Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

John Joseph Dillon, known as Jack, was born on 27 March 1897 at Waimate, the only son of Irish born parents, John and Ellen (Nellie, née Dower) Dillon), of Morven. John and Ellen married in 1894 at Waimate and had five daughters and one son, all of their births registered at Waimate. John Joseph was baptised Roman Catholic on 4 April 1897 at Waimate (Johannes Joseph Dillon). His sisters too were baptised there. Along with four of his sisters, Jack was educated at Waihao Native School (Waimate); the youngest sister started at Morven School. Both Jack and his older sister Agnes received attendance prizes at Morven School in 1906. At the prize presentation, the children were given some good advice, especially to attend school regularly. It was explained that in allocating the attendance prizes, allowance had been made for distance, so that children who had a long way to come competed only with those living a similar distance from school. The following year, Agnes, John and Annie all received attendance prize; and in 1908, Agnes, John, Annie and Eileen. A few days before the children held their annual excursion to Caroline Bay and were favoured with ideal weather. On their arrival in Timaru they were taken to the Woollen Mills where they were made very welcome and were shown through the various rooms where the working of the various machines was explained. In 1909, John Dillon was placed fourth equal for merit in Standard V and Eileen second in Standard I, some also receiving attendance prizes. At the Morven School annual concert in June 1910, Master J. Dillon gave a recitation. John Dillon received a special prize for first place in senior arithmetic in 1910, ad second prize for his mangolds. At the Waimate school sports in March 1911, Jack Dillon won the High Jump under 14. A pupil at Waimate District High School, J. Dillon (Morven) finished second in the Boys’ open 100 yards at the sports in March 1913, first in the open high jump and second in the long jump. Mid-year 1913, Dillon represented Morven Senior Cadets in a football match with Waimate Cadets. On 26 March 1914, at the Waimate Senior Cadets’ sports, arranged by the Waimate District Honorary Territorials, J. J. Dillon was placed second in the long jump.

At a very successful patriotic concert given by the Morven School pupils in aid of the Belgium Relief Fund in December 1914, Jack’s sister Maggie gave an item. The month before, J. Dillon of Morven had contributed to the Relief Fund and in the following December Eileen Dillon gave to the Countess of Liverpool Fund. J. Dillon gave again in June 1916. In January 1915, John Joseph Dillon, Wellington was successful in the public service senior examination, passing in three subjects. He met with the same success the following year. He was a prominent member of the Wellington Football Club and represented Wellington city in the 1916 season.

Jack Dillon had registered for compulsory military training at Waimate. At the time of enlistment, he was living in Wellington and employed in the Government Civil Service as a clerk for the Native Department. He was medically examined at the Wellington Town Hall recruiting office on 27 March 1917. Standing at 5 feet 10 inches, weighing 171 pounds, and with a chest measurement of 35½-39½ inches, he had a ruddy complexion, grey eyes and black wavy hair. His sight was fairly good and his hearing and colour vision both good; his limbs and chest well formed; his heart and lungs normal. He had had measles a year ago and scarlet fever 16 years ago (attended by Dr Barclay of Waimate) but was free from diseases and in good bodily and mental health. He had scars on the front of each shin and left kneecap and a scar on his right forehead. “Cheery and quick.” He attested at the Wellington Town Hall on his 20th birthday, 27 March 1917, volunteering for the 30th Reinforcement. He had attempted to enlist earlier but was turned down on account of his age. Single and Roman Catholic, he named his father as next-of-kin – Mr John Dillon, Morven, South Canterbury. Private Dillon was granted leave of absence from parade at the Garrison Hall, Buckle Street, Wellington from 27 March 1917 until 2pm on 28 May, when his name was on the nominal roll of men sent to camp as the Wellington quota for the 30th Reinforcements. On 29 May 1917, he was the recipient of several presentations from the staff of the Native Department, of which he was a member. The best wishes of his co-workers and their esteem went with him. His posting to the 30th Reinforcements on 30 May was altered to the 32nd Reinforcements on 29 September, and he was transferred to Artillery Details on 16 October. After being granted leave without pay from mid-October until 3 November, Gunner J. J. Dillon embarked with the New Zealand Field Artillery of the 32nd Reinforcements, departing from Wellington on 21 November 1917 per the “Maunganui”. Disembarking at Liverpool, England on 8 January 1918, he marched into the NZ Field Artillery at Ewshott.

