Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Thomas Smallridge was born on 4 February 1889 at Temuka, the youngest son of Henry (Harry) and Catherine (Kate, née Lenihan) Smallridge. The family name also appeared as Smallbridge. This appears to be the only Smallridge family in New Zealand. Henry from Devon, England and Kate from Kerry, Ireland married in 1879 in New Zealand and had two daughters and four sons. Mr Smallridge was involved with St Saviour’s Church, Temuka. ‘Charitable Aid. — Mr Henry Smallridge writes as follows: — “Sir, — You will greatly oblige me by inserting the following letter: There has been a report spreading about town that I am in receipt of charitable aid. How that report has got about I cannot tell, but I can say that 1 have in no wise applied for it and don’t mean to while 1 have health and strength,”’ [Temuka Leader. 16 Oct 1890.] Henry’s wife Kate had died on 15 March 1890 at Temuka, just 32 years old and the mother of six young children. Henry married widow Isabella Holmes in 1892 at Temuka. She brought her son Albert Holmes with her. Young Albert who was born in 1887, attended school as Albert Smallridge with the Smallridge children. Isabella was to die at Timaru in 1921. In 1893 Henry was elected to the Washdyke School committee. In August 1893 he was the victim of an assault at Washdyke, when he suspected that his employer’s wool was being stolen and he went on watch at night. In October 1900, he was admitted to hospital after sustaining a considerable skin wound in the arm from some sharp part of the machinery at his work at the Woollen Mill.

Young Tom joined his older siblings at Washdyke School in 1894, just before his fifth birthday. In August 1898, he followed them to Waimataitai School. Then in 1901 Thomas and his stepbrother Albert transferred to Timaru South School. Fourteen boys of the Timaru South School started for a cross-country race on the afternoon of 13 December 1901, “the course being about a mile and a half in length — from the school, round Mr Bowker’s, down Marston road, and back to the school. Ten of the fourteen ran the race out,” T. Smallridge finishing in third place. In 1902 Mr Henry Smallridge experienced bankruptcy problems. In August, the 7-roomed house, wash-house and coach-house (Arowhenua Survey District), lately occupied by Mr H. Smallridge, was sold at auction. In July 1903 he was able to apply for discharge from bankruptcy. In October 1903 it was reported that the “fellmongery works of Mr H. Smallridge, Fairview, are probably the most up-to-date works of the kind in South Canterbury. He is now able, with the assistance of new machinery, which he has recently put in, to deal with quite double the quantity of skins and wool than he did with the old machinery which he has dispensed with; Mr Smallridge has recently purchased another steam engine of eight horse-power to replace the one of four horse power, which latter was not powerful enough for working a large fat digester which has been added to the list of other improvements. By using the latter machine, which is worked by steam from the new engine, he is able to render one ton of fat at a time, and no matter how old or lively it may be the sediment, etc. all sinks to the bottom of the vat, allowing the fat to be drawn off by means of a large tap, perfectly white and clean. Mr Smallridge deserves every success, and anyone interested is advised to make a personal inspection, as a hearty welcome is assured to any visitors who may be interested.” Mr Smallridge was back on his feet, surely a help for his family.

At a wedding at Milford (near Temuka) on 25 June 1902, several members of the Smallridge family gave gifts, that of Thomas being a bread plate. On 14 March 1905, Mr Henry Smallridge and his wife left on a holiday trip to England. About twenty-five friends met to bid him farewell and presented him with a gold pendant and a watch and chain for his wife, expressing their high opinions of him as a businessman and a friend. The Timaru Gun Club also entertained him at a social evening, wishing him a pleasant trip to the Old Country and presenting him with a case of pipes. By early 1908, Thomas had joined his brothers Emanuel and William in the Timaru City Rifles, Private T. Smallridge gaining some of the highest scores when members fired for trophies. E. Smallridge, Timaru Port Guards, was enrolled in the South Canterbury Honorary Territorials in August 1913. T. Smallridge and a Pirates playing mate were severely reprimanded by the S.C.R.U. and had their names placed on the caution list after the referee had given them a general warning then ordered them off for disputing his decision in a match played on 18 August 1910.

