Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

William Thomas Huxford, known as Willie, was the eldest son of George and Euphemia King (Effie, née Anderson) Huxford, of Milford near Temuka, previously of Tokarahi Estate, near Kurow, North Otago; and later of Ohaka, North Canterbury. English-born George and NZ born Euphemia married at Awakino, North Otago (Duntroon Presbyterian Parish) on 18 November 1890 and had six daughters and four sons, all born in the vicinity of Kurow-Duntroon. Their first-born, Anne Short Huxford, died in 1891, 11 days old; their youngest, Edna Mee Huxford, died in 1920, aged 9 years; and the second youngest, Walter Anderson Huxford, died in 1931 as the result of an accident, aged 22 years. The family moved from Duntroon to Waimate in about 1910-1911. The settlers of Tokarahi met on 1 October 1912 to bid good-bye to Mr George Huxford and his family. To show the great esteem in which they were held, Mr Huxford was presented with a handsome travelling bag, and Mrs Huxford with a serviceable rug. A most enjoyable evening was spent in conversation, singing, and dancing. Refreshments were handed round at intervals, and the time flew fast till one o’clock, when, wishing Mr and Mrs Huxford and family a happy future, the gathering broke up with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne”. They were briefly in Temuka in 1913 before moving to nearby Milford. They then moved to Ohoka in North Canterbury in 1919. Having sold his farm at farm at Milford, George Huxford held a complete clearing sale (stock, implements, important sundries) in August 1919. William Thomas Huxford was born at Kurow on 28 June 1895 and attended Duntroon School, North Otago.

Willie was a very keen and able athlete, a fast and clever runner who excelled in running, football and boxing. This is where he made his mark in life, having no opportunity after May 1915. He finished 2nd in the under 16 boys’ race at the very competitive Duntroon Caledonian Society events in 1909. The following year he raced in the maiden handicap and the 100 yards handicap finishing 2nd in both events. He competed off scratch in the 200 yards maiden, and in the 100 yards, 440 yards (quarter-mile) and 880 yards (half-mile) races at the Waimate Caledonian Sports on Boxing Day 1912. In 1913 he competed at the Temuka Caledonian Sports, finishing 2nd in the 880 yards handicap and running in the one mile flat. March 1914 saw William competing in swimming. Both Willie and his brother Warren competed in the Land and Water Race at the Milford Lagoon Recreation Association’s picnic in March 1914. At the Easter Monday Sports conducted by the Temuka Bicycle Club in April 1914, William participated not only in running events but also in the cycling junior roadster handicap event. In the 880 yards handicap he won £4 for first place, making a great run from the back and catching the lead runner who fell just two yards from the tape, and in the 440 yards another £4 pounds for first place. Just prior to enlistment, Willie scored well in trophy competitions with the Milford Miniature Rifle Club.

Medically examined on 13 August 1914, William Thomas Huxford stood at 5 feet 6 inches, weighed 145 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 32-36 inches, with a fair complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair. His sight, hearing and colour vision were all good, his limbs and chest well formed, his heart and lungs normal, his teeth only fair. He was free from diseases, vaccinated and in good bodily and mental health. There were 2 small moles 2 inches apart on the left side of his lower ribs. William was a good worker who engaged in farming at Milford, near Temuka. He put his age up so that he could enlist at the outbreak of war, saying that he was 21, whereas he was only 19 years old. He belonged to the 8th Mounted Rifles and had served with the Cadets for three years. He had registered for compulsory military training at Duntroon. A self-employed farmer, single and Presbyterian, he named his father as next-of-kin – George Huxford, Temuka. On 17 August 1914, just four days after enlisting, he departed with the Mounted Men by the slow train from Timaru to Addington Camp amidst much excitement in the town, whilst their horses were trucked at the Smithfield siding at Waimataitai. The Mayor spoke of the pride in them and said that they were going forward with stout hearts and strong arms. “Be true lads to your King and Empire, to yourselves and your country, and put your trust in God,” he said. Two months later Trooper Huxford embarked from Lyttelton with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles of the Main Body and reached Alexandria, Egypt on 3 December 1914. Just before departing William took part in the Military Sports held at Newtown Park, when he came second in the One-Mile Championship. The sports, when “khaki ran riot” and with over 3000 entries, were described as a great success, both financially (in aid of the Mayor’s Patriotic Fund) and as a means of providing the troops with an afternoon’s excellent entertainment. This was probably William’s last opportunity to show his athletic prowess.

