Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

John Joseph Brosnan was born at Timaru on 11 October 1883, the eldest son of Timothy John Brosnan and Catherine Mary née Deen, and baptised Roman Catholic at Timaru on 30 October 1883. Timothy and Catherine, who both hailed from County Kerry, Ireland, married in 1881 at Timaru. They had two daughters followed by five sons, all born in the Timaru district. Timothy and Catherine were residing at Adair in the 1890s, there when their youngest son (Thomas Francis) was born in October 1898 and Timothy active in the affairs of the local school. Along with his siblings, John was educated at Adair School, where he received a prize for third in Standard IV Proficiency and a prize for arithmetic in 1893. His sister Mary and his brothers Tim and James also featured in the prize list. The following year, when every child in the school received a present, John was awarded a prize for Standard V Proficiency and again for arithmetic (a very handsome prize), and perhaps for mapping. Unlike his brothers, he seems not to have spent any time at Claremont School. J. J. Brosnan, Adair School, was 12 years 3 months old when he obtained over half of the 800 marks possible in the Education Board’s junior scholarship examination (January 1896). At the annual sports meeting of the Timaru High School in October 1897, J. Brosnan came first in the sack race, “a race which as usual provided great amusement”.

He became a shepherd, working initially at Wai-iti (Gleniti), then after a few years at Alexandra, Central Otago, at home at Rosebrook, Gleniti. John Joseph Brosnan was listed on the 1916-1917 Reserve Rolls - Sheep-run Manager, C/o McIlwrick, Esq., Ribbonwood, Fairlie, Mackenzie County. He was medically examined on 11 November 1916. Standing at 5 feet 5½ inches, weighing 138 pounds, and with a chest measurement of 33-36 inches, he had a fair complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair. His sight, hearing and colour vision were all good, his limbs and chest well formed, his heart and lungs normal. He had had pleurisy 3 years before enlisting but no recurrence. He was free from diseases, vaccinated and in good bodily and mental health. Enlisting at Timaru that same day, 33 years old, a shepherd for George McIlwrick at Fairlie, single and Roman Catholic, he named his mother as next-of-kin – Mrs C. Brosnan, Gleniti, Timaru.

The 24th Reinforcements – J. J. Brosnahan [sic] included - left Timaru for Trentham by the second express on 5 January 1917. They were entertained by the ladies of the Patriotic War Relief Society in Miss Read’s Stafford Tea Rooms. The 2nd (S.C.) Regimental Band was in attendance and Senior Cadets formed a cordon at the Strathallan Street crossing. “Mobilisation of' the 24th Reinforcements, which was postponed because of the Christmas and New Year holidays, commenced on Wednesday, with the local quotas, and they are all due in camp by to-morrow. It is expected that the reinforcement will be up to full strength, counting in the ballot men and those called up under section 35 of the Military Service Act. The 24th will remain in Trentham till the end of the week, and then go on to Featherston to make room for the 25th Reinforcements, whose mobilisation is to commence on Wednesday, January 9th, the due date, and is to be completed by the following Saturday.” [Timaru Herald, 5 January 1917]

On 5 January 1917 John J. Brosnan was posted to the Mounted Rifles of the 25th Reinforcements. Transferred to the Signalling Section on 17 February, he was then transferred back to the Mounted Rifles on 24 March. Trooper J. J. Brosnan embarked with the Mounted Rifles of the 25th Reinforcements, departing from Wellington for Suez, Egypt, on 31 May 1917 per the “Moeraki”. On 11 June at Sydney, he transhipped to the “Port Lincoln” to continue the journey. But, on 22 June 1917 he was transferred from Broadmeadows Military Camp to Ascot Vale Isolation Camp. On 6 August 1917, 35410 J. J. Brosnan (No. 3 Ward, Isolation Camp, Ascot Vale) wrote to the Officer in Charge of Base Records on paper provided by the Methodist Soldiers’ Institute, Military Camp, Ascot Vale. “I have just heard from home that my brother with the A.I.F. has been wounded. I would be very much obliged if you would forward particulars. I do not know what Battalion he belonged to but think it would be the Light Horse. His number is 132 Melbourne, name Brosnan Timothy Michael, next of kin Father, T. Brosnan, Claremont, Timaru, N.Z. An early reply would greatly oblige.” The letter was received at Base Records the next day but there is no mention of a reply. J. J. Brosnan then embarked at Port Melbourne on 7 September 1917. Disembarking at Suez, Egypt on 19 October 1917, he marched in at Moascar and was posted to the Training Regiment. Posted to the Canterbury Mounted Rifles Squadron on 31 October, Trooper Brosnan was transferred to the New Zealand Rifle Brigade on 19 November then posted to the Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment from the Training Regiment a few days later.

