Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Alfred Mitchell was born on 24 August 1888 at Waitohi Flat, Temuka, the youngest son of Eli Pain and Harriet (née Thompson, formerly Horsman) Mitchell. Eli and Harriet married in 1875, Harriet’s first husband (William Horsman) dying in 1873 and leaving her with three little children. Eli took up farming at Waithoi near Temuka, and there four sons and four daughters were born. While at Waitohi, Mr Mitchell experienced a few horse and trap mishaps, on one occasion having his leg broken. It was as the result of an accident that Mr Eli Pain Mitchell met his death. He died on 15 February 1898 at his Waitohi Flat residence, following a trap accident on his way home from the Temuka Fair. Albert was surely educated at Waitohi Flat School along with his siblings. Thomas Annie, Martha, Harriet and perhaps Eli (junior) did well in sports at the school. In September 1898, Deborah Kay, the daughter of Mrs Harriet Mitchell by her first marriage, died at Mrs Mitchell’s Waitohi residence. Alfred’s oldest brother, Thomas Mitchel, married at Geraldine in April 1900. The farm – in first rate order - belonging to Mrs Eli Mitchell, Waitohi, was put up for sale on 13 June 1903, but there were no bids. On 26 April 1904, however, there was an important clearing sale at Waitohi on account of Mrs Eli Mitchell. Harriet moved to Otorohunga to be nearer to family and lived with a son. She died there on 17 August 1911. When Alfred’s brother Eli Thompson Mitchell, who was a cripple, got into trouble with the law (re earmarking of sheep) in early 1898, their brother Jethro gave evidence in court in defence of Eli. Alfred Mitchell, a lad of nine years, who had also been present when the alleged tagging happened was called in court, “but it was found impossible to get him to answer any but the preliminary question as to his age and his recollection of the 23rd [23 February].” It was agreed to dispense with his evidence but have him bound over to appear at the Supreme Court if necessary.

Alfred Mitchell married Jessie Cunningham on 3 June 1915 at Hilton. In 1916 Alfred was listed on the Reserve Rolls. The name of Alfred Mitchell, farm worker, Hilton was drawn in the Tenth Ballot (double ballot) at the beginning of September 1917, one of 536 South Canterbury locals for the 34th and 35th Reinforcements. He was medically examined by the Travelling Medical Board and enlisted on 14 September 1917 at Timaru. Standing at 5 feet 6 inches, weighing 126 pounds, and with a chest measurement of 32½-35½ inches, he had a fresh complexion, grey eyes and fair hair. His sight, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal, his limbs and chest well formed. He was free of diseases, vaccinated and in good bodily and mental health. Class A. A farm labourer for Mr Childs, married and of Church of England affiliation, he named his wife as next-of-kin – Mrs Jessie Mitchell, Hilton, Temuka.

On 15 October 1917 the Temuka and Geraldine quotas of the 35th Reinforcements were given a hearty send-off as they left for camp. They were entertained at luncheon, “a splendid repast” and “a capital musical programme” being provided. Just before the commencement of proceedings, word was received that Denys Aspinall had been killed in action in France, and sympathy was expressed for his family. Dr Paterson (Mayor of Geraldine) asked the recruits to live up to the reputation of the men who had gone before. The Rev. Macdonald said that they were all wondering how many Reinforcements would have to go and all were wishing that there would be no more. “But . . . we must just keep piling on men until the matter has been brought to a successful finish.” Headed by the brass and pipe bands, the men marched to the Railway Station where the Mayor wished them God-speed and a safe return. “There must be no slackening until Germany is put down for good and all.” On Major Kennedy’s call, cheers for the men were heartily given. Among the men who took their places in the train and left was A. Mitchell.

While in camp, Alfred was granted leave without pay from 31 January 1918 to 30 March 1918. A daughter, Marion Annie Mitchell, was born to Alfred and Jessie on 5 March 1918 at Geraldine. Alfed did forfeit 12 days’ pay at Featherston on 30 March 1918 for overstaying his leave. Private A. Mitchell embarked with the 36th Reinforcements, leaving from Wellington for Southampton, England on 23 April 1918 per the “Willochra”. As it happened, Private disembarked at Suez, Egypt, on 31 May 1918, marched into the Australian Camp and was posted to Strength. On 4 July 1918 at Alexandria he embarked per the “Ormonde”, disembarking at Southampton two weeks later. Rifleman Mitchell marched into Brocton from the 36th Reinforcements and was posted to the Rifle Brigade. Leaving for France on 21 September 1918, he marched into camp at Etaples and, posted to the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, he joined his Battalion. On 18 March 1919 he was detached from France to the UK where he marched into Codford on 24 March.

