Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Donald John Bain was born in the Mackenzie Country on 7 December 1895, the second child and eldest son of John and Ellen Isabel (née Burgess) Bain. Donald’s grandparents, Donald Bain and Helen Greig, came to New Zealand from Ross-shire, Scotland, with their family of four sons and three daughters in 1874 and took up land at Burke’s Pass. In 1893, their son John married Ellen Isabel Burgess, who had been born at Burke’s Pass in 1867, and had two daughters and seven sons (one dying in infancy), including Donald John and William who were to serve in World War One. Donald and his older sister Mary Ethel started at Fairlie School in 1901 before transferring to Cricklewood in October 1903. Mr J. Bain was elected to the Cricklewood School committee in April 1907. After a few months at Silverstream School (Kimbell) Donald went back to Fairlie for a month, then returning to Silverstream in May 1908 with his siblings. John Bain who had taken up the licence of the Silverstream Hotel at Kimbell in 1908, died at Kimbell on 19 March 1916, when many of the children were still minors. He was buried at Burke’s Pass.

Donald John Bain, shepherd, Kimbell, Fairlie, who was listed on the 1916 Reserve Rolls, was drawn in the Eighth Ballot for service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in June 1917. His brother William was drawn the following month. When the Second Canterbury Military Appeal Board sat in Timaru on 12 July 1917, Donald John Bain, Kimbell, said he was a lodging-house proprietor, and wanted a little time to arrange his affairs. He had three brothers and sisters under 14 years of age. His father was dead, and his mother was trying to sell the boarding-house, but up to the present she had failed. The chairman said that it was out of the question to grant two or three months’ exemption. The appellant said he looked after the bar at the house. Any C2 man could do that, said the chairman. He was allowed till September 17. Donald John Bain enlisted at Timaru on 22 June 1917. A shepherd at Kimbell (via Fairlie) for his mother, single and Presbyterian, he named his mother as next-of-kin – Mrs Ellen Bain, Kimbell, Canterbury. He belonged to the 8th South Canterbury Mounted Rifles and noted that four persons were absolutely dependent on him. He stated that he had been medically examined for service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in March 1916 at Fairlie. He was now medically examined on 22 June 1917 at Timaru. Standing at 5 feet 9½ inches, weighing 154 pounds, with a chest measurement of 34-36 inches, he had a dark complexion, blue eyes and dark hair dark. His sight, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal, his limbs and chest well formed. art & lungs normal. With no illnesses or diseases, vaccinated, and in good bodily and mental health, he was deemed Class A.

The men comprising the South Canterbury quota of the 34th Reinforcements left Timaru by the north-bound express on 17 September 1917. One of those men was D. J. Bain whose name was omitted from the first newspaper list. At one o’clock they were paraded at the Drill Shed, where, after the roll had been called, parcels containing articles useful in camp, the gift of the ladies of the Patriotic Society, were handed round, and the draft was drawn up facing the balcony from which they were addressed by his Worship the Mayor (Mr J. Maling) and the Rev. J. H. Rogers. The men were very cheerful, happy, and orderly. The fact that they were sending away that draft showed the determination of the Dominion to assist in carrying on the great struggle in Europe, said the Mayor, and the men before him should remember those who had gone before, and live up to the high reputation they had made. He wished them the best of good luck and expressed the hope that it would not be very long before they would return to New Zealand. The Rev. Rogers had three thoughts to convey to them - first, they must be true to themselves; second, they must be true to their country; third, he wished them to remember was to be true to God. He hoped they would come back and be able to say that they had acquitted themselves as men. The men were marched outside and photographed, and headed by the Band of the 2nd (S.C.) Regiment, started for the railway station. The route was well lined with spectators who gave the men a rousing farewell, and at the crossing there was a good number of people. While waiting for the arrival of the express the Band played several selections. The train left the station accompanied by cheers called for by the Mayor, and to the strains of the National Anthem, played by the Band.

