Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Alexander Sinclair Dick, who was born on 25 September 1891 at Hamilton, was the younger son of Gavin Graham and Jane (née Sinclair) Dick, of Timaru. Gavin, a farmer, and Jane who both hailed from Scotland, married in 1879 at Loburn, Canterbury, New Zealand. They had four daughters and two sons, their births registered in various parts of the country – Rangiora, Hastings, Mataura and Hamilton. Alex attended the Christchurch Normal School and Elmwood School in Christchurch before moving in January 1899, when his mother came to Timaru to live, to the Timaru Main School where he was awarded a prize in the Infants class. Jane Sinclair had emigrated in 1864-1865 with her parents and five older brothers. Both her parents died at Timaru in 1898 (John in March and Marion in August). Alexander Dick worked for some time as a plumber's apprentice with C. Hodges and Co, Waimate, where his oldest sister Marion (Mrs Bobert Buckingham) resided.

On enlisting he worked as a labourer for a plasterer (Mr Palliser) in Timaru. He had previously been in the employ of Mr Bruce, another plasterer. Alex enlisted very early in the war, 17 August 1914 at Timaru. Single and Presbyterian, he named his mother as next-of-kin – Mrs Jane Dick, 144 North Street, Timaru. Medically examined that same day, he stood at 5 feet 8 inches, weighed 141 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 34-36 inches, with a fair complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. His sight, hearing, colour vision and teeth were all good, his limbs and chest well formed, his heart and lungs normal. He was free from diseases, vaccinated and in good bodily and mental health.

Private A. S. Dick was appointed to No. 6 Platoon, B Company (Second South Canterbury Regiment), under Captain D. Grant, at the central camp at Christchurch in mid-August 1914. Embarking at Lyttelton for Suez, Egypt per the “Tahiti” on 15 October 1914 as a member of the 2nd South Canterbury Company of the Expeditionary Force, Private A. S. Dick reached Alexandria on 3 December 1914. From April until September 1915, while at the Front, Alex had a really rough time, spending four periods in hospital, ill or wounded. He was in and out of hospital, and he rejoined his unit at the Dardanelles more than once. On 20 April 1915 he was admitted to the Stationary Hospital at Mudros, Malta, with tonsillitis, and transferred to the “Osmanieh” five days later. The following month he was admitted to Lady Godley’s New Zealand Convalescent Home at Saba Pacha, Alexandria. On 31 May 1915 he was attached to Strength at the New Zealand Advance Base Depot at Mustapha, and a week later embarked at Alexandria for the Dardanelles, rejoining his unit on 10 June. In June 1915 advice was received that he was one of twenty-six men who had been discharged as cured and were at the Base at Alexandria. On 11 July 1915 he was sent to Hospital at the Dardanelles, sick, and on 13 July 1915 he was again admitted to the Stationary Hospital at Malta, with debility. He landed in Malta from the Hospital Ship “Gascon” on 18 July 1915, and was admitted to Tigne Hospital, Malta, slightly sick with gastritis. After recovering he was again sent to the Front. He was transferred to Ghain [Ghajn] Tuffieha Convalescent Camp at Malta after suffering a gunshot wound to the thigh on 7 August. Discharged from hospital in Malta, he was sent for duty in Egypt per the transport “Georgian” on 31 August 1915. Having been attached to Strength again at the New Zealand Advance Base at Mustapha on 5 September 1915, he embarked for the Dardanelles per the “Ionian” a few days later – for the last time, as he was killed in action there on 14 November 1915, aged 24 years. He was buried in the Military Cemetery at Cheshire Ridge, Anzac, the Rev. T. F. Taylor conducting the last rites. A stone at Embarkation Pier Cemetery is inscribed – “Believed to be buried in this cemetery 6/444 Private A. S. Dick, N.Z. Canterbury Regt, 14 November 1915, age 22. Their glory shall not be blotted out.” The cemetery contains the graves of 944 Commonwealth servicemen, with 262 known or believed to be buried in the cemetery and commemorated by special memorials. The graves date from 25 April 1915 to 11 December 1915.

