Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

John Joseph Quinn was born on 16 October 1888 at Makikihi, the third son of William and Catherine (Kate, née Duggan) Quinn, of “Annalong”, Makikihi. He was baptised Catholic on 27 October 1888 at Waimate. Both his parents came from Ireland – William from county Down and Catherine from County Kerry - and married in 1882 at Christchurch. William Quinn, who was by this time in his 50s, had acquired land at Makikihi in 1867, while Catherine was somewhat younger. They settled at Makikihi where five children were born. John was educated at Makikihi School, where he was a second decade pupil, and went on to St Patrick’s College, Wellington, at the age of fourteen, and with success. In 1903, he was rewarded for next-in-merit in the Sixth Class and next-in merit in Physical Culture (Second Division). In 1904 at St Patrick’s, he received a prize for next-in-merit in the Fourth Class. William Aloysius Quinn, the second son of William and Catherine Quinn, of “Annalong”, Makikihi, was found injured on the main road near Makikihi, not far from his home, having been run over by a car. While he was conveyed to his home, he died shortly after – on 10 June 1914. Just three weeks later, on 1 July 1914, Mr William Quinn died at his residence. He was survived by his widow and three sons, their only daughter having died in infancy. As well as farming, Mr Quinn developed the very successful brick works at Makikihi.

John and his two surviving brothers – James and Henry – stayed on farming at “Annalong” with their mother. The name of John Joseph Quinn, farmer, Annalong, Makikihi, was drawn in the Ninth ballot in July 1917. John and his two brothers – James Patrick and Henry – were all listed on the Reserve Rolls. He enlisted on 20 July 1917 at Timaru and was examined on that day by the Travelling Medical Board. He stood at 5 feet 7 inches, weighed 163 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 36-39 inches. His complexion was fair, his eyes blue, and his hair dark. His sight, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal, his limbs and chest well formed. He was free from diseases, except for external haemorrhoids and one enlarged tonsil. He had a scar on the left side of his neck. In good bodily and mental health, he was classified A. A self-employed farmer at Annalong, Makikihi, single and Roman Catholic, he named his mother as next-of-kin – Mrs C. Quinn, Annalong, Makikihi, Canterbury.

The South Canterbury quota of the 33rd Reinforcements left Timaru by the express on 20 August 1917. Included among those leaving was J.J. Quinn. Private J. J. Quinn embarked with the Otago Infantry Regiment of the 32nd Reinforcements, departing from Wellington on 22 November 1917 per the “Willochra” and disembarking at Liverpool, England, on 7 January 1918. He marched in to Sling on 7 January 1918, then proceeded overseas to France on 20 March. He was detached to the Lewis Gun School for two weeks from 28 July 1918. He was wounded in Action on 24 October 1918 but was able to rejoin his unit from the New Zealand Field Ambulance the next day. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 9 January 1919. Having been detached to the UK on leave on 28 January 1919, he was detained there and was to report at Sling on 6 March. All was good at his medical examination at Sling on 20 March.

Lance-Corporal J. J. Quinn, of Makikihi, returned to New Zealand per the “Carpentaria”, which was due on 14 May 1919 at Lyttelton. He embarked on 2 April 1919 at London and arrived at Timaru on 19 May 1919, the South Canterbury and Otago men having travelled south from Lyttelton by special train. On arrival at Timaru the soldiers were given a hearty welcome by relatives and friends. The Mayor (Mr W. C. Raymond) addressed the men extending the heartiest of welcomes on behalf of the citizens of Timaru. “He hoped they would soon forsake the uniform for civilian clothes, take up civilian duties, and he was sure they would be as successful as they had been at the front.” Cheers were given for the men before they were driven to their homes. A social was tendered to John at the Makikihi Hall later in the month. He was discharged on 16 June 1919, on the termination of his term of engagement, and having given 2 years and 48 days of service. For his service, all of which was in Western Europe, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

John Quinn headed back to Makikihi and farming. For many years the Makikihi Miniature Rifle Club would shoot for the trophy given by J. J. Quinn. On Saturday in late January 1920, “Mr John Quinn, of Makikihi, was riding on his motorcycle, and in turning McNamara’s Corner his machine skidded, and tipped him up. The handle dug into his leg, making a nasty gash, He is now in Henderson’s Hospital, doing well.” John J. Quinn (Makikihi) was best man for his friend, Victor Meehan, at his wedding at St Patrick’s Church, Waimate, on 30 March 1921.

In December 1921, the Otaio Soldiers’ Memorial was unveiled, in the presence of a gathering of the residents of the district, and the school children under Miss Clarke (Waimate). The memorial is an impressive erection in stone, and stands in the School ground, facing the main road, from where the tablet on the base may be seen. While the memorial contained the names of the fallen only, the names of those men who had gone to the front and had returned were inscribed on a roll of honour inside the School. After the unveiling and dedication of the memorial, the school children were marshalled inside the school by Miss Clarke and the residents filed in. A handsome oak Roll of Honour with the names of those who had served was unveiled. One of the names contained therein was Corporal J. J. Quinn.

