Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Francis Robert Noster, known as Frank, was born on 7 February 1885 in Dunedin, the younger son of Samuel and Elizabeth Priscilla (formerly Vinson, née Wilson). Elizabeth Priscilla Wilson married James Casho Vinson in 1875 at Port Chalmers. They had two daughters and a son, the son dying at one year of age. The daughters both married, the younger one dying in 1908 without issue. James Vinson died in 1880. Elizabeth married Samuel Noster in 1882 at Dunedin, by whom she had two sons, William Samuel and Francis Robert, and one daughter, Charlotte Emily (known as Emily). Samuel Noster, a seaman born in England, died in November 1913 at Dunedin, aged 86 years, and was buried at Andersons Bay. Along with his brother, Francis was educated at Port Chalmers School and High Street Dunedin School, his sister Emily joining them at High Street. His two older half-sisters (Maria and Nellie Vinson) had attended Sawyers Bay and Port Chalmers schools. Frank and his brother left Dunedin for Waimate about 1913. William, a motor mechanic, contributed piano music to Waimate life and was involved in the formation of the Waimate Football Club in 1914 and refereeing.

On 13 January 1915, F. Noster and two other Waihao Downs railway work mates received presentations from their fellow workers and friends. Each was presented with a wristlet watch and a pair of military brushes. They were also present at another social at the Waimate Hotel the following evening. A sizeable band of recruits from all parts of South Canterbury left for Trentham from the Timaru railway station on 15 January 1915, but without the enthusiasm and fanfare of earlier departures. The men, who “looked the proper part, especially those from the country who seemed very fit and sturdy,” were seen off by only a few of their particular friends. Some men tried to enliven the scene and sang “For they are Jolly good Fellows” and “Rule Britannia”, and as the train pulled out of the station cheers were given for the departing soldiers. At Christchurch they embarked on the ferry steamer for Wellington.

A cable car mechanic for the Mornington Tramway Company, Francis gave his address as High Street, Waimate, enlisting on 16 January 1915 at Trentham. He was single and Anglican. He was 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed 12 stone 5 pounds, with a chest measurement of 36½-39 inches. Of fresh complexion, he had blue eyes and medium brown hair. His sight normal, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal, his limbs and chest well formed, and his teeth good. Free from diseases and vaccinated, he was in good bodily and mental health. His mother was residing in Dunedin with a married daughter of her first marriage when Francis enlisted in 1915, she named as his next-of-kin. She moved later to Mill Road, Waimate where she died in 1918.

A large number of relatives and friends gathered on 5 April 1915 to say farewell to Lance-Corporal Noster and two comrades who were going to the front with the next contingent. A toast was proposed to Our Boys Who Are Going to the Front, another to Our boys who are at the front, and yet another to Those we are Leaving Behind. Songs were sung, including one by L-Corp Noster, and a most enjoyable evening came to a close at a late hour.

On 17 April 1915 at Wellington Lance Corporal F. R. Noster embarked with the Canterbury Infantry Battalion of the 4th Reinforcements, headed for Suez, Egypt. He had been promoted to Lance Corporal on 15 February 1915. Capt. Fred Waite, an old pupil of Mornington School wrote to the headmaster from Anzac Cove, Gallipoli in 1915 - Talking with a fellow here the other day, we thought we would compile a list of Mornington School boys we have met here in Turkey and in Egypt. The list is not complete, of course, but it may be interesting to you and the present boys and girls. I am not sure they all went to the old school, but here is the list for what it is worth: — . . . . . . ; Frank Noster, who was a driver on the High street car, I saw in a party of infantry the other day; . . . . and so, the list goes on.

6/1944 Lance-Corporal Francis Robert Noster suffered a shrapnel wound to the hip in August 1915 and was admitted to the 1st Australian General Hospital at Cairo (11 to 16 August). Corporal Francis Robert Noster, 6/1944, Canterbury Battalion, was then transferred to the New Zealand General Hospital at Pont de Koubbeh, Cairo on 13 September, wounded. After discharge from hospital in early October, he was convalescent at Alexandria. Having recovered, he left Alexandria for the front on 25 October 1915. He rejoined his Unit on 21 March 1916. Private Frank Noster rejoined his Unit again on 24 September 1916, from hospital. Appointed Acting Lance Corporal a few weeks later, he relinquished that appointment on 8 November. He was admitted, sick, to the Northumbrian Casualty Clearing Station on 16 April 1917. He was attached to Strength on 4 June 1917 and rejoined his Battalion from the Reinforcements Camp on 19 June.

