Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Charles Thomas Thew, the second son of Robert and Susan (née Harris) Thew, was born on 17 December 1877 at Timaru, a notice appearing in the Timaru Herald the next day and again on 1 January 1878. Having emigrated from England in 1861, Robert married Susan on 4 February 1874 at Timaru. He was a resident of Timaru before the harbour was formed. In May 1869, he and a companion had reported their discovery of gold near Burke’s Pass and in the Opuha Gorge. In 1872 he had freehold property in Bank Street, Timaru. Although the Thew children were born at Timaru, where Susan’s parents resided, it appears that Mr Thew held land in the Mount Peel Road Board district from the mid-1870s at least. He had land in Rhodes Town, Timaru, and a farm at Orari Gorge. In 1885 he was elected a member of the Mount Peel Road Board. The spot selected for the Good Templars’ picnic on New Year’s Day 1886 was “under the edge of the native bush, in the paddock at the back of Mr R. Thew’s house, and was in every way most suitable.” Also in January 1886, Mr Thew gave a reading at a very successful concert held in Scotsburn schoolroom in aid of the prize and gymnasium fund. For over twenty years he was a member of the Timaru Harbour Board.

Charles and his seven siblings all in turn attended Scotsburn School, their parents residing at Orari Gorge. In January 1883, Mr R. Thew had been elected to the Scotsburn School committee, a position he filled for many years; in 1887 he was voted to the chair. At the Scotsburn School prize distribution in March 1886, young Charles was rewarded for third place in gymnastics. His older brother John was placed first and with older sister Marion received other rewards. Charles was third again in gymnastics at the February 1887 prize distribution and also placed second in Standard I; John and Marion were also rewarded. Charles received a prize for third in Standard II in 1887. Both Charles and John ran in the 150 Yards Handicap (for boys under 14) at the Geraldine Annual Public Sports in March 1888. The combined sports and picnic of the Scotsburn School and the Peel Forest Sunday School took place on New Year's Day 1892 at Peel Forest. The weather was beautiful, and the members of the School Committee were indefatigable in their exertions to promote the enjoyment of the children. The chairman of the School Committee, Mr R. Thew, at the conclusion of the sports presented the prizes won by the children attending the Scotsburn School. Charles was awarded the prize for first place in Standard V (3 children); Edward, Emily and young Robert also received prizes. Charles left school in April 1893. C. T. Thew started in the 100 Yards Maiden, the 100 Yards Handicap and the 220 Yards Flat Race at the annual sports of the Woodbury Athletic Club in November 1895. He also competed in the Pole Jump – “Thew jumped well, and with his foot handicap looked a likely winner, but . . . . .” By 1900, Charles Thew was farming at Peel Forest. On 28 August at the Geraldine Magistrate’s Court, he pleaded guilty to a charge of exposing sheep infected with lice on 15 August for sale at the Geraldine Farmers’ Saleyards. He was fined one half-penny per sheep in respect of his 38 sheep. Not as bad as the other offender who had 435 infected sheep for sale. Charles attended James Wilson Ashby as groomsman when James married his sister, Emily Sarah Thew, at the family home in October 1900. The bridesmaids were Misses Marion and Mabel Thew. The present of Messrs E., C. and R. Thew was a sewing machine.

Between 1911 and 1914 Charles Thew moved to the Waikato where he was a tea merchant. Charles Thomas Thew was listed on the 1916 1st Reserve Rolls, a commercial traveller at Paeroa. In February 1917 his name was drawn in the Fourth Ballot for the Hauraki Recruiting District. He enlisted on 5 March 1917 at Paeroa, single and of Church of England affiliation. While he was a self-employed tea merchant residing at Seddon Street, Waihi, he named his father as next-of-kin – Robert Thew, 114 Church Street, Timaru. He was medically examined in March 1917 at Paeroa. Standing at 5 feet 5 inches and weighing 155 pounds, he had a chest measurement of 37½-39 inches, a medium complexion, grey eyes, and dark hair dark. His right eye measured 6/8, the left 6/6; his hearing was only fair; and his colour vision was good. His limbs and chest were well formed, his heart and lungs normal. He had had otorrhoa 20 years ago. His pulse was 98. He was free from diseases, was vaccinated, and was in good bodily and mental health. He had no distinctive marks or marks indicating congenital peculiarities or previous disease; no marks of smallpox. Class A. Rifleman C. T. Thew performed no military duties during the period 6.3.17 to 27.5.17. Charles T. Thew, Waihi, was amongst the men of No. 2 Group who were to leave for the Trentham training camp on 31 May 1917 for the 30th Reinforcements.

