Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Robert James Telford, who was known as both Robert and James, was the second son of Scottish-born William Telford and his Irish-born wife, Catherine née Gibson, of Rangitira Valley, Temuka. Robert James Telford and his older brother William were amongst the earliest enrolments at the Rangitira Valley School in February 1886, with register numbers 007 and 006 respectively. Their younger siblings followed in due course. From May 1886, Mr W. Telford served on the Rangitira Valley School committee for many years. It was in December 1886 that Mr William Telford’s dwelling house at Waitohi was destroyed in spite of the strenuous efforts of neighbours to quell the fire. “The house was a cob one with a thatched roof, and a brick chimney the top of which was composed of a couple of nail cans. There was a hole in one of these cans, and the chimney catching fire the blaze went out through the hole to the thatch, and thus it was ignited. . . . . . The bouse was burned completely, but the furniture sustained no injury. The house was a substantial three-roomed cottage, with wooden partitions, floor and ceiling, and as it was completely uninsured Mr Telford loses considerably by its destruction.” Robert was awarded third prize for Standard III at the annual treat held on 23 December 1890, his sister Matilda (Christina Matilda) also receiving awards. The following he was awarded second prize, Matilda again among the prize recipients, and Robert, Matilda and their brother John all received first class attendance certificates. After an ample picnic dinner, a lengthy programme of sports, consisting of running, walking, skipping and jumping was gone through. Following the distribution of prizes, Mr John Talbot (chairman) “addressed the children and parents, pointing out the necessity of regular attendance to ensure good work, urging the children to do their very utmost to acquire knowledge, and to be grateful to their teachers for the pains and trouble the latter took with them.” The prizes in connection with the Rangitira Valley Sunday School were presented on 11 June 1893, following a short service and an appropriate sermon. Robert received third prize for the First Class, while Matilda and John were also recognised. The people of Rangitira Valley were fortunate in selecting Friday, 22 December 1893, as the day on which to hold their annual school treat, as the other days of the week were wet and showery. This time Robert received second prize for Standard V, Matilda and John also being rewarded. 22 December 1894 was a lovely one for outdoor gatherings – the sky being cloudy, and the heat tempered by a gentle breeze. The scholars enjoyed lunch, a long programme of races, tea which was spread out under the gums at 5.30 p.m., then games until 7 p.m., before the prizes were distributed. Robert was awarded second prize for Standard VI, Matilda for Standard V, and John a Standard III award.

On the evening of 1 May 1909, William Telford, Robert’s older brother suffered serious injuries when he was thrown by his team of horses and one of them trod on his face. He was rendered unconscious, and his face was badly disfigured. It was on that same day that William Telford, senior, died at his Rangitira Valley residence. Nine months later – on 5 February 1910, Catherine Telford died at her Rangitira Valley residence. For four years their loving family – William, Christina Matilda (Matilda), Robert James, John (John Andrew) and Rhoda Mary Margaret – remembered them with an In Memoriam notice. “Peaceful be their silent slumber, Peaceful in the grave so low. But in heaven we hope to meet them. When this day of life is fled, And in heaven we hope to greet them, Where no farewell tears are shed.” (1912).

James Robert Telford registered at the Timaru Defence Office on 8 May 1916. He was initially rejected as medically unfit for the Military Forces (November 1916 at Timaru). A gardener at Bluecliffs, he was listed as both James Telford and Robert James Telford on the 1916 Reserve Rolls, while his brother William was a teamster at Rangatira Valley, and his brother John a small farmer at Rangatira Valley. Robert James Telford was a gardener at Bluecliffs, St Andrews when his name was drawn in the Sixth Ballot in April 1917, one of 368 names drawn for the South Canterbury Military District to fill vacancies in the 30th Reinforcements. Robert James Telford enlisted as James Telford, this being later amended to Robert James Telford. On enlistment James stated that he was born in 1888; it is not apparent whether this was intentional or out of ignorance. He was born on 3 May 1879 at Rangitira Valley, Temuka and enlisted the day after his 38th birthday. He was a gardener at Holme Station for Mr R. H. Rhodes. Single and Presbyterian, he named his sister as next-of-kin – Miss Matilda Telford, Rangatira Valley, Temuka. Medically examined on 4 May 1917 at Timaru, he stood at 5 feet 5½ inches, weighed 165 pounds, and had a chest measurement 37-38½ inches, with fair complexion, blue eyes and black hair. His sight, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal, his limbs and chest well formed. He had had no illnesses and was free of most diseases, having just slight haemorrhoids slight. He was vaccinated and in good bodily and mental health. Thus, Class A.

