WOLFE, William James Patrick
Born 18 March 1899; died 23 November 1918; buried 26 November 1918; age 19
William James Patrick WOLFE was born in Paeroa on 18 March 1899. His mother Bridget Wolfe (nee O’SULLIVAN) was born in Mitchelstown, County Cork in Ireland on 15 February 1870. His father, Joseph Wolfe, was born in Ballydehob, County Cork in Ireland on 19 December 1867. Bridget and Joseph had immigrated to New Zealand separately and were married in Nelson on 15 February 1898. William was their first child. His siblings were Ellen Heather Bridget b1901, Joseph John b1902, Margaret Alice (known as Rita) b1904, Mary Annie (known as Sister Brigid) b1906 and Leon Kathleen b1908.
Born 18 March 1899; died 23 November 1918; buried 26 November 1918; age 19
William James Patrick WOLFE was born in Paeroa on 18 March 1899. His mother Bridget Wolfe (nee O’SULLIVAN) was born in Mitchelstown, County Cork in Ireland on 15 February 1870. His father, Joseph Wolfe, was born in Ballydehob, County Cork in Ireland on 19 December 1867. Bridget and Joseph had immigrated to New Zealand separately and were married in Nelson on 15 February 1898. William was their first child. His siblings were Ellen Heather Bridget b1901, Joseph John b1902, Margaret Alice (known as Rita) b1904, Mary Annie (known as Sister Brigid) b1906 and Leon Kathleen b1908.
Joseph worked for the Public Works Department so the family moved around a lot in the early days. William was educated in Stratford, winning a Junior National Scholarship. He later went to High School in Whangarei. He passed the Senior Civil Service exam and later took an appointment in the Defence Headquarters in Wellington.
When the flu epidemic hit, William was about to be transferred, to Auckland as a records clerk. He could not go as he was sick for two weeks. He died at 8pm on 23 November 1918 at the Wellington College Temporary Hospital. His brother, Joseph, was living in Wellington at the time and got sick but fortunately he recovered. Joseph reportedly looked out of the hospital window and saw his brother’s funeral cortege.
William’s family was devastated. He was their golden boy. His grave at the Karori Cemetery was erected by his Defence colleagues. The family, then in Whangarei, was unable to travel at that time.
His death notice appeared in the Dominion newspaper on 26 November 1918 and read:
Wolfe. – On the 23rd November 1918, at Wellington College Temporary Hospital, William James Patrick Wolfe. Dearly loved son of Mr and Mrs Joseph Wolfe, of Whangarei: aged 19 years. R.I.P.
The following was printed on a memorial card by his family:
“In a silent and lonely grave in Korari Cemetery,
Lies sleeping Willie, our dearest and best,
Little we thought when he bade us good-bye,
He had left us forever – left home to die”
When the flu epidemic hit, William was about to be transferred, to Auckland as a records clerk. He could not go as he was sick for two weeks. He died at 8pm on 23 November 1918 at the Wellington College Temporary Hospital. His brother, Joseph, was living in Wellington at the time and got sick but fortunately he recovered. Joseph reportedly looked out of the hospital window and saw his brother’s funeral cortege.
William’s family was devastated. He was their golden boy. His grave at the Karori Cemetery was erected by his Defence colleagues. The family, then in Whangarei, was unable to travel at that time.
His death notice appeared in the Dominion newspaper on 26 November 1918 and read:
Wolfe. – On the 23rd November 1918, at Wellington College Temporary Hospital, William James Patrick Wolfe. Dearly loved son of Mr and Mrs Joseph Wolfe, of Whangarei: aged 19 years. R.I.P.
The following was printed on a memorial card by his family:
“In a silent and lonely grave in Korari Cemetery,
Lies sleeping Willie, our dearest and best,
Little we thought when he bade us good-bye,
He had left us forever – left home to die”
One of William’s younger sisters was believed to have said “Christmas did not come for our family that year”.