Thomas was one of many keen and determined applicants at the Timaru Drill Shed on 11 August 1914. He was not one of those rejected, mostly for defects to the teeth and one or two on account of height; he passed the medical exanimation and was sworn in. He was 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighed 154 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 34½-37 inches. His complexion was light brown, his eyes grey, and his hair dark brown. His sight, hearing, colour vision and teeth were all good, his limbs and chest well formed, his heart and lungs normal. He was free from diseases, was vaccinated and was in good bodily and mental health. He had a mole on the left side of his neck, and marks on his right arm upper ⅓ and middle right arm. The successful applicants were liable to be called up at any moment, and it was quite probable that they would leave Timaru in a matter of days for the central camp at Christchurch as part of the 2nd South Canterbury Regiment’s quota. He had served with the Timaru City Volunteers, completing three years of service. They actually left by the first express on 17 August after parading at the Drill Shed and being addressed by Archdeacon Jacob, who trusted God would guide and protect them, and the Deputy-Mayor (Mr W. A. Pearson), who said that all must “feel very proud to see that so many of the young men had volunteered to serve their country in this the greatest crisis they had ever known”, and he wished them God speed and a safe and speedy return. To lusty and loyal cheers from the citizens, the train drew out of the station.

Private T. Smallridge was appointed to No. 6 Platoon, B Company (Second South Canterbury Regiment), under Captain D. Grant, at the central camp at Christchurch in mid-August 1914. A carter for the N.Z. Express Company, single, and Methodist, he named his father as next-of-kin – Harry Smallridge, James Street, Kensington, Timaru. Private Thomas Smallridge embarked with the Canterbury Infantry Battalion of the Main Body, leaving from Lyttelton for Suez, Egypt on 16 October 1914 and disembarking at Alexandria on 3 December. He embarked at Alexandria for the Dardanelles on 12 April 1915. A letter written by a Christchurch soldier at Zeitoun on 30 June 1915 to his mother makes mention of Tom Smallridge and describes his (the soldier’s) experiences in the first attack on the Gallipoli Peninsula. “I got to work with a shovel I had brought with me, and got a bit of a trench dug and got some of the wounded chaps into it, and they forgot all about their wounds, they were so pleased to get into safety. There were twelve of us just here — four killed, four wounded and four not hit (Tom Smallridge, I, and two Temuka chaps). We stayed there until dark, when we were mustered up, and we had lost a good few men. We dug a proper trench after dark — this in a front of about two miles — and we were there for three days and nights. We were pretty safe now only for snipers. We were relieved after the third night at dark, and we started back to ‘bivies.’ We had a pretty rough time of it. . . . . . . . . It was pitch dark and most of us got lost, . . . . . . . We did a bit of work on the beach for a day or two. Then we were shipped back to the other end again. We had a few days’ spell there and then we went into the trenches at Quinn’s Post, a pretty hot shop, being only about ten to thirty yards from the Turks’ trenches. It is mostly bomb-fighting there. The bombs shake a fellow’s nerves a bit; they make an awful noise and wound a lot of men, . . . . . . .”

Some interesting extracts from letters, reflecting on the daily grind but not the war itself, were received by Mr H. Smallridge, Kensington, from his son Tom in November 1915. “Sept. 5th. — Just a line to say I am still well. We have been busy lately, and this rough country soon knocks one up, so a good few are away sick. . . . . . . I am having a lot of trouble in writing this letter as there are swarms of flies here and what a nuisance they are, and I am in the trenches with no convenience for writing. You will have to excuse the dirty paper, as it was just given to me by a mate, otherwise I would have none. We are progressing very well now, and I am looking for the end of this war. One did not know what he was coming to. What sights and experiences I have been through would take too long to tell, and I don't want any more after this lot. It is a very monotonous place we are in. A lot of people think there are some cities here, but there is not even a house. It is just one mass of big hills, and they take a lot of climbing. We get some hot days here, but will get a solid winter when it comes. But I hope it will all be over by then. Hoping this finds you all safe and sound, as it leaves me sound but not safe. Sept. 12th. — I have not been feeling too good, so the doctor sent me to the hospital, but I am getting on all right now. I was properly run down, and I hung out too long. I am on an island not far from the front, but it is a relief to get a spell for a while. I am getting treated very well here, but I will have to rough it when I get back again. I don’t think it will last much longer. . . . . . . . . . The boys have all had a bad spin but never neglected their duty. There is a lot of sickness through bad water, etc., but we can all hope for the best. . . . . . . . .”

