Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

William George Bain, known as Willie, was the elder son of Walter and Elizabeth Ann (Bessie, née Oliver) Bain. Born on 6 February 1893 at Waimate, he was christened in the Presbyterian Parish there on 10 October 1893. Scottish-born Walter Bain married Bessie Oliver at her Redcliff, Waimate home in 1892. Elizabeth was born at Eweburn, Otago of early Scottish settlers. Walter and Bessie had two sons and three daughters. His mother Elizabeth had died at the Waimate Hospital on 30 December 1902, leaving Walter with five young children. Elizabeth was buried at Oamaru with family. In January 1904 at Redcliff, Walter married Mabel Eleanor Goodeve, a daughter of Mr H. E. Goodeve (a South Canterbury teacher). They had two daughters born after moving to the Tycho/Rosewill district. The sale of Mr Walter Bain’s farm of 416 acres at Redcliff at a satisfactory figure was reported in January 1903. Walter Bain, Glenavy, was successful in acquiring a section in the Rosewill Settlement in March 1904 when the Levels Estate was cut up for farms. In the ensuing years, advertisements were placed with regard to Mr Walter Bain’s farm at Levels Valley or Pleasant Point (Spring Farm). In November 1914, Walter Bain was instrumental in having the proceeds of 5 sacks of wheat given to the Home Relief Fund. In July 1917 he donated to the Red Cross Fund. Mr Walter Bain, of Spring Farm, Levels Valley, brought to this office (Timaru Herald) yesterday (20 April 1917) a sample of a dye which he has manufactured out of certain noxious weeds that can be obtained all too easily. The dye is ineradicable, and can be used for branding sacks or for lighter work. It can be made cheaply and blended to suitable colours. According to Mr Bain, if the manufacture of the dye is properly taken up it, will obviate the necessity for importing dyes. Having sold his farm at Taiko, Mr Walter Bain gave instructions for a clearing sale to be held on 26 May 1943. After 38 years’ residence in the Taiko district, and settling into retirement in their new home, Mr and Mrs Bain were presented with an easy chair by the folk of Taiko district in appreciation of their contribution to the social life and their hospitality. William started his schooling at Redcliff School and, after 16 months in the Levels district, returned there in 1905 in the care of a teacher (Henry E. Goodeve). At the Redcliff School breaking up event on 18 December 1903, young Willie Bain and his sister Bella received a Standard IV prize.

William George Bain was a labourer at Pleasant Point in 1914. Cadet W. Bain, of No. 42 Company (Pleasant Point) scored well in the shooting competitions held in June 1914 and was awarded a cup for his company and a medal for himself. At a farewell function at Tycho for Private John Naughton in early August 1917, bagpipe music was supplied for the scotch dances by Piper W. Bain, of Tycho. Piper W. Bain’s bagpipe music was much appreciated at a farewell social and presentation to Trooper J. Hall, this one at Pleasant Point in early October. A very nice social and dance were held in the Pleasant Point Oddfellows’ Hall in late October 1918, in aid of the Red Cross shop fund. The Bain Bros. gave several selections on the bagpipes, and Oliver Bain (violin) was one to supply music.

When William George Bain had been medically examined at Timaru on 14 February 1916, he stood at 5 feet 8 inches, weighed 145 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 32½-35 inches, a fair complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. His sight, hearing and colour vision were all good, his limbs and chest well formed, and his heart and lungs normal. He had had no illnesses or fits, was free from diseases, was vaccinated and in good bodily and mental health. W. G. Bain, Timaru, was one of the local men who left Timaru with the Infantry on 8 March 1916, by the second express for the north. An engine driver for T. Simpson at Albury, 23 years old, single and Presbyterian, he enlisted at Trentham on 9 March 1916, naming his father as next-of-kin – Walter Bain, Levels, Timaru. His indication that he had been previously rejected as unfit for the military force (on account of his teeth) was crossed out. He was posted to the 14th Reinforcements (G Company) then discharged on 22 March 1916.

