Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Walter Burton Gilchrist, known as Burton or Bertie, was born on 2 April 1875 at Timaru, the second son of Walter and Jane (née Briggs) Gilchrist, of Timaru. Both Mr Walter Gilchrist and Miss Genny Briggs arrived in New Zealand in 1863; Walter from Leith, Scotland, and Genny Briggs with her parents from England. Her full name appears variously as Marie Jenny Phoebert (Briggs/Gilchrist) and Mary Jane Foubert (Briggs/Gilchrist). Walter and Jane married in 1873 in (South Canterbury), New Zealand. They had four sons and five daughters, their first-born, Frederick Samuel Gilchrist, dying in infancy. Burton (Bertie) and his siblings attended the Timaru Main School. He left school at the age of 13½ to go out to work.

B. Gilchrist was a member of the Star Football team selected to play against the Waihi Football Club at Winchester on 23 July 1891 – Bertie? He had played in the forwards for Star the previous month, and in September 1891 he played in the return match against Waihi. Gilchrist played again for Star in the Trophy match in June 1894. B. Gilchrist played for Star in September 1894, against White Star at Geraldine. At a complimentary social held by members of the Star Football Club in early December 1894, the programme consisted of songs, dancing, and various games, about 40 couples dancing to capital music supplied by Mr W. Quirk (accordion) and Mr B. Gilchrist (piano). In March following, B. Gilchrist was re-elected Vice-Captain of the Star Football Club; in April 1895 he was elected to a concert committee for the Club; and in May and June he was back on the field representing the club. Gunner B. Gilchrist was selected in the forwards to represent the Timaru Navals in a match against the Freezing Works team on 11 July 1895.

The members of the Timaru Fire Brigade inaugurated, in April 1895, what had every promise of being an annual social. The accompanists for the evening were Miss Dale and Mr B. Gilchrist. Mr B. Gilchrist’s Jako started in the Hunters’ Handicap Steeplechase at the annual hunt steeplechase meeting in August 1896, running for a time in third place before baulking at the second gorse. In October, Mr B. Gilchrist acted as referee at a special swimming match between two individuals. In December 1896 Gunner B. Gilchrist gained the third highest score when shooting with the Timaru Naval Artillery for trophies; Gunner J. Gilchrist (brother John) had the second highest score. On 20 January 1897 in the drill shed a Circus and Floral Fete was given by the volunteers and their friends to raise funds to meet costs of recent improvements to the shed. In the Butchers’ and bakers’ carts section of the Floral Decorations’ competition, there were “eight competitors and a great deal of emulation was manifest.” B. Gilchrist ran out the winner, earning 20 shillings for his efforts. “There was close competition between first and second, Gilchrist winning by a lighter-looking arrangement, which extended also over the horse as an exterior floral harness.” B. Gilchrist was among the contributors to the war funds at the Smithfield Freezing Works in January 1900. When a “hard-up”social in connection with the Timaru Port Guards was held in the Drill Shed in June 1900, Mr Bert Gilchrist acted as accompanist to the various singers in a very able manner.

Bert Gilchrist and his brother John followed their father into the butchery trade, plying their trade at Timaru in the early 1900s. But by 1906, Burton was in the North Island. When Burton Gilchrist, a butcher and born in 1875, and another were convicted at the Police Court in October 1906 of being found on certain premises without lawful excuse, they were discharged. On 2 September 1907, Burton Gilchrist, a second offender, was charged with drunkenness at the Masterton Police Court. He had been locked up on the Saturday night prior (31 August) and now pleaded for another chance, stating that he had work to go to and would leave for it immediately if allowed to do so. As he had no money, it was decided to convict him only. He was severely cautioned against a repetition of the offence. In 1908, Burton was back in the South Island, firstly at Mayfield, then at Allenton (butcher) and in 1912 at Fairlie. A groom (a butcher by trade) Gilchrist occupied a room in the cottage attached to the Gladstone Hotel, Fairlie in August 1912 when the licensee of the hotel engaged in a serious assault and his wife called for help from Gilchrist. As the offender would not let Gilchrist into the room, he went to the bar for assistance, which was not forthcoming. Walter Burton Gilchrist, butcher, was back at Timaru by the 1914 electoral roll. Burton Gilchrist was listed on the World War One Reserve Rolls – farm hand, Butler Street, Timaru, that being the family’s address. In November 1914, Walter Gilchrist was fined 10 shillings in the Palmerston North Magistrate’s Court for riding a bicycle at night without lights. On 15 April 1915 at the Timaru Magistrate’s Court, Walter B. Gilchrist was fined 40 shillings for drunkenness, this being his fourth breach of a prohibition order. Criminal cases were brought by the police against Walter Burton Gilchrist in the Fairlie Magistrate’s Court in 1915.

Walter Burton Gilchrist was medically examined on 20 May 1916 at Taihape. He was 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighed 152 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 38-40 inches, a ruddy complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. His sighte, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal, his limbs and chest well formed. Free from diseases, vaccinated, and in good bodily and mental health, he was assessed as fit. It was in mid-June 1916 at Taihape that W. B. Gilchrist, Ohutu, registered for service with the 18th Reinforcements (Infantry).