On 27 April 1915 the Canterbury Battalion was involved in the battle for Walkers Ridge, Gallipoli. William was barely 20 years of age when he was killed in action there on 30 May 1915. He was buried at No. 2 Outpost Cemetery. A fit, very promising sportsman, lost in battle at such a young age and so far from home. He was of a quiet and unassuming nature, and was well liked by all who knew him, in both South Canterbury and North Otago. In mid-1919, representatives of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles were on Gallipoli under orders to identify all cemeteries and isolated graves within the area fought over by the New Zealand troops at Anzac. The old battlefields were thoroughly searched, and the party compiled a report on the graves identified. Where possible, cemeteries and isolated graves were put in order and fenced, and particulars of identification were placed in empty shell cases and left on the graves for later requirements. Mr W. T. [sic] Huxford, Milford, Temuka, received advice from the Base Records branch of the N.Z. Military Forces, Wellington, stating that the report referred to stated that his son, “7/69, W. T. Huxford (8th Sqdn., C.M.R.), buried Aghul Dere, grave No. 32, Right of Sap under hill west of No. 1 outpost. Bearing from Walker’s monument, Ari Burnu, 30 deg. South, Point Suvla 138 deg.” ‘It is a melancholy satisfaction for parents to know that their sons’ graves have been located. (Later on photographs of the graves are to be taken, and when these are received they will be forwarded to the next of kin.)’

In late July 1915, Mr D. Bain of “Stumps” Farm, Orari, received a letter from his brother Trooper L. Bain, who was with the Main Expeditionary Force at the Dardanelles. He wrote “I got separated here from poor Huxford and never knew he was hit till near daylight, when they told me he was dead. I had walked over his body lying in the bottom of the trench, twice in the night, carrying messages and did not know it was him. He was a good fighter, a bit too keen if anything, exposing himself too much. It was sad coming back to the dug-out and nothing left of poor Huxford but his pack. He and I had slept side by side ever since we left Temuka, and he was as good a mate as ever any man had.” And Sergeant-Major Nugent Cuff, writing on 23 June 1915 from Anzac Cove to his mother, Mrs Cuff, of Papakaio, had this to say – “I met Anderson’s nephew, Willie Huxford, that used to be up at Duntroon. He was killed in a gully about 100 yards from where we are camped. Bill Anderson and I are going up one of these days to fix the grave up and put a little cross on it. It was on May 31st [sic] he was killed.” A death notice in the Otago Daily Times of 2 July 1915 marked William’s roots, as does an inscription on the Duntroon War Memorial. An In Memoriam notice appeared in the Timaru Herald on 30 May 1917 and the Temuka Leader on 31 May 1917, in the Temuka Leader again on 30 May 1918 and 29 May 1919. The Lyttelton Times carried the 1920 In Memoriam from Mr and Mrs Huxford, of Ohoka, late Temuka. Another from his parents, brothers and sisters appeared in the Press on 30 May 1921 – “Sleep on beloved, sleep and take thy rest; Lay down they head upon the Saviour’s breast; We love thee well, but Jesus loves thee best.” William died intestate, the Public Trustee administering his estate. His property consisted of £16 9 10 of pay accrued to death. An Overseas War Service Gratuity was transmitted to his father through the Postmaster at Temuka in May 1920, and William’s medals (1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal), plaque and scroll were sent to his father, who had sold up his property at Milford near Temuka in 1919 and moved to Ohoka in North Canterbury. In September 1914 his father George gave a sack of fowl wheat which brought 10 shillings for the Temuka Patriotic Fund; and in March 1915 his sister Effie gave 10 shillings for the Queen Carnival Competition in aid of the Temuka Belgian Fund. G. Huxford, Temuka, donated to the Red Triangle appeal in March 1918.

From January 1917, the name W. T. Huxford was published regularly in the Temuka Leader’s Active Service List under Main Body, Canterbury Mounted Rifles. William Thomas Huxford’s name is inscribed on the Timaru War Memorial Wall, the Milford District War Memorial, the Temuka War Memorial, the Temuka RSA Roll of Honour, the Temuka Presbyterian Church Memorial, and the Duntroon War Memorial. The town of Duntroon was congratulated on giving prominence to the fine war memorial unveiled in December 1920, A memorial which stands over 15 feet high and carries the inscription – “Erected by the residents in honour of the soldiers of the district who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War, 1914-1919”, followed by the individuals’ names; a lasting tribute to the men whose names are inscribed.

The ceremony of unveiling and dedicating the War Memorial Tablet erected in the Temuka Presbyterian Church to perpetuate the memory of members of the church who laid down their lives in the Great War took place at a Sunday service in February 1922. The service commenced with the singing of the first verse of the National Anthem, after which the hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy” was sung. Prayers were offered followed by scripture readings. Before unveiling the memorial, Mr John Davey said: “To the glory of God. In honour and memory of the fallen, I now unveil this tablet.” Having drawn away the Union Jack, with which the tablet was covered, Mr Davey continued, “I hope it will stand here for many years, so that the generations to come will know of the sacrifice that was made for the sacred cause of justice and freedom.” The Lord’s Prayer having been said, the Rev. George King then addressed the congregation, noting something of the gratitude of the congregation and their sense of the great things sons and brothers and husbands and friends did for mankind in laying down their lives in the Great War. “To-day we express our sympathy with all who have lost their men at the war. We mourn with them and we pray God that He may comfort the sad in heart.” Our brave men rest in the quiet cemeteries at “Anzac” and Suvla Bay, in Egypt and Arabia, and Palestine, in France and Belgium, and in other places where they laid down their lives. The hymn, “O God Our Help in Ages Past,” was then sung, after which the organist a splendid rendering of “The Dead March,” and an inspiring service was brought to a close with the Benediction. The memorial bears the inscription - In loving and grateful memory of the men from this congregation who gave their lives in this country's service in the Great War, August 1914, November 1918. Beneath the 19 names recorded there, including William Huxford are inscribed the words - “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

