MCNEISH, James Alfred
Born 14 February 1881; died 19 November 1918; buried 20 November 1918; age 37
James Alfred McNEISH was born on 14 February 1881 in Cambridge, Waikato. He was the second child of Jane Elizabeth CASTLE and James McNeish.
Jane Castle was born in 1858 in Kent, England. The date of her arrival in New Zealand is unknown. James McNeish was born in 1853 in Raglan, New Zealand, and his mother was Maori. Jane and James were married on 6 July 1878 and had a family of nine children: Jane Elizabeth (1879); James Alfred (1881); Alice Emily (1883);
Louisa (1885); Arthur William (1887); Samuel Richard (1891; d1891 aged 10mths); George Francis (1893);
Charles Henry (1895; d1895 aged 7mths); Allan Percival (1897); Gwendoline (1901; d1902 aged 1 year).
James snr. was obviously well-known in the Waikato, and highly regarded. This is borne out by the tributes published in local newspapers when he died aged 54 on 14 October 1908:
A well-known and highly respected resident of Cambridge, namely Mr James McNeish, passed peacefully away at his residence, Duke Street, at 5 o’clock last evening. The late Mr McNeish, who was aged 54 years, had been ailing for several months past, and his end was not altogether unexpected. In his younger days deceased was an athlete of considerable note and put up some fine performances. For many years he owned a billiard saloon in the town, and afterwards had charge of the saloons at the Central and National Hotels. The late Mr McNeish had an intimate knowledge of the Native race, and his services as interpreter were frequently in requisition. He was well liked by all who knew him and was never known to say an unkind word of anyone. He leaves a wife and family of seven children—four sons and three daughters. The funeral takes place tomorrow afternoon.
(Waikato Independent, Volume VIII, Issue 577, 15 Oct 1908)
Mr. James McNeish, a well-known resident of Cambridge, died on Wednesday evening, aged 54 years. The deceased, who was a half-caste Maori, (his mother being a Maori princess), was an enthusiastic athlete, and was well known, not only, in the Waikato, but In Auckland and the northern districts. The cause of death was heart failure.
(Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume VIII, Issue 2378, 16 Oct 1908)
It is with deep regret we announce the death of Mr James McNeish, of Cambridge, who passed peacefully away yesterday evening, after an illness lasting some months. By his decease Cambridge loses one of its most straightforward inhabitants, and although “Jimmy,” as he was known to everyone, had Maori blood in his veins, he was as “white” a man as ever breathed. He was a great athlete and took part in such competitions all over the Waikato for twenty years, and during part of that time he held various championships. Perhaps he was best at the high jump; hut he was also facile princeps at pole jumping and hurdle racing, in addition to various other kind of athletics. Of one thing the public were always certain, and that was that “Jimmy” would do his level best. He never sold himself, although he was several times offered large sums to do so; but if it were possible to win he did it. For many years he kept a billiard saloon in Duke-street, Cambridge, but when the premises were destroyed in 1886 he took charge of the billiard room at the National Hotel, and subsequently he was at the Criterion Hotel until a few months ago. Deceased leaves a widow and seven children —three girls and four sons, must of whom are adults. He was one of the few men who never said anything disparaging of his fellow creatures, and one whom everyone respected. We offer the family our sincerest sympathy, in conjunction with a large number of the inhabitants of the Waikato.
(Waikato Argus, Volume XXV, Issue 3913, 15 October 1908)
James’s hapu was Ngati Tahinga, and his iwi was Tainui. Nothing is known about James’s early life, and schooldays, though his name, and that of his younger brother George are amongst those on the Cambridge Primary & District High School's Roll of Honor, so it can be assumed he attended local schools.
In early 1902, when James was not quite 21, he presented himself before the Recruiting Board at Cambridge in February 1902 for enrolment in the Ninth Contingent leaving for the Boer War in South Africa. The Boer War had begun in in October 1899:
“Eager to display New Zealand's commitment to the British Empire, Premier Richard Seddon offered to send troops two weeks before conflict broke out……. Specially raised units, consisting mainly of volunteers, were despatched overseas to serve alongside forces from elsewhere in the British Empire.”
“…. permission to form a Māori contingent was never received, the New Zealand authorities sometimes turned a blind eye to individuals. Many Māori simply enlisted under English names. Most of those who succeeded were ‘half-castes,’ as those of mixed race were then generally known.”