The South Canterbury quota of the 30th Reinforcement consisting of 58 men, left Timaru on 28 May 1917, but not before they had been given a very hearty send-off at the Drill Shed, and at the Strathallan Street crossing. “The men appeared in the best of spirits,” as they were put through some elementary drill movements. They were addressed by the Mayor and by the Rev. J. H. Rogers. No country in the world possessed such a free Constitution as New Zealand, and in a spirit of determination to uphold it and all that made life worth living, they were going forth to gain the mastery over the enemy, said the Mayor. On this noble mission he wished them luck and a safe return. In going away they would take with them the love, the care and affection of many who would watch anxiously for news of them, and who would ever be solicitous of their welfare, said the Rev. Rogers. Then, headed by the 2nd (S.C.) Regimental Band, they moved off to the station. The train steamed out followed by the cheers of the crowd, and the answering shouts of the departing soldiers. Among the recruits was C. T. Thew.

Rifleman C. T. Thew embarked with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, leaving from Wellington on 15 August 1917 per the “Ruahine” and disembarking at Glasgow, Scotland on 2 October. Marching into Brocton on 3 October 1917, he was posted to the 6th Battalion. Proceeding overseas to France on 23 October, he joined his Battalion on 2 November. He was admitted to No. 4 New Zealand Field Ambulance, sick – V.D., on 25 November 1917, then to No. 2 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station before being admitted to No. 51 General Hospital in France on 27 November 1917. Discharged from there on 20 December 1917, he was transferred to No. 6 Convalescent Depot. On 22 January 1918 he was attached to the N.Z. General Base Dept in France, before being assessed Class C by the N.Z.E.F. Standing Medical Board on 27 February and sent to England. Arriving from France on 28 February 1918 and marching in at Torquay, he was admitted to No. 2 New Zealand General Hospital at Walton-on-Thames on 6 March 1918 with chest trouble. The examination on 14 March was negative for T.B. and transfer to Oatlands was recommended. Casualty List No. 814, issued on the afternoon of 23 March 1918, recorded 55648 C. T. Thew (Timaru) as a not severe case. By mid-April he was progressing favourably.

A Medical Board was convened on 22 May 1918 at Walton-on-Thames to propose the invaliding of Rifleman Thew. His disability – Tubercle of Lung (Clinical T.B.) and Aortic Dilation - dated from December 1917 in France. Essential facts of the history of the disability - “(1) While at Base Camp in France developed a cough, Dec 1917 which became worse as the winter advanced. Boarded as T.B. in France, sent to Torquay & admitted Oatlands 5/3/18. Winter cough in N.Z. for several years. No T.B. in sputum. (2) syphilis Nov 1917. Aortic Dilation following.” What is his present condition? – “(1) Weight in N.Z. about 12 st. Now 9 st 12 lbs. Slight cough. Impairment right upper lobe front & back & upper of right lower with …s at apex of lower. . . . . (2) Visible pulsation aortic area, greatly accentuated second. Definite dilation. . . . . .” Recommended – “To New Zealand as permanently unfit.” The Board determined that his disability was clearly attributable to his service during the present war – T.B. infection on service. His disablement was assessed at 100%. The board recommended return to New Zealand, discharge as permanently unfit, and further medical treatment at a sanatorium. Classified unfit on 20 June 1918, he was placed on the N.Z. Roll.

