Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Richard Yesberg, known as Dick, was born on 1 September 1896 at Waimate, the youngest son of John and Anna Maria (Maria, née Taylor). John arrived in New Zealand from Germany in 1868. He married Maria from England on 9 May 1876 at St Augustine’s Church, Waimate. John Yesberg worked for the Studholmes, and in 1878 he bought a small farm at Studholme. “On Saturday night a sod whare, occupied by a man named Yesberg and his family, was burnt to the ground at Waimate. The fire was caused by sparks from the chimney, which ignited the thatched roof of the dwelling. Mrs Yesberg was severely scorched about the face whilst rescuing her children. The place was uninsured, and besides the loss sustained through the destruction of the whare and the furniture, Yesberg lost cash amounting to over £40, which he had only just received on account of wages.” [Star, 28 June 1881.] Letters of Naturalisation were issued to John (Johannes) Yesberg on 16 March 1923. There nine children were born to John and Maria, the first-born dying in infancy. The surviving Yesberg children (five sons and three children) were educated at Waimate District High School, the girls doing well and Sarah being awarded the dux medal of the secondary division. In 1910 Richard was successful in the matriculation examination. John Yesberg farmed in the Waimate district. In June 1909, Guinness and LeCren, Ltd., offered for sale by auction Mr John Yesberg’s “compact little farm of 27 acres, with 4-roomed dwelling, on south road, near Waimate. The land is good and likely to increase in value. One acre and a quarter is presently in strawberries.”

Richard was to excel in sports. At the school sports in March 1910, when he was just 14 years old, he finished third in the 800 yards open. By 1912 he was competing in the “Fritz” Cycle Road Race (Waimate to Makikihi and back), which he wone easily. “The finish was witnessed by several hundred spectators.” “The scratch men did not make the pace expected of them. Yesberg was ‘all out’, however, and had the road practically to himself all the way home from Makikihi, winning how he liked.” Riding with a smaller handicap in 1913, he finished third in the same race, though over a different course. Richard finished a good third in the final of the very competitive 1½ mile bicycle race at the Waimate Caledonian sports in December 1913. When the Waimate Senior Cadet Sports were held in March 1914, listed among the entrants was Yesberg. At the fortieth annual gathering for the Waimate Caledonian Sports in December 1914, R. Yesberg competed well in the cycling events, though the newspaper reported thus – “Some counsel should be offered to Yesberg not to risk taking his hand from his handle-grips while in the centre of a bunch going fast. Together with his jerky spurting, thus fault might easily have produced spills; it was only by good luck that it didn't.” He finished a close third in the Winchester Road Race in April 1915. His handicap for the Fritz Road Race in October of the same year was scratch, and for all four Waimate Caledonian Society bicycle races in December. He won by a wheel in the one-mile spectators’ bicycle race at the Red Cross carnival held at Geraldine on St Patrick’s Day 1916.

Richard Yesberg, farming at Waimate, was drawn in the first military ballot for No. 10 (South Canterbury) recruiting district on 24 November 1916. He attested on 5 January 1917 at Timaru and enlisted on 28 January at Waimate, when he was 20 years 4 months of age. A farmer, residing at Waimate, single, and Presbyterian, he named his mother as next-of-kin – Mrs Yesberg, Waimate. He belonged to the 2nd (South Canterbury) Regiment. When he was medically examined on 23 January 1917, he stood at 5 feet 6¾ inches, weighed 150 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 32-35¾ inches, a fresh complexion, brown eyes and brown hair. His sight, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal, his limbs and chest well formed. Free from diseases, vaccinated, and in good bodily and mental health, he was deemed fit Class A. R. Yesberg was one of the men who left Waimate by the first express, en route for Trentham, on 13 February 1917. After being posted to the 25th Reinforcements he had a few transfers between Featherston and Trentham camps.

Private R. Yesberg embarked with the 25th Reinforcements, departing from Wellington on 26 April 1917 per the “Tofua” and disembarking at Devonport, England on 20 July. On 12 May he had been fined 5 shillings for an offence on the Transport. Having marched into Sling on 20 July 1917, he marched out for overseas (France) on 23 September. There he joined the 3rd Battalion of the Canterbury Regiment in October. A heavy casualty list which was issued on 1 November 1917 included Private R. Yesberg, 47185, NZ Rifle Brigade as wounded on 18 October. A few weeks later, his was reported as not a severe case. Suffering gunshot wounds to his neck and scalp, he was admitted to No. 1 New Zealand Field Ambulance on 18 October, then to No. 11 Stationary Hospital at Rouen in France the next day. Having embarked for England per the hospital Ship “Grantully Castle” on 24 October, he was admitted to the Military Hospital at Endell Street (England) on 25 October with gunshot wounds to his back and scalp. He was then transferred to the Convalescent Depot at Hornchurch on 3 November 1917. Attached to Strength at Codford on 28 December 1917, he went on leave till 12 January 1918 at Codford. He was then transferred to the 4th New Zealand Infantry Reserve Brigade on 4 March. Two weeks later he proceeded overseas again to France and joined his battalion on 11 April.