It wasn’t until December that Mrs Jane Dick, North Street, received a telegram from the Minister of Defence that her younger son, Private Alexander Sinclair Dick, 6-444, had been killed in action at the Dardanelles on November 14th. Mr Allen added an expression of sympathy. His brother, Douglas Dick, was back in Timaru, having returned from Gallipoli, where he was wounded in the shoulder. Alec’s mother received messages of sympathy not only from the King and Queen and national dignitaries, but also from his friends and comrades. Among them was one from Captain A. F. Boys of Timaru – “It happened on Sunday, November 14. We had just come over from Lemnos, where we were resting, and had been there nearly a week, doing all the fatigues just behind the firing line. We had no casualties at this, but when Alec, and his two mates were sitting down to dinner, near the cookhouse, a Turkish shell landed just over the cooking place and burst right among our boys. A shrapnel bullet caught Alec. in the back of the neck and killed him instantaneously. A few of the others were also hit. He was the first of the men in my charge to go under, and I cannot tell you how much I regret his death. He was buried in a little cemetery on Cheshire Ridge, and I have asked Charlie Frascr, of Timaru to make a cross to mark his grave. (Walter Charles Fraser, 6/2624.) I need hardly say that your loss is also our loss. We all feel his death very much and send you our most sincere sympathy.”

Each year following, Alex’s mother, brother and sisters – his loved ones - would insert an In Memoriam notice in the Timaru Herald. (1916) “Far away from his home and his loved ones, Laid to rest in that far-away land; Never more shall our eyes here behold him, Never more shall we clasp his dear hand, For his King and his country, His service he faithfully gave, Now he’s laid to rest with his comrades, The gallant, the true and the brave.” (1917) “Though the loving voice is silent. And the true heart ceased to beat; Yet we miss the well-known footsteps And the form we used to greet.” (1924) “Our thoughts do often wander, To that grave so far away; Where comrades laid our dear one, Nine years ago to-day.” (1924) “Though death divides, still memory clings with silent thoughts.” Alex was well liked, and of a cheerful, bright disposition. A letter from Captain Taylor reads – “I knew your boy well as I have been with the Forces since August 1914. He was a clean, good-living boy and did not give way to the temptations to which some yielded, and while you grieve for him you will be proud for you are the mother of a son who, when duty called, was not found wanting. I offer you my deep sympathy, and yet my congratulations, because I so admired your boy. May God bless and comfort you, and all bereaved mothers and wives.”

His medals (1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal), memorial plaque and scroll were all sent to his mother, who duly acknowledged receipt of them. His mother, Mrs Jane Dick, had moved from 144 North Street to 127 North Street. His only brother, Douglas Graham Dick, also served in World War One, was wounded at Gallipoli, and had returned home October 1915. In August 2009 in Australia, “a poignant pair of WWI trios”, the medals awarded to 6/44 Pte A. S. Dick and 6/1827 Pte D. G. Dick were offered for sale.

“During the last few weeks Mr Grand has had on view in the windows of different business establishments in Timaru quite a number of exceedingly fine life-like enlargements, which he has executed for Timaru people. His latest achievement is a very line portrait of Private Alex. Dick, son of Mrs J. Dick, North Street, which will be on view in the window of Mr W. Robson, tobacconist, Theatre Buildings, for the next few days. The late Private Dick was among the heroes of the Main Body, went through the major portion of the Gallipoli campaign and was killed while his battalion were resting just prior to the evacuation. The enlargement is taken from a small snap he had taken just prior to leaving Egypt, and it will be noticed that for the occasion of the photograph he discarded the Expeditionary Force slouch hat for an Indian turban. The work has been wonderfully well executed, and has about it a prominent life-like touch, and we feel sure it will be much treasured by Mrs Dick as a life-like memento of her boy, who so gladly paid the supreme sacrifice in the cause of freedom. Mr Grand will be pleased to supply further particulars and quotations at his studio opposite Theatre Royal, Stafford Street.” [Timaru Herald, 13 October 1920.]