After marching into Sling on 24 May 1919, A. Mitchell embarked at Liverpool on 2 July for the return to New Zealand by the “Somerset” which was due at Lyttelton about 12 August 1919. The men by the “Somerset” were entertained by the Navy, Y.M.C.A., and the American people in general, during a brief stop-over at Norfolk, Virginia. Although it was at Norfolk Harbour that the troops witnessed a fatal aeroplane collision, very close to their ship. The 2nd Otago Infantry Band was on board the Somerset and provided entertainment during the trip. The Somerset also brought a big English mail. 6000 bags, for the dominion. Twenty-one of Temuka’s sons who had arrived on two troop ships returned to their homes and kindred on 20 August. The relatives and the public had a long wait for the second troop train which didn’ arrive until quarter to six. As soon as the train had left the local men “were driven to the Post Office — preceded by the Bands — where the usual public welcome took place, there being a very large gathering of their friends and the public.” In a short speech, the Mayor thanked the men for their services, and welcomed them home. “All were proud of what they had done, and delighted to see them home again. They had done their duty well and nobly, and he hoped they would with their comrades stick together and be the power in the country that they ought to be.”

Alfred was discharged on 17 September 1919, on the termination of his period of engagement, and was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His intended address was initially Hilton, then Gapes Valley, Geraldine where he and Jessie were living in 1922. By 1925 they had moved to Hamilton Street, Temuka where they resided for the rest of their lives. Three more children were born after the war, one of them stillborn. Their three surviving children were educated at Temuka School. In the 1930s Alfred moved from farming to milling.

Alfred Mitchell died on 21 March 1969 at Timaru (or Temuka), aged 81 years. Following a service at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Temuka, he was buried at Temuka Cemetery, where members of the Temuka R.S.A. assembled at the cemetery gates to attend his funeral. He was survived by his wife Jessie and their three children – Marion Annie (Mrs Topham, Temuka), Elizabeth Jessie (Betty, Mrs Crotty, Auckland) and Alfred James (Jim, Wellington) – and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He appointed his son, Alfred James Mitchell, as sole executor and trustee of his Will. He made provision for his wife (provided she survived him for one calendar month) and for his children in equal shares. Jessie died on 3 November 1973 at her Hamilton Street residence and was buried with him.

Alfred’s brother Jethro Mitchell died of wounds on 18 October 1917 in France. Two sons of Alfred’s half-brother, Christopher Horsman who had been born at Temuka were killed in action in France on successive days – Arthur William Carlyle Horsman on 15 September 1916 and Gordon Christopher Horsman on 16 September 1916. In 1916, Eli Mitchell, a butcher of Rotoroa Island, was listed on the Reserve Rolls. Eli Mitchell, a shepherd of Matamata, had not been medically examined and failed to answer communications so his appeal was dismissed at the sitting of the Military Service Appeal Board at Te Aroha in October 1917. Two nephews of Alfred served in World War Two – Norman Douglas Harvey Mitchell (son of his brother Thomas) and Leonard Jeathro Mitchell (son of his brother Eli).

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [01 August 2016]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5549 0081622) [02 August 2016]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [03 August 2016]; Timaru Herald, 24 March 1969 (Timaru District Library) [02 August 2016]; Temuka Cemetery headstone image (Timaru District Council) [01 August 2016]; Temuka Leader, 29 December 1887, 27 December 1888, 23 December 1890, 17 February 1898, 5 March 1898, 24 December 1898, 7 April 1900, 2 June 1903, 9 April 1904, 24 August 1911, 4 September 1917, 16 October 1917, 7 & 21 August 1919, South Canterbury Times, 16 & 17 February 1898, Timaru Herald, 4 September 1917, 13 & 16 October 1917, 8 & 21 August 1919, NZ Herald, 24 October 1917, Te Aroha News, 26 October 1917, Press, 12 November 1973 (Papers Past) [08 September 2015; 22 August 2020; 16 March 2022; 26 August 2022; 23 & 24 January 2024]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [23 January 2024]; Probate record (Archives NZ Collections – Record number TU109/1969) [24 January 2024

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• MITCHELL Alfred - newspaper clippings.pdf (pdf, 162.7 KB updated 15-Mar-2024)

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