Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Herbert Just was born on 18 June 1888 at Norwich, England, the youngest son of Robert and Sarah (née Howes) Just, of Norwich, Norfolk, England. He was baptised on 21 August 1888 at St Peter of Mancroft, Norwich, with his two older brothers – Robert and John. Young Herbert was at home in Norwich with his family in 1891 and again in 1901. His father, a cab proprietor, died in 1904. In 1911 just the eldest son, Robert, was with their widowed mother. Herbert came to New Zealand about 1911-1912. Mr Herbert Just, 22 years old, a farm hand, had departed from Liverpool by the “Somerset” in 1910 and arrived at Brisbane, Australia on 15 January 1911. In November 1912, Just batted and bowled for Timaru in their cricket match against Celtic. Was this Herbert? Just again played for Timaru in January 1915, this time against High School. Although he was run out in the first innings he met with success in bowling, capturing four wickets. Among the Geraldine contributions to the British and Belgium distress fund in September 1914 was £1 from Herbert Just. Herbert’s younger sister, May, came out to New Zealand in 1915 and married William George Brown at St Mary’s Church, Timaru in March 1917, Herbert a witness.

Herbert Just, farm labourer, Parkhurst, Woodbury, was listed on the 1916 Reserve Rolls. In April 1917, Herbert Just, farm labourer, Parkhurst, Woodbury, was one of 358 names drawn in the ballot for the South Canterbury Military District to fill vacancies in the 30th Reinforcements. Herbert was medically examined and enlisted at Timaru on 5 May 1917. He was 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighed 140 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 34-37½ inches. He had a dark complexion dark, brown eyes and black hair. His sight and colour vision were both normal, as was his hearing in the right ear, but he was deaf in the left ear. His limbs and chest were well formed, his heart and lungs normal. He was free of illnesses and diseases and was vaccinated. While he had slight defects that were not sufficient to cause rejection, he was not free from physical defect likely to interfere with the efficient performance of his duties, namely the deafness in his left ear. He was classified C2. He had previously been medically examined at Geraldine in November 1916 and rejected for military service on account of deafness. Single and of Church of England affiliation, he named two people as next-of-kin – Mrs W. Brown (his sister), 15 Lagoon Street, Timaru; and Mrs S. Just (his mother), 19 Globe Lane, Scholes Green, Norwich, Norfolk, England.

Herbert Just, however, did not leave with the 30th Reinforcements in May 1917. Another medically examination in November 1917 recorded only slight deafness in the left ear, and although there was a slight defect – hearing – it was not sufficient to cause rejection. He was classified A. He was granted leave without pay to 3 February 1918 and was due to depart from his home on 4 February for the purpose of proceeding to camp. H. Just was in quite a large draft of men who went into camp at the beginning of March 1918 as South Canterbury’s quota for the 39th Reinforcements. At a most enjoyable function on 28 February 1918 in the Geraldine Drill Hall, the South Canterbury Orchestra presented “a perfect orgy of music”, and other items were given, when Herbert Just and nine others of the 39th Reinforcements were farewelled. The war was going on, said the chairman, and they had to keep up the supplies of men, so that their ultimate object could be attained. They were going away to do their duty—not one of them wanted to go for the love of it – but for duty alone, and all were going freely and willingly. On behalf of the Home and Empire League, the Mayoress presented the men with a parcel of soldiers’ comforts, asking them to regard the gifts as tokens of the interest women took in their welfare, and wishing them a safe return to their homes. As the men left the stage hearty cheers were given, and the Band played “Soldiers of the King.”

On Monday, 4 March 1918, it was Temuka’s turn to entertain and farewell the local members of the 39th Reinforcements – sixteen in total, 11 from Geraldine and 5 from Temuka. The ladies provided a splendid luncheon, and “were assiduous in attending to the wants of their guests.” While the meal was in progress a very enjoyable programme of appropriate music was played. The send-off that day was one of the biggest they had had, and amongst the boys were some of the finest lads they had sent away. “The men were leaving for the front, because many felt it to be their duty to do so, and that was one reason why Temuka was so proud of them.” The best wishes of those they were leaving behind were tendered to the departing men. “Hearty cheers for the boys, and the singing of the National Anthem concluded the proceedings. A procession was then formed outside the hall, and headed by the Temuka Brass Hand, the recruits were accompanied to the railway station by a large crowd of people. There, Mr Torepe’s Maori Singing Party sang a pretty farewell song, and as the train left very hearty cheers were given for the men, and they cheered vigorously in reply.” In that local draft was H. Just, Woodbury.

In the event, Private H. Just embarked with the 38th Reinforcements, departing from Wellington for Liverpool, Merseyside, England on 5 June 1918 per the “Remuera”. Disembarking on 31 July 1918, he marched into Brocton. It was 4 October when he proceeded overseas to France, then marched into camp at Etaples and joined his battalion in the Field ten days later. Herbert went on leave to the UK on 20 March 1919. He was admitted to the 2nd New Zealand General Hospital at Walton-on-Thames on 10 May 1919, for a nose examination. Leaving there on leave on 20 May, he was to report at Codford. From Codford he went to Sling on 7 June.