Richard Yesberg of Waimate was listed again as wounded, this time on 4 September 1918, and was admitted to the Casualty Clearing Station. He was admitted to the 12th General Hospital at Rouen in France on 7 September with gunshot wounds to his left forearm. Having embarked for England on 9 September, he was then admitted to No. 1 New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst in the UK on 10 September and transferred to the Convalescent Hospital at Hornchurch on 15 October 1918.

An Abridged Medical Board was assembled at Codford on 8 January 1919 to assess 47185 Private Richard Yesberg for the disability which occurred on 4 September 1918 in France. The Xrays showed no foreign body or fracture, but he did have influenza at Hornchurch on 17 November 1918. The disability was caused by a rifle bullet on Active Service. Condition at 8 January 1919 – “Feels little weak; cough with phlegm. Left forearm wound . . . . . Movement of forearm good – grip good – arm improving.” For pension purposes, the degree of disability was assessed at less than 20%. He forfeited 6 days’ pay and was awarded further punishment on 11 January 1919 at Codford for absence without leave. Come March 1919 and Richard Yesberg, Waimate, was returning home per the “Athenic”, having embarked at Liverpool on 3 February. The proceedings of the Medical Board dated 13 February 1919 on board the “Athenic” noted his progress as good. He and two comrades were to reach Waimate by the express on 21 March. He was discharged on 18 April 1919, on the termination of his term of engagement, and was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service in Western Europe. Richard Yesberg settled back at Waimate, working that land. His postal address was South Road, Waimate, South Canterbury, when he applied for Overseas War-Service Gratuity on 23 September 1919.

He also got back into cycling, competing in the 25-miles road race held at Waimate in November 1919. He was placed third in both the One Mile Bicycle Handicap and the Three Mile Bicycle Handicap at the Waimate Caledonian Society’s meeting the following month. At the Timaru Caledonian Society’s sports at New Year 1920 he gained a second placing. In early September 1921, a concert in aid of the Roll of Honour was held in the Waituna School. “The concert was one of the best that has ever been held in the Schoolroom and the audience was a thoroughly representative one, proving that the object in view has the full sympathy of the countryside.” Among the willing performers was Mr R. Yesberg with mandolin solos. In April 1922 he was successful in one of the guessing competitions held in connection with the Druids’ Lodge princess for the Waimate Princess Carnival. A presentation to Mr R. Yesberg took place in the Band Hall on 22 September 1922. Perhaps this was to mark his marriage to Norah Fahey on 14 September 1922. Richard and Norah had three children – Kathleen Elizabeth, Margaret Noreen and Thomas Richard (Tom), as well as little Douglas Robert who died at 10 days in 1927 and two still-born infants. January 1923, Richard Yesberg was competing for the gold medal in the snooker tournament. At the Arcadia Saloon in June, however, he was no match for the NZ champion.

It was in March 1924 that Mr R. Yesberg took over the Arcadia billiard saloon in Waimate.

“DICK YESBERG

ARCADIA BILLIARD-SALOON FIRST-CLASS TABLES

ELECTRIC LIGHT

Cleanliness, Civility, Attention

Come along and have a game of billiards or snooker and forget your business worries.”

An unusual case and probably the first of its kind for Waimate was heard in the Magistrate’s Court on the morning of 20 January 1925. Richard Yesberg, owner and licensee of the Arcadia Billiard Saloon Parlour, was charged with having the Saloon opened on Christmas Eve at an hour at which it should have been closed. A police sergeant visited the saloon at about half past twelve on Christmas morning and found a number of men there. There was a gallon of beer and a bottle of whisky in the saloon. The defendant admitted that there were twelve men in the saloon It was purely a Christmas celebration and there was no suggestion of sale of liquor. The licensee thought that as long as billiards was not being played (all the tables were covered) he would be able to entertain a few friends. Defendant was fined 10 shillings and costs. On 4 April 1925, a freehold property, consisting of 27½ acres, and situated 2½ miles from Waimate, was to be sold on account of Mr R. Yesberg. Twice in 1926 Mr Yesberg gave musical items (mandolin solos), the second occasion being a concert in aid of the Morven convent.

