Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Harmer Cecil Tiplady was born on 22 June 1894 at Winston, County Durham, England, the fourth son of William Tiplady and his wife Esther Jane née Harmer. William who had come to New Zealand in about 1871, married Esther at Woodbury, South Canterbury, New Zealand in 1886. before they returned to England. Their first child, Ella Madeline Harmer, was born at Geraldine, New Zealand in 1885. Another twelve (five daughters and seven sons) were born in England, one (Robert Arthur/Albert) dying in 1905 at the age of 7. In 1901 Harmer was at home with his family (nine children) at Church Farm, Winston, Durham, England, his father a farmer. The family came to New Zealand in 1908, William Tiplady taking up farming at Pleasant Valley where he remained until about 1929 then retired to Winston House in Geraldine. Another child was born in June 1913 in New Zealand – Mona Mabella Sarah Tiplady. Mr W. Tiplady was chairman of the Geraldine Flat Water Race Committee. In January 1931, a fire in a portion of the Geraldine Native Bush Reserve wiped out three acres of trees and shrubs and threatened the whole bush. Mr W. Tiplady had been burning blackberry in a farm paddock on his property when he realised that the fire had got beyond his control. He immediately sought help. Fire-fighters responded quickly and over a hundred men formed a bucket brigade, and the flames were brought under control almost two hours later. The Geraldine Borough Council decided to approach Mr Tiplady to help with the expenses incurred.

Harmer was educated at the Orari Bridge and Geraldine District High schools. In 1909, H. Tiplady of Geraldine School was successful in the Sixth Standard examination and gained the Certificate of Proficiency. Pvte H. Tiplady scored 12 and won 5 shillings for Snap Shooting at the Group 10 rifle meeting at Temuka in late March 1914. Harmer or Hugh? Rifle shooting competition matches which were held on 13 April 1914 were confined to Territorials and Cadets in the Canterbury Military District, 123 competitors taking part. Pte H. C. Tiplady (B company, 2nd Regiment) again won 5 shillings for his score of 51. In late August 1914, both Harmer and Hugh fired for the Geraldine Territorials in the first round of the South Canterbury Miniature Rifle Championship for the Hayhurst shield and medals. Harmer competed in the 75 yards running event and the 220 yards at the Geraldine St Patrick’s Sports Association’s meeting in March 1915. Harmer married Fanny Edith Pearce on 24 February 1916 at Holy Trinity Church, Orari. Their daughter Betty Cavelle Tiplady was born at Geraldine later that same year.

Harmer Cecil Tiplady (draper’s assistant, Geraldine), Hugh George Tiplady (farm hand, Geraldine) and James Tiplady (farmer, Geraldine – John James) were all listed on the 1916 Reserve Roll. Harmer had been examined for service in November 1916 at Geraldine but had been rejected on account of rheumatism. In early May 1917, Harmer Cecil Tiplady, drapery assistant, care of C.F.C.A., Geraldine, was one of 505 names drawn in the ballot to complete South Canterbury’s quota for the 31st Reinforcement. Harmer Cecil Tiplady enlisted at Timaru on 23 May 1917, having been re-examined that day. He stood at 5 feet 5½ inches, weighed 131 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 32-36 inches, a fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. His sight, hearing, colour vision and lungs were normal, but not his heart. His limbs and chest were well formed. He was free from illnesses and diseases and was vaccinated. He was not in good bodily and mental health, however, and had slight defects but not sufficient to cause rejection. He had Valvular Disease of the Heart. He was classified C2 (permanently unfit for active service but fit for service in New Zealand). He had served with the 2nd Regiment and was still serving with the 8th (South Canterbury) Mounted Rifles. Of Church of England affiliation, he named his wife as next-of-kin -Mrs E. F. Tiplady, C/o Mrs C. Waters, Geraldine.