The name of William George Bain, farm hand, Levels, featured in the final calling up of the First Division of Reservists for the South Canterbury Recruiting District at the beginning of October 1917. He was thus re-examined at Timaru on 11 October 1917, now 24 years 8 months old. He stood at 5 feet 6½ inches, weighed 135 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 32-35 inches, a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair brown. But he did not have full and perfect movement of all joints, and his chest was not well formed. He had had no fits, no notification for consumption, and no treatment in a sanatorium or mental institution. Ahe had, however been absent from work through ill-health - hip disease and pneumonia. He had been discharged from Trentham on 22 March 1916, because a history of hip joint disease (right leg) - with shortening. He enlisted at Timaru that same day, an engine driver for F. Tozer, Levels, and still single. He stated that he had been found fit in February 1916 but had been discharged from the 14th Reinforcements as unfit. The Medical Board assembled at Trentham on 20 March 1916 had, indeed, found that Private W. G. Bain, 14th Reinforcements, had had hip disease and had shortening of the leg of 1½ inches. He was considered permanently unfit for “general service” and for service at home. Discharge was recommended.

Sadly, William Bain, eldest son of Walter Bain, Pleasant Point, died at Pleasant Point on 30 November 1918, aged 25 years. He was interred privately in the Pleasant Point Cemetery. William was a victim of the influenza epidemic, his father, stepmother and perhaps other family members also ill. Mr and Mrs Bain inserted a notice in the Timaru Herald of 19 December 1918, thanking the neighbours for their great kindness during their illness, and for letters and telegrams of sympathy in their recent sad bereavement. William’s estate which was administered by the Public Trustee, amounted to £194.19.5 (cash in bank). At the meeting of the Point Caledonian Society at the beginning of October 1919, it was recorded that the “year just passed had removed two of the valued members by death — Piper W. Bain and Mr G. Shepherd — and the directors tendered their relatives their deepest condolence and sympathy.” William’s family continued to remember him for some years.

BAIN — In sad but loving memory of our dear Willie, who died of influenza, November 30th, 1918.

Oh for the touch of a vanished hand,

And a sound of the voice that is stilled. — Inserted by his loved ones. [1920.]

BAIN. — In loving memory of William George Bain, who died November 30, 1918; aged 25.

’Tis sweet to think we’ll meet again,

Where parting is no more,

And to know our loved one is not lost,

But only gone before. — Inserted by his loved ones. [1922]

BAIN – In loving memory of our dear brother, William George Bain, who died at Pleasant. Point, November 30, 1918. “To memory ever dear.”

William’s younger brother, Walter Oliver Bain, also enlisted for World War One. Mr Walter Bain (senior) sold his farm at Taiko in May 1943. A large number of Taiko residents gathered at the Pleasant Point home of Mr and Mrs Walter Bain, to show their appreciation for their contribution to the district, where they had resided for 39 years, and express their best wishes for a happy retirement. Both Oliver and his father entertained with items. Walter Bain (senior) died on 13 October 1947 at his Pleasant Point home and was buried with his son William. Mabel remarried in 1948.

Sources

NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5520 0011406) [27 August 2017]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs); Pleasant Point Cemetery headstone image (Timaru District Council) [27 August 2017]; North Otago Times, 31 December 1902, 22 December 1903, Oamaru Mail, 23 January 1903, Timaru Herald, 19 March 1904, 20 June 1914, 4 November 1914, 7 March 1916, 21 April 1917, 6 August 1917, 2 & 10 October 1917, 30 October 1918, 2 & 19 December 1918, 15 February 1919, 4 October 1919, 30 November 1920, 29 November 1922, 1 December 1924, 12 May 1943, 22 June 1943, Press, 2 October 1917 (Papers Past) [27 August 2017; 22 October 2021; 26 March 2026]; personal family research; Probate record (Archives NZ/FamilySearch) [27 August 2017]; School Admission Records (Waimate Branch NZSG) [27 August 2017]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [26 & 31 March 2026]

External Links

• Military personnel file

Related Documents

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Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

TS