A great farewell gathering was held at Ohutu a short time after, to say good bye to local men who were leaving to go into camp. After a neat little speech of appreciation of the course the guests were taking, the chairman proposed the toast of “The King” which was drunk right loyally. Mr Jackson proposed “Our Guests” — Messrs Rafter, Walter, Palmer, Evens, Gilchrist and the Harvey Brothers to which Mr Keford ably responded. It was notified that all the recruits would be again entertained on their final leave. The decorations of the hall, provision for the inner man and appointments generally were splendidly fulfilled by the ladies, for which they had the special thanks of the gathering. On 24 June a dance was held by the Patriotic Committee, at the Town Hall, for the purpose of farewelling the Taihape quota of the 18th Reinforcements. There was a very large attendance, dancing being indulged in till midnight, and the evening proving most enjoyable. His Worship the Mayor said that once again the people were gathered together to wish a quota farewell and a safe return. The men who were now going knew, he said, what they had to face, and were deserving of the greatest credit. They had come forward voluntarily to face not only the bullet but the hardships and privations; not only the wounds, but also the sickness which the hard life brought. Turning to the recruits, the Mayor said: “I want to wish you all a safe return, and I hope you will come through safe and sound.” Cheers were then given for the men.

The Taihape quota for the 18th Reinforcements being full, they proceeded to Palmerston North en route to Trentham Camp on 26 June by the 6 am train. Among the names of the men who answered the rollcall was W. B. Gilchrist.

Enlisting on 26 June at Trentham, Walter Burton Gilchrist named his father as next-of-kin – Walter Gilchrist, Stafford Street, Timaru. He was a butcher for Box Company, Ohutu, Taihape, single and of Wesleyan Methodist religious affiliation. In July 1916, B. Gilchrist contributed to the Taihape district’s Patriotic Funds (Sailors’ Day). On 20 September 1916 at Trentham, Gilchrist was confined to barracks for three days and forfeited one day’s pay for breaking camp and being drunk.

It was with H Company of the 18th Reinforcements that Rifleman W. B. Gilchrist embarked, departing from Wellington per the “Willochra” on 16 October 1916 and disembarking at Plymouth on 29 December. Marching into Sling on 29 December, he was taken on Strength and posted to D Company, then on 7 January 1917 attached to the Reserve Company and on 13 January transferred to the New Zealand Army Service Corps at Sling. As of 10 July 1917, he was on Strength. On 24 September 1917 he went on detachment to the New Zealand Rifle Brigade at Cannock Chase and, on 26 September, was attached to the 5th Reserve Battalion for rations, pay and accommodation.

Gilchrist was attached to Strength at Brocton on 25 April 1918 and was still on Strength at Brocton on 14 October. He marched into the Canterbury Provincial Depot at sling Camp (awaiting a ship home) on 15 May 1919. At Sling on 26 May 1919, Gilchrist again forfeited pay – this time for being unshaven on parade while on active service.

W. B. Gilchrist, 24859, of Timaru, returned to New Zealand aboard the “Chupra”, one of 732 soldiers due at Lyttelton about July 22nd, 1919, having embarked at London on 8 June. They actually disembarked on the morning of 28 July 1919, and the southern men left at 1.50 p.m. by a special train going through to Dunedin. The Press Association reported that the transport Chupra had left Tilbury docks on June 8th and had a fairly good trip until Port Said was reached. The next port of call was Colombo, and about half-way across the Indian Ocean the vessel ran into a monsoon and all on board had a fairly bad time for three days. The Chupra had no refrigerator space, which was given as the reason for her coming via Suez instead of through the Panama Canal.

“They are the most contented and best behaved lot of men I ever had anything to do with,” said Major J. Evans, M.C., Officer Commanding the troops on board. “The vessel is most unsuited for a troopship as there is practically no deck, but the men made the most of their time and contrived to get a good deal of pleasure out of the voyage.” There was no sickness on board and the food was stated to have been good from London to Port Said, and from Colombo to New Zealand, but between Port Said and Colombo the meat was affected by the heat, and the men could not eat it. Apart from this the men had no complaints to make except that they did not like the way they were cooped up, with practically no opportunity of getting any exercise.

Walter Burton Gilchrist was discharged on 25 August 1919, on the termination of his period of engagement. He was awarded the British War Medal, all his overseas service having been in England. Initially Burton intended returning to Timaru, but by 1922 he was with Mrs Bowen at Castlecliff, Wanganui. In fact, Walter Burton Gilchrist, a butcher born in 1875, had been sentenced at Wanganui on 30 March 1921 to 24 hours in gaol for drunkenness, and was discharged on 31 March. Was he the Walter Gilchrist who was fined 5 shillings at the Palmerston North Magistrate’s Court on 18 September 1922 on a charge of having cycled on the footpath?