Driver H. Just, of Timaru, returned to New Zealand by the “Port Hacking” which left from Liverpool on 14 July and was due at Lyttelton on 16 August 1919. Herbert was one of more than 800 men who arrived back in New Zealand on 17 August 1919. The small railway station platform in Timaru was crowded on 20 August 1919 with persons anxious to welcome back their soldier relations and friends on the troop train (from the “Port Hacking” and the “Somerset”). There was much excitement, singing and cheering, both on the train and on the platform. Cigarettes and apples distributed by the ladies of the Reception Committee were much appreciated. The men were motored home, but as there were not sufficient cars, some whose homes were near at hand shouldered their swags and walked. Probably not Herbert. Herbert went to his brother-in-law’s, May and her husband by then residing in Pleasant Valley Road, Geraldine.

He was discharged on 17 September 1919, on the termination of his term of engagement and was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. As of 16 December 1919, 74390 Private Herbert Just, Woodbury near Geraldine, South Canterbury, was receiving treatment as an in-patient at Timaru Hospital for acute rheumatism. The decision of 22 December was that he was not entitled to receive medical treatment at the expense of the Defence Department. His present illness was not considered a War disability. In January 1920 at Timaru, he made application for Civilian Treatment. He was seeking medical treatment for rheumatic fever possibly caused or aggravated by military service. The medical officer noted that rest in bed was required. The decision, however, was that he was not entitled to receive medical treatment at the expense of the Defence Department. His present illness was not deemed to be due to War Service.

Herbert resumed labouring work, at Woodbury and Orari. He was the winner of a weight-guessing competition for a sheep at the Woodbury Garden Fete in early January 1923. At the Temuka Magistrate’s Court in February 1925, Katherine Greelish (Winchester), Herbert Just (Geraldine) and one other were charged with riding bicycles at night without proper lights. Katherine was fined 5 shilling, the two men 10 shillings each. Herbert married Katherine (Catherine) Greelish in 1926. Their daughter Violet was born later that year. Catherine’s brothers John and Martin served in World War One. After a short time at Balcairn, North Canterbury, Herbert and Catherine lived at Temuka. In November 1929 Herbert Just, a son-in-law of Mrs Greelish at Temuka, found her elderly neighbour, whom she looked after, dead from a gunshot wound to the head. Catherine Just had taken some dinner to the old man a short time before.

There was a record attendance of children, upwards of 500, at the Temuka Returned Soldiers’ Association’s annual Christmas treat on the afternoon of 21 December 1933 in the Temuka Domain. “Commencing with the official opening ceremony, the programme comprised races for the children, a Punch and Judy show, an afternoon tea, and a baby show. The president (Mr J. King) welcomed the parents and children. He said it was the third year that the treat had been held and it grew in popularity each time. He expressed a hope that the children would enjoy the day, and thanked the lady helpers for their support.” Violet Just, the only child of Herbert and Catherine, finished second in the Five to seven years girls’ sports. At the Temuka St Joseph’s School picnic in December 1934, Violet ran second in the Standard one girls’ race.

Some most interesting and valuable coins, one of them 264 years old, are the property of Mr H. Just, of Temuka. They include two pennies of the reign of George III, dated respectively 1773 and 1775, and some old French pieces. The oldest though, is a bronze coin stamped “Norwich Farthing” and bearing the date 1670. Mr Just, who is a native of Norwich, states that his father gave him the coin. [Timaru Herald, 15 January 1934.] Mr H. Just won a cake in a competition held as part of the Shop Day held in March 1937 in support of funds for the Temuka Domain. He won another competition at the euchre and dance held by the Temuka Municipal Band in July 1942. And yet another competition at a euchre party held by the Women’s Section of the Temuka R.S.A. in late October 1945.

Herbert Just died suddenly on 25 September 1949 at his Temuka residence, aged 61 years. Members of the Temuka R.S.A. assembled at the Temuka Cemetery to attend his funeral. A services stone marks his grave in the services section of the cemetery. He was survived by his wife Katherine and his daughter Violet. Violet Katherine Just married Noel John Hope in 1953. She died in August 1959, just 32 years old, and was buried at Temuka, Noel with her in 2013. Catherine Just outlived her husband and daughter, dying at Timaru on 9 January 1977. She too, was buried at Temuka. Herbert’s mother had died in 1931 in England. His brother John had served in World War One with the Royal Field Artillery, and also named his mother as next-of-kin. His sister May Brown died in Christchurch in 1981, predeceased by her husband.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [30 December 2015]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5541 0062370) [19 July 2016]; Temuka Cemetery headstone images (Timaru District Council) [27 December 2015; 29 November 2023]; Timaru Herald, 26 & 27 September 1949, 10 January 1977 (Timaru District Library) [30 December 2015]; Timaru Herald, 29 November 1912, 8 September 1914, 22 January 1915, 18 April 1917, 2 March 1918, 2, 11 & 21 August 1919, 5 January 1923, 12 February 1925, 19 November 1929, 12 August 1931, 15 January 1934, 22 December 1933, 15 January 1934, 15 December 1934, 17 March 1937, 20 July 1942, 1 November 1945, Temuka Leader, 5 March 1918 [x 2], 12 February 1925, 19 November 1929, Sun, 8 August 1919, Star, 18 November 1929 (Papers Past) [30 December 2015; 10 January 2016; 17 June 2016; 30 July 2020; 16 July 2021; 27 & 29 November 2023]; England Baptism record (ancestry.com.au) [28 December 2015]; Travel record (ancestry.com.au) [28 December 2015]; England 1891, 1901 census returns (ancestry.com.au) [30 December 2015]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [30 December 2015; 30 November 2023]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• JUST Herbert - newspaper clippings (pdf, 157.0 KB updated 06-Dec-2023)

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