Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Timothy Joseph McAuliffe, born on 3 September 1888 at Salisbury near Timaru, was the youngest son of Timothy (Thadeus, Thade) and Elizabeth (Bessie, née Maloney) McAuliffe. He was baptised Roman Catholic at Timaru on 15 September 1888. Timothy and Elizabeth who both hailed from County Kerry, Ireland, married in April 1877 at Timaru and went on to have a family of three daughters and three sons. “While Mr Tim McAuliffe, his wife and family were driving down the steep hill near Mr George Talbot’s gate, Kingsdown, yesterday afternoon, the horse, a young one, took charge, and went down the hill at full gallop. The result was that the whole of the occupants of the trap were thrown out, but escaped injury in a marvellous manner. The trap was capsized and smashed, and the harness was broken in all parts.” [Timaru Herald. 18 June 1900.] Young Timothy was educated, along with some of his siblings, at Salisbury School, having transferred to there from Adair School in September 1899 with his sister Mary. He may well have been the J. McAuliffe of Salisbury School, who was placed in a heat of the 100 yards under 14, Public Schools Championship, in a heat of the 100 yards under 13, also in a heat of the Hurdle Race under 14, and finished second in the 100 yards for country schools at the Schools Amateur Athletic Association running events in March 1901. (He was sometimes known as Joseph.) In 1903, McAulliffe of Salisbury School finished a close second in the 440 Yards under 15, was third equal in the High Jump under 15 and first in the Long Jump under 15. By 1907, T. J. McAuliffe was competing in the South Canterbury Caledonian Society’s Labour Day sports and New Year events (running). At the 1908 New Year gatherine, he finished first in the 880 Yards Handicap, winning easily and earning £5, and third in the One Mile Handicap at the New Year sports (£1). In March 1909 he ventured out the Geraldine St Patrick’s Day sports, back in to Timaru for the 1910 New Year sports, where he finished second in the Half Mile Handicap (£2), and out to Temuka for Boxing Day 1911, scoring third place in the 880 yards Handicap. At the Caroline Bay Association’s Gala Day in February 1912, McAuliffe won the Half Mile Handicap, setting a strong pace and holding a commanding lead with half the distance covered. A third placing followed at Pleasant Point in December 1912 and further success at New Year 1913 in Timaru. By late 1913, T. J. McAuliffe was into cycling. He competed well in the “Bell” road race from Maori Hill to the Temuka Post Office and back in December and entered for the Maori Hill to Winchester and back race in January 1914.

Timothy, a farmer for his father at Salisbury, enlisted at the outbreak of war – on 15 August 1914 at Timaru. He was serving with the Timaru Port Guards. When he was medically examined on 15 August 1914, his height was 5 feet 7¼ inches and his weight 142 pounds. He had a chest measurement of 33-36 inches, a medium complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair. His sight, hearing and colour vision were all good, his limbs and chest well formed, his heart and lungs normal, but his teeth only fair. He was free from diseases, was vaccinated and was in good bodily and mental health. He did have a scar 2 inches long ⅓ inch wide on the outer side of his left thigh. There at Addington Camp with the men of the South Canterbury Squadron men a week or so later was T. J. McAuliffe. He may have departed with the Mounted Men by the slow train from Timaru on 17 August 1914. Unfortunately, he soon returned to his home on account of being severely kicked by a horse in the camp at Addington.

T. McAuliffe left Timaru on 13 October 1915 to go into training camp. He was one of a large group who received a very enthusiastic farewell when they assembled in the drill shed for afternoon tea. The Ven. Archdeacon Jacob said that they were going to answer the call of duty and to help the brave boys who had gone before them and who were doing such splendid work. They were going to fight for King and country, to fight in the cause of right. They marched to the railway station, with the 2nd South Canterbury Regimental Band playing some soul-stirring patriotic airs. “Brave lads,” said the Mayor in a voice broken with emotion, “. . . . . We are proud of you for the gallant way you have come forward to assist the Empire in its time of need, .. . . . You are going forward to fight .. . for truth, liberty and justice. . . .” Was this Timothy? Timothy Joseph McAulliffe re-enlisted, on 10 March 1916 at Featherston. He had been medically examined again on 3 January 1916 at Timaru. His results differed little. His complexion was now fair, his eyes grey, and his hair brown. There was no comment on his teeth or the scar.

A farmer with his father at Salisbury, single and Roman Catholic, he nominated his mother as his next-of-kin – Mrs T. McAuliffe, Salisbury, Timaru. Initially posted to the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, 14th Reinforcements, he was transferred to the Cyclists Company on 4 April 1916. Private T. J. McAuliffe embarked on 6 May 1916 at Wellington per the “Mokoia” and disembarked at Suez, Egypt on 22 June. He was attached to the 1st New Zealand Cyclist Company of the Expeditionary Force. For smoking below decks on 22 May, he was remanded and underwent 3 days drill. He embarked for overseas (France) at Alexandria per the “Tunisia” on 10 July 1916. Two weeks later (25 July 1916) he was admitted to the New Zealand Divisional Rest Station with influenza. Discharged to his Unit on 10 August, he was attached to Strength with 2 Anzac Cyclists Battalion at New Zealand Divisional Headquarters in France on 18 August 1916. Detached to the New Zealand Divisional Signalling Company on 13 September 1916, he rejoined his Unit in the Field on 5 October. On 26 November 1916 he was admitted to No. 1 New Zealand Field Ambulance, with an infection of the larynx. On 30 November 1916 he was admitted to the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station, sick (laryngitis).