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 J. Telford, presumably Robert James Telford.

But then, the complete list of names of South Canterbury men who had been drawn in the Eighth Ballot for service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force was published on 7 June 1917. It included Robert James Telford, gardener, care of A. S. Elworthy, Holme Station, Timaru, and William Telford, teamster, Rangatira Valley, Temuka. Private Telford arrived in Temuka on 13 July 1917 on his final leave. Just over a week later, at Featherston, he forfeited one days pay for overstaying leave. Rifleman J. Telford 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. He marched into Brocton on 3 October 1917 and was posted to the 6th Battalion. Proceeding overseas to France on 26 January 1918, he marched into camp at Etaples two days later.

The hospital and progress report of the New Zealand Army issued on 20 September 1918, listed Private J. Telford, 55650 NZ Rifle Brigade, Temuka, as wounded and dangerously ill. Suffering a gunshot wound in the back on 9 September 1918, he was admitted to the Casualty Clearing Station. He was placed on the dangerously ill list at the 3rd Canadian Casualty Station on 13 September and was admitted to hospital in France on 14 September. In late September 1918, Miss M. Telford, Rangatira Valley, received word that her brother, Private R. J. Telford, had been removed from the dangerously ill list on 14 September. Transferred to England by hospital ship on 26 September, he was admitted to No. 1 New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst on 27 September. R. J. Telford was classified unfit by the Medical Board on 15 November 1918 and placed on the NZ Roll.

J. Telford returned to New Zealand per the “Ruahine” (Draft 205), embarking at London on 8 December 1918 and disembarking at Auckland on 21 January 1919. He headed back home to Rangitira Valley near Temuka, his address on 24 September 1919 when he applied for Overseas War Gratuity. He was discharged on 28 April 1920, no longer physically fit for war service on account of wounds received in action, having been evacuated from a theatre of war. All his overseas service was in Europe, for which he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. The gunshot wounds to his chest and arm resulted in 70% disability.

J. Telford contributed 2 shillings to the Temuka War Memorial fund in September 1920 – James (Robert James) or John? Robert, his brother William and their sisters Matilda and Rhoda remained on at Rangitira Valley, Robert and William farming. “Shortly after 4 o’clock on Saturday, afternoon the Misses Telford were driving to their home at Rangitira, Valley, when the Horse stumbled and fell. Both ladies were thrown heavily to the ground, and Miss Telford sustained a very bad gash just over the left eye, while her sister was severely shaken. Mr and Mrs Tozer, who were also driving along the same road, gave every assistance to the ladies, who returned to Temuka, where Dr. Hogg attended to Miss Telford’s injury.” [Timaru Herald. 12 June 1923.] “The Misses Telford, Rangatira Valley, wish to thank all those who so kindly assisted them at the time of their accident, also Dr and Mrs Hogg for their kind attention.” [Timaru Herald. 16 June 1923.] Their brother John and his wife moved into Temuka in the 1920s and to Christchurch in the late 1930s. William Telford, the eldest son of William and Catherine, died on 2 February 1934 at his residence, Rangitira Valley. The Telford family, Rangatira Valley, thanked all kind friends and neighbours for their assistance and expressions of sympathy in their sad bereavement. In 1935, Robert, Matilda and Rhoda moved into Princess Street, Temuka, perhaps to be closer to services. There Christina Matilda (late of Rangitira Valley) died on 29 December 1935. Mr and Miss Telford, Princess Street, Temuka, thanked all kind friends for expressions of sympathy in their sad bereavement. William and Matilda were buried together at Temuka. Then in 1943, Robert and Rhoda moved into Timaru, Robert turning to gardening. They lived first in Nile Street before moving to “The Croft” in Park Lane, where he continued as a gardener. After 1946, Robert’s name doesn’t appear on the electoral roll; perhaps he was not fit. Rhoda continued to reside at 12 Park Lane into the 1960s.

