Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Cornelius Mulvihill was born on 15 January 1876 at Christchurch, New Zealand, the second of the three sons of John and Johanna (née Enright) Mulvihill. John and Johanna had married in their native County Limerick, Ireland in February 1866. There, three children were born before the emigrated to New Zealand in about 1874-1875. They came first to Christchurch and by 1879 had settled in South Canterbury, where John Mulvihill acquired land at Pleasant Valley. Cornelius was the first of three children to be born after they came to New Zealand with Mary, Patrick and Bridget. Cornelius was educated at Pleasant Valley School where his father was a member of the school committee in 1885 and where Cornelus and his sister Bridget enjoyed some success. He received first prize for Standard I in 1887, fifth prize for Standard II in 1888, and second equal prize for Standard III in 1889. At the Pleasant Valley School annual treat and prize-giving on 26 February 1891, James Mulvihill received third prize for Standard I, while Con finished second in the boys 13 to 15 race and Annie (Johanna) was second in the girls 11 to 13 three-legged race. Con was second also in the wrestling 13 to 15 and won a capital race – an additional foot race which was open to all the boys of the school, substantial prizes having been offered.

In May 1887 there was an attempt to establish a school at Rhubarb Flat, the distance to Pleasant Valley School being too great especially for the younger children. Mr Mulvihill and others were willing to provide land for a school. It was resolved that Rhubarb Flat be declared an educational district. A meeting of householders had been held at Rhubarb Flat in June 1887, for the purpose of electing a school committee and receiving a letter from the S.C. Board of Education re altering the name of the district. It was resolved to alter the name of the district to Pleasant View. John Mulvihill was one of the householders elected to a school committee. But in August, steps re the Fairfield or Rhubarb Flat School were halted. In October there were still problems in securing a suitable site for a school in the Pleasant View or Fairfield district. A new £application for a school was made in January 1891, but nothing more was reported. John Mulvihill died accidentally on 9 April 1890 when he was knocked down and buried up to the shoulders in an unexpected fall of earth while he was working in a party on the Geraldine Flat water-race headworks. A subscription list was opened immediately in aid of the family. Mrs Johannah Mulvihill died on 10 July 1906 at her Te Moana residence.

In March 1915, C. Mulvihill gave £1 towards the New Zealand funds for horses for troops. Employees of Mulvihill’s Mill gave 17 shillings six pence. “The supply of horses for the New Zealand troops both for saddle and transport purposes, has kept up wonderfully well,” said the Prime Minister. Con’s brother, Patrick Mulvihill of Beautiful Valley collected donations towards the British and Belgian Relief Fund. In May 1915 he and Mrs Mulvihill gave £2.2s and two sacks of oats. Over the next few years, Patrick Mulvihill frequently made presentations and speeches at farewell and welcome home functions for local soldiers.

In late May 1915, men were “offering more freely” at Timaru. C. Mulvihill, Geraldine, was one of those who had passed the medical test and had signed on to leave Timaru for Trentham by special train on 29 May. He was one of the men given a rousing farewell when they went north to the concentration camp at Trentham in late May 1915. After afternoon tea in the Drill Shed and an address by the Mayor, amidst much cheering from the crowds, they were played to the railway Station by the Regimental Band and joined recruits from the south (Invercargill, Dunedin and Oamaru) on a very long special troop train. A social had been held at Pleasant Valley School on 28 May in honour of Messrs C. Mulvihill and Allan McPherson, both of whom were going to the Front.

Con had been medically examined on 15 May 1915. He was 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighed 150 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 34-37 inches. His complexion was fair, his eyes grey, and his hair brown. His sight, hearing, colour vision and teeth were all good, his limbs and chest well formed, and his heart and lungs normal. He was free from diseases, vaccinated, and in good bodily and mental health. He enlisted on 30 May 1915 at Trentham. A self-employed engine driver residing at Te Moana, single and Roman Catholic, he named his sister as next-of-kin – Miss Bridget Mulvihill, Te Moana, Geraldine.