Born 14 February 1881; died 19 November 1918; buried 20 November 1918; age 37
James Alfred McNEISH was born on 14 February 1881 in Cambridge, Waikato. He was the second child of Jane Elizabeth CASTLE and James McNeish.
Jane Castle was born in 1858 in Kent, England. The date of her arrival in New Zealand is unknown. James McNeish was born in 1853 in Raglan, New Zealand, and his mother was Maori. Jane and James were married on 6 July 1878 and had a family of nine children: Jane Elizabeth (1879); James Alfred (1881); Alice Emily (1883);
Louisa (1885); Arthur William (1887); Samuel Richard (1891; d1891 aged 10mths); George Francis (1893);
Charles Henry (1895; d1895 aged 7mths); Allan Percival (1897); Gwendoline (1901; d1902 aged 1 year).
James snr. was obviously well-known in the Waikato, and highly regarded. This is borne out by the tributes published in local newspapers when he died aged 54 on 14 October 1908:
A well-known and highly respected resident of Cambridge, namely Mr James McNeish, passed peacefully away at his residence, Duke Street, at 5 o’clock last evening. The late Mr McNeish, who was aged 54 years, had been ailing for several months past, and his end was not altogether unexpected. In his younger days deceased was an athlete of considerable note and put up some fine performances. For many years he owned a billiard saloon in the town, and afterwards had charge of the saloons at the Central and National Hotels. The late Mr McNeish had an intimate knowledge of the Native race, and his services as interpreter were frequently in requisition. He was well liked by all who knew him and was never known to say an unkind word of anyone. He leaves a wife and family of seven children—four sons and three daughters. The funeral takes place tomorrow afternoon.
(Waikato Independent, Volume VIII, Issue 577, 15 Oct 1908)
Mr. James McNeish, a well-known resident of Cambridge, died on Wednesday evening, aged 54 years. The deceased, who was a half-caste Maori, (his mother being a Maori princess), was an enthusiastic athlete, and was well known, not only, in the Waikato, but In Auckland and the northern districts. The cause of death was heart failure.
(Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume VIII, Issue 2378, 16 Oct 1908)
It is with deep regret we announce the death of Mr James McNeish, of Cambridge, who passed peacefully away yesterday evening, after an illness lasting some months. By his decease Cambridge loses one of its most straightforward inhabitants, and although “Jimmy,” as he was known to everyone, had Maori blood in his veins, he was as “white” a man as ever breathed. He was a great athlete and took part in such competitions all over the Waikato for twenty years, and during part of that time he held various championships. Perhaps he was best at the high jump; hut he was also facile princeps at pole jumping and hurdle racing, in addition to various other kind of athletics. Of one thing the public were always certain, and that was that “Jimmy” would do his level best. He never sold himself, although he was several times offered large sums to do so; but if it were possible to win he did it. For many years he kept a billiard saloon in Duke-street, Cambridge, but when the premises were destroyed in 1886 he took charge of the billiard room at the National Hotel, and subsequently he was at the Criterion Hotel until a few months ago. Deceased leaves a widow and seven children —three girls and four sons, must of whom are adults. He was one of the few men who never said anything disparaging of his fellow creatures, and one whom everyone respected. We offer the family our sincerest sympathy, in conjunction with a large number of the inhabitants of the Waikato.
(Waikato Argus, Volume XXV, Issue 3913, 15 October 1908)
James’s hapu was Ngati Tahinga, and his iwi was Tainui. Nothing is known about James’s early life, and schooldays, though his name, and that of his younger brother George are amongst those on the Cambridge Primary & District High School's Roll of Honor, so it can be assumed he attended local schools.
In early 1902, when James was not quite 21, he presented himself before the Recruiting Board at Cambridge in February 1902 for enrolment in the Ninth Contingent leaving for the Boer War in South Africa. The Boer War had begun in in October 1899:
“Eager to display New Zealand's commitment to the British Empire, Premier Richard Seddon offered to send troops two weeks before conflict broke out……. Specially raised units, consisting mainly of volunteers, were despatched overseas to serve alongside forces from elsewhere in the British Empire.”
“…. permission to form a Māori contingent was never received, the New Zealand authorities sometimes turned a blind eye to individuals. Many Māori simply enlisted under English names. Most of those who succeeded were ‘half-castes,’ as those of mixed race were then generally known.”