In September 1915 the headmaster reported that the name of T. Smallridge had been added to the Timaru South School roll of honour. The children at the school had made a big number of articles (e.g. socks, handerkerchiefs) for the Red Cross Fund. It was on 9 September 1915 that Smallridge was admitted to the Casualty Clearing Station at Imbros (an island west of Gallipoli). And on 26 September he was admitted to the Hospital Ship. 6/543 Private Thomas Smallridge, Canterbury Battalion, disembarked at Malta from the Hospital Ship “Gloucester Castle” on 1 October 1915, slightly sick, and was admitted to St David’s Hospital. Mr H. Smallridge, Kensington, received a message from the Minister of Defence to this effect in mid-October. The news later was that Thomas was suffering from diarrhoea but was progressing satisfactorily. After embarking for Mudros on 15 November, he was attached to Strength at the New Zealand Base Depot at Ghezireh on 4 December. He rejoined his Unit at Ismailia on 1 January 1916. Tom was at Alexandria when he forfeited a total of 14 days pay as punishment in February 1916.

He embarked at Port Said for France on 6 April 1916 per the “Franconia”. Attached to D.A.D.O.S. for duty on 2 April 1917, Private Smallridge rejoined his Battalion a week later. He was sent to Hospital on 27 April 1917 and admitted to No. 2 NZ Field Ambulance – sick with diarrhoea - and rejoined his Battalion on 1 May. Detached to the 2nd Army Rest Camp on 16 July 1917, he rejoined his Unit after two weeks. On 30 September 1917, he was attached to the NZ Wing Reinforcement Camp, before going on leave to the UK for two weeks on 10 October. Then, detached to the NZ Engineers on 20 November 1917, he rejoined his Battalion on 24 February 1918. From 22 September 1918 till 11 October, he again had leave in the UK. Still with his Unit in France on 6 November 1918, Private T. Smallridge was detached to the UK on duty on 28 November 1918. He marched into Codford on 8 December 1918 and went on leave until 5 January 1919.

“Mr H. Smallridge, Timaru, has received advice that his son, Private Tom Smallridge, is returning home. Private Smallridge left New Zealand with the Main Body, and has had the remarkable fortune to come through four years of active service without being wounded. He went through the Gallipoli campaign, and later went to France, and his friends will be glad to hear that he is reported well.” [Timaru Herald. 20 December 1918.] Thomas Smallridge returned to New Zealand per the “Athenic” (Draft 222), embarking at Liverpool in February 1919 and arriving on 20 March 1919. Thomas and fellow South Canterbury men and one nurse came by a special train from Christchurch arriving at Timaru on 21 March. The Mayor assured the men that their gallant services were appreciated, and said that all were proud of the reputation of the New Zealand troops both on the field and off it. They had been brave and splendid soldiers. After cheers were called – “such as they deserved”, the men were ferried to their homes. He was discharged on 18 April 1919, no longer physically fit for war service on account of illness contracted on Active Service (Debility following Active Service Conditions). He had spent almost four and a half years overseas, engaged in all theatres of war, and was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. On 26 September 1919 he applied for Overseas War-Service Gratuity and provided his Post Office Savings Bank Account number. On 29 October 1919 he was paid £122.18.6.

In 1920 at Timaru Thomas married Adeline Mary Jubb, sister of John Thomas Jubb who also served in World War One and died in 1923. She was also the friend and next-of-kin of Cornelius Horgan who served and died in World War One. Thomas had resumed his work as a carter and he and Adeline spent their lives in Timaru, where they brought up nine children. On 26 August 1922 at the Athletic Grounds, the Timaru taxi drivers played the carriers in a benefit match for the assistance of the dependents of their (taxi drivers) late comrade. In the carriers’ team was T. Smallridge. The Timaru railway station was thronged with holiday makers on the occasion of the United Friendly Societies monster picnic to Fairlie on 26 January 1924. Amongst the many townsfolk who travelled to the picnic were Mr and Mrs Thomas Smallridge and their infant daughter. The star attraction of the afternoon was the baby show, which commenced at 3 p.m., little Winifred Smallridge being placed second in the Girls 6-9 months. Mr T. Smallridge won 4th prize in early August 1925 at the weekly euchre tourney held in the Bay Hall. He did well in the cribbage tournament held in the unitarian Hall on 11 May 1926. Mr T. Smallridge finished 5th in early June 1926 and again in early September 1927 at the Saturday weekly euchre tourney held in the Unitarian Hall. He was frequently well placed in the weekly euchre tourneys.