Robert James Telford died on 16 June 1961 at Talbot Hospital, Timaru (of 12 Park Lane, Timaru), aged 82 years; He was interred privately in the Services section of Timaru Cemetery, where a Services plaque marks his grave. His sister Rhoda (Miss R. M. Telford, 12 Park Lane, Timaru) was his next-of-kin at death. Rhoda Mary Telford died on 31 July 1968 at Timaru Hospital, the last of the Telford family, and was buried at Temuka.

William Telford who had been drawn in the Eighth Ballot, was in the South Canterbury quota of the 32nd Reinforcements who left Timaru by the north express on 23 July 1917. They were given a farewell send-off at the Drill Shed where they paraded and were put through a few movements. They received gift parcels from the ladies of the Patriotic Society, then addressed heartily by the Mayor and the Rev. J. H. Rogers, acting-vicar of St Mary's. The Temuka and Geraldine quota of the 32nd Reinforcement and their relatives were entertained at luncheon by the ladies of the Temuka Patriotic Entertainment Committee at the Drill Hall, Temuka. Musical selections were given, songs were sung and speeches were delivered. “All are proud of the men who were going to fight for freedom and wished them the best of luck.” Promptly at 1.30 the men, led by the Temuka Brass and Pipe Bands, marched through the town to the railway station, where, despite the wet ground, a fair crowd had assembled to wish them farewell. The Maoris of Arowhenua Pa sang their farewell song, and as the train moved off cheers were given for the soldiers. It appears, however, that William Telford went no further.

John Telford of farmer, Rangitira Valley - the younger brother of Robert James – was called up from the First Division of Reservists at the beginning of October 1917. He had his appeal dismissed by the Second South Canterbury Appeal Board on 6 November 1917, as he had been classed C2 and would be held for Home Service. John Andrew Telford married Elizabeth Beecher Cunnard on 14 May 1919. He was the only one of the three sons and two daughters of William and Catherine to marry. The two sons of John and Beecher served in World War Two – Arthur John Telford and Ronald James Andrew Telford. John Andrew Telford died in May 1966 at his Christchurch residence, survived by his wife Elizabeth Beecher Telford, two sons and two daughters.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [30 December 2016]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK18805 W5553 0112949) [06 January 2017]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [30 December 2016]; Timaru Cemetery headstone image, Temuka Cemetery headstone images (Timaru District Council) [03 January 2017]; Timaru Herald, 17 June 1961 (Timaru District Library) [30 December 2016]; Temuka Leader, 4 May 1886, 9 December 1886, 27 December 1890, 29 December 1891, 15 June 1893, 2 January 1894, 29 December 1894, 4 & 11 May 1909, 10 February 1910, 7 February 1911, 6 February 1912, 6 February 1913, 5 February 1914, 17 & 24 July 1917, 4 October 1917, 8 November 1917, 16 January 1919, 9 September 1920, 5 February 1929, Timaru Herald, 25 April 1895, 9 May 1916, 18 April 1917, 29 May 1917, 7 June 1917, 14 & 24 July 1917, 20 September 1917, 2 & 3 October 1917, 8 November 1917, 21 & 30 September 1918, 1 October 1918, 15 January 1919, 28 June 1919, 12 June 1923, 4 & 6 February 1929, 3 & 20 February 1934, 30 December 1935, 8 January 1936, Sun, 17 April 1917, Waimate Daily Advertiser, 17 April 1917, Evening Post, 20 & 21 September 1918, Press, 21 September 1918, Star, 11 January 1919, 17 May 1966, Lyttelton Times, 13 January 1919, NZ Times, 13 January 1919 (Papers Past) [03 January 2017; 08 September 2021; 07 October 2021; 11 October 2022; 08, 09 & 10 May 2024]; School Admission records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [03 January 2017]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [03 January 2017; 08 May 2024]; Funeral Directors record [10 May 2024]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• TELFORD Robert James - newspaper clippings (pdf, 211.5 KB updated 16-May-2024)

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