Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Daniel McNaul of County Antrim, Northern Ireland, was the fifth and youngest son of John and Ellen (née McNeilly) McNaul, of Ballycastle, Antrim, Ireland. He was born on 14 July 1891 at Ballycastle and baptized Roman Catholic on 26 July 1891 at Culfeightrin, County Antrim. In 1901 Daniel was a scholar at home with his parents and some siblings, at Drumacullin, Glenshesk, County Antrim. In 1911 he was still at home with his family at Tavnaghboy, Glenshesk, 19 years old, working as a general labourer. He set out from London for New Zealand on 18 September 1914 per the “Ionic”.

Daniel was a farm labourer, care of Mrs Stewart, Otipua, Timaru when his name was drawn in third ballot in January 1917. He was medically examined on 1 February 1917 at Timaru. He stood at 5 feet 8 inches, weighed 160 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 36-38½ inches. He was of fair complexion, with blue eyes and brown hair. While his sight measured 6/9 in both eyes, his hearing and colour vision were norma, as were his heart and lungs. His limbs and chest were well formed. He had had some bladder trouble 3 years ago, but he was free from hernia, varicocele, varicose veins, haemorrhoids and inveterate or contagious skin disease. Vaccinated and in good bodily and mental health, he was assessed as fit, Class A. On enlisting, he stated that he had been in New Zealand for two years. A labourer for R. Stewart, single and Roman Catholic, he named his father as next-of-kin – Mr J. McNaul, Glenchesk, Ballycelstla (perhaps Ballycastle?), County Antrim, Ireland. He also named a friend - R. Stewart, Otipua, Timaru. D. McNaul was in the draft of South Canterbury men who left for Trentham on 20 February 1917.

A social was held in the Otipua Hall on 12 April 1917 to bid farewell to Daniel McNaul and one other local man. Private D, McNaul embarked with the Canterbury Infantry Regiment two days later. of the 26th Reinforcements, departing from Wellington per the “Willochra” on 9 June 1917 and disembarking at Devonport, England on 16 August. He marched into the Canterbury Infantry Regiment at Sling on 16 August then, marching out on 26 October, he proceeded to France. After marching into camp at Etaples on 29 Octber 1917, he marched out to segregation on 6 November. He marched in again and joined his Battalion on 19 November 1917.

D. McNaul was wounded in his left eye on 27 March 1918 and admitted to the Stationary Hospital in France. After being transferred to the Convalescent Depot on 17 April, he was discharged to Base Depot in France. Having again marched into Etaples, Mc Naul was transferred to the New Zealand Cyclist Battalion on 4 May 1918. Two days later he marched out to Abiele and was posted to his Unit in the Field. He proceeded on leave to the UK on 3 October 1918, rejoining his Battalion on 20 October.

All was good at his medical examination on 25 March 1919 after he had marched into Codford. On 1 May he marched into Sling. After just over two years overseas, D. McNaul, 47355, of Otipua, Timaru, returned to New Zealand for demobilization, one of 1128 soldiers aboard the “Maunganui”, leaving from Liverpool on 17 May 1919 and arriving at Wellington on 24 June 1919. He was discharged on 21 July 1919, on the termination of his period of engagement, and was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service in Western Europe. He signed on 18 March 1921 that he agreed with the information concerning himself and which would be contained on the British War Medal and an Illuminated Certificate of Service.

Daniel returned to Otipua where he was a labourer for the Stewarts for some time. He then worked as a teamster at Tycho and Claremont before moving into 100 North Street, Timaru in the early 1950s. He enjoyed the local community social life. There he was at the St Andrews spinsters and bachelors annual ball in the Kingsdown School in July 1928, and again on 28 June 1929. In August he was present when the spinsters and bachelors of Otipua held a very enjoyable dance in the Otipua Hall, and again in August 1932. July 1934 saw him at the Salisbury residents’ annual ball in the schoolroom, and on 31 August he was back at the Otipua spinsters’ and bachelors’ annual ball. The Salisbury ex-pupils’ annual ball in October was a great success, in spite of the unfavourable weather conditions. Mrs C. Styles and Mr McNaul were winners of a lucky spot in the Monte Carlo waltz. In September 1944, D. McNaul gave £1 to the Levels Count and Pleasant Point quota of the National Patriotic Fund.

Daniel McNaul – “son of the late John and Ellen McNaul, of Ballycastle, Ireland” - died at Timaru on 31 January 1966, aged 74 years. Following a Requiem Mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart, he was buried in the services section of Timaru Cemetery. Members of the South Canterbury R.S.A. assembled at the main gate of the cemetery to attend the funeral of their late comrade. At the time of serving, Daniel had made a Will which was in the possession of Mrs Ellen McNaul, Ballycastle, Ireland. His mother died in 1930 and his father in 1942. By his Will signed on 9 December 1949, Daniel bequeathed all his estate in equal shares to such of his three brothers – John McNaul, Patrick Mc Naul and Frank McNaul – and his five sisters – Mary Farrell, Bridget Farrell, Lizzie McCloy, Nellie McAlister and Maggie McCormick – as were living at his death. Daniel’s only surviving relatives at his death were two younger sisters (Lizzie and Maggie) and a brother (Frank) in Northern Ireland. Permission was given to the Public Trustee to convey his medals to his brother Mr Frank McNaul of Ballycastle, County Antrim, Ireland, after Daniel died in 1966. Two sisters also survived Daniel.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [30 December 2016]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5544 0076085) [07 May 2017];Timaru Cemetery headstone image (Timaru District Council) [30 December 2016]; 1901 & 1911 census returns Ireland (ancestry.com.au) [31 December 2016]; UK Outward Passenger List (ancestry.com.au) [31 December 2016]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [31 December 2016; 21 January 2024]; Timaru Herald, 13 January 1917, 20 February 1917, 9 & 11 April 1917, 16 June 1919, 16 July 1928, 6 July 1929, 17 August 1929, 17 August 1932, 13 July 1934, 4 September 1934, 20 October 1934, 29 September 1944, New Zealand Herald, 13 April 1918 (Papers Past) [31 April 1917, 16 June 1919, New Zealand Herald, 13 April 1918, NZ Times, 14 June 1919 (Papers Past) [11 August 2014; 07 April 2015; 31 December 2016; July 2021; 21 January 2024]; Timaru Herald, 1 & 2 February 1966 (Timaru District Library) [04 January 2017]; Probate record (Archives NZ/Family Search); Northern Ireland Church Baptism Record (per ancestry.com.au) [21 January 2024]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

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