Trooper James McNeish
James became part of the “F” Squadron in the North Island Battalion and left New Zealand on 19 March 1902. Before enrolling he had been part of the Cambridge No 3 Mounted Rifles. However, James had only been in South Africa for a very short time when the Peace Treaty was signed 1 June 1902, so he was soon on board the “Orient” bound for home. Unfortunately, the “Orient” which had been packed with 1,102 men, some of whom had been offloaded in Dunedin and more in Lyttleton, was quarantined on arrival in Wellington on 8 August 1902, there having been a report that one of the troopers was infected with smallpox. None of the remaining troopers were allowed to disembark until 14 August, and a quarantine camp was established on Somes Island. James was part of this group. It was eventually decided that the infection was more likely to have been chicken pox.
By 1905-1906 James was back in the Waikato and was listed in the Electoral Roll as a storeman working in Cambridge, and in the 1911 Electoral Roll working as a mechanic.
On 30 April 1912 James married Louie Norgrove KERR in Cambridge, Waikato. Louie was the adopted daughter of Henry and Ann Kerr.
Wedding Notice (Waikato Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 4993, 7 May 1912)
McNEISH—KERR. - A pretty, but quiet, wedding was celebrated at St. Peter’s Church, Cambridge, on Tuesday, by the Rev. Father Murphy, when Louie, daughter of Mr and Mrs Harry Kerr, was joined in wedlock to James, eldest son of the late Mr James McNeish. Miss Louie McNeish, sister of the bridegroom, was bridesmaid, and his brother, Arthur, filled the position of best man. The bride was attired in a cream coat and skirt, cream hat with black plumes, and the bridesmaid wore braided cream cloth. The bride was given away by her father. After the ceremony the wedding party partook of refreshments at the residence of the bride’s parents and subsequently Mr and Mrs McNeish left per train tor the West Coast.
In the 1914 Electoral Roll James & Louie were living in Cambridge, and James was still working as a mechanic.
Shortly after World War 1 started James enlisted, on 14 September 1914, and became a driver with the NZ Field Artillery. His younger brother George (known as Jack) signed up at the same time and was assigned to the Auckland Mounted Rifles. They left for Egypt with the first contingent (known as Main Body) in October 1916. They both served on Gallipoli (Dardanelles), where George was killed in action on 8 August 1915 in the Battle of Chunuk Bair. His name is amongst those commemorated on the Chunuk Bair (New Zealand) Memorial, Chunuk Bair Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Another brother Arthur also served with the Samoa Advance Force from August 1914 until April 1915, and then signed on again in 1916 and for 2 years he was in charge of a Mobile Wireless in Mesopotamia. He then fulfilled the same role as a commissioned officer on the North West Frontier in Pakistan in 1919/1921.
James seems to have been unscathed during his service in the Dardanelles and went on to serve on the Western Front where he took part in the battles of the Somme, Messines, and Passchendaele Ridge. James was promoted several times during his military service, attaining the rank of Sergeant by February 1916. In August 1917 he was seriously wounded in the right leg. This injury was sufficient for him to be sent first to England, and then returned to NZ, where he was discharged as medically unfit for active service on 1 February 1918.
His life after his discharge is not known but he must have remained in the Wellington area, because when he became ill with influenza in November 1918 he was transferred to St John’s Temporary Hospital in Dixon Street from the Imperial Hotel, which was on the corner of Cuba and Garrett Streets, in the same area. It is also not known whether Louie was living with him in Wellington, though her registration on the 1919 Electoral Roll at 16 Kensington Street, Te Aro, suggests that she was.
By 1905-1906 James was back in the Waikato and was listed in the Electoral Roll as a storeman working in Cambridge, and in the 1911 Electoral Roll working as a mechanic.
On 30 April 1912 James married Louie Norgrove KERR in Cambridge, Waikato. Louie was the adopted daughter of Henry and Ann Kerr.
Wedding Notice (Waikato Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 4993, 7 May 1912)
McNEISH—KERR. - A pretty, but quiet, wedding was celebrated at St. Peter’s Church, Cambridge, on Tuesday, by the Rev. Father Murphy, when Louie, daughter of Mr and Mrs Harry Kerr, was joined in wedlock to James, eldest son of the late Mr James McNeish. Miss Louie McNeish, sister of the bridegroom, was bridesmaid, and his brother, Arthur, filled the position of best man. The bride was attired in a cream coat and skirt, cream hat with black plumes, and the bridesmaid wore braided cream cloth. The bride was given away by her father. After the ceremony the wedding party partook of refreshments at the residence of the bride’s parents and subsequently Mr and Mrs McNeish left per train tor the West Coast.
In the 1914 Electoral Roll James & Louie were living in Cambridge, and James was still working as a mechanic.
