Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Claude Joseph Wheeler, born on 19 March 1885 at Waimate, was the only son of Stephen and Ann (Annie, née Rogan) Wheeler, with three sisters. He was baptised Roman Catholic on 19 April 1885 at Waimate. Stephen Galway Wheeler from County Wicklow, Ireland, and Annie Rogan from County Leitrim, Ireland, married in 1880 at Timaru. All the children were born and baptised at Waimate. While Stephen Wheeler held and farmed freehold land at Waihao, he occupied the Tekapo Hotel when it was burned down in late February 1881. “Everything was lost, except Mrs Wheeler’s effects, which had been placed in a stable, as the hotel was about to change hands.” Stephen Wheeler died on 3 March 1889 at Timaru, leaving a widow and four little children. “In fond memory of Stephen Galway Wheeler, died 3rd March 1889, Aged 49 years. R.I.P. Erected by Anne, His Wife and Children.” – Timaru Cemetery. Anne and the family remained at Waimate for many years. Her eldest daughter, Julia Marie Stephanie Wheeler, married Leslie George O’Callaghan on 20 February 1905 at St Patrick’s, Waimate. Both Julia and Leslie saw service in World War One, Captain Leslie George O’Callaghan being killed in action on 12 October 1917 at Bellevue Spur. It appears that Claude and his youngest sister Elizabeth Ellen Wheeler (Ellen) moved to Gisborne in about 1912. C. Wheeler had been selected in the Waimate A team for the trial match on 6 August 1908, in view of the coming contest with Mackenzie Country. He was in a senior team for the seven-a-side tournament in early September. In March 1913, C. Wheeler was on the executive committee for the Gisborne St Patrick’s Day sports. Was this Claude? “If ever there was a match on the Domain worth watching, representative fixtures included, it was the match between Kaiti-City and United, and in this one game alone the spectators were provided with their moneys worth.” The game was played in early June 1913. There in the forwards of the United team was C. Wheeler. “United’s back division was strengthened by the inclusion of J. Pollock, the deerfoot, and K. Allen, late of the Pirate (Napier) club. Claude Wheeler also made his re-appearance on the local field amongst the forwards. He, together with S. White, erred on the side of over-eagerness and got off-side much too often.” On the play all round United should have won. They lost, however, 0 – 4. At a wedding at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Gisborne in June 1915, Mr Claude Wheeler was one of the bridegroom’s attendants. In 1914, Mrs Ann Wheeler and Josephine Ann Wheeler – mother and sister of Claude and Ellen – joined them at Gisborne.

Claude Joseph Wheeler of Gisborne who was medically examined on 23 November 1915 was one of four who were passed fit. He stood at 5 feet 8 inches, weighed 11 stone 6 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 34-40 inches. His complexion was dark, his eyes blue and his hair black. While his sight and colour vision were normal, his hearing was only fair. His limbs and chest were well formed, his heart and lungs normal, and his teeth artificial. He was free from diseases, had had no illnesses or serious accident (scar on the right of his left thigh), was vaccinated, and was in good bodily and mental health. In late December he was selected in Gisborne’s quota of men to go into camp for the Twelfth Reinforcements, but may not have responded immediately. With the addition of Claude Joseph Wheeler (Artillery), there was every prospect of the draft that was to leave Gisborne on the night of 9 January 1916 being complete. He was a builder, single, and had been with the Waimate Mounted Rifles for three years. Yes, Poverty Bay sent another magnificent draft of men away on the 9 January to undergo training for participation in “the great adventure.” The recruits paraded at the Garrison Hall the day before for final instructions. A busy time was spent at the hall, filling in the men’s papers, while the Women’s Patriotic League distributed badges and kits to all the men going forward. On the afternoon of the January the men were again on parade. After roll call, the parade was dismissed, and the men went to the Soldiers’ Club, where they were entertained at tea. In the evening the approaches to the Garrison Hall were thronged long before 6 p.m. The departing men were lined up in squads at the upper end of the hall, where the Mayor had a few parting words to say before a march was begun for the Tuatea. “. . . . . . I hope that you will have a pleasant trip, and come back safe and sound. I wish you God speed.” The route to the wharf was lined by spectators and many a cheer was given the draft as they marched by. “It was universally admitted that the men formed one of the best drafts from this district.” A crowd of thousands had assembled to say farewell. The band played one or two patriotic airs. As the Tuatea quietly slipped her moorings and moved out into the river, the touching strains of “Auld Lang Syne” were heard. There in the draft of 83 men was Claude Joseph Wheeler with the Engineers.

