and Crofton contracted influenza in 1918 and both were admitted to the Wellington College Temporary Hospital from their home at 7 Hay Street, Oriental Bay. Bathie recovered but Crofton died on 22 November 1918. He was buried in the public section of Karori Cemetery on 23 November 1918.
Headstone:
Crofton Gordon Tighe-Umbers
Died 22 November 1918
“Our hearts deep love was his”
His plot was purchased by his wife on 28 October 1919.
Dunedin’s Evening Star of 23 November 1918 published this obituary:
Mr Crofton Gordon Tighe-Umbers, of Dunedin, died at Wellington yesterday from influenza. Mr Umbers left here about three months ago to take up a position as accountant in the Public Service Superannuation office at Wellington. He was accompanied by his wife, who is so well known on the concert platform as Miss Bathie Howie Stuart. Both Mr Umbers and his wife took part in the amateur performance of the 'Gondoliers' in Wellington earlier this month, and both contracted influenza at the conclusion of the season. The deceased was the eldest son of Mr Charles Umbers postmaster at Moray place. He was born at Dunedin, and educated at the George Street School under Mr McNicol, the then head master. On leaving school he joined the office staff of Messrs Nimmo and Blair, and later entered the employ of Messrs Gaudin and Marr. He remained with the latter firm for some years, and then joined the office staff of Messrs A. and T. Burt, Ltd., remaining with that firm up to the time he was appointed to the position at Wellington. He was a member of the Dunedin Orphans' Club, and gave valuable assistance at that society's gatherings; but he very seldom appeared on the public platform. He married Miss Bathie Howie Stuart about six years ago. At the time of the Boer War the deceased left Dunedin to take up a position in Reuter's office at Capetown. He was then only 17 years of age. On reaching Capetown he changed his mind, and joined up with the 2nd Scottish Horse. He served through the South African campaign, and was wounded on two occasions—once in Mlddelburgh operations; but his more severe wound was received in the memorable battle of Brackenlaghatte. In that battle the Boers, under General Botha swept over the British, who suffered very severely. Colonel Benson, who was one of the most gallant artillery officers in the field, was killed in this battle. Crofton Umbers was the youngest soldier in his squadron. He gained the Queen's Medal and five bars, and was probably one of the youngest, soldiers in the British South African army to receive such distinction. The deceased, who was in his 35th year, was of a most genial disposition, was very popular, and had a wide circle of friends. As a business man he was particularly smart, and was always thorough in his work. In a letter to his father, received four days ago, the deceased mentioned that Mrs Umbers had had a very severe attack of influenza, but she was recovering.
One of deceased's brothers, Lieutenant Clarence Umbers, of the Royal Air Force, is at present on furlough in Dunedin, and has just recovered from a severe illness. He left New Zealand with the main body of the Expeditionary Force, and fought through the Gallipoli campaign. He afterwards saw active service at Salonika, and was wounded there by the bursting of a shell fired by an enemy anti-air craft gun. Another brother, Corporal Allen Umbers, left New Zealand with the 2nd Reinforcements attached to the Otago Mounted Rifles. He saw active service in Egypt, and afterwards went through the Gallipoli campaign. He subsequently went to France with the New Zealand troops, and was wounded some time ago on the Western Front.
Wellington’s Evening Post, on 23 November 1918 (and several other newspapers) also published an obituary:
Mr Crofton Umbers, son of Mr J C A Umbers, postmaster at Moray-place, Dunedin, died at Wellington College hospital on Thursday night. Mr Umbers, who was on the accountant’s staff of the Superannuation Board, came to Wellington about three months ago, and took part as a member of the chorus in the amateur performance of “The Gondoliers”. His wife (who played the role of Tessa in that performance) was seized with the influenza on the last day of the season, but managed to struggle through her part at night. Both Mr and Mrs Umbers were seriously ill during the next week, and in the case of Mr Umbers, pneumonic developments took place, with fatal results. Mrs Umbers is still in a convalescent home. A brother of the deceased, Flight-Lieutenant Clarence Umbers, has been seriously ill in Dunedin for the past fortnight. Mr Crofton Umbers leaves a widow and one child.
The Dominion, on 11 December 1918 also reported:
Social and Personal
Mrs Crofton Umbers, who has recovered from a very severe attack of influenza, contracted when she was appearing in the “The Gondoliers” with the Wellington amateurs, has left for Dunedin. She intends later on to reside with her parents at Mangere, Auckland.
During the 1920’s Bathie became a writer for the New Zealand Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic Review and went back on the stage professionally, working for Henry Hayward. From 1927 onwards she regularly travelled between the United States and New Zealand. She retired in 1975 and lived by herself in a trailer park near Laguna Beach, California. She never remarried.
In 1986 she was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for having promoted New Zealand in the United States for more than 40 years. She died on 22 June 1987, aged 94. Her ashes were scattered off the coast of Laguna Beach, California.
Researched and written by Beverley Hamlin
Grave Information:
Section: PUBLIC2
Plot: 311 l
Sources:
1. New Zealand Births Deaths & Marriages historical – www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
2. Newspapers – www.paperspast.natlib.gov.nz
3. Karori Cemetery – www.wellington.govt.nz > Services > Community & Culture > Cemeteries
4. New Zealand Electoral Rolls and family information – www.ancestry.co.uk
5. School Records and family information – Kiwi Index from New Zealand Society of Genealogists
6. Biography of Bathia Howie Stuart (published in New Zealand Biography 1998) – www.tera.govt.nz
7. Cemetery records Dunedin – www.dunedin.govt.nz
8. South African War and World War I records – www.archway.archives.govt.nz