Shortly after World War 1 started James enlisted, on 14 September 1914, and became a driver with the NZ Field Artillery. His younger brother George (known as Jack) signed up at the same time and was assigned to the Auckland Mounted Rifles. They left for Egypt with the first contingent (known as Main Body) in October 1916. They both served on Gallipoli (Dardanelles), where George was killed in action on 8 August 1915 in the Battle of Chunuk Bair. His name is amongst those commemorated on the Chunuk Bair (New Zealand) Memorial, Chunuk Bair Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Another brother Arthur also served with the Samoa Advance Force from August 1914 until April 1915, and then signed on again in 1916 and for 2 years he was in charge of a Mobile Wireless in Mesopotamia. He then fulfilled the same role as a commissioned officer on the North West Frontier in Pakistan in 1919/1921.
James seems to have been unscathed during his service in the Dardanelles and went on to serve on the Western Front where he took part in the battles of the Somme, Messines, and Passchendaele Ridge. James was promoted several times during his military service, attaining the rank of Sergeant by February 1916. In August 1917 he was seriously wounded in the right leg. This injury was sufficient for him to be sent first to England, and then returned to NZ, where he was discharged as medically unfit for active service on 1 February 1918.
His life after his discharge is not known but he must have remained in the Wellington area, because when he became ill with influenza in November 1918 he was transferred to St John’s Temporary Hospital in Dixon Street from the Imperial Hotel, which was on the corner of Cuba and Garrett Streets, in the same area. It is also not known whether Louie was living with him in Wellington, though her registration on the 1919 Electoral Roll at 16 Kensington Street, Te Aro, suggests that she was.
The Imperial Hotel on the corner of Cuba Street and Garrett Street. Constructed 1903 demolished 1986.
Photographer Charles J Fearnley. Date 1977. Reference 50003 1849 H.png
Photographer Charles J Fearnley. Date 1977. Reference 50003 1849 H.png
James died at the hospital on 19 November 1918 and was buried in the Public Section of Karori Cemetery, Wellington, on 20 November 1918. His plot, purchased by Louie in February 1919 is surmounted by two headstones, one of which is the official headstone authorised by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and which would have been installed several years after James’s death. The other was presumably provided by Louie:
In Fond Memory Of
2/768 Sergt. James A McNeish (Main Body)
Beloved Husband of Louie McNeish (Cambridge)
Died 19th Nov. 1918
After 31/2 Years Active Service
Aged 37 Years
His death was noted in the local papers in the Waikato.
Death Notices:
McNEISH.—On November 19, at St. John's Hospital, Wellington, of pneumonia, James Alfred McNeish, 2/768 Main Body, dearly-beloved husband of Louie McNeish, and eldest son of Mrs and the late James McNeish, Cambridge ; aged 37 years.
(Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13921, 23 Nov 1918)
McNEISH — On November 19th at St John’s Hospital, Wellington, of pneumonia, James Alfred McNeish, 2/768 Main Body, dearly beloved oldest son of Mrs Jas McNeish and the late James McNeish, of Cambridge; aged 37 years.
(Waikato Independent, Volume XIX, Issue 2135, 21 Nov 1918)
Obituaries:
James McNeish
The late Mr James A. McNeish whose death is recorded in our issue to-day was the eldest son of Mrs and the late Mr J. McNeish of Cambridge and had only lately returned from the front. He left New Zealand with the Main Body with a younger brother, Jack, who was killed on Gallipoli. One other brother, Arthur, left with the original Samoan force and is now on service in the Indian Army. The sympathy of the district is extended to this family which has such a splendid record of patriotism.
(Waikato Independent, Volume XIX, Issue 2136, 23 Nov 1918)
We regret to announce the death of Sergeant J A McNeish, of influenza-pneumonia, at St. John's temporary hospital, Wellington, on November 19. Sergeant J A McNeish, who left New Zealand as a bombadier with the Main Body, received his promotion while on active service in Egypt. He later took part in the Gallipoli campaign, subsequently going to France with his battery, where he was stationed in the Armentieres sector. Later on he took part in the battles of the Somme, Messines, and Passchendaele Ridge, where he was slightly gassed and wounded in the foot. Sergeant McNeish also saw service in the South African war. He was married six years ago to Miss L. Kerr, daughter of Mr and Mrs H. Kerr, of Cambridge, where his own parents now reside.
(Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13923, 26 Nov 1918)
Louie and James had not had any children. Louie McNeish never remarried and lived in Howick, Auckland, for many years before she died in 1945.
