Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Hugh George Tiplady (often known as George) was born on 5 March 1893 at Staindrop, County Durham, England, the third son of William Tiplady and his wife Esther Jane née Harmer. William who had come to New Zealand in about 1871, married Esther at Woodbury, South Canterbury, New Zealand in 1886. before they returned to England. Their first child, Ella Madeline Harmer, was born at Geraldine, New Zealand in 1885. Another twelve (five daughters and seven sons) were born in England, one (Robert Arthur/Albert) dying in 1905 at the age of 7. In 1901 George was at home with his family (nine children) at Church Farm, Winston, Durham, England, his father a farmer. The family came to New Zealand in 1908, William Tiplady taking up farming at Pleasant Valley where he remained until about 1929 then retired to Winston House in Geraldine. Another child was born in June 1913 in New Zealand – Mona Mabella Sarah Tiplady. Mr W. Tiplady was chairman of the Geraldine Flat Water Race Committee. In January 1931, a fire in a portion of the Geraldine Native Bush Reserve wiped out three acres of trees and shrubs and threatened the whole bush. Mr W. Tiplady had been burning blackberry in a farm paddock on his property when he realised that the fire had got beyond his control. He immediately sought help. Fire-fighters responded quickly and over a hundred men formed a bucket brigade, and the flames were brought under control almost two hours later. The Geraldine Borough Council decided to approach Mr Tiplady to help with the expenses incurred.

On 17 June 1913 at Geraldine, when some thirty charges under the Defence Act for failing to render persona1 service or failing to attend camp were called, H. G. Tiplady and three others were fined 40 shillings and costs. On 1 July, it was asked that the charge against H. G. Tiplady might be reheard. Tiplady was a capital soldier and had made himself efficient. The application was granted. Tiplady had been charged with failing to attend camp, but it was explained that he had attended. The charge was dismissed, and an order was made that any fine paid should be refunded. G. Tiplady scored well at the Miniature Rifle Club’s shoots at Winchester in May 1914. In late August 1914, both Hugh and Harmer fired for the Geraldine Territorials in the first round of the South Canterbury Miniature Rifle Championship for the Hayhurst shield and medals.

Hugh George Tiplady (farm hand, Geraldine), Harmer Cecil Tiplady (draper’s assistant, Geraldine) and James Tiplady (farmer, Geraldine – John James) were all listed on the 1916 Reserve Roll. H. G. Tiplady registered at the Timaru Defence Office on 4 July 1916. Medically examined at Geraldine in August 1916, he was rejected as unfit for the Military or Naval Forces on account of hernia. In February 1917, Hugh George Tiplady, farm hand, Winston House, Geraldine, was drawn in the fourth ballot. He enlisted at Timaru on 28 February 1917, having been examined by the Travelling Medical Board that day. He stood at 5 feet 7½ inches and weighed 142 pounds, with a chest measurement of 33-35½ inches, a medium complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair. While the sight in his right eye was not good, the left was normal, as were his hearing and colour vision. His limbs and chest were well formed, his heart and lungs normal. No illnesses. He did have a large abdominal (inguinal) hernia, which was not aggravated by coughing or straining. He was free of other diseases and defects, was vaccinated and was in good bodily and mental health. In-growing toenails were noted, and a moderate degree of flat foot. He was assessed as Class A. He belonged to the 2nd South Canterbury Regiment. Single and Anglican, he named his mother as next-of-kin – Mrs E. Tiplady, Winston House, Geraldine.

On 5 March 1917, the Geraldine Drill Hall Geraldine was packed when the local members of the 27th Reinforcements were farewelled, and presentations were made to the Geraldine Queen and Princess in recognition of their services to the Red Cross Carnival. The Geraldine Band played selections, and the Geraldine Orchestral Society also contributed selections. A greatly appreciated musical programme was given as well as dances and a haka. At the invitation of the chairman, Messrs G. and C. Tiplady and six comrades walked on to the stage. Mr T. Gunnion of Temuka wished the young fellows well, and when they came back they would be welcomed as men. The chairman then made presentations to the Geraldine men - wristlet watches to Privates C. and G. Tiplady, as a token of their esteem, and added good wishes; and Mrs Hislop, the Mayoress, on behalf of the Home and Empire League, presented each of the men with a parcel of comforts. As the men resumed their seats, the Band struck up “Soldiers of the King,” and the men were loudly cheered. A send-off was given in the Temuka Drill Hall on 6 March 1917 to all soldiers who were to leave for Trentham during the month of March. The send-off was not only for soldiers leaving the next day, but for all soldiers who would go in the March drafts. H. C. Tiplady was leaving on 7 March 1917; H. G. Tiplady on 13 March, having been granted leave until that date. Indeed, H. G. Tiplady was in the draft of men which left Temuka for Trentham by the second express on 13 March. They had been cheered as they left Geraldine. Prior to their departure from Temuka the soldiers and their relatives were entertained to afternoon tea in the Drill Hall and addresses were delivered. Afterwards the men lined up, and a lengthy procession made its way to the railway station, headed by the Temuka Brass Band. On arrival at the station, farewell speeches were delivered. As the train steamed out three hearty cheers were given for the soldiers.