It was in April 1917 that William Samuel Noster, the older brother of Frank, was drawn in the ballot. He was a taxi proprietor of Mill Road, Waimate. He appealed, saying that he had to support his invalid mother and his brother was in the trenches. He was prepared to go to the front if something could be done for his mother. The appeal was adjourned to see what could be done. At the next hearing in June, he said that he paid £1 a week regularly for the support of his invalid mother. He was willing to go into camp and was allowed a few weeks to get out his potato crop. William Samuel Noster, who had named his mother as next-of-kin – Mrs E. Noster, Mill Road, Waimate – embarked in November 1917, only to die of wounds in France six months later.

Wounded for a second time on 17 August 1917 – severe gunshot wound to his right forearm, F. R. Noster was admitted to hospital in France, and on 26 August to Walton-on-Thames Hospital. A second report within the week listed his case as severe. Classified unfit by the Medical Board in England on 10 November 1917, Private F. R. Noster embarked on 24 December 1917 at Avonmouth for the return to New Zealand per the “Maheno”. He was in a big contingent, including 388 invalided men, that arrived at Auckland on 31 January 1918. Mrs F. Palmer – Frank’s sister Charlotte Emily – had received that Corporal Frank Noster would arrive home on Sunday, 3 February. Their mother, Mrs Elizabeth Noster, died on 8 May 1918 at Waimate, two days before Private W. S. Noster died of wounds, advice received by Mr Frank Palmer. “NOSTER. — On May 10, 1918, died from wounds received while in action “Somewhere in France," William Samuel Noster (31st Reinforcements), eldest son of the late Elizabeth and Samuel Noster (late of Mornington, Dunedin), and brother of Frank Noster, Mrs Frank Palmer (Waimate), and Mrs Fred. Harley (Featherston); aged 36 years. In a distant land he lies At rest in a soldier’s grave; His battle fought, his name enrolled On the scroll of the deathless brave. A lonely grave in a far-off land, A grave we may never see, But while life and memory last We will remember thee.” W. S. Noster is remembered on his mother’s gravestone in Waimate Cemetery. In November 1917, Mrs Noster had contributed two scarves, made from Red Cross material, to the Red Cross fund and in December she had contributed three scarves to the Lady Liverpool fund.

F. R. Noster was discharged on 17 July 1918, after more than three years of service, and no longer physically fit for war service on account of wounds received in action. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for service at Gallipoli, in Egypt and in Western Europe. Dental treatment was authorized for Francis Robert Noster after he was examined on the Troopship “H.S. Maheno”. The dental deficiencies, defects, or disease were directly traceable to active service and were due to causes beyond his own control. The name F. Noster appeared on the Roll of Honour, under Answered the Call, which was published regularly by the Waimate Daily Advertiser.

After his return, Frank lived initially with his sister, Mrs Palmer and then at the Waimate Hospital. At the February 1919 meeting of the Waimate Hospital Committee, Mr F Noster was appointed wardsman. Some eight months later he purchased a six-cylinder Buick car and started on taxi work. Frank Noster was best man at a friend’s wedding at St Augustine’s Church, Waimate, in July 1922. By June 1923 he was competing with the Waimate Rifle Club. In April 1925 he was granted leave of absence, without pay, for three months, by the Waimate Hospital Committee. In May, Mr F. Noster, a porter at the Hospital, wrote stating that he was still laid up with his arm, but hoped to be able to re-commence duties shortly. This arm problem was surely a legacy of his war service. In May 1926, the wardsman, Mr Noster, was asking for his weekly half-day, preferably on a Thursday and for every second Sunday off. Frank, dressed as an organ-grinder, was placed first in the Gents’ section of the fancy dress competition held as part of the Olympia Skating carnival held in August 1926. Come September 1926 and Mr Noster, wardsman, tendered his resignation which was accepted by the Hospital Committee with regret. A letter of appreciation of his services was to be forwarded. The South Canterbury Hospital Board appointed Porter Noster as Head Porter at Timaru Hospital in June 1929. The following year Frank gave to the Cancer Campaign Fund.