Enlisting at Trentham on 11 January 1916, he named his mother as next-of-kin – Mrs A. Wheeler, 24 Lytton Road, Gisborne. This was the address at which mother, son and two daughters lived. In March 1916 at camp, Sapper C. J. Wheeler, 12th Reinforcements, was appointed Lance-Corporal. Corporal C. J. Wheeler embarked with the New Zealand Field Engineers of the 12th Reinforcements, leaving from Wellington per the “Ulimaroa” on 1 May 1916 and disembarking at Suez, Egypt on 9 June. Embarking at Alexandria for overseas on 20 July 1916, he disembarked at Southampton on 7 August instead. On that date at Sling, he reverted to Ranks then was to be Acting Corporal with pay, reverting to Ranks again two weeks later at Christchurch then to be Temporary Lance-Corporal. For absence from Parade at Christchurch on 14 September 1916 he forfeited one day’s pay and was reduced from Temp. Lance-Corporal to Sapper. On 15 August 1916 he was admitted to hospital. Taken on strength from hospital on 20 August, Sapper Wheeler was appointed Temporary Lance-Corporal. Leaving for France on 22 September, he was attached to Strength at Etaples the next day. On 20 November 1916 in France, he was posted to Strength. Appointed Lance Corporal on 30 March 1917, he then forfeited eight days pay on 6 April, this being the penalty for neglect of duty in the Field on 18 February. In a letter from Sergt. P. T. Fromm, of the N. Z. Pioneer Battalion and a member of the Gisborne Times staff, dated 17 December 1916 and received only in March 1917, mention is made of many Gisborne men. “The other day I noticed Reg. Fitt, and shortly after met Claude Wheeler, who is still looking a bit pale after being in hospital in England.” Another letter was received from Percy T. Fromm in September 1917. “Also saw quite a lot of . . . . . , Claude Wheeler (now a corporal and looking much better than when I first saw him), . . . . .”

Wheeler was wounded in action on 17 August 1917 – gunshot wounds to both thighs. Admitted to an Australian Casualty Clearing Station, he was transferred and admitted to No. 28 Ambulance Transport on 19 August with multiple gunshot wounds. With wounds to his right arm, thigh and shoulder, he was transferred on 23 August to the Hospital Ship Pieter de Coninck for England. There he was admitted to the 2nd New Zealand General Hospital at Walton-on-Thames, from where he was transferred to Manor War Hospital at Epsom on 16 October. He was then transferred to the New Zealand Convalescent Hospital at Hornchurch on 8 November and discharged a week later. It was on 12 October 1917 that Captain O’Callaghan, the son-in-law of Mrs A. Wheeler, Lytton Road, was killed in action.

Claude Wheeler was granted the rank of Acting Corporal on 2 February 1918 in England while he attended a two-month course of instruction at the School of Infantry at Tidworth from 4 February 1918 until 28 March, when he marched in at Boscombe and relinquished the rank of Acting Corporal. Having proceeded overseas for France again on 9 May 1918, he marched into Camp at Etaples then marched out to his Division in the Field on 16 May, rejoining his Unit the next day. But on 1 June 1918 he was again admitted to hospital, to No. 4 General Hospital, this time with appendicitis. Reported as not a severe case, he was transferred to No. 6 Convalescent Depot on 5 June and discharged to General Base Depot on 13 June, being attached to the New Zealand Infantry and General Base Depot at Étaples the next day. Classified ‘C’ Class by the Medical Board on 27 June 1918, he embarked for England on 4 July and was admitted to the 2nd New Zealand General Hospital at Walton, still troubled by appendicitis. He was discharged from Walton to Hornchurch on 4 September, then from Hornchurch to Codford on 23 September, after leave, and from Codford to Christchurch on 5 October. Detailed “on Command” to Brockenhurst from Boscombe on 11 November 1918, he then marched into Hornchurch from Boscombe on 21 February 1919 and into Sling from the New Zealand General Hospital at Hornchurch on 24 February. He was taken on Establishment Education Department and struck off the strength of his unit on 25 February 1919, whence he was to be Temporary Sergeant. Embarking for New Zealand per the “Willochra (Returning Draft 232) on 8 March 1919 at Southampton, Temporary Sergeant C. J. Wheeler, 12004, disembarked at Wellington on 15 April. He was discharged on 13 May 1919, on the termination of his period of engagement, and awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. From May 1916, the name of Lance-Corp. Claud Wheeler appeared regularly on the Roll of Honour (Answered the Call) published regularly in the Waimate Daily Advertiser.