Private Donald Bain was tendered a farewell social at Kimbell on the evening of 16 November 1917. As he was well known and popular, friends from far and near attended and a very enjoyable evening was spent. On behalf of the people-of Kimbell Mr Cowan, referred to the manly, upright character of Private Bain. He had always taken a great interest in him, as he had had the training of him as a cadet in sheep farming. He was sorry to part with him but felt sure that he would nobly do his part in the great struggle. Mr Cowan then presented Private Bain, on behalf of the Kimbell people, with a wristlet watch. Private Bain thanked one and all for their kind wishes and handsome present. He hoped to return to Kimbell after the war and be able to enjoy many years of life among his friends there. Cheers were given lustily for him, and dancing was then indulged in till morning. On the last Friday of December 1917, a very successful social in honour of men on final leave was held in the Fairlie Public Hall. In spite of heavy rain, the attendance was large. The entertainment was highly enjoyable – dancing, excellent music, songs, and a great supper. The guests of the evening, Privates McKinnon, H. Waters and D. Bain, were invited on to the stage and speeches of a valedictory and patriotic nature were given. Cheers were given for the departing men and for the troops at the Front. A motion of sympathy was also passed to those who had lost relatives and friends in the recent engagements. (The district, during the last few weeks has had to mourn the loss of many fine and promising young lives.)

Private Donald John Bain who had been posted to the 33rd Reinforcements on 17 September 1917 was transferred to the 34th Reinforcements on 25 January 1918. On 30 December 1917 at Trentham, he had forfeited pay and been confined to barracks for absence without leave. He re-enlisted at Trentham on 31 January 1918. It was on 8 February 1918 that Private Donald John Bain embarked at Wellington, departing with the Otago Infantry Regiment of the 34th Reinforcements per the “Ulimaroa”. Disembarking at Liverpool, England on 29 March 1918, Rifleman D. J. Bain marched in and was posted to E Company, Reserve Brigade. Proceeding overseas to France on 8 May 1918, he marched into camp at Etaples and joined the Entrenching Battalion four days later. He was then transferred to the 1st New Zealand Rifle Brigade on 3 June 1918. Having gone to hospital, sick, on 11 September 1918, he was admitted to No. 2 New Zealand Field Ambulance the next day [12 September 1918]. He was discharged and rejoined his Unit from the Field Ambulance on 14 September 1918. To hospital, sick, again on 16 September and admitted to the New Zealand Field Ambulance, he was discharged on 27 September and rejoined his Battalion the next day. Having been detached to Brigade Headquarters on 27 December 1918, he rejoined his Battalion on 7 March 1919. After going on leave to the UK on 11 March 1919, he reported to Brocton and marched in on 3 April. All was good at his medical examination conducted at Brocton on 7 May 1919 and endorsed on the “Port Hacking” on 19 July 1919. Bain then marched into B Group, Codford on 14 May 1919 (B Group classification awaiting a ship home). D. J. Bain marched into the Canterbury Provincial Depot (at Sling Camp, awaiting a ship home) on 11 June 1919. He embarked for New Zealand per the “Port Hacking” on 4 July 1919 at Liverpool.

During a patriotic social at Kimbell in late July 1919, intimation was made that the last of the local boys were due to arrive back home about the middle of August, viz., Private D. Bain, Trooper N. Cotterill, and Private G. Waters. The “Port Hacking” was due at Wellington or Lyttelton on 16 August 1919, bringing home over 800 soldiers, D. J. Bain, 64904, Kimbell, one of them. The function run by the Kimbell Entertainment Committee on the evening of 29 August 1919 was very successful, the guests being the last local boys and also members of the oldest and most widely esteemed residents of the district, viz., Trooper H. Waters, who had been prevented from attending earlier, Corporal Gus Waters, and Rifleman D. Bain, who returned week before. During the evening, songs and recitations were contributed, and as usual the baskets of local ladies provided more than ample supper. During the interval Mr Ormandy presented medals to the guests of the evening, with a short, pithy address of appreciation to the men. The speaker’s remarks were heartily supported by the audience, who applauded each recipient as he stepped forward for Mrs McDonald to pin on his medal. These trophies were much admired, and the soldiers were very happy indeed in their acknowledgment of the presents.

He was discharged on 17 September 1919, on the termination of his period of engagement, and awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. After the war he took on the position of barman at the Kimbell Hotel, then moved with his mother to Fairlie in the 1920s. Mrs Ellen Isabell Bain – remembered with esteem and respect for her hospitality and kindness - died at Cricklewood on 6 April 1926 and was buried at Burke’s Pass. Both Donald and his brother William enjoyed success at the Fairlie Show in April 1920, Donald scoring first prizes for best paced horse and special district class (horses), and William a third for his hunter. When the Fairlie Athletic and Cycling Club was formed in January 1926, D. J. Bain was elected to the executive committee. Don may well have kept up his involvement with athletics after his move to Christchurch.

