Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Albert Edward Segar was the ninth of the fourteen children of Arthur Edgar and Isabella (née Harkess) Segar, and their fifth son. He was born on 9 November 1893 at Timaru and baptised on 10 December 1893 at St Mary’s Anglican Church, his parents the sponsors. Arthur and Isabella married in 1877. Two of their children died young. Albert started at Timaru South School some six months before his fifth birthday. In 1901/1902, he and his brother Percy transferred to Timaru Main School. Mr Arthur Segar, engineer on the Harbour Board’s dredge Taniwha, met with a nasty accident on Saturday, 13 June 1903. “A blowout occurred in one of the steam fittings, with the result that both his arms were severely scalded. The sufferer is, we learn, doing as well as can be expected.” Albert was likely the A. Segar who received an award in the Infants class at St Mary’s Sunday School in December 1900. In July 1902 it was at the Primitive Methodist Band of Hope meeting in the church, Barnard Street, that Master A. Segar gave a mouth organ solo. A couple of months later his father gave a mouth organ solo. Albert was the best age fit for the Segar boy who finished second in the 100 Yards Handicap 7–10 at Timaru Main School sports in November 1902. A. Segar who received a Standard II first-class certificate of merit at the Timaru Main School prize distribution in December 1904 was surely Albert. The South Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club held its first meeting of the season on 6 December 1906. All the winners in the heats and final of the Schools’ Race 100 yards were from Timaru Main, and there second in the final was A. Segar, who with W. Baird, was recognised at Timaru Main School’s prize-giving two weeks later. Also in December 1906, Albert and two of his sisters, Myrtle and Ivy, received prizes at St Mary’s Sunday School. Albert Segar represented Star Juniors in the Seven-A-Side football tournament in May 1907. Some of his older brothers were certainly into football. A bugle call competition was held at the Caledonian Grounds in October 1908. J. Burns, Timaru Main, was declared first, and A. Segar second, these being the only players.

A. E. Segar was one of a number of Senior Cadets and Territorials who were fined at the Timaru Court on 6 April 1914 for failing to attend parade. In May he was back into his football, playing for Star Thirds. After the last religious rites had been performed at the funeral for Colonel Hayhurst at the Temuka Cemetery on 17 August 1914, three volleys were fired by a party of Territorials, and Bugler A. Segar, of Timaru, sounded the “Last Post”. Arthur Edgar Segar, senior, husband of Isabella and father of a large family, died at his Craigie Avenue residence on 15 October 1915, after a long and painful illness. He had joined the Timaru Harbour Board’s staff in 1882 and was held in high esteem by the brethren of the Loyal Orange Institution. He was much loved and much mourned.

At the May 1916 meeting of the Fire Board, it was noted that two more members of the brigade had joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces – Firemen Best and Segar. That made eight members of the brigade who had left to do duty for King and Country. Albert was not only a member of the Timaru Fire Brigade, he was also a member of the Star Football Club. Having registered, Albert Edgar Segar was medically examined on 27 April 1916. He stood at 5 feet 8 inches, weighed 140 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 33-36½ inches, a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. His sight, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal, his limbs and chest well formed. He had had no illnesses or fits, was free from diseases, was vaccinated and was in good bodily and mental health. Being complete, South Canterbury’s quota for the 18th Reinforcements left for Trentham on 28 June 1916. In recognition of the splendid efforts of the Temuka district in all patriotic works, and in compliance with a request from that district, it had been decided to give them an opportunity of formally farewelling the South Canterbury’s quota. The men – including A. E. Segar with the infantry - paraded at the Drill Shed in Timaru at 12.30 and were addressed by the Mayor (Mr E. R. Guinness) and Rev. Dean Tubman. They then boarded the first express north, disembarking at Temuka, where they were farewelled by the Temuka residents, and took the second express north for Lyttelton. It was on 29 June 1916 at Trentham that he attested. A plumber, single, and of Church of England allegiance, he named his mother as next-of-kin – Mrs A. Segar, Craigie Avenue, Timaru. He had served with the Volunteers for two years until they were disbanded, and he belonged to the 2nd South Canterbury Regiment. In July at Trentham Camp, Private A. E. Segar of J Company, 18th Reinforcements, was temporarily appointed lance-corporal. And in September he forfeited 7 days pay for overstaying his leave by 7 days.