A billiard tournament was held at the Arcadia Billiard Room in early July 1927. The proprietor of the room, Mr. R. Yesberg, was congratulated on the excellent manner in which the tournament had been initiated and conducted. “The fine indoor game of billiards had many devotees in Waimate, and Mr Yesberg had provided a room which, in its appointments and management was a credit to the town.” On 1 November 1927, Richard Yesberg was fined for parking his car in the street without lights. He had previously been fined for not having a driver’s licence. In March 1928, Richard Yesberg joined one of the parties who searched for two men believed lost on the Hunter Hills. In May he came third in a Novice Match held by the Waihao Forks Gun Club. And in June, when Mr R. Yesberg, proprietor of the Arcade billiard saloon, expressed his willingness to maintain a light in the conveniences in Grigson St., the Council decided to instal a light. At the annual general meeting of the Waimate Cycle Club in September he was elected to the committee. At the Waihao Forks Gun Club shoot in the same month, he scored well in several events. About 100 returned soldiers attended the annual smoko of the Waimate Returned Soldiers’ Association, which was held in the Silver Band Hall on 18 October 1928. Among the musical items was a mandolin solo from Mr R. Yesberg. At the Waihao Forks Gun Club shoot on 25 October, R. Yesberg and two others shot all their birds in the Seven bird sweep and divided the stakes. He also took on the role of road official for the cycle road race. At the Waihao Forks Gun Club shoot on 22 August 1929, Mr R. Yesberg won the Waihao Forks Challenge Cup. Owing to the inclemency of the weather, only 8 shooters turned up. “The conditions were wretched for shooting.” Just over a week later, Richard Yesberg was ordered to pay costs 10/-, on a charge of driving a motor-car without a tail light. In February 1920 he contributed to the cost of sending the Waimate Silver Band to the Dunedin contest. On the first Saturday of June 1930, the police conducted a raid on the Arcadia billiard saloon, which resulted in the arrest of the proprietor, Richard Yesberg on a charge of using the premises as a common gaming house. Yesberg was later brought before a J.P.. and remanded to the next sitting of the Magistrate’s Court on 17 June. Bail of £100 (self) was allowed. “I do not propose to send defendant to prison, though that is going to be considered by the Courts if bookmaking isn't stopped by substantial fines,” said Mr C. R. Orr-Walker, S.M. on 17 June, in fining Richard Yesberg, a Billiard saloon keeper, £250 in default three months’ imprisonment. The Magistrate remarked that it was not denied that Yesberg had been carrying on bookmaking in a big way for six years. [See attachment for full court report.] Mr R. Yesberg was one to have a successful day on 1 October 1930 when the fishing season opened in the Waimate district.

In mid-June 1932, Richard Yesberg was himself a victim of crime, when the premises of the Arcadia Billiard Saloon and those adjoining were burgled. Finger prints identified on the glass broken of Yesberg’s premises brought the culprit to court and sentencing. When the annual re-union of the Waimate branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association was held in August 1932, Mr R. Yesberg gave a mandolin solo, and did so again the next year and in 1937. His mandolin solos were also appreciated on other occasions. He contributed a prize for the Waimate Post and Telegraph Department officers’ annual ball in the winter of 1933. In November 1934, R. Yesberg faced another charge of keeping a common gaming house. In 1940 he incurred a fine for failing to renew a warrant of fitness. Richard Yesberg was convicted and fined heavily in June 1945 after police raided his home and found evidence of bookmaking. He pleaded guilty to the charge. He had not conducted the business at his billiards saloon. It was noted that he conducted his billiards saloon in an exemplary manner and was an excellent citizen. In 1949 it was his son, Thomas Richard Yesberg, who was fined on a charge of bookmaking.

Richard and Norah lived their married life at Waimate. Norah Yesberg, the wife of Richard, died on 22 September 1943 at Waimate and was buried with her infant children in the Old Waimate Cemetery. Richard Yesberg died at Christchurch on 6 January 1961, aged 64 yrs, and was cremated at the Linwood Crematorium. He was survived by his three adult children (Kathleen, Margaret and Tom) and a niece Molly (perhaps Mildred Mary - daughter of his sister Elizabeth - who moved to Christchurch in the early 1960s). Richard had moved to Christchurch in the mid-1950s, on retirement. He had been for many years the proprietor of the billiard room in Quinns Arcade in Waimate. His son Tom was a New Zealand billiard champion.