John Joseph Quinn, son of Mrs and the late Mr W. Quinn, of “Annalong,” Makikihi, married Mary Josephine Dossett at St. Mary’s Church, Pleasant Point, in May 1930. During the Nuptial Mass, the choir and Convent school children sang appropriate hymns. After the ceremony, Mr and Mrs H. Dossett entertained a large number of guests at the Town Hall. Later, Mr and Mrs J. J. Quinn left by car for the North Island. John and Mary lived initially at “Annalong”, John remaining there until his death, while Mary was at Pleasant Point from 1938 at least. A son was born on 26 January 1933 at “Villa Maria” to Mr and Mrs J. J. Quinn, “Annalong”, Makikihi (John Emmet), and a daughter on 21 June 1935 (Maureen Catherine).

When the Makikihi School celebrated its jubilee on 25 and 26 October 1931, John J. Quinn was the honorary treasurer of the committee in charge of the jubilee luncheon, roll call, concert and dance. He also arranged an interesting collection of old photographs. Jack Quinn participated in the weekly shoot of the Makikihi Miniature Rifle Cub in the 1930s. At the annual meeting and reunion of the St Andrews-Pareora branch of the R.S.A. in June 1933, J. J. Quinn was elected to the committee, and again for many years after. An eight-roomed unfurnished house at Willowbridge owned by Mr J. J. Quinn was totally destroyed by fire on 20 May 1938. “The house was left by the owner between 2 o’clock and 3 o’clock in the afternoon when everything appeared to be in order. The fire was noticed by the nearest neighbour, Mr George Wood, who got into touch with the owner, who was in Waimate and also called the police. Help arrived too late for anything to be saved. For some time the owner has been batching in one room of the house. The house, including outbuildings, was insured for £1135.” Did the fire prompt the move to Pleasant Point by Mrs Mary Quinn?

Mr J. J. Quinn spoke on behalf of the Returned Services’ Association at a farewell function for a World War II serviceman at Makikihi in December 1941. He did so again at a social for soldiers in September 1942, and at a welcome home social in November 1942. Later, he outlined the work of the Returned Services’ Association from its formation in 1916, touching on matters of rehabilitation and pensions. “With a quarter of a century’s experience behind it, the Returned Services’ Association would prove invaluable to the returned men of to-day.”

John Joseph Quinn died suddenly at Timaru on 28 December 1943, aged 55 years. After a Requiem Mass at St Mary’s Church, Pleasant Point, he was buried at the Pleasant Point Cemetery. Members of the Pareora-St Andrews Sub-branch of S.C.R.S.A. were invited to attend the funeral of their late Comrade 63041 J. J. Quinn. He was survived not only by his wife and two young children, but also by his mother and two brothers. Mrs J. J. Quinn and Mrs Quinn, senr., and family, Makikihi, published a Thanks notice two weeks later. By his Will signed in 1936, John bequeathed all his property and estate to his wife, Mary Josephine Quinn. Mrs Catherine Quinn died in July 1946 and was buried with family at Waimate. At a gathering in the Makikihi hall in February 1944, mention was made of the death of Mr J.J. Quinn, late secretary of the Soldiers’ Entertainment Committee and a returned soldier of the last war. As a mark of respect, a minute’s silence was observed.

Mary Josephine Quinn who spent the rest of her life at her native Pleasant Point, died on 11 September 1974 and was buried with John. Also buried with them is their daughter Maureen Catherine Quinn who died in 2019. John Emmet Quinn (1996) and his wife are also buried at Pleasant Point. John’s brother, James Patrick Quinn, a farmer of “Annalong”, Makikihi, was called up in 1917. Henry Quinn, “Annalong”, Makikihi, whose name was drawn in the Seventh Ballot in May 1917, was a brother of John Joseph. William Quinn and James Philip Quinn, who were also of Makikihi and served in World War One, were probably second cousins.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [16 October 2013]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5550 0095425) [28 September 2016]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [27 October 2013]; Pleasant Point Cemetery headstone image & burial record (Timaru District Council) [09 April 2014]; Timaru Herald, 29 December 1943 (Timaru District Library) [22 April 2014]; NZ Times, 17 December 1903, 21 December 1904, Evening Post, 21 December 1904, Timaru Herald, 12 June 1914, 2 July 1914, 14 February 1917, 10 May 1917, 4 July 1917, 18 August 1917, 7, 20 & 23 May 1919, 9 April 1921, 20 May 1930, 16 September 1931, 1 February 1933, 12 June 1933, 15 May 1934, 22 June 1935, 21 May 1938, 28 May 1943, 29 December 1943, 12 January 1944, 24 February 1944, NZ Tablet, 18 & 25 June 1914, 9 July 1914, Waimate Daily Advertiser, 1 July 1914, 9 May 1917, 4 July 1917, 6 May 1919, 27 January 1920, 7 December 1921, Sun, 3 May 1919, Press, 29 December 1943 (Papers Past) [19 & 28 April 2014; 28 September 2016; 26 April 2021; 24 & 25 June 2023; 01 July 2023]; School Admission records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [27 April 2014]; Probate record (Archives NZ/FamilySearch) [13 June 2014]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [2014; 2023]; Baptism record (Christchurch Catholic Diocese Baptisms Index CD held by South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [30 June 2023]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• QUINN John Joseph - newspaper clippings (pdf, 87.2 KB updated 26-Jul-2023)

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