His name is inscribed on the Timaru Memorial Wall, the Chalmers Church Honour Roll, and on the Timaru Main School Memorial. Beneath the inscription on the Chalmers Church memorial are some 34 names – PEACE 1914-1918 To the glory of God, and in affectionate remembrance of those men connected with this Church, who made the Supreme Sacrifice in the Great War. The Timaru Main School memorial which is located on the corner of Grey Road and Arthur Street, is inscribed thus – In honoured memory of 70 ex pupils and teachers of the Timaru Main School who fell in the Great War and about 360 others who fought and returned 1914-1918 The Liberty we fought for use honourably. While no names are inscribed on the monument, scrolls containing the names of the fallen ex-boys and of others who had served and returned were inserted in the cavity of the foundation stone. When the memorial - “a testimony to duty faithfully done, even unto death” - was unveiled on 25 June 1921, a beautiful wreath was placed on behalf of the school and the “Last Post” feelingly played. Portraits of Private A. S. Dick were printed in the Auckland Weekly News 1916 (attached to Cenotaph record) and the Otago Witness of 2 February 1916.

Alexander Sinclair Dick is also remembered on the Timaru headstone of his sister, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Graham Dick, the youngest of the family, who died on 30 October 1926. Mrs Jane Sinclair Dick died at her North Street residence on 4 September 1936 and was buried at Timaru with her brother David Sinclair, alongside her daughter Elizabeth with the memorial to Alex. Mrs Dick had signed her last Will just a few days before her death. She made specific bequests to two Metson granddaughters, to her daughter Agnes Metson and to her son Douglas Graham Dick (including the land and buildings at 127 North Street, absolutely), and remembered also her three daughters – Marion Buckingham, Jane Burchard and Agnes Metson. Her brother David Sinclair who died in December 1932 made bequests to his brother William Sinclair, his niece Jessie McDonald(?), his nephew Douglas Dick, his niece Agnes Metson, his sister Jane Dick, his niece Jane Burchard, his niece Marion Buckingham; the residue of his estate was to go to his sister Jane Dick. Gavin Graham Dick had died at Christchurch three years before his wife, on 18 September 1933, and was buried at Bromley. Although late of Timaru, he did not feature in any family notices, except his own – On September 18th, at Christchurch, Gavin Graham Dick. He died intestate, his estate (£350) administered by the Public Trust. When Marion Dick, the eldest daughter, married in December 1904 at her parents’ North Street residence, she was given away by Mr David Sinclair, of Oamaru (surely her uncle). John Sinclair who attended the bridegroom as best man was probably a cousin. Alexander’s nephew Clifford Robert Buckingham (Marion’s son) served in World War Two.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [31 July 2013]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5537 0033706) [01 August 2013]; CWGC [31 July 2013]; WWI GALLIPOLI MEDALS, BROTHERS, ONE KIA ONE WIA (Trade Me, 18 Aug 2009 - Medals & documents for sale) [31 July 2013]; Timaru Herald, 20 December 1899, 31 December 1904, 8 June 1915 [x 2], 11 August 1915 [x 2], 23 September 1915, 7, 8 & 9 December 1915, 18 January 1916, 14 November 1916, 14 November 1917, 14 November 1919, 13 October 1920, 15 November 1920, 17 & 27 June 1921, 14 November 1921, 14 November 1922, 14 November 1924, 14 November 1925, 15 November 1926, 7 December 1932, 5 September 1936, Press, 21 & 28 August 1914, 8 December 1915, 20 September 1933, Sun, 5 September 1914, 8 December 1915, Evening Post, 7 June 1915, Dominion, 10 June 1915, Otago Daily Times, 8 December 1915, Waimate Daily Advertiser, 8 December 1915, Otago Witness, 2 February 1916, Temuka Leader, 18 June 1921 (Papers Past) [19 November 2013, 01 December 2013; 15 May 2014; 20 & 25 April 2015; 03 July 2015; 20 April 2018; 05 May 2022; 04 February 2023; 13 November 2023; 12 May 2026]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [20 April 2015]; School admission records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG & Canterbury Branch NZSG) [2013]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [20 April 2015; 12 May 2026]; Timaru Cemetery headstone image (Timaru District Council) [15 September 2017]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• DICK Alexander Sinclair - newspaper clippings (pdf, 98.5 KB updated 16-Jul-2026)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

TS