After detachment to Discharge Headquarters for duty on 5 September 1918, he rejoined the Canterbury Mounted Rifles on 29 September. He was transferred to Regimental Headquarters on 18 November 1918. Suffering from influenza, Trooper Brosnan was admitted to the 24th Stationary Hospital at Kantara on 24 November 1918. Discharged to duty on 25 November, he was transferred to the 8th Squadron and returned to duty on 25 November, rejoining the Canterbury Mounted Rifles the next day. He had almost two months at the Dardanelles, embarking on 29 November 1918, then disembarking at Port Said on 22 January 1919.

John returned to New Zealand per the “Ulimaroa”, embarking at Suez on 30 June 1919 and arriving on 11 August 1919. He was discharged on 9 September 1919, on the termination of his period of engagement, and was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, all his overseas service having been in Egypt. At the annual meeting of the Ashwick Flat Patriotic Entertainment Committee in May 1919, it was noted “For the guidance of the incoming committee the following local men are mentioned as due to receive the customary welcome home social (and presentation to those who received no presentation on departing) . . . . . . , J. Brosnahan [sic], . . . . . . The committee feel that too much cannot be done for the brave lads who have assisted to bring about the victory of the Allies.” A welcome home in Ashwick Flat School for ten returned soldiers – Private J. Brosnahan [sic] included – was planned for 8 October 1919. A social – 42nd Soldiers’ Social and 2nd last – to welcome home several soldiers, Lieutenant W. Allan among them, was held in the Fairlie Town Hall on 23 October. Come the night and there were fourteen returned soldiers and one visitor present. “There was an overflowing attendance, and excellent music was provided by the Albury Orchestra . . . . . . . An address of welcome was given by the chairman of the committee . . . . . . The evening was thoroughly successful, and credit for that is due to the efforts of the secretary . . . . . . and the members of both the ladies’ and gentlemen’s committees.”

John headed initially to Gleniti, Timaru, where his parents resided. By 1925 he was at Tycho Delivery, Hadlow Road, Timaru. John Joseph Brosnan married Isabella Ann Creighton on 11 October 1922 at Fairlie, he then 39 years old. Their daughter, Anne Catherine Therese Brosnan was born on 25 September 1923 at “Maryhaven”, Timaru, John and Isabella then resident at Claremont. The address for John and Isabella was given variously as Tycho (Taiko) and Otipua, John employed as a gardener for many years. “Sunny Terrace”, Otipua was their specific address in 1937. Their daughter Anne attended Pareora West School from mid-1931 until December 1936 when she returned to the Convent School, Timaru, whence she had come. Mr and Mrs J. Brosnan attended the Coronation Ball held in the Otipua Hall in late May 1937, Mr J. J. Brosnan winning a competition. They were at the “harvest home” ball at Otipua in April 1938. Mrs J. J. Brosnan and Miss A. Brosnan would visit Isabella’s family. In 1938 they spent Easter at Fairlie. The Otipua Women’s Institute expressed sympathy with Mrs J. J. Brosnan in the death of her mother in July 1939.

From the 1960s they lived in Craigie Avenue, Timaru. John Joseph Brosnan died on 11 March 1971 at the Little Sisters of the Poor, Andersons Bay, Dunedin, aged 87 years. He was a retired City Council worker, of 25 Craigie Avenue, Timaru. After a funeral service at Sacred Heart Church, Timaru, he was buried in the Services Section of the Timaru Cemetery, a services plaque marking his plot. Members of the South Canterbury RSA assembled at the cemetery to attend his funeral. His wife, Isabella Ann Brosnan, had died on 7 August 1966, and was buried at Timaru with John’s parents. Their daughter Anne died at the Homes of Compassion in March 1980, aged 57 years, and was buried with her mother, as noted in John’s funeral director’s record. John was survived by his daughter Anne (47 years) and son Clem (25 years). His next-of-kin at death was Mr C. Brosnan, 25 Craigie Avenue, Timaru. Mr C. Brosnan was Clement Joseph Brosnan who resided at Craigie Avenue with John in the 196os and into the early 1970s. Sometime later Clem and his wife divorced, and Clem went away to Australia.

John Joseph Brosnan had signed his Will in August 1966 (just a few days after his wife’s death), appointing the Public Trustee as executor. He directed that £200 out of his estate be set apart as a trust fund for his daughter, for the maintenance or benefit of his daughter Anne Brosnan during her lifetime. After his death and that of his daughter, the remaining trust funds were to go to his son Clement Josph Brosnan. After the payment of his funeral and testamentary expenses, the residue of his estate was to go to his son. Clement Joseph Brosnan, of Timaru, lino layer, testified that John Joseph Brosnan, formerly of Timaru but late of Dunedin, retired caretaker, died at Dunedin on 11 March 1971 and he had attended his funeral.

