Regimental number | 3/323 |
Date of birth | |
Place of birth | Thornbury, Southland |
Other Names | GILCHRIST, Jack |
Religion | Presbyterian |
Occupation | Chemist |
Address | Gore, Southland |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 30 |
Height | 5' 5" |
Weight | 120 lbs |
Next of kin | Father, William Gilchrist, Head Teacher, Mataura |
Previous military service | Nil |
Enlistment date | |
Place of enlistment | Dunedin |
Rank on embarkation | Lance Corporal |
Enlistment status | Volunteer |
Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, Otago Infantry Battalion |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on |
Members of the Otago Infantry Battalion, Main Body, left Wellington on 16 October 1914 on two ships, HMNZT 9 'Hawke's Bay' and HMNZT 5 'Ruapehu'. From the Nominal Roll it is not possible to determine on which ship an individual embarked. | |
Final rank | Lance Corporal |
Final unit | Otago Infantry Battalion (New Zealand Medical Corps) |
Fate | Died of disease |
Age at death from cemetery records | 30 |
Place of burial | At sea |
Commemoration details | Otago Provincial Memorial, Anderson's Bay Cemetery, Dunedin |
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: the late William and Agnes Gilchrist |
Other details |
Died at sea on board HMNZT No 5 'Ruapehu' at about 8:20 pm from Ptomaine poisoning, 25 October 1914. Report of Captain C T Baigent, New Zealand Medical Corps, 28 October 1914: 'Had not reported sick and was found dead at 8:25pm on 25 October 1914. On investigation it was found that he had been consuming large quantities of condensed milk, the tins of which he left opened and exposed to infection for over 24 hours in the small and hot dispensary. It was also found that he was suffering the previous night from headache, diarrhoea and vomiting. Empty tubes equivalent to 87.5 grs [grains] of morphia were found in his pockets. Death in my opinion was due to an overdose of morphia taken to relieve the symptoms of Ptomaine poisoning'. Medal: British War Medal |
Miscellaneous details | Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Otago Infantry Batln/Main Body |
Sources | Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 16786130 |