In October 1914, Mr John Yesberg contributed to the Home Relief Fund, and in June 1915 he contributed to the Red Cross Appeal. John Yesberg who died on 14 May 1924 at the Waimate hospital and Anna Maria Yesberg who died on 13 December 1938 at Waimate, were buried in the Old Waimate Cemetery. After her husband’s death, Anna Maria Yesberg lived with her son Richard. Yesberg Road in the Waimate district was named for John Yesberg and family. The Yesberg family of John and Maria did not feature regularly on the electoral rolls apart from George and Richard and the three daughters prior to their marriages. John Herman Yesberg, the eldest surviving son, died in January 1960 and was buried at Hokitika. William Edward Yesberg (the second so named), who also served in World War One as Edward Clarke (47984), was recorded by his given name only in the last few years before his death in 1962. Edward Yesberg who was born in 1882 died on 2 June 1955 and was buried in the Tokanui Hospital Cemetery. He featured on an electoral roll only in 1905 at home at Waimate. It appears that he may have been hospitalized from a young age. And brother George Yesberg, then a labourer at Pahiatua, was drawn in the seventh ballot in May 1917. He had previously been listed on the Reserve Rolls. George lived all his adult life in the North Island – labourer, fencer, roadman. He died on 15 October 1966 at Palmerston North Hospital and was cremated. It appears that the only bearers of the Yesberg name in New Zealand now are descendants of Richard. Three nephews of Richard Yesberg – David Henry Nelson and Robert George Nelson (sons of his sister Elizabeth), Alan James Metson (son of his sister Sarah) – served in World War Two. Two brothers of his wife Norah – Patrick Josephe Fahey and Michael Fahey – served in World War One.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [13 October 2013]; NZ Defence Force Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5557 0126149) [22 July 2014]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [30 March 2014; 11 December 2024]; Star, 28 June 1881, Timaru Herald, 21 December 1891, 12 & 17 June 1909, 21 January 1911, 30 October 1914, 30 April 1915, 18 March 1916, 25 November 1916, 12 February 1917, 3 & 16 November 1917, 10 March 1919, 21 January 1925, 16 April 1927, 2 November 1927, 25 September 1928, 4 September 1929, 20 February 1930, 9 & 18 June 1930, 3 October 1930, 18 & 20 June 1932, 10 August 1932, 22 November 1932, 15 July 1933, 8 August 1933, 22 June 1937, 14 December 1938, 3 April 1940, 23 September 1943, 6 June 1945, Oamaru Mail, 12 June 1909, Waimate Daily Advertiser, 16 June 1909, 11 March 1910, 20 November 1912, 22 November 1912 [x 2], 10 & 14 November 1913, 29 December 1913, 25 March 1914, 28 December 1914, 5 June 1915, 23 October 1915, 22 December 1915, 12 February 1917, 2 November 1917, 12 February 1919, 21 & 31 March 1919, 1 April 1919, 19 November 1919, 27 December 1919, 7 September 1921, 20 April 1922, 21 September 1922, 10 & 24 January 1923, 2 June 1923, 7 March 1924, 6, 15 & 21 May 1924, 20 January 1925, 28 March 1925, 31 August 1926, 15 December 1926, 9 July 1927, 26 March 1928, 16 May 1928, 27 June 1928, 9 July 1928, 22 September 1928, 19 & 29 October 1928, 13 November 1928, 26 August 1929, North Otago Times, 20 December 1913, 1 December 1916, Sun, 25 November 1916, Evening Post, 2 & 13 November 1917, New Zealand Times, 2 November 2017, Press, 2 November 1917, 18 September 1918, 29 October 1928, 18 June 1930, 12 November 1934, 23 September 1943, 13 June 1949, 7 January 1961, Otago Daily Times, 18 September 1918, Ashburton Guardian, 19 September 1918, 29 December 1919, Dominion, 8 March 1919, Wairarapa Age, 2 January 1920, Auckland Star, 18 June 1930 (Papers Past) [13 October 2013; 31 March 2014; 24 July 2015; 14 & 28 November 2015; 26 June 2016; 03 November 2017; 04 March 2021; 29 May 2023; 11 & 12 December 2024]; Family info (rootsweb.ancestry.com/~) [13 October 2013]; Timaru Herald, 7 January 1961, 23 September 1943 (Timaru District Library [01 May 2014; 17 October 2014]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [2014; 2024]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

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