In December 1926, little Margaret Smallridge, the second child of Thomas and Adeline, received a Primer I prize at Timaru Main School, although she was not 5 years old, and her admission was recorded in 1927. She received a Primer 4 prize in December 1927. Margaret and her older brother Harry transferred to the Catholic Schools in 1928, where she was rewarded in 1929. A baby show was held in conjunction with the children’s fancy dress at the Scottish Hall t the end of August 1930, little Ronald Smallridge placed second in the Boys under 12 months section. The 1933 annual picnic of the Timaru United Friendly Societies was held at Victoria Park, Waimate. Ten of the 590 excursionists on the two trains were from one family, Mrs Smallridge with 8 children winning second prize for the largest family (pipped by Mrs Aldridge with 10 children). The following year when the excursion was held in Oamaru, she shared first place for the largest family. A baby show conducted by the St Vincent de Paul Society in conduction with St Anne’s Catholic Ladies’ Guild annual sale of work was held at the beginning of December 1934, little Edwin Smallridge (the ninth child of Thomas and Adeline) being placed first in the boys under eight months section. Later in the month he was placed first in the Boys over eight months section at the South School Flower Show. And at the 1935 U.F.S. picnic at Ashburton, Mrs Smallridge won the prize for the largest family (nine), while Edwin was placed second equal in the Boys eight to 12 months section of the baby show. At the children’s party held by the Housewives’ Union in August 1935, four of the Smallridge children won prizes – Ron and Reg (best pair – “Tim and Ru”), Margaret (special – “Folly) and Fred (cheapest – “Indian”). At another party in September, Ronnie and Reggie Smallridge were placed third in Pairs (Timaru Stout). And at the Bay Carnival in December, Ronnie and Reggie were placed second for their Tim and Ru pairing. Ronald and Reginald went on to be placed often at fancy dress competitions. Their brother Bernard was into football, playing for Celtic and at representative level, as had possibly his oldest brother Henry before him. Frederick William Smallridge, the third son of Thomas and Adeline, died on 23 February 1937, 23 days before his ninth birthday.

“On the application of the Public Trustee (Mr J. F. Montague) as executor of the estate of James Hislop, Thomas Smallridge and Adeline Mary Smallridge were ordered to give up possession of a tenement by February 17, 1940, and judgment by default was entered against defendants for rent due to January 14, 1940. £8/10/-, with costs £2/13/-.” [Timaru Herald. 18 January 1940.] At the United Friendly Societies annual picnic at Ashburton in January 1940, Mrs Smallridge (8) was third in the competition for the largest family on the ground – a good effort to have them all there. The following month at the Pareora Freezing Works annual picnic, Mr and Mrs Smallridge were joint winners of the largest family competition, having eight members at the picnic.

‘The call for volunteers to assist the Empire in the present crisis [February 1940] has brought to the mind of a Timaru resident the beginning of the Great War in 1914, and he has contributed particulars regarding the activities of members of the South Canterbury Honorary Territorials, ex-Service Division, Number 3 Platoon. The correspondent states that members of the platoon had offered themselves for duty and were duly sworn in. The platoon . . . . . were ordered to entrain for the southward railway bridges, and in a few minutes they were dropped on the south end of the Pareora bridge. The workmen’s hut, about eight feet square, built of sleepers, was the headquarters. They were hurriedly instructed in their duties, given the password, and a number were detailed for “Sentry Go.” Patrolling this bridge on two frosty planks, was not the most pleasant exercise. No one was allowed to approach the bridge, but should any person do so, the sentry was to challenge and fire a shot in the air. This was the signal for the guard to turn out. . . . . . . . . . Father Time has been busy in the intervening years as a glance at the list of names will show.’ There among the members of Number 3 Platoon were T. Smallbridge [sic[ and others who served in the Great War, some of whom did not come home. In May 1940, T. Smallridge was nominated for the committee of the South Canterbury Returned Soldiers’ Association, and in June he was appointed to the membership sub-committee.

