Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Bernard Louis Quinn was born on 6 February 1882 at Cookstown, Ireland. His birth was registered as Bernard Lewis Quinn. In 1901 he was a theological student at St Mary’s Monastry, Paignton, Devon, England. By November 1903 he was in New Zealand, where he was a judge at St Patrick’s College, Wellington, sports. A student at Meeanee, Napier, in 1905, he completed his studies and was ordained in New Zealand. Father B. L. Quinn was farewelled by the parishioners of Sacred Heart Church, Hastings, in February 1910, when he had been promoted to the position of assistant to the Vicar-General in Wellington. He was presented with an illuminated address, a purse of sovereigns, and a set of military hair-brushes, having gained the love and affection of everyone with whom he had come in contact during his three years there. “You have endeared yourself to us by your zeal and kindness, and by the constant interest you have taken in all the works of the parish.” By 1911, Father Quinn was in Christchurch, where he was to play a big part in the establishment of St Bede’s College. As of 13 May 1912, Rev. B. L. Quinn was to be a chaplain to the forces. In December 1912, he was a sub-deacon at the Christchurch Cathedral. He became involved with Association Football in Christchurch and was elected to the Canterbury Management Committee in 1914. The following year he was elected a vice-president, and he played for the St Bede’s team. In early May 1917, Bernard Louis Quinn, clergyman, Catholic Presbytery, Temuka, was one of 505 names drawn in the ballot to complete South Canterbury’s quota for the 31st Reinforcement. At a sitting of the Second Canterbury Military Service Board, held in Christchurch on 11 June 1917, Bishop Brodie appealed on behalf of four Roman Catholic priests, one of whom was Bernard Louis Quinn, Temuka. Certificates from the Minister of Defence were produced. The appeals were adjourned sine die. Quinn was at this time a chaplain to te Territorial Forces. After the war, he spent time at Greymouth before he broke down in health and went to Australia. The Reverend Bernard Louis Quinn was still registered as an Officiating Minister, Roman Catholic Church, in the New Zealand Gazette of 29 January 1920. The New Zealand Defence Department was advised late in 1921 that Rev. B. L. Quinn, Chaplain, 4th Class, was residing in Australia, was in ill health, and wished to resign his commission. Bernard Louis Quinn died on 10 December 1922 at Lewisham Hospital, Petersham, New South Wales. He was just 40 years old.

Sources

Evening Post, 23 November 1903, Hastings Standard, 24 February 1910, NZ Times, 1 June 1912, , Sun, 20 March 1914, 11 June 1917, 11 December 1922, Timaru Herald, 9 May 1917, Press, 11 December 1922, NZ Tablet, 14 December 1922 (Papers Past) [08 & 19 October 2021] ; NZ Electroal Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [19 October 2021]; Ireland Birth Index (ancestry.au.com) [19 October 2021]; New South Wales, Australia, death registration [19 October 2021]

External Links

• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• QUINN Bernard Louis - newspaper clippings (pdf, 109.5 KB updated 28-Oct-2021)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC branch NZSG

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.