Gunner Dillon was confined to barracks for three days on 13 February 1918 for absence from Tattoo when on Active Service, and again on 14 March for absence from parade when on Active Service. On 28 March 1918 he left for France where he marched into camp at Etaples on 31 March. On 4 April he was in the Field and was posted to the 6th Battery two weeks later. On 24 April 1918, he was slightly wounded but remained with his Unit (Artillery), being admitted to the Casualty Clearing Station and discharged. Gunner Dillon was promoted to the rank of Bombardier on 24 November 1918, then appointed Temporary Corporal on 17 December and promoted to Corporal on 15 January 1919 in the Field. Having been appointed Temporary Sergeant on 27 January 1919 in France, he relinquished that rank on 26 February at Sling after being detached to the UK.

Corporal J. J. Dillon embarked at Tilbury on 17 June 1919 per the “Briton” to return to New Zealand, arriving on 23 July. Initially he headed back to his Wellington address – c/o Native Dept. He was discharged on 20 August 1919, on the termination of his period of engagement, and awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. In the evening of 18 September 1919, a welcome home social to returned soldiers was held at Morven, over 400 people being present. A unique display of flags and streamers was a striking feature in the stage decorations. The musical part of the programme was contributed to by Mr Thomson’s concert party, of Oamaru, this party having made a name for itself far and wide for its splendid work in raising some £2000 for patriotic purposes. Every performer had to respond to a recall – choruses, solos, a quartet, and a recitation. In his address, Mr Milner, M.A., Rector of the Waitaki Boys’ High School, referred to the great part the British Empire had played in the war. He paid a tribute to the splendid record of the New Zealand boys as soldiers and men, and said that nothing we could do for them would be too much to repay them for what they had done for us. Mr D. Kennedy, on behalf of the residents of the district, presented gold medals to the returned men, extending to them a hearty welcome. He trusted they would long be spared to enjoy a life of peace and prosperity, which they so well deserved. As each man came forward, he was heartily applauded. Among the men so honoured was J. Dillon. Medals were also presented to the next-of-kin of deceased soldiers, mention being made that no fewer than 20 out of a total of 78 of local boys had paid the supreme sacrifice. The audience stood as a silent tribute to their memory. The floor was then cleared for dancing, which was carried on until the early hours of the morning.

Come Boxing Day 1919, and J. J. Dillon was to compete in the high jump at the Caledonian Society’s sports, it being a quarter of a century since such a gathering was held in Wellington. By late 1919 Jack Dillon was a civil servant in Wanganui. He played in the forwards for the Wanganui representative rugby team which played Canterbury in September 1920. The next month a 24-hours downpour spoilt the Labour Day holiday. “The Feilding Labour Party had bad luck. Members were at work for a couple of days getting Victoria Park in order for the annual sports gathering, but, of course, the rain spoilt everything. By noon yesterday the ground was more fit for aquatic sports than for pedestrian events. Two events were run off in the rain. T. Chadwick won the maiden race, with J. J. Dillon second . . . . .”

Jack Dillon married Kathleen Anastasia Corby on 20 February 1934 at St Joseph's Church, Wellington. It was a popular wedding and a nice reception after the ceremony. The bridegroom’s present to the bride was a string of pearls and a pair of earrings. The bride’s present to the bridegroom was a gold watch and chain. The usual toast list was honoured, and the numerous congratulatory telegrams were read. The presents were numerous and costly, and included a number of substantial cheques. Jack and Kathleen made their home in Wanganui. After brief periods in Auckland and Lower Hutt, Jack all the while a civil servant, they moved to Rotorua in the late 1930s. There they lived until Jack’s death. John Joseph Dillon was registrar of the Maori Land Court, Rotorua, when a trial was heard in the Hamilton Court in October 1951. Mr J. D. Dillon who appeared for the defendant was the youngest of the three sons of Jack and Kathleen (Joseph Gilbert, Owen Patrick and John Douglas). Appointed to a commission with the Home Guard in World War Two at Rotorua, John Joseph Dillon was posted Lieutenant (temporary) to the Galatea Battalion on 1 August 1941. Remark - “An Intelligence Officer.” He ceased to be posted to the Galatea Battalion on 1 July 1942 and was posted to the Kaigaroa Battalion. As from 1 January 1944 he was posted to the Reserve of Officers.