James, and his brother Jack, are memorialized in several places in and around Cambridge:
• Memorial Roll, WWI and WWII, Trinity St Pauls Union Parish, Cambridge.
• Hautapu Cemetery RSA Memorial 1914-1918 and 1939-1945, Leamington, Cambridge.
• Cambridge Cenotaph, 1914-1918, Victoria St, Cambridge 3434.
• Cambridge Primary & District High School's Roll of Honour.
Information supplied by Lorraine James with further research by Beverley Hamlin
Grave Information:
Section: PUBLIC2
Plot: 408 H
Sources:
1. New Zealand Births Deaths & Marriages historical – www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
2. Newspapers – www.paperspast.natlib.gov.nz
3. Boer War & World War 1 records via Archway– www.archway.archives.govt.nz
4. Karori Cemetery – www.wellington.govt.nz > Services > Community & Culture > Cemeteries
5. McNeish Family information – www.ancestry.co.uk
6. New Zealand Electoral Rolls – www.ancestry.co.uk
7. GRO – General Registrar Office, England – www.gro.gov.uk
In Fond Memory Of
2/768 Sergt. James A McNeish (Main Body)
Beloved Husband of Louie McNeish (Cambridge)
Died 19th Nov. 1918
After 31/2 Years Active Service
Aged 37 Years
His death was noted in the local papers in the Waikato.
Death Notices:
McNEISH.—On November 19, at St. John's Hospital, Wellington, of pneumonia, James Alfred McNeish, 2/768 Main Body, dearly-beloved husband of Louie McNeish, and eldest son of Mrs and the late James McNeish, Cambridge ; aged 37 years.
(Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13921, 23 Nov 1918)
McNEISH — On November 19th at St John’s Hospital, Wellington, of pneumonia, James Alfred McNeish, 2/768 Main Body, dearly beloved oldest son of Mrs Jas McNeish and the late James McNeish, of Cambridge; aged 37 years.
(Waikato Independent, Volume XIX, Issue 2135, 21 Nov 1918)
Obituaries:
James McNeish
The late Mr James A. McNeish whose death is recorded in our issue to-day was the eldest son of Mrs and the late Mr J. McNeish of Cambridge and had only lately returned from the front. He left New Zealand with the Main Body with a younger brother, Jack, who was killed on Gallipoli. One other brother, Arthur, left with the original Samoan force and is now on service in the Indian Army. The sympathy of the district is extended to this family which has such a splendid record of patriotism.
(Waikato Independent, Volume XIX, Issue 2136, 23 Nov 1918)
We regret to announce the death of Sergeant J A McNeish, of influenza-pneumonia, at St. John's temporary hospital, Wellington, on November 19. Sergeant J A McNeish, who left New Zealand as a bombadier with the Main Body, received his promotion while on active service in Egypt. He later took part in the Gallipoli campaign, subsequently going to France with his battery, where he was stationed in the Armentieres sector. Later on he took part in the battles of the Somme, Messines, and Passchendaele Ridge, where he was slightly gassed and wounded in the foot. Sergeant McNeish also saw service in the South African war. He was married six years ago to Miss L. Kerr, daughter of Mr and Mrs H. Kerr, of Cambridge, where his own parents now reside.
(Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13923, 26 Nov 1918)
Louie and James had not had any children. Louie McNeish never remarried and lived in Howick, Auckland, for many years before she died in 1945.
James, and his brother Jack, are memorialized in several places in and around Cambridge:
• Memorial Roll, WWI and WWII, Trinity St Pauls Union Parish, Cambridge.
• Hautapu Cemetery RSA Memorial 1914-1918 and 1939-1945, Leamington, Cambridge.
• Cambridge Cenotaph, 1914-1918, Victoria St, Cambridge 3434.
• Cambridge Primary & District High School's Roll of Honour.
Information supplied by Lorraine James with further research by Beverley Hamlin
Grave Information:
Section: PUBLIC2
Plot: 408 H
Sources:
1. New Zealand Births Deaths & Marriages historical – www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
2. Newspapers – www.paperspast.natlib.gov.nz
3. Boer War & World War 1 records via Archway– www.archway.archives.govt.nz
4. Karori Cemetery – www.wellington.govt.nz > Services > Community & Culture > Cemeteries
5. McNeish Family information – www.ancestry.co.uk
6. New Zealand Electoral Rolls – www.ancestry.co.uk
7. GRO – General Registrar Office, England – www.gro.gov.uk