The Medical Case Sheet dated 24 July 1918 at Oatlands Park recorded thus: Disease – Tubercle of Lung; Boarded Etaples Feb/18. Impairment right upper lobo front & back & upper right lower with creps at apex of lower. 21/7/18 Impairment as above – br…es breathing & prolonged expiration – condition improving. N.B. Dilation Aorta. Specific history. Rifleman Charles Thomas Thew, 55648, of Timaru, returned to New Zealand by Draft No. 175 (532 or more invalided soldiers), which was due in New Zealand in September 1918. He embarked at Southampton on 31 July 1918 for transfer to the Hospital Ship “Marama” at Marseilles. So it was that he returned to Timaru, New Zealand per the “Marama” (Draft 175), which arrived on 23 September 1918. The Medical Board’s examination of Rfm. C. T. Thew was carried out on H.M. N.Z. H.S. Marama on 23 April 1918, found that he had been suffering from (1) Tubercle of Lung (Clinical T.B.) and (2) Aortic Dilation. He was permanently unfit for Active Service, Territorial Service and Home Service. It would be six months before he was fit for civil employment. His disability was caused by military duty. It was recommended that he receive further treatment as a hospital out-patient at Timaru for 28 days. It was also recommended that he be considered for a pension (on account of pulmonary condition) and noted that his disability would continue for six months.

Rifleman Thew (Church Street) was one of the ten sick or wounded South Canterbury men who came by the express train from Christchurch on 24 September. On arrival they were met and welcomed by the Mayor, members of the Reception Committee, and a large number of the general public. “From the steps of the station platform the Mayor extended a very cordial welcome home to the men and called for three cheers for them. These were heartily given, after which the soldiers were driven to their respective homes in cars which were in waiting for that purpose.” A Hospital Out-patient Certificate was issued to 55648 Rfm Charles Thomas Thew on 23 September 1918, ordering him to report as an out-patient at Timaru Hospital on 24 September 1918, to receive treatment until 21 October 1918, spending every night at 114 Church Street, Timaru. There were four subsequent extensions for this treatment - from 22 October 1918 until 4 November 1918; from 5 November 1918 until 18 November 1918; from 19 November 1918 until 2 December 1918; and from 3 December 1918 until 16 December 1918. The proceedings of the Medical Board assembled at the Drill Hall, Timaru, on 11 December 1918, included the previous details and the conclusion that the soldier was permanently unfit. The Board, therefore recommended discharge from the Expeditionary Force and that a pension be considered, adding that the soldier’s capacity for earning a full livelihood in the general labourer market was lessened by one half. He was discharged on 1 January 1919, no longer physically fit for War Service on account of illness contracted on Active Service, and was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

While Charles did return initially to his mother’s address in Timaru, he was soon away back to the North Island, and later in 1919 was a commercial traveller in Auckland. ‘C. T. Thew and B. Hislop, representatives of H. A. Pyke’s “King Cleaner” (local manufacture), are now in town and are calling on householders demonstrating and taking orders for same. “The King Cleaner” is a unique and labour-saving device and will appeal to every housewife. — Advt.’ [Te Puke Times. 6 December 1921.] It seems, however, that Charles’ war disability brought about his early death. Charles Thomas Thew died on 5 September 1922 at Wellington, aged 44 years. His funeral left the Timaru Railway Station on 8 September for the Timaru Cemetery where he was interred with his father and his youngest brother. Robert Thew (senior) died at his Timaru residence on 7 June 1918, when Charles was being assessed in England prior to his return home. He had been one to contribute to worthy causes, his donation to the Red Cross in 1917 being the proceeds of the sale of a dog (2s 6d). Described as a hardy pioneer, Robert Thew was a key figure in South Canterbury development – farming (Lemington Farm named after his birth place), Lodge, Justice of the Peace, Road Board, Harbour Board Henry George Thew, the youngest of the Thew family, died on 9 September 1914, just after his parents had moved into their Timaru residence, aged 29 years. Robert Frederick Thew who died in 1916 in the Somme Battle is remembered on the gravestone. When Susan Thew died on 18 October 1924 at Timaru, she was buried in the family plot. Susan (Harris) Thew had come to New Zealand with family members as a child and was remembered as a kindly woman, well-known and esteemed especially in the Geraldine district. Charles Thomas Thew of Wellington had drawn up his last Will while in Christchurch at the residence of his sister and brother-in-law and signed it just four days before his death, a medical practitioner of Wellington being a witness to his signature and his brother-in-law – James Wilson Ashby – the executor. He bequeathed all his property to Mrs Robert Thew, John Robert Thew, Marion Charlotte Donohue, Herbert Edward Thew and Emily Sarah Ashby – “my sisters, brothers and mother”. Why his sister Elizabeth Mabel Thew was not included is not apparent. She did not appear on New Zealand electoral rolls after 1911 and was buried at Hokitika in 1962. Probate of Charles’ Will was not sought until late 1924 after his mother’s death. Following Charles’ death, his executor, James Wilson Ashby, learnt of only one asset – a small balance at the Bank of New Zealand, Auckland, which the Bank paid out. But, in 1924, it was discovered that Charles had a reversionary interest in common with his brothers and sisters in some land and buildings in Timaru and also in some capital under his late Father’s estate subject in both instances to his Mother’s life interest therein. The town property in the estate of the late R. Thew was to be auctioned on 21 November 1924. “The house comprises seven rooms, with kitchenette and all modern conveniences, suitable for a residential home or unfurnished flats. The situation is all that can be desired, being handy to town, and of good prospective value.” Robert Thew had made his Will in 1904, bequeathing all to his wife and, after her death, to his children. It wasn’t until July 1923 that Susan Thew signed her Will. She named her five surviving children as beneficiaries. Charles Thomas (whose name was inadvertently included but struck out before the Will was signed), Robert Frederick and Henry George had all predeceased her.