In 1931 Francis Robert Noster married Christina Jean Annan (known as Jean). They took up residence in Butler Street, Timaru, then Oxford Street, Frank now a hospital attendant at Timaru. Their first child – a son – was born on 17 August 1932 at Timaru Hospital. A second son was born on 29 November 1933 at Timaru Public Hospital. And on 19 March 1939, by which time Mr and Mrs Noster had moved to Edward Street, a daughter was born at Timaru Hospital. On leave being granted to the gardener at Timaru Hospital in May 1934, Mr F. Foster was appointed in his stead and another appointed head porter for a month. F. R. Foster was selected to serve on the jury for a case heard in the Supreme Court at Timaru on 6 May 1941. Shortly after Frank and Jean and their young family moved to Christchurch.

Francis Robert Noster died at his Christchurch residence, 9 Bracken Street, Avonside, on 21 June 1961, aged 76 years, and was buried at Ruru Lawn Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, two sons (Bill and Bob), daughter (Reima) and four grandchildren. His wife, Christina Jean, died in June 1982 and was buried with him. She too was survived by their three children, also their spouses and eight grandchildren. In January 2021, William Noster, the son of Francis Robert Noster, wrote that his father “returned home with a shattered right arm and was never able to work again other than do a little gardening and small odd jobs. . . . . . Dad very seldom spoke about his brother or the war.” Frank’s older brother, William Samuel Noster, who had embarked in November 1917, died of wounds just six months later, in May 1918 in France. A photo of Lance Corporal F. R. Noster was printed in the Otago Witness on 8 September 1915 and one of Lance Corporal W. S. Noster on 19 June 1918.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [10 January 2015]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5549 0087167) [18 September 2016]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [19 January 2015]; School Admission records (Dunedin Branch NZSG) [19 January 2015]; Ruru Cemetery headstone transcription [19 January 2015]; Timaru Herald, 23 June 1961 (Timaru District Library) [14 September 2016]; Timaru Herald, 19 May 1913, 5 May 1914, 15 August 1914, 15 & 18 January 1915, 24 August 1915, 7 & 27 October 1915, 18 April 1917, 17 May 1917, 21 June 1917, 8 February 1919, 3 April 1925, 19 June 1929, 9 June 1930, 18 August 1932, 30 November 1933, 16 May 1934, 22 October 1935, 20 March 1939, 7 May 1941, Otago Daily Times, 1 December 1913, 23 September 1915, 7 & 27 October 1915, 30 August 1917, 1 February 1918, 7 June 1918, Evening Star, 17 & 23 September 1915, 27 October 1915, 30 August 1917, Lyttelton Times, 15 January 1915, Waimate Daily Advertiser, 16 January 1915, 8 April 1915, 19 April 1916, 21 June 1917, 27 November 1917, 18 December 1917, 7 January 1918, 2 February 1918, 28 May 1918, 6 February 1919, 4 October 1919, 25 July 1922, 19 & 27 June 1923, 7 May 1925, 6 May 1926, 18 August 1926, 2 September 1926, Press, 18 January 1915, 22 & 23 June 1961, 15 & 16 June 1961, Otago Witness, 25 August 1915, 8 & 29 September 1915, 13 October 1915, 5 September 1917, 6 February 1918, 12 & 19 June 1918, Dominion, 23 September 1915, Sun, 30 August 1917, 6 September 1917, 31 January 1918, Evening Post, 31 January 1918, New Zealand Times, 1 February 1918 (Papers Past) [19 January 2015; 15 June 2015; 21 November 1917; 15 July 2023; 11 & 12 August 2023]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [11 August 2023]; Submission for William Samuel Noster from William Noster, son of Francis Robert Noster [04 January 2021]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

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