Donald John Bain married Hilda Helen Marion Barclay at the Kelso Presbyterian Church in 1925. They moved from Fairlie to Christchurch in 1929-1930, perhaps for Hilda’s health. She was for a time at the Cashmere Sanatorium. Donald continued his employment as a barman. A clearing sale of the whole of Don Bain’s household furniture and effects had been held at his residence, Gall Street. Fairlie, on 23 March 1929, as he was leaving Fairlie. In December 1932, Donald John Bain, a barman in Christchurch, was convicted and fined for supplying liquor to an intoxicated person. In May 1940 he was fined for supplying liquor after hours, and again in July 1942. About 1942-1943 Donald and Hilda moved to Wharepapa, Featherston, where he was a manager. Hilda, dearly beloved wife of Donald Bain, Wharepapa Out-station, Featherston, and loving mother of Lauchlan, died at Wellington on 20 March 1947. Lauchlan Donald Bain, beloved son of Donald and the late Mrs Bain, of Featherston, died on 20 May 1948, aged 19 years. He was born in 1928. Both Hilda and Lauchlan were cremated at Karori. Donald John Bain, eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs John Bain, Fairlie married Millie Olive Spargo (née Keen) at Wellington on 7 March 1949. Millie had been previously twice married and twice divorced. Donald and Millie lived in Wellington, probably until Millie’s death. Millicent Olive Bain died at Dunedin on 1 June 1968 and was cremated, her ashes scattered. Donald spent his last year or two with his brother Lawrence at Parnassus, North Canterbury.

Donald John Bain – 64904 ex-Lord Liverpool’s Own, late Dinks - died at Waiau (late of Parnassus, Fairlie and Dunedin) on 27 December 1969, aged 74 years. A funeral service was held at the Memorial Garden Crematorium Chapel, Harewood, where there is a plaque in loving memory. He was survived by his brothers Jim, Lawrence, Tom and John and his sister Ruby. Mary and Bill had predeceased him. His next-of-kin at death was his brother Lawrence Alexander Bain of Parnassus. His brief Will was signed in April 1969. He had appointed his brother Thomas Albert Bain as executor and trustee. He bequeathed his shares in New Zealand Forest Products Limited to his nephew Donald Bain of Kaikoura and the whole of his estate to his brother Thomas albert Bain absolutely. Donald was the younger son of Thomas.

Donald’s brother William also served in World War One, as did several cousins – Ronald George Bain (son of Alexander Bain), Donald Angus McMaster (son of Isabella Bain), John Duncan McLeod and Malcolm Alexander McLeod (sons of Johnina Bain). The four brothers younger than Donald John and William were all drawn in World War Two ballots – James Gilbert Bain (Fairlie) in December 1942, Lawrence Alexander Bain (Parnassus) in December 1942, Thomas Albert Bain (Parnassus) in November 1942, and John Burgess Bain (Papanui) in June 1942; William Bain (Irishman Creek, Fairlie) was also called up in December 1942.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [31 October 203]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5520 0011373) [02 November 2016]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [31 October 2016]; School Admission records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [31 October 2016]; Timaru Herald, 29 December 1969 (Timaru District Library) [02 November 2016]; Timaru Herald, 24 April 1907, 7 June 1917, 13 July 1917, 18 September 1917, 21 November 1917, 3 January 1918, 1 & 11 August 1919, 3 September 1919, 6 & 8 April 1920, 19 January 1926, 7, 8 & 20 April 1926, 20 March 1929, 23 December 1942, Sun, 6 June 1917, Temuka Leader, 7 June 1917, Lyttelton Times, 8 August 1919, 3 September 1919, NZ Times, 8 August 1919, Star, 15 December 1932, Otago Daily Times, 24 March 1947, Press, 17 May 1940, 25 June 1942, 10 July 1942, 12 November 1942, 23 December 1942, 21 May 1948, 29 & 30 December 1969, Evening Post, 2 April 1949 (Papers Past) [31 October 2016; 16 September 2022; 29 March 2026; 03, 04 & 05 April 2026]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [03 April 2026]; Harewood Memorial Gardens & Crematorium, Christchurch, memorial plaque (Find A Grave) [03 April 2026]; Probate record (Archives NZ Collections - Record number CH36/1970) [04 April 2026]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• BAIN Donald John - newspaper clippings (pdf, 122.0 KB updated 14-May-2026)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

TS