His brother, Robert Frederick Thew, who had gone off to Trentham in October 1915, succumbed to wounds received in action at the Somme on 30 September 1916. “. . . . Private Thew was sheltering in a dug-out, when a large shell pitched exactly on the roof and brought the whole thing down on him, wounding him severely. He was dug out, but died at the dressing station in the advance line, near which he is buried.” From January 1917, Private R. J.[sic] Thew’s name was printed in the Temuka Leader in the Geraldine List of the Roll of Honour. The eldest of the family, John Robert Thew (Jack) was listed on the 1917 2nd Division Reserve Roll. He was a farmer at Peel Forest, married with children. Jack’s grandson George Thew served with the navy in World War Two. Among the names of men registered in South Canterbury who were selected by ballot from Class A of the Second Division of the Expeditionary Force Reserve on 6 November 1917 and called up for service was Herbert Edward Thew (Ted), farmer, Gapes Valley. His appeal was adjourned sine die in December as he had been classed as C2 (fit only for home service). Ted’s son Cedric Robert Thew served in World War Two.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [01 January 2015]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK18805 W5553 0113252) [21 June 2017]; CWGC [16 March 2014]; Timaru Herald, 18 December 1877, 1 January 1878, 26 January 1883, 6 January 1892, 26 October 1900, 10 September 1914, 18 October 1915, 12 October 1916, 16 December 1916, 29 May 1917, 9 & 17 October 1917, 7 November 1917, 14 December 1917, 25 March 1918, 8, 10 & 18 June 1918, 11, 24 & 25 September 1918, 20 & 22 October 1924, 5 November 1924, Temuka Leader, 2 & 16 January 1886, 15 February 1887, 3 January 1888, 20 March 1888, 12 November 1895, 30 August 1900, 27 October 1900, 11 June 1918, 24 September 1918, South Canterbury Times, 17 March 1886, 29 August 1900, Ashburton Guardian, 29 August 1900, Press, 29 August 1900, 11 June 1918, Thames Star, 13 February 1917, Ohinemuri Gazette, 14 February 1917, 30 May 1917, Star, 23 March 1918, Sun, 23 March 1918, 7 September 1918, Dominion, 25 March 1918, 9 September 1918, NZ Times, 25 March 1918, Evening Post, 7 September 1918, Otago Daily Times, 9 September 1918, Te Puke Times, 6 December 1921 (Papers Past) [07 November 2014; 09 January 2015; 12 September 2021; 04 October 2021; 11 September 2023; 12 & 15 May 2024]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [09 January 2015; School Admission records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [09 January 2015]; Timaru Cemetery headstone image (Timaru District Council) [17 December 2015]; Timaru Herald, 7 September 1922 (Timaru District Library) [18 December 2015]; Probate record (Archives NZ/FamilySearch) [17 December 2015]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [12 May 2024]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• THEW Charles Thomas - newspaper clippings (pdf, 106.0 KB updated 16-May-2024)

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