Rifleman C. Mulvihill embarked with the 2nd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, departing from Wellington on 9 October 1915 and disembarking at Suez, Egypt on 18 November. A few days later he joined the Western Frontier Force. Having proceeded to Ismailia on 17 January 1916, he was admitted to hospital there on 15 March 1916 with a septic foot, rejoining his Unit on 27 March. He embarked for France at Alexandria on 6 April 1916. He was detailed to the 3 NZ Rifle Brigade as Supply Officer on 25 August 1916 in the Field. Reported sick on 15 September 1916, he was admitted to No. 139 Field Ambulance. Having been admitted to No. 36 Casualty Clearing Station on 22 September 1916, he was admitted to No. 11 General Hospital at Camiers, France on 23 September, suffering from a sprained wrist (right). The injury, which occurred on 12 September while he was performing military duty at a Fatigue Party, was trivial. He was in no way to blame. Soldier’s statement – On 11th September 1916 I sprained my wrist while unloading a waggon belonging to A.S.C. Rifle Brigade. I became attached to them on or about 25th August 1916 on permanent fatigue at . . . . . He had been posted Supply Officer on 20 August 1916.

After marching in to the NZ Base Depot at Etaples on 14 October 1916, he rejoined his Unit on 18 October. He was detached to the 2nd Australian Tunnelling Company on 3 November 1916, rejoining his Unit from there on 10 February 1917. About four weeks later he was detached to the 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company, rejoining his Unit on 10 April 1917. Detached again to the 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company on 4 May 1917, he rejoined his Unit on 19 May, when he was detached for duty with the C.R.E. (Royal Engineers). After rejoining his Unit on 29 June, he was detached to A.P.M. on 13 August. On 17 August 1917 he was attached to No. 1 N.Z. Divisional Emp Coy Traffic Control.

The casualty lists issued to the newspapers at the beginning of November 1917 were very long indeed. Rifleman Cornelius Mulvihill, 24/1127, N.Z.R.B., had suffered a gas shell wound on 13 October and was admitted, in succession, to No. 1 New Zealand Field Ambulance and No. 4 Casualty Clearing Station, then on 15 October to No. 3 Canadian General Hospital at Boulogne, France. Word was received in Geraldine that Rifleman C. Mulvihill of the 2nd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade had been wounded and gassed (mustard gas) during the heavy fighting in France on October 13. Rifleman Mulvihill, who left with the 7th Reinforcements, had gone through the battle of Messines and had been on active service in France for the past seventeen months. Later in November, Mr P. Mulvihill, of Beautiful Valley, received a telegram advising that his brother, Rifleman C. Mulvihill, who had been wounded on the Western Front in France, had been moved to the Mile End Hospital in London. This was on 2 November after he had embarked for England on 1 November. He was transferred to No. 2 New Zealand General Hospital at Walton on Thames on 13 November.

Having been classed unfit by the Medical Board on 24 January 1918, Rifleman C. Mulvihill was to report to the New Zealand Discharge Depot in England on 15 February. C. Mulvihill, 24/1127, returned to New Zealand by Draft No. 160 (“Athenic”), embarking at Glasgow on 1 April 1918 and arriving on 16 May. Councillor Patrick Mulvihill apologised for his absence from a gathering with visiting councillors in April 1918. He was filling the place of a brother who was at the front, taking out his threshing plant. Come May 1918 and Cornelius Mulvihill was home after three years’ service in Egypt and France for King and country. Rifleman C. Mulvihill and Private J. Robinson were to be welcomed home at the Te Moana School on 5 June 1918, when a Roll of Honour would also be unveiled. As it happened, Cornelius was detained in hospital and could not be there. Since his arrival by the “Athenic” he was granted sick-leave from 17 to 23 May 1918s and was treated by an eye specialist at Wellington Hospital. He was recommended for transfer to Geraldine, “where his home is”, on 17 June. C. Mulvihill was discharged on 13 June 1918, no longer physically fit for war service on account of wounds received in action (gas poisoning). He had served in Egypt and Western Europe and was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