John’s brother Timothy Michael Brosnan served with the Australian Forces in World War One, and his brother James Deen Brosnan enlisted but saw no overseas service. James’s son, James Deen Brosnan (known as Deen), was a medical student when he was drawn in a World War Two ballot. Another of John’s brothers, Daniel Patrick Brosnan, a famer at Upper Waitohi, was listed on the 1916 Reserve Rolls. His name was drawn in the ballot in mid-April 1917 to fill vacancies in the 30th Reinforcements. When he appealed in January 1918, saying that he was the only one on his farm and worked entirely by himself; he had a brother at college in Wellington, he was allowed sine die. His youngest brother, Thomas Francis Brosnan, a solicitor, may have been drawn in a World War Two ballot. Johanna (Cecilia Johanna) Brosnan, the oldest of the family married Michael Joseph Fitzgerald, one of five Timaru brothers who enlisted although Michael saw no overseas service. On 7 September 1915 the residents of Claremont met to say good-bye to Mr Timothy J. Brosnan, who had sold his farm in the district and was leaving to reside on another farm which he owned at Adair. Mr Brosnan was a very old resident and there was a very large attendance. The first part of the evening was taken up with a quiet game of cards, etc. Mr Brosnan was presented with a handsome gold watch and chain, every resident present speaking in eulogistic terms of the qualities of their host and the esteem in which he was held in the district, and how sorry they all were to lose such a good neighbour. Then on 7 December 1917, the residents of Adair and surrounding districts assembled to bid farewell to one of their most respected residents in the person of Mr T. J. Brosnan, who has sold his farm and was going to reside in Timaru. The esteem in which Mr Brosnan was held in both the Claremont and Adair districts was spoken of. He had been a most respected resident in Adair ever since the settlement started, a period of over 37 years, and all were very sorry to think that after so many years he was about to leave them. Mr Brosnan was asked to accept a purse of sovereigns (well filled), as a small token of the respect in which he was held. The evening was brought to a close by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne”. Long-time residents of Claremont and Adair, Catherine Jane Brosnan died in August 1919 and Timothy John Brosnan in September 1921. They were buried at Timaru.

John’s name is inscribed on the Ashwick Flat War Memorial Roll of Honour for returned men. The Ashwick Flat Memorial was unveiled in June 1921 in the presence of about 250 people. The National Anthem was sung at the beginning of proceedings, addresses were given by local dignitaries, the hymn “Oh God Our Help in Ages Past” was sung, a prayer of dedication was offered and all gathered joined in the Lord’s Prayer. After the unveiling a piper played “The Flowers of the Forest” and the bugler sounded “The Last Post”. A memorial oak had been planted before the ceremony. Engraved on the west side of this impressive monument are the names of seven men who fell in the Great War, while on another side are the names of twenty-nine 1914-1918 Returned men, A. J. Brosnan among them.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [01 July 2014; earlier]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5530 0018558) [01 July 2014]; Timaru Herald, 12 & 13 March 1971 (Timaru District Library) [11 April 2014]; Timaru Cemetery headstone image (Timaru District Council) [June 2014]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [26 February 2015; 08 February 2016]; Timaru Herald, 26 December 1893, 17 January 1896, 23 October 1897, 22 October 1898, 10 March 1900, 9 September 1915, 5 January 1917, 18 April 1917, 11 December 1917, 23 & 24 January 1918, 14 May 1919, 21 & 27 October 1919, 26 September 1923, 4 January 1937, 1 June 1937, 7 & 19 April 1937, 30 September 1938, 8 July 1939, South Canterbury Times, 22 December 1894, 16 January 1896, Dominion, 31 July 1919, Otago Daily Times, 1 August 1919, Lyttelton Times, 1 August 1919, Temuka Leader, 14 June 1921, Press, 12 March 1971 (Papers Past) [28 February 2014; 03 May 2015; 18 July 2015; 08, 09, 10 & 13 February 2016; 07 & 24 February 2018; 02 & 04 May 2021; 07 February 2026; 15 & 17 March 2026]; Baptism record (Christchurch Catholic Diocese Baptisms Index CD - held by South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [19 July 2015]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [15 April 2014; 13 March 2026]; Probate record (Archives NZ Collections Record number TU156/1971) [March 2026]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• BROSNAN-John-Joseph-newspaper-clippings.pdf (pdf, 119.3 KB updated 06-Apr-2026)
• BROSNAN John Joseph - records (pdf, 264.6 KB updated 06-Apr-2026)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

TS