The following article was published in the Northern Advocate on 7 December 1918:
General sympathy is extended to Mr and Mrs J.Wolfe, of Whangarei, in the irreparable loss they have sustained by the death of their eldest son, William James, whose mortal career came to an untimely close in the Wellington College Hospital on November 23. The deceased was barely 20 years old. He was born at Paeroa and started his education in Stratford, winning a Junior National Scholarship there. Later the family came to Whangarei and William continued his education at the High School. Having passed the Senior Civil Service he took an appointment in the Defence Headquarters, Wellington. At the time of his illness, a little over a fortnight ago, he had instructions to transfer to Auckland as Record Clerk in that centre, but after a week's illness he died in Wellington. Though no relatives were with him at the time, letters have been received telling of the care and attention he received from his fellow workers. He died on a Saturday night at 8 o'clock and was buried at 4.30 p.m. the following Tuesday, the staff acting as pallbearers and providing appropriate wreaths.
In 1923, the family put a memorial notice in the Northern Advocate that read:
WOLFE – In loving memory of William James Wolfe, who died in Wellington, November 23rd,1918. R.I.P. To-day brings back sad memories. – inserted by his ever loving parents, brother and sisters.
Joseph, Bridget and their daughters came to Wellington after the Napier Earthquake in 1931. They lived in various locations in the city and after Bridget's death, Joseph moved to Hill Street. He visited the Princess Hotel on Molesworth Street, where his oldest daughter lived with her husband who was the publican, every day and moved there in his old age. Bridget died in 1936 and Joseph died in 1958. They are buried at Karori Cemetery, a stone’s throw from their son William.
Researched and written by Joanne Krieble about her great uncle
Grave Information:
Section: ROM CATH
Plot: 101 P
Sources:
1. Wolfe Family information – permission is given to use the family photo and the Memorial Card
2. Newspapers – www.paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
3. Karori Cemetery – www.wellington.govt.nz > Services > Community & Culture > Cemeteries
The following article was published in the Northern Advocate on 7 December 1918:
General sympathy is extended to Mr and Mrs J.Wolfe, of Whangarei, in the irreparable loss they have sustained by the death of their eldest son, William James, whose mortal career came to an untimely close in the Wellington College Hospital on November 23. The deceased was barely 20 years old. He was born at Paeroa and started his education in Stratford, winning a Junior National Scholarship there. Later the family came to Whangarei and William continued his education at the High School. Having passed the Senior Civil Service he took an appointment in the Defence Headquarters, Wellington. At the time of his illness, a little over a fortnight ago, he had instructions to transfer to Auckland as Record Clerk in that centre, but after a week's illness he died in Wellington. Though no relatives were with him at the time, letters have been received telling of the care and attention he received from his fellow workers. He died on a Saturday night at 8 o'clock and was buried at 4.30 p.m. the following Tuesday, the staff acting as pallbearers and providing appropriate wreaths.
In 1923, the family put a memorial notice in the Northern Advocate that read:
WOLFE – In loving memory of William James Wolfe, who died in Wellington, November 23rd,1918. R.I.P. To-day brings back sad memories. – inserted by his ever loving parents, brother and sisters.
Joseph, Bridget and their daughters came to Wellington after the Napier Earthquake in 1931. They lived in various locations in the city and after Bridget's death, Joseph moved to Hill Street. He visited the Princess Hotel on Molesworth Street, where his oldest daughter lived with her husband who was the publican, every day and moved there in his old age. Bridget died in 1936 and Joseph died in 1958. They are buried at Karori Cemetery, a stone’s throw from their son William.
Researched and written by Joanne Krieble about her great uncle
Grave Information:
Section: ROM CATH
Plot: 101 P
Sources:
1. Wolfe Family information – permission is given to use the family photo and the Memorial Card
2. Newspapers – www.paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
3. Karori Cemetery – www.wellington.govt.nz > Services > Community & Culture > Cemeteries