Emanuel Smallridge (Malin), an older brother of Thomas, was listed on the Reserve Rolls, he a married man with three children. John Smallridge, a labourer and married of Wellington, who was listed on the Reserve Rolls was probably Henry John (known as John), the oldest brother of Thomas. During the war, Henry Smallridge, senior, gave frequently to the Red Cross appeal and the Prisoners of War Fund, and later to St John Ambulance. Henry Maddick Smallridge died on 24 April 1934, aged 78 years, and was buried at Temuka. Thomas James Smallridge and John Verdon Smallridge, sons of Thomas’ brother Emanuel, both served in World War Two. Thomas was one of 163 Timaru and South Canterbury soldiers stationed in Italy who assembled on 24 June 1944 for a reunion which, though informal, proved a most enjoyable function. John was taken prisoner of war in December 1941; it was not until May 1945 that he was safe in the U.K. At an ex-prisoners of war reunion in Timaru in June 1956, J. V. Smallridge, president of the South Canterbury branch of the Ex-Prisoners of War Association, laid a wreath at the war memorial. Henry Francis Smallridge, the eldest son of Thomas and Adeline, was drawn in a ballot for Territorial Service in 1940. An appeal lodged on his behalf by the Canterbury Frozen Meat Co., Ltd., was dismissed, another appeal appearing successful. Bernard Thomas Smallridge, the second son of Thomas and Adeline, was called up in 1943. His appeal was adjourned sine die in February 1945.

Thomas Smallridge died on 14 April 1964 at the Beverley War Veterans Home, Timaru, aged 75 years. The War Pensions Board decided on 27 April 1964 that his death was due to his war service with the forces. His next-of-kin at death was his eldest son, Harry. Thomas was predeceased by his wife Adeline (January 1962) and son Fred (February 1937) and survived by five sons and three daughters. Following a Requiem Mass at Sacred Heart Church, he was buried in the Timaru Cemetery where members of the South Canterbury R.S.A. attended his funeral. While Adeline had been buried with their young son Frederick, Thomas was buried in the services section of the cemetery, a services plaque marking his plot.

As this profile was being completed, Edwin Robert Smallridge (Eddie), the youngest son and last surviving of the nine children of Thomas and Adelina, died – on 27 April 2024, just four days before his 90th birthday. Eddie, too, had served in conflict.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [26 October 2013]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5553 0105768) [17 November 2016]; Timaru Cemetery headstone image (Timaru District Council) [26 October 2013]; Temuka Leader, 18 March 1890, 16 October 1890, Timaru Herald, 14 December 1901, 12 July 1902, 25 August 1902, 13 October 1903, 9, 10 & 15 March 1905, 1 February 1908, 9 & 11 January 1909, 5 September 1910, 28 August 1913, 12 &18 August 1914, 8 September 1915, 20 & 21 October 1915, 3 & 15 November 1915, 20 December 1918, 3, 10 & 22 March 1919, 25 August 1922, 28 January 1924, 6 August 1925, 12 May 1926, June 1926, 16 December 1926, 6 September 1927 [Smallbridge], 2 September 1930, 30 January 1933, 29 January 1934, 24 & 26 April 1934, 8 May 1934, 3 & 17 December 1934, 4 February 1935, 28 August 1935, 15 September 1935, 28 December 1935, 24 February 1937, 18 January 1940, 10 & 26 February 1940, 21 May 1940, 7 June 1940, 7 November 1940, 29 December 1941, 11 Nov 1943, 31 July 1944, 10 May 1945, 15 November 1945, 26 June 1956, Press, 21 & 28 August 1914, Lyttelton Times, 24 August 1915, Hawke’s Bay Tribune, 20 October 1915, NZ Times, 21 October 1915, Dominion, 8 March 1919 (Papers Past) [26 October 2013; 01 September 2014; 21 July 2015; 12 August 2015; 05 May 2022; 21, 22 & 29 April 2024]; School Admission records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [2013; 21 April 2024]; Timaru Herald, 15 April 1964 (Timaru District Library) [07 January 2016]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [22 April 2024]; Funeral Directors record [29 April 2024]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• SMALLRIDGE Thomas - newspaper clippings (pdf, 116.7 KB updated 16-May-2024)

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