War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Admitted to 26th General Hospital, Etaples, 13 January 1917.

Transferred to Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, 17 January 1917 (mental).

Report stated: 'Was through the Gallipoli campaign and the Somme battle and was sent down with Haemorrhoids. Now mentally defective,dull, moody, introspective and labouring under delusions of persecution and suspicion. Hears people talking to him by telepathy and is depressed. Sent to 26 Gen. Hospl., Etaples on 13/1/17 and diagnosed as suffering from Delusional Melancholia. Has marked mental depression, excessive emotions of shame and sadness. Thinks that by their behavious towards him people think he should be treated for venereal disease, that he has compromised his cousin's honour, and in honour must make an end of himself. On admission: He is very reserved. Will not give any account of why he was placed under observation. Says he was sent sick with Rheumatism. On examination [18.1.17]: ... Went to Egypt April 1915 , and went to Gallipoli, 5 mos. fighting there and was invalided to Malta with Haemorrhoids and returned to Peninsula in Oct. 1915. Came off at the evacuation 4 mos in Egypt and came to France April 1916. Has been under fire practically the whole time. Was sent sick 7.12.16 with Haemorrhoids again. was sent to Hospl. He enters into a long statement about having met his cousin in the Gallipoli Peninsula and has considerable grievance against him because he has neither been promoted in the Battery or received a Commission. This [Thus?], he believes, he has been lowered in the estimation of the men. This has worried him. Now he thinks his Battery Commander has been very much against him because he has been misled about the matter. Rarely loses sleep. Has no noise or headaches. Otherwise than the above got on well in the Regt. He is dull, depressed and delusional.'

Report, 29 January 1917: 'Patient is depressed and suspicious and has definite delusions to V.D.'

Report, 3 February 1917: 'After a very long examination I have elicited vague delusions of telepathy and persecution ...'

Transferred to 4th London General Hospital, 22 January 1917.

Commenced return to New Zealand from Liverpool on board HS 'Maheno', 18 March 1917.

Report, 18 March 1917, on board 'Maheno': 'Shows marked delusions, says he is a "telepathic subject", warns me that unless the ship changes her course, and proceeds to Fishguard, he will will not be responsible for the lives and safety of those on board. Believes that others suspect him of suffering from venereal disease, and is anxious to have his blood examined.

Report, 26 April 1917: 'Has delusions of "telepathy", he states that the patient whom he struck has been reported to him by telepathic means to be a German spy.'

Jumped overboard and drowned, 2 May 1917.

Reported missing on HS 'Maheno', 2 May 1917. 'On a search being made three letters of a farewell nature were discovered & his pay book in wh. his will was written dated May 1st. A Board of Enquiry sat & found after hearing the evidence of Major Gibson & orderlies "That Gnr Fitzroy committed suicide by jumping overboard from HS Maheno in the Tasman Sea on May 2, 1917, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 p.m."'