Lance Corporal A. E. Segar embarked with the 18th Reinforcements, leaving from Wellington on 11 October 1916 per the “Tofua” and disembarking at Plymouth or Devonport on 29 December 1916. Having marched in to Sling, he was posted to the 1st Otago Company the next day. Proceeding overseas on 11 February 1917, he joined his battalion on 14 March. An official hospital report in June 1917 listed Private A. E. Segar as wounded but not a severe case. The word received from the Base Records office in Wellington on 12 June was that Private Albert Edward Segar had been wounded in action in France on 26 May and admitted to No. 3 Canadian General Hospital in France on 29 May, suffering from slight shrapnel wounds to the left shoulder. Later in the month, Mrs A. E. Segar, Craigie Avenue, received word that London had advised that 28-925 A. E. Segar was progressing favourably at a convalescent depot in France. On 25 July, Mrs A. E. Segar, Craigie Avenue, received word that her son A. E. Segar was still at the convalescent Depot in France. Come 6 September 1917, 28-925 A. E. Segar was admitted again to No. 3 Canadian General Hospital, this time for slight malaria. He was transferred to the convalescent depot on 11 September, then discharged to Base Depot on 18 December. He rejoined his Unit in the Field from Base and Convalescent Depot on 13 May 1918.

In July 1918, Mrs A. Segar, Craigie Avenue, received word that her son, Private A. E. Segar, was wounded and admitted to hospital in France on June 27. “Private Segar left with the 18th Reinforcements, and this is the third time he has been wounded.” Classified “Injured”, having suffered contusion to the scalp, he was admitted first to the Casualty Clearing Station, then to the Ambulance Transport. He left for England on 28 June and was admitted to the No. 1 New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst the next day. Classified Unfit by the Medical Board on 15 October 1918, he was discharged from Brockenhurst to the Discharge Depot at Torquay and granted leave until 26 October. Mrs A. Segar, Craigie Avenue was advised in February 1919 that her son, Rifleman A. E. Segar, 18th Reinforcements, was returning with draft 214 in the “Ruapehu”, which was due in Wellington about the 20 February. “Rifleman Segar has been wounded three times, the last time seriously.” He had embarked at Plymouth on 9 January 1919. Segar and seven comrades came from Christchurch by the express and when they detrained at Timaru, they were met by friends at the station, the platform presenting a very lively scene. The men were given a very hearty welcome by the Mayor, and a large crowd of people cheered them enthusiastically. They were afterwards conveyed to their respective homes in cars. Two members of the Fire Brigade, however, - Rifleman Hooke and Private Segar – “were driven off on the gay motor fire engine.” A few weeks later, a social was held at the Fire Brigade Station to welcome home two of its members — Rifleman A. J. Hooke and Private A. Segar. “Mr W. Raymond attended and welcomed the boys in a very appropriate speech. Each of the men returned thanks for the kindly welcome extended to them. Dancing was indulged in, and supper was handed round and greatly enjoyed. Splendid music was supplied by Miss A. Campbell.” The return of these men was noted by the superintendent at the Timaru Fire Board’s meeting in May.

It was 22 March 1919 when Albert Edward Segar was discharged, on the termination of his period of engagement. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He returned to the family home in Timaru and his plumbing trade. Albert Edward Segar was best man for his brother Percy at St Mary’s Church, Timaru, on 28 March 1921. His sister Myrtle married a returned soldier in August 1919 at St Mary’s, and his sister Ivy married another returned soldier in September 1921 at St Mary’s. After a spell at Pihama, Albert was back in Timaru by 1922, now a salesman, which occupation he pursued until his death. In April 1923 A. Seager was back with his Star football team, when half the proceeds of their match against Zingari was to go to the Orphanage Fund. Albert Segar and one of his brothers probably competed in lawn bowling for the West End Club in the 1920s. He was the stage manager for the annual competitions festival of the South Canterbury Centre of the Piping and Dancing Association of New Zealand, in late August 1937. Representing the South Canterbury Piping and Dancing Association, he was one of the enthusiastic delegates at a meeting in June 1938 to make arrangements with regard to operating and controlling the games at the forthcoming winter show.