Walter Burton Gilchrist, the second son of Mr and Mrs Walter Gilchrist, Butler Street, Timaru, died on 4 June 1923 at Wanganui Hospital, aged 48 years. He was buried at Aramoho Cemetery, Wanganui. Fortunately, Burton had been in Timaru not four weeks prior, on the occasion of his parents golden wedding anniversary. At the quarterly meeting of the officials of the Methodist Church, Timaru Circuit, in July 1923, votes of condolence were passed to the relatives of the late Mr Bert Gilchrist and Mr T. Berry. In March 1922, the Methodist Church of Timaru placed a handsome window in the Bank Street Church as a memorial for the war victims of the congregations. Apart from the names of the fallen appearing on the window, the names of all who served were inscribed in a book which was to be preserved in the Church. Included in the names was that of Walter Burton Gilchrist.

Walter Gilchrist, senior, died on 12 May 1927 at his Timaru residence (Butler Street), predeceased by his son Burton. Mary Jane Faubert (Marie Jenny Phoebert) Gilchrist died on 8 February 1937 at that same residence, predeceased by two of her sons. Both Mr and Mrs Gilchrist had been immersed in the life of the Wesleyan Methodist Church at Timaru, Walter especially in music and choirs. At the anniversary tea meeting of the Church in April 1885, he was presented with a marble clock in appreciation of his services. Mr and Mrs Gilchrist were very widely respected in Timaru.

Burton’s two brothers – John William Briggs Gilchrist, butcher, Timaru, and Sidney Gilchrist, warehouse-manager, Anderson’s Bay, Dunedin, were both listed on the Reserve Rolls. Sidney was called up in 1918. John William Briggs Gilchrist had married in June 1900 at Timaru. John Gilchrist who had taken over his father’s business and was very involved in local sport, died in January 1932 at his Timaru residence. In May 1915, Jack Gilchrist, the younger son of Burton’s brother John, donated £2.10s. to the Timaru Red Cross fund – the proceeds of a pet lamb sold by the C.F.C.A. Sidney Gilchrist married in September 1906 at Timaru. His wife Jessie died in 1920 at Timaru, of Dunedin. Sidney married again in 1921. Sidney who had been very involved in music (choral and oratorio) in Timaru, Dunedin and Christchurch, died in 1941 at Christchurch. In 1943 his widow made a generous gift in his memory on behalf of the Blind Sailors and Soldiers’ Fund. Burton’s oldest sister, Annie Juanita Gilchrist, married at the Timaru Wesleyan Church in November 1905. Jeanie Gilchrist married in December 1915 at Timaru. She and her husband spent many years in the UK before returning to New Zealand in the early 1950s. Ina and Victoria Ethel Gilchrist spent their entire lives in Timaru. Elsie Elizabeth Gilchrist married in 1912. Patrick Gilchrist Parker and Geoffrey Maxwell Parker - sons of Elsie Elizabeth Gilchrist and nephews of Walter Burton Gilchrist –– served in World War Two, Patrick with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and Geoffrey with the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [24 June 2014]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5539 0044728) [20 August 2015]; Timaru Herald, 7 July 1919 (Papers Past) [10 August 2014]; Aramoho Cemetery, Wanganui burial records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG cemetery records microfiche) [02 July 2015]; School Admission Records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [09 August 2014]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [17 August 2015; 03 August 2024]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [17 August 2015]; Timaru Herald, 15 April 1885, 23 July 1891, 26 June 1894, 22 April 1895, 2 May 1895, 11 July 1895, 7 August 1896, 23 October 1896, 10 December 1896, 21 June 1900, 13 November 1906, 20 August 1912, 16 April 1915, 24 May 1915, 7 & 29 July 1919, 5 July 1922, 11 May 1923, 5 June 1923, 11 July 1923, 13 & 20 May 1927, 13, 14 & 15 January 1932, 9, 10 & 12 February 1937, 1 September 1941, South Canterbury Times, 8 December 1894, 8 March 1895, 26 April 1895, 21 January 1897, 27 January 1900, Evening Star, 28 November 1905, 12 January 1920, Otago Witness, 29 November 1905, NZ Times, 11 October 1906, 4 July 1919, Wairarapa Daily Times, 2 September 1907, Wairarapa Daily Times, 2 September 1907, Wairarapa Age, 3 September 1907, Temuka Leader, 20 August 1912, NZ Truth, 14 December 1912, Manawatu Standard, 9 November 1914, 18 September 1922, Taihape Daily Times, 15, 24 & 26 June 1916, 13 July 1916, Sun, 3 July 1919, Wanganui Chronicle, 5 June 1923, Press, 11 February 1937, 29 August 1941, Ashburton Guardian, 16 February 1943; NZ Police Gazette, 24 October 1906 (Papers Past) [10 August 2014; 24 & 25 March 2020; 2021; 02 May 2021; 06 April 2022; 03, 04, 05 & 07 August 2024]; NZ Police Gazette, 2 April 1921 (per ancestry.com.au) [03 August 2024]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• GILCHRIST Walter Burton - newspaper clippings (pdf, 135.2 KB updated 24-Sep-2024)

Researched and Written by

Currently Assigned to

TS