Claude returned to Gisborne and his carpentry, residing with his mother and two sisters. As a result of injuries received in the process of jacking heavy logs out of a creek-bed on his property at Toa Toa, Mr Claude Wheeler underwent a slight operation on 11 October 1922, for the relief of poisoning in the right arm. [Poverty Bay Herald. 12 Oct 1922.] On 29 September 1926 at St. Joseph’s Church, Morven, Claude Wheeler, Gisborne (late of Waimate), and Miss Dorothy Mary Delahunt, Morven were married. “A large number of friends attended the ceremony, and nuptial Mass; following which a reception and wedding dinner was held at the home of the bride’s aunt and uncle, . . . . . Mr and Mrs. C. J. Wheeler left later by motor for the north, and upon their return, after a brief stay in Morven, journeyed to their future home in Gisborne.” Claude and Dorothy most likely knew each other from childhood. Dorothy had attended the Waihao Native School near Waimate and the Waimate Roman Catholic School. Claude had apologised for his absence when a social evening was held in the Morven Hall to honour Miss Delahunt on the eve of her marriage. Mrs Anne Wheeler – wife of Stephen Galway - died on 1 January 1934 at her Gisborne residence. She was buried the next day at the local Taruheru Cemetery. Her two unmarried daughters – Elizabeth Ellen and Josephine Anne – died in 1962 and 1963 respectively and were buried with her. Her eldest daughter - Julia Marie Stephanie O’Callaghan (née Wheeler) - died in 1949 at Waitomo and was buried in the Te Kuiti Cemetery. Mrs Wheeler had only two grandchildren - Florence Marie Hindmarsh O’Callaghan (born in 1905 at Waimate) and David Hunter Galway Wheeler (born in 1929).

Claude and Dorothy moved from Gisborne to Opotiki within a year or two of their marriage and then to Napier in the mid-1930s. Their only child – David Hunter Galway Wheeler – was born on 19 January 1929. In 1956, David married Mary Therese Cunningham who was a granddaughter of Elizabeth (Lizzie) Rogan, his grandmother Annie Rogan’s sister. David and Mary lived on in his parents’ Napier house. Mary Therese Wheeler died in August 1985 and was buried at Park Island Cemetery, as were Claude and Dorothy. David died in December 2021 and was cremated at Tauranga. He was survived by three sons (the eldest named Stephen) and three daughters.

Claude Joseph Wheeler died suddenly on 24 November 1941 at his Napier residence, aged 56 years. He was buried in the Roman Catholic Section of Park Island Cemetery, Napier. On 1 April 1918 Lance Corporal Claude Joseph Wheeler declared that his will had been duly completed and was in the custody pf Mrs Anne wheeler of 24 Lytton Road, Gisborne, N.Z. At his death, however, no probate was undertaken. Dorothy died on 25 October 1959 at Napier and was buried with Claude. The following obituary was printed in the Gisborne Herald on 5 December 1941 – “Many residents of this district heard with deep regret of the death of Mr. Claude J. Wheeler, which took place suddenly in Napier. Mr. Wheeler was formerly well known in Gisborne, and has relatives living here. A cheerful, kindly disposed man, Mr. Wheeler was widely esteemed for his upright character. Born in Central Otago [sic] 53 years ago, he served in the last war with the First Field Company, New Zealand Engineers, and received promotion to the rank of corporal while his company was engaged in France and Flanders. He suffered one wound, and spent some time in hospital in England, later rejoining his unit and serving for the remaining portion of the war. After his return to New Zealand, he took up residence in the Gisborne district, and made many friends here. Eleven years ago he moved to Napier, where he resided up to the time of his death. In recent years he had been in charge of construction under the Government housing scheme in the Napier-Hastings area, and in that capacity superintended the erection of a large number of dwellings. A member of the Hawke’s Bay Returned Soldiers’ Association, he took a keen interest in the affairs of that body, and at his funeral received the tribute of a considerable representation of Diggers. Mr. Wheeler is survived by his wife and one young son, to whom deep sympathy will be extended in their bereavement.”

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [12 October 2017]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5557 0121127) [13 October 2017]; NZ BDM Indexes (department of Internal Affairs) [12 October 2017]; Roman Catholic Baptisms index (Christchurch Diocese CD held by South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [13 October 2017]; Park Island Cemetery, Napier burial record [13 October 2017]; Park Island Cemetery, Napier headstone transcription (Napier City Council [10 June 2024]; Park Island Cemetery, Napier headstone photo; Evening Star, 28 February 1881, Otago Daily Times, 1 March 1881, Otago Witness, 5 March 1881, Timaru Herald, 5 March 1889, 15 September 1926, 16 October 1926, Waimate Daily Advertiser, 3 & 31 August 1908, 16 May 1916, 14 September 1926, 16 October 1926, Poverty Bay Herald, 25 March 1913, 9 June 1913, 24 November 1915, 8 January 1916, 30 August 1917, 23 October 1917, 12 June 1918, 13 July 1918, 17 April 1919 [x 2], 12 October 1922, 2 January 1934, New Zealand Times, 14 June 1915, 17 March 1916, 30 August 1917, Gisborne Times, 27 December 1915, 10 January 1916, 28 March 1917, 27 September 1917, Wanganui Chronicle, 30 August 1917, New Zealand Herald, 5 September 1917, Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, 12 June 1918, Evening Post, 4 April 1919, Southland Times, 22 September 1926, Gisborne Herald, 29 November 1941, 5 December 1941 (Papers Past) [04 & 06 March 2017; 13, 15 & 16 October 2017; 10 April 2022; 09 & 10 June 2024]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [1 October 2017; 09 June 2024]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• WHEELER Claude Joseph - newspaper clippings (pdf, 127.6 KB updated 25-Oct-2024)

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