The largest draft of C1 men to leave Timaru for camp went by the afternoon express on 1 July 1918. Included in that draft was H. C. Tiplady. “The Temuka and Geraldinc CI. men and their relations were entertained to luncheon in Teesdale’s rooms yesterday by the Temuka Patriotic Entertainment Committee. Over 30 people sat down to luncheon. Mr T. Gunnion presided and on behalf of the Committee welcomed all present. After luncheon speeches were delivered by the Mayor (Mr A. Frew), Major Kennedy, and Mr Gunnion. At 1.45 the men, headed by Mr A. Cooper playing the bagpipes, marched to the station, where despite the stormy weather, a large number of people had assembled. Major Kennedy, (Geraldine), and the Mayor (Mr A. Frew), wished the men every success in their military career, and hearty cheers were given for the men.” H. C. Tiplady was one who answered the roll call. At Featherston on 8 July 1918, when Private Tiplady had seen just one week of service, a Medical Case Sheet read – “Slight Cardiac enlargement – no …. Lesion – Had scarlet fever followed by growing pains 6 years ago.” Following the Medical Board’s decision on 29 July 1918 at Featherston, 83789 Private Harmer Cecil Tiplady was granted leave of absence without pay in Lieu of Discharge on 1 August 1918. He was unable to do route marches. Progress was unsatisfactory.

Harmer and Edith, and their daughter, lived at Timaru (at the same Avenue Road address for 50 or more years), until their respective deaths. Betty was educated at Waimataitai School and Timaru Technical College. Harmer worked as a drapery salesman, turning to labouring work in the mid-1950s then retiring in the 1960s. As of December 1924, H. C. Tiplady was a member of the general committee of the Timaru Boxing Association. In the early 1930s, Mr H. C. Tiplady filled the position of honorary treasurer for the West End Swimming Club (Timaru) and shared the position of joint secretaries and treasurers for carnivals. In the 1940s, Mrs H. C. Tiplady was a supporter of the Patriotic Fund.

Hamer Cecil Tiplady, who had spent his last years at Talbot Hospital, died at Timaru on 25 July 1970, aged 76 years. He was cremated privately at Salisbury Park Crematorium. Edith died at Timaru on 9 March 1973 and, after a service at St Mary’s Church, she was cremated. Their ashes were scattered. When Betty died in August 1991, she was cremated. Harmer’s brothers, William Fred Tiplady and Charles Benjamin Tiplady, both served with the New Zealand Forces in World War One; two others – John James Tiplady and Hugh George Tiplady – enlisted but saw no service. Three nephews served in World War Two – Donald William Hugh Tiplady (Don), Albert Charles Tiplady (Snow) and Maurice James Tiplady (Jim); a fourth – Robert Arthur Tiplady, served with Jayforce. Esther Jane Tiplady had died on 20 July 1922 at her Geraldine residence (Winston House) and William Tiplady on 25 October 1942 at his Geraldine residence (Cox Street). Both were buried at the Geraldine Cemetery. In October 1914, W. Tiplady had contributed 2 bags of oats to the Home Relief Fund. By his Will, William Tiplady made bequests to eleven of his surviving children, noting that Harmer Cecil had already been provided for during his (William’s) lifetime.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [September 2025]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK18805 W5557 0114805) [21 May 2017]; School Admission record (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [29 December 2015]; 1891 & 1901 England Census returns (ancestry.com.au) [30 December 2015]; Timaru Herald, 22 January 1910, 31 March 1914, 29 August 1914, 6 October 1914, 9 January 1915, 15 March 1915, 1 March 1916, 9 May 1917, 22 June 1917, 1 & 2 July 1918, 21 July 1922, 8 December 1924, 13 & 15 January 1931, 21 October 1931, 24 February 1932, 10 February 1933, 26 October 1942, Temuka Leader, 2 July 1918, 13 & 15 January 1931, Star, 13 April 1914, Press, 26 October 1942, 10 March 1973 (Papers Past) [29 December 2015; 17 August 2022; 01 & 23 September 2025]; Timaru Herald, 27 July 1970 (Timaru District Library) [30 December 2015; 11 September 2019]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [29 December 2015; 2025]; Salisbury Park Crematorium records [01 September 2025]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• TIPLADY Harmer Cecil - newspaper clippings (pdf, 125.7 KB updated 16-Oct-2025)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

TS