A member of the 27th Reinforcements which returned to Featherston Camp from final leave on 14 April 1917, Private H. G. Tiplady was promoted to the rank of lance-corporal. A few days later he was transferred to the 26th Reinforcements. A Medical Board was assembled at Trentham on 22 May 1917. His hernia was of a hereditary nature. He suffered from severe neuralgia, couldn’t march and got tired easily. His condition was not improving. Considered permanently unfit, he was granted leave without pay on 23 May 1917.

Hugh George Tiplady married Margaret McIntosh on 14 May 1917. Their son, Donald William Hugh, was born later that year, followed by a daughter and four more sons. Among the guests invited to the Home and Empire League Soldiers’ Peace Ball at Geraldine in November 1919 were Mr and Mrs Tiplady, Mr W. F. Tiplady and Mr and Mrs G. Tiplady. Hugh George and Margaret were at “Cracroft”, Arundel for a time before moving to Hawarden in North Canterbury in the mid-1920s. At Arundel, George won trophies with the Arundel Miniature Rifle Club and competed in the New Zealand Championships (teams and individual events). In July 1922, a trophy donated by G. Tiplady was won by G. F. Tiplady – Gerald Flatman Tiplady, George’s youngest brother. The third son of Hugh and Margaret, Maurice James (Jim), was born on 25 August 1923 at Waikari Hospital. Mr and Mrs H. G. Tiplady were present at 21st birthday celebrations at Hawarden in mid-August 1933 and won a weekly social prize at the Hawarden Tennis Club in the same month. Friends of Miss Mona Tiplady (Geraldine) gathered at the home of Mr Tiplady to celebrate her twenty-first birthday in August 1934. Among those present to honour the youngest of the Tiplady family were Mr W. Tiplady (father), Mr and Mrs R. Waters (sister Gertrude and husband), Mrs and Mrs H. G. Tiplady, Mr and Mrs A. Glanville (sister Bertha and husband), Mr and Mrs J. J. Tiplady, Miss E. Tiplady (sister Ettie or Eva?), Misses E. Waters, J. Waters and Edith Waters (nieces), Miss Jessie Tiplady (niece), Mr Bobby Tiplady (nephew). G. Tiplady gave a song. Hugh and Margaret had moved to Pleasant Valley in the mid-1930s. The children attended the local school and Mrs G. Tiplady held office in the Pleasant Valley Ladies’ Rifle Club. In April 1936, Mr and Mrs George Tiplady won a novelty dance at a kitchen evening held for a soon-to-be-married couple. At a dance in the Pleasant Valley Hall in March 1938, a chain stepping competition was wone by Mr G, Tiplady. And G. Tiplady was still scoring well, now with the Pleasant Valley Men’s Rifle Club.