There was a large gathering at the Drill Hall, Geraldine, on 11 July 1918 to welcome one returned man – Cornelius Mulvihill - and farewell three departing. “During the evening a much appreciated entertainment was given by the Temuka Ramblers, whose songs, jokes and music brought forth hearty applause. The Geraldine Orchestra played some capital selections and the Brass Band under Mr Cox also contributed to the general success. After supper to the men and their friends there was a dance.” It was on 19 July 1918 that one of the largest gatherings seen in the Pleasant Valley district assembled in the school to welcome home Rifleman C. Mulvihill, after three years’ service in Egypt and France. The chairman of the Pleasant Valley Patriotic Committee spoke of the esteem in which their guest was held, and he reminded those present that they were only carrying out the promise made when the boys left for the war. He wished the returned soldier as much luck in private life as he had had at the front. “Major Kennedy said Rifleman C. Mulvihill could rest assured that the people were glad to have him back, and that they were ready to help him on his return to work. He then, on behalf of the Valley people, asked Rifleman Mulvihill and also Rifleman J. J. Robinson (who had been welcomed at Te Moana when Rifleman Mulvihill was detained in hospital) to accept from the Pleasant Valley residents a framed certificate in recognition of their war services, and expressed the hope that each would be treasured in the spirit in which it was given. Mr G T. Gale, on behalf of the Te Moana residents, then presented Rifleman Mulvihill with a gold medal suitably inscribed, speaking of their guest’s popularity, and wishing him every prosperity.” Three cheers were then given for the soldiers, and the people sang “For they are jolly good fellows.” Rifleman Mulvihill thanked them for their presents, saying he was not one to minimise the fighting capacity of the enemy, and he believed there was a tough job before the mates he had left behind. He made feeling remarks with reference to some of his mates, adding that those who slept in soldiers’ graves were not forgotten by him. He also mentioned that the 19th July was a memorable day for him, for on that date in 1916 occurred the biggest bombardment his company was in, and on the same date in 1917 he was in London and saw the play “Seven Days’ Leave.” He little thought then that his welcome home would be exactly a year later. During the evening dancing was enjoyed, and songs were contributed. Supper was served and the proceedings were brought to a close after all had joined in singing the National Anthem.

From January 1917, Private C. Mulvihill appeared in the list published regularly by the Temuka Leader of men from the Geraldine district who had gone to the front. James Mulvihill – younger brother of Cornelius – a farmer at Te Moana, was called up from the reservists at the beginning of October 1917. The Second South Canterbury Military Appeal Board dismissed his appeal as he had been classed as C2, and he was held for Home Service, with the right of further appeal. A queen carnival, in which Pleasant Valley, Te Moana and Four Peaks joined in friendly rivalry, was held in the beautiful grounds of “Castlewood”, Te Moana at the end of November 1916. Miss Mulvihill – probably Con’s sister Bridget – helped to serve the afternoon tea. A handsome silk flag which had the names of the men who had gone to the war from the three districts embroidered in gold on blue, had been presented. There was great rivalry among the districts to secure the flag, which was to go to the school of the district recording the most votes, a vote being obtained by making a small donation. Among the names on the flag was C. Mulvihill, an ex-pupil of Pleasant Valley which secured the flag.

While Cornelius returned to his home at Te Moana, he worked for a threshing mill at Saltwater Creek, North Canterbury. It was reported to the Rangiora police that a man named Cornelius Mulvihill had been missing from Saltwater Creek, Sefton, since daylight on 8 April 1919. “The missing man, who belongs to Geraldine, is a returned soldier. He is 42 years of age, of stout build, 5ft 8in in height with dark (or light) brown hair turning grey, and is clean shaven. Mulvihill was employed on Todd Brothers’ threshing-mill which was working at Mr C. Quick's farm at Saltwater Creek. He retired to his bunk on Monday evening, and was not missed until the following morning. As far as can be ascertained at the time of his disappearance Mulvihill was clad only in his singlet and underpants. There was nothing in his demeanour to indicate that anything was wrong with him.” The Rangiora constable made an unsuccessful search for the missing man on 9 April, and the next day a party of local residents, headed by the constable, continued the search, again unsuccessfully. The news on 11 April was better. “Missing since Tuesday morning, Cornelius Mulvihill, a returned soldier who was employed on Messrs Todd Bros.’ threshing mill at Mr C. Quirk’s farm, Saltwater Creek, was discovered this morning, alive and well, but suffering from delusions. Possibly driven by hunger, he emerged from a straw stack at Sefton this morning, and presented himself to the men who were searching for him. While at the front, Mulvihill had suffered from mustard gas poisoning and shell shock, and a return of the nervous trouble caused by the latter evidently had led to his disappearance late on Monday night or early on Tuesday morning. His statements this morning showed that he had received the impression that he had not been doing his work on the threshing mill properly, and for that someone was going to kill him. On Wednesday evening he heard searchers, passing the stack in which he was hiding, but he remained hidden because he thought the men wanted to kill him. He still had the delusion when he came out of his hiding-place this morning. Mulvihill looked none the worse for his experience. Constable Robertson, who organised the search party, took charge of him.”