In August 1922 the Temuka Borough memorial was unveiled before a very large gathering (more than 2000) in the domain, including Temuka Territorials and Cadets, Temuka and Geraldine returned soldiers, the Temuka Pipe Band, the Salvation Army Band, the children of the district schools, national and local dignitaries, and local folk. Opening proceedings, the Mayor said “We regret that this occasion has arisen, but having done so we must look back with pride at the actions of those who rose to the call of the Motherland, which was in peril. Many of those brave boys who left these shores did not return, and we have erected this memorial to their memory, . . .” Following hymns and scripture readings, His Excellency the Governor-General formally unveiled the monument and the local M.P. read out the names inscribed thereon, W. T. Huxford one of the many. The Milford War Memorial Gates were officially opened and the Roll of Honour inscribed thereon unveiled in April 1935, before nearly 500 people. Returned soldiers from all over the district, together with members of the Legion of Frontiersmen, paraded with the Temuka Municipal and Pipe Bands. Prayers were offered, hymns sung and scripture read. “Milford had been one of the last districts in South Canterbury to erect a memorial. One of the causes for this was that the people had deferred action to assist in the erection of the district memorial in the Temuka Domain. Now the people of Milford were taking the opportunity to honour those who had answered the call to arms. Those who had left the district were among the first in New Zealand to answer the call, and although many returned, there were a number who did not, and the memorial was to perpetuate their memory.” [Press.] The gates had been erected to the memory, not only of those who had laid down their lives, but also to all who had served. Mr T. D. Burnett read the inscription while the memorial tablets were unveiled - “To the memory of the men of the Milford district who died in the Great War, 1914-1918”, followed by the names which included W. T. Huxford. After wreaths were laid, and “Last Post” and “Reveille” sounded, former soldiers and frontiersmen formed a guard of honour inside the gates, and then the parade, headed by the Pipe Band, led the way to the school grounds, where the school roll of honour, containing the names of 12 former pupils, who served in the war, was officially unveiled by Mr Burnett, and the Benediction was pronounced.

William’s brother, George Warren Huxford, also served in World War One. George Huxford, senior, died on 2 July 1940, as the result of injuries and shock suffered when he was knocked over by a bicycle in the street in Hokitika. He was buried at Hokitika with his wife, Euphemia King Huxford, who had died at the Westland Hospital, Hokitika in November 1939. She was survived by her husband, four daughters and two sons. They had moved to Hokitika in the mid-1920s. A photo of William Thomas Huxford is printed in Onward: Portraits of the NZEF, Vol. 1.; in “South Canterbury Caledonian Roll of Honour” published by the South Canterbury Caledonian Society, 1916; and in the Otago Witness of 7 July 1915.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [19 November 2013]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5541 0058603) [20 November 2013]; CWGC [19 November 2013]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [28 April 2015]; Oamaru Mail, 28 December 1909, 20 December 1910, 3 October 1912, 18 June 1915, 18 August 1915 [x 2], 17 December 1920, North Otago Times, 28 December 1910, 18 August 1915, Timaru Herald, 16, 18 & 27 December 1912, 23 & 27 December 2013, 13 & 18 March 1914, 11 & 14 April 1914, 20 & 27 May 1914, 7 & 9 July 1914, 6 & 18 August 1914, 9 September 1914, 5 March 1915, 19 June 1915, 2 August 1915, 30 May 1917, 20 March 1918, 26 July 1919; Press, 21 January 1914, 24 August 1914, 21 June 1915, 13 May 1922, 5 September 1922, 30 April 1935, 21 November 1939, Temuka Leader, 19 March 1914, 6 January 1917, 31 May 1917, 30 May 1918, 29 May 1919, 14 June 1919, 21 February 1922, 12 August 1922, Star, 18 August 1914, Sun, 5 September 1914, Auckland Star, 22 June 1915, Evening Star, 22 June 1915, Lyttelton Times, 22 June 1915, 29 May 1920, Dominion, 5 October 1914, 25 June 1915, Evening Post, 5 October 1914, Otago Daily Times, 2 July 1915, Otago Witness, 7 July 1915 [x 3], Grey River Argus, 25 July 1940 (Papers Past) [19 & 20 November 2013; 06 May 2014; 28 April 2015, 02 May 2015; 25 August 2015; 06 & 16 February 2018; 14 July 2023; 10 & 12 July 2026]; ancestry.com.au (photo) [21 November 2013; 02 May 2015]; School Examination Lists (Oamaru Branch NZSG) [2014]; Probate record (Archives NZ/FamilySearch) [02 May 2015]; Image of Duntroon War Memorial (www.nzhistory.net.nz) [28 April 2015]; Photo in Onward: Portraits of the NZEF, Vol. 1 (held by South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [2014]; Photo used with permission of T. Arons (ancestry.com.au) [02 May 2015]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• HUXFORD William Thomas - newspaper clippings (pdf, 130.3 KB updated 14-Aug-2026)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

TS