John Joseph Dillon died at Rotorua on 22 July 1975, aged 78 years, and was buried in Rotorua Cemetery. Anastasia Kathleen Dillon died on 13 August 1985 and was buried at Rotorua with John. John bequeathed a sum of money to his parish priest for the saying of Masses for the repose of his soul. He left the remainder of his estate to his wife, Anastasia Kathleen Dillon, and appointed her sole executrix of his Will. If she had predeceased him, his estate would be divided equally among his three sons. Jack’s father, John Dillon who had resided in the Waimate district for 49 years, died at Waimate in August 1932, and his mother Ellen Dillon died suddenly at Morven in October 1934. They were buried at Waimate. Jack’s three sons were their only grandchildren, only one of their five daughters having married (some years after her parents’ deaths). Agnes Josephine Dillon, the eldest of the family, died in May 1938 and was buried with her parents at Waimate. She, too, bequeathed money to the parish priest, to her sister Margaret, a religious sister at that time in Australia, to each of her nephews – Douglas, Owen and Gilbert Dillon, and the remainder equally to her sisters – Annie, Eileen and Mary. Annie Marie Dillon, the second daughter who died in November 1953, was also buried with her parents at Waimate. Her sister Eileen Theresa (Dillon) Murphy administered her estate, John Joseph Dillon being then a civil servant at Rotorua, Sister Margaret Mary a teacher at Te Awamatu and Mary Catherine Dillon in Auckland. Eileen Theresa Murphy died in August 1969 and was buried at Waimate with her husband, Margaret Mary (Sister Fidelis) died in 1989 in New Zealand, and Mary Catherine Dillon died in June 1979 at Auckland.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [18 August 2013]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5537 0034008) [20 August 2014], NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5937 0362698) [27 August 2014]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [23 July 2014]; School Admission records [23 July 2014]; Rotorua Cemetery records (Rotorua District Council) [20 August 2014]; Rotorua Cemetery headstone transcription (SC Branch NZSG Cemetery Records microfiche) [10 April 2015]; North Otago Times, 25 December 1906, 24 December 1907, 23 December 1908, 23 May 1918, 17 July 1919, 23 September 1919, Oamaru Mail, 26 December 1906, 23 December 1907, 21 December 1908, 29 December 1909, 31 December 1910, 16 July 1919, 22 September 1919, 27 February 1924; Waimate Daily Advertiser, 23 December 1908, 29 June 1910, 4 January 1911, 15 March 1911, 7 March 1913, 11 August 1913, 22 December 1914, 22 September 1919, 29 February 1924; Timaru Herald, 27 March 1914, 22 May 1918, 22 September 1919, 1 March 1924, 12 August 1932, 15 October 1934, 25 August 1935, NZ Times, 16 February 1915, 18 February 1916, 28 March 1917, 30 May 1917, 4 June 1917, 22 May 1918, Evening Post, 29 March 1917, 12 October 1917, 22 May 1918, 20 March 1924, Observer, 30 June 1917, Dominion, 13 October 1917, 22 December 1919, Lyttelton Times, 22 May 1918, Otago Daily Times, 22 May 1918, Star (ChCh), 22 May 1918, 15 July 1919, Press, 22 May 1918, 16 July 1919, NZ Herald, 22 May 1918, Marlborough Express, 22 May 1918, Wanganui Herald, 16 September 1920, Feilding Star, 26 October 1920, NZ Tablet, 27 March 1924 [x 2], Rotorua Morning Post, 18 October 1951 (Papers Past) [23 July 2014; 15 October 2016; 12 April 2017; 23 & 24 April 2025]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [24 April 2025]; Baptism index (Christchurch Diocese CD held by South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [24 April 2025]; Probate record (Archives NZ Collections – Record number 482/1975) [24 April 2025]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• DILLON John Joseph - newspaper clippings (pdf, 181.5 KB updated 02-May-2025)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

TS