In late May 1920, a memorial to fallen soldiers was unveiled in memory of soldiers from Gapes Valley and Beautiful Valley who gave their lives in the great war. Mr P. Mulvihill was a member of the Memorial Committee and one of the returned soldiers present was Mr C. Mulvihill. On 22 October 1920, a dance was held in the Gapes Valley Hall, to unveil the Roll of Honour to the returned men of the Gapes and Beautiful Valleys district. After dancing had been indulged in for two hours the National Anthem was sung, then Mr J. Kennedy unveiled the tablet. All present stood and sang “They are jolly good Fellows,” and gave three hearty cheers for all the returned men. The Roll of Honour is of polished oak, on which the names of the twenty-two returned men are inscribed in gold lettering.

Pyne, Gould, Guinness, Ltd., received instructions from Mr Con. Mulvihill, to sell by Public Auction, at Findlay’s Yard, Temuka, on Tuesday, the 16th November, 1926, his threshing plant which included a traction engine, a combine (guaranteed sound, a fast, clean thresher), scales and all belting, firewood bench and saw, double action pump, spring dray. 1 heavy draught gelding for water cart (staunch). 22 March 1935 saw National Mortgage & Agency Co. of NZ, Ltd, offering 1 four-year-old draught mare on account of Mr C. Mulvihill, Geraldine.

Cornelius Mulvihill died on 16 October 1947 at Beautiful Valley (late of Te Moana), aged 71 years. After Requiem Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Geraldine, he was buried with his sister Bridget at Geraldine Cemetery. Members of the Geraldine R.S.A. attended his funeral at the cemetery. He was the last survivor of his immediate family. His eldest sister, Mary Columb, died at Wellington in 1936. His older brother Patrick Mulvihill, a respected farmer at Beautiful Valley and active member of the Geraldine district, died at his residence in 1940. His younger sister, Johanna Hansen, died at Otaki Beach Hospital in July 1942. His younger brother, James Mulvihill, died at Pleasant Valley in October 1942. Bridget Mulvihill, “dearly beloved sister of Cornelius Mulvihill, Te Moana, Geraldine”, with whom Con probably lived at Te Moana, died at Timaru Public Hospital in 1945. Cornelius was survived by four nephews and two nieces. He died intestate, his estate administered by the Public Trustee. He left £42 in an account with Pyne, Gould Guinness Ltd, £189 in his Post Office Savings Bank account, £19 in his National Savings account, and £4 accrued War Pension.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [23 March 2014]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5549 0084316) [16 September 2016]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [23 March 2014]; Ireland Births & Marriage registration; Geraldine Cemetery headstone image (Timaru District Council) [23 March 2014]; Timaru Herald, 17 October 1947 (Timaru District Library) [14 September 2016]; Temuka Leader, 3 September 1885, 5 April 1887, 21 June 1887, 17 April 1888, 9 July 1889, 10 April 1890, 3 March 1891, 12 July 1906, 6 January 1917, 8, 10 & 29 November 1917, 18 April 1918, 27 June 1918, 3 June 1920, Press, 9 July 1889, 10 April 1919, 6 November 1926, 20 March 1935, South Canterbury Times, 9 April 1890, Timaru Herald, 11 April 1890, 12, 26, 27 & 31 May 1915, 2 December 1916, 2 October 1917, 8, 9 & 29 November 1917, 18 April 1918, 31 May 1918 [x 2], 27 & 29 June 1918, 13 & 26 July 1918, 29 May 1920, 18 November 1920, 6 November 1926, 1 June 1936, 5, 6 & 19 August 1940, 12 & 23 October 1942, 14 February 1945, Ashburton Guardian, 24 March 1915, 12 April 1919, 21 March 1935, Manawatu Standard, 2 November 1917, NZ Times, 2 November 1917, 9 May 1918, Taranaki Daily News, 3 November 1917, Evening Post, 8 May 1918, 6 July 1942, Sun, 9 & 11 April 1919 (Papers Past) [24 January 2014; 23 March 2014; 17 September 2016; 19 July 2017; 05 August 2017; 03 November 2017; 07 & 14 February 2018; 23 & 25 July 2021; 14 & 22 May 2022; 16 August 2022; 25 & 26 January 2024; 04 February 2024]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [17 September 2016; 09 September 2019; 27 January 2024]; Letters of Administration (Archives NZ Archway) [25 July 2021]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• MULVIHILL Cornelius - newspaper clippings (pdf, 104.2 KB updated 15-Mar-2024)

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