Albert Edward Segar married Aileen Olive Bloomfield in 1938. Thereafter, they resided in Timaru. Albert’s mother, Isabella Segar who had lived on in Timaru died on 11 July 1940. She was predeceased by six of her family (including the two who died in infancy). The eldest daughter, Elizabeth Ann Segar, had married in 1901 and died in January 1906, probably in childbirth. Her third daughter (Anne) Louisa Segar, who had married in 1910 and had a young family, died in March 1924 at Christchurch Hospital; her husband Harry Leicester Roberts died in 1931. Percy Victor Segar died in January 1932, while the youngest son, George White Segar, died in July 1935 at Timaru. Albert Edward Segar died at his Timaru residence on 21 August 1966, aged 72 years. Members of the South Canterbury R.S.A. attended his funeral at the Timaru Cemetery where a services plaque marks his grave. He was survived by his wife, six sons and two daughters. When Aileen died in October 1985 she was buried with him, as stipulated in her Will. “I direct that m trustee shall expend a reasonable sum out of the capital of my residuary estate in the erection of a small suitably inscribed headstone over the said grave and in doing whatever is necessary to make the said grave neat and tidy.” Three sons and one daughter are believed to be still living (2024).

Percy Victor Segar, an electrician of Timaru, re-enlisted at the Defence Office, Timaru, in late January 1917. Bandsman P. Segar played the “Last Post” at the 1917 Anzac Day commemorations. And in May 1917 he was present at the annual meeting of the Band of the 2nd (South Canterbury) Regiment. Tom Segar, a flour miller of Timaru, was drawn in the Eighth Ballot for service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in June 1917. Herbert Goliath Segar, a lock and gunsmith of Timaru was called up from Class B of the Second Division for the South Canterbury Recruiting District by ballot in April 1918; an ambulance officer, he lost his wife to influenza in November 1918, he himself also being down with influenza. Arthur Edgar Segar, a baker of Waimate, was drawn by ballot from the members of Class C, Second Division in June 1918; a married man with two children, he was classed C2 in late August. Hector Segar (i.e. Hercules Segar), a factory manager at Opunake and married with one child, who was also listed on the Reserve Rolls, attested on 8 June 1918 at Hawera. Several nephews and one niece saw service in World War Two – Arthur White, the son of Eleanor Eliza Segar and Arthur Bennett White; Ivan Hector Segar, the son of Hercules and Lizzie Neilson Segar; Walter Schofield Roberts, who was the son of (Anne) Louisa Segar and Herry Leicester Roberts, was taken prisoner of war; Ida Isabella Segar, who was the daughter of Tom and Nellie Segar, served with the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force; Harold Vernon Segar, who was the only son of Percy Victor and Elsie Segar (later Brophy), served with the Royal New Zealand Navy; and Noel Keith Whitehead, who was the son of Myrtle Evelyn Segar and Walter Joseph Whitehead, also served with the Royal New Zealand Navy.

The Timaru Fire Brigade Roll of Honour board, which still hangs in the Fire Brigade foyer, includes the name of Fireman A. Seager [sic], 18th Reinforcement, under the heading ‘Left on Active Service’.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [21 June 2014]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives New Zealand ref. AABK 18805 W5553 0103075) [02 November 2016]; Timaru Cemetery headstone images (Timaru District Council) [21 June 2014]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [01 April 2024]; St Mary’s Timaru baptism record (South Canterbury Genealogy Society records) [01 April 2024]; School Admission records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [21 June 2014; 01 April 2024]; South Canterbury Times, 10 December 1900, Timaru Herald, 11 July 1902, 11 November 1902, 16 June 1903, 16 December 1904, 7, 10 & 21 December 1906, 23 May 1907, 15 October 1908, 7 April 1914, 20 May 1914, 18 August 1914, 16 October 1915, 18 May 1916, 14 October 1916, 27 June 1916, 29 January 1917, 26 April 1917, 6, 7, 8, 13, 18 & 28 June 1917, 26 July 1917, 22 September 1917, 25 April 1918, 10 July 1918, 19, 21 & 22 November 1918, 11, 14 & 24 February 1919, 18 March 1919, 28 May 1919, 13 April 1923, 31 August 1937, 11 June 1938, 12 & 20 July 1940, Dominion, 24 July 1916, Ashburton Guardian, 7 June 1917, Waimate Daily Advertiser, 19 June 1918, 30 August 1918, Sun, 10 July 1918 (Papers Past) [21 June 2014; 06 September 2014; 01 & 02 April 2024]; Timaru Herald, 22 & 23 August 1966 (Timaru District Library) [07 January 2016]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [15 April 2024]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record

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