Both Mr G. Tiplady and Mr J. Tiplady contributed to the district’s Fighting Services Welfare Appeal Fund in March 1940. Both Mr and Mrs G, Tiplady won prizes in the euchre tournament held at a social evening in the Pleasant Valley Hall in May 1940. When mothers and wives of men of the Geraldine district serving overseas were the guests of Mrs P. W. Hislop and Miss Jill Hislop at a social afternoon at their home in Cox Street on 13 November 1940, among those invited was Mrs H. G. Tiplady. Her son Donald had probably already enlisted. While Mrs G. Tiplady carried off numerous prizes for home produce at the Orari Horticultural Society’s annual show in March 1941, Mr G. Tiplady was also successful – second place for home-made preserved fruit. The Tiplady’s second son, Albert Charles, married in Christchurch on 28 February 1942. Hugh George Tiplady, dairy farmer, appealed against Home Guard Service on 25 August 1942 at Temuka, his case being adjourned sine die. His appeal was again adjourned sine die in May 1943. A bright and enthusiastic crowd gathered in the Pleasant Valley Hall in March 1944 to welcome Mr and Mrs J. Tiplady to the district after their recent marriage. During the evening, two vocal solos were rendered by Mr H. G. Tiplady. The newly married couple were Maurice James Tiplady (son of Hugh and Margaret) and Myra Irene née Henderson. Later in the month, the Pleasant Valley Hall was filled to capacity when residents and friends gathered to welcome Mr D. Tiplady (Donald William Hugh) and three comrades from service overseas. They were wished them a speedy recovery to normal health. Mr H. G. Tiplady was elected to fill a vacancy with the Geraldine Co-operative Dairy Company in September 1944. Maurice James Tiplady was wounded on active service in April 1945. When a dance was held in the Pleasant Valley Hall in late October 1945, as part of a welcome home for soldiers, Mr and Mrs H. G. Tiplady won the Monte Carlo waltz.

Hugh George and Margaret Tiplady moved into Geraldine in the early 1950s, Hugh a labourer until retirement a few years later. Hugh George Tiplady died on 4 July 1966 at Timaru, of Geraldine, aged 73 years. After a service at St Mary’s Church, Geraldine, he was cremated at Bromley Crematorium, Christchurch. He was survived by Margaret, sons Don, Snow, Jim, Bob and Murray, daughter Jessie, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Margaret who had married Tom Lord, died at Timaru on 29 September 1977 and was cremated at Salisbury Park Crematorium. Her daughter Jessie Tindall had died in 1969. In his Will, George made provision for his wife Margaret. George’s brother, William Hugh Tiplady, testified as to his death. Hugh’s brothers, William Fred Tiplady and Charles Benjamin Tiplady, both served with the New Zealand Forces in World War One; two others – John James Tiplady and Harmer Cecil Tiplady – enlisted but saw no service. Three sons of Hugh George and Margaret Tiplady served in World War Two – Donald William Hugh Tiplady (Don), Albert Charles Tiplady (Snow) and Maurice James Tiplady (Jim); a fourth son – Robert Arthur Tiplady, served with Jayforce. Esther Jane Tiplady had died on 20 July 1922 at her Geraldine residence (Winston House) and William Tiplady on 25 October 1942 at his Geraldine residence (Cox Street). Both were buried at the Geraldine Cemetery. In October 1914, W. Tiplady had contributed 2 bags of oats to the Home Relief Fund. By his Will, William Tiplady made bequests to eleven of his surviving children, noting that Harmer Cecil had already been provided for during his (William’s) lifetime.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [September 2025]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK18805 W5557 0114806) [21 May 2017]; 1891 & 1901 England Census returns (ancestry.com.au) [30 December 2015]; Timaru Herald, 18 June 1913, 2 July 1913, 6 October 1914, 13 & 21 May 1914, 29 August 1914, 9 January 1915, 5 July 1916, 14 February 1917, 7, 13 & 14 March 1917, 19 & 21 July 1922, 13 & 15 January 1931, 20 August 1934, 21 April 1936, 22 March 1938, 26 March 1940, 21 May 1940, 14 November 1940, 11 March 1941, 30 October 1941, 21 March 1942, 26 August 1942, 26 October 1942, 7 May 1943, 13 & 20 March 1944, 11 September 1944, 12 April 1945, 31 October 1945, Temuka Leader, 29 August 1914, 6 & 8 March 1917, 28 October 1918, 12 October 1922, 13 & 15 January 1931, Lyttelton Times, 14 February 1917, Dominion, 14 April 1917, Press, 16 April 1917, 24 October 1922, 28 August 1923, 15 & 17 August 1933, 21 August 1934, 10 September 1940, 26 October 1942, 30 September 1977, Ashburton Guardian, 23 October 1922 (Papers Past) [29 December 2015; 01, 02, 23 & 24 September 2025]; Timaru Herald, 5 & 6 July 1966 (Timaru District Library) [30 December 2015]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [29 December 2015; 2025]; Probate record [24 June 2017]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• TIPLADY Hugh George - newspaper clippings (pdf, 167.4 KB updated 16-Oct-2025)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

TS