He rejoined his Unit (NZ Cyclists Battalion) from the Anti-aircraft Section on 25 May 1917. Having proceeded to the UK on leave on 14 August 1917, he rejoined his Unit in the Field on 26 August. Wounded in Action – shrapnel wound to the throat - on 17 September 1917, he was admitted to No. 133 Field Ambulance then transferred to No. 11 Casualty Clearing Station. The next day [18 September] he was transferred to Ambulance Train No. 33, and on 19 September he was admitted to No. 8 Rest Camp at Le Toquet, France. He had suffered a gunshot wound to his neck and was reported as not a severe case. He was transferred to No. 15/6 Convalescent Depot at Etaples on 24 September, rejoining his Unit the next day. On 11 October 1917 he marched out and was attached to the New Zealand Wing of the 2nd Anzac Reinforcement Camp, rejoining his Unit on 22 October.

Still in France, McAuliffe was appointed Lance Corporal on 2 May 1918.

Having suffered gunshot wounds to his left leg which resulted in a fracture on 23 July 1918, he was again admitted to the Field Ambulance then transferred to No. 50 Casualty Clearing Station. The next day he was transferred to Ambulance Train No. 11, then admitted to No. 1 Australian Hospital at Rouen on 25 July. Having gone to England by Ambulance Transport “Gloucester” on 27 July 1918, he was admitted to No. 1 New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst on 28 July (partial fracture of left leg). The Medical Board assembled on 2 August 1918 at Brockenhurst, reported his disability as gunshot wound to left leg (partial fracture of tibia), which had occurred on 23 July 1918 in France. He had a wound 6 inches x 3 inches which involved the muscles and incomplete fracture and resulted in loss of substance. Come 15 August 1918, he was to be evacuated to New Zealand. He embarked at Southampton on 28 August 1918 for transfer to the Hospital Ship “Maheno” (Draft 186) at Marseille. The Medical Board assembled at sea on 28 September noted that his condition was improving but he was unfit for active service and was at present unfit for home service or civil employment. Treatment at Timaru Hospital was recommended and was carried out, as an in-patient and an out-patient, from 24 October 1918 to 18 October 1919. The Medical board assembled at the Drill Hall, Timaru on 25 February 1919 noted that the gunshot wound was still discharging, and that progress was then stationary. In addition to the gunshot wound to his left leg, the Medical Board at Timaru in October 1919 also noted an accidental injury to his left thumb. He had fallen from his bicycle on 4 August 1919 when attending as an outpatient, resulting in a sprain of his left thumb. As of 18 October 1919, the scarring of his leg had healed, and his thumb was good. In the opinion of the Board, he was fit for active service. Discharge was recommended, but no pension as there was no remaining disability. He was finally discharged on 15 November 1919, on the termination of his period of engagement, and was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Because of his bicycle accident and hospitalization, Mr McAuliffe was unable to attend a welcome home function at the Salisbury School in August 1919. Lance Corporal T. J. McAuliffe was himself to have been welcomed home in the Salisbury School on 9 January 1919. It is not apparent if that happened.

Mr T. J. McAuliffe was elected a new member of the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association in December 1929. About 1931, Timothy Joseph McAuliffe left farming and moved to Christchurch. On 24 September 1931, he married Mary (May) Rebecca Wilkins (née Greer), a widow whose husband died on 14 June 1928 suddenly at Timaru after a very short illness, leaving her with a young child. Three children (two sons and a daughter) were born in Christchurch. Two more sons were born in Dunedin to where they had moved by 1935. Timothy spent his last years firstly with his daughter whose husband was a nurse and then with his oldest son.

Timothy Joseph McAuliffe died on 28 September 1969 at 299 Malvern Street, Dunedin (the residence of his son Joe), a few weeks after his 81st birthday. He was buried on 30 September at the Andersons Bay Cemetery with his wife. Mary Rebecca McAuliffe had died on 29 August 1941, just 47 years old and leaving five children aged from about three to ten. Timothy Joseph was a war pensioner when he signed his Will on 1 August 1960. He directed his trustees to share the proceeds of his estate equally among his children – Joseph John McAuliffe (Joe), Betty McAuliffe, Maurice Timothy McAuliffe, Allen Bruce McAuliffe and William Ross McAuliffe (Bill), all of whom had married between the late 1950s and late 1960s. The youngest son who was in Western Australia when his father died, was the first of the family to die. As at September 2024, Betty is still living.

Mrs Elizabeth McAuliffe died on 13 June 1936 at her Salisbury residence and was buried at the Timaru Cemetery after a Requiem Mass at the Timaru Catholic Church. Timothy McAuliffe, senior, died exactly a year later – 13 June 1937 – at his Salisbury residence and was buried at Timaru exactly a year later after a Requiem Mass at the Sacred Heart Church. Timothy McAuliffe, senior, had been a prominent athlete in South Canterbury. Among those who were present at the Caledonian Society’s sports in Timaru in January 1925 was Mr T. McAuliffe, of Salisbury, who was a competitor at the sports in Timaru fifty years ago; “and he claims, with pride that at the Society’s inaugural meeting he put up a record which has never since been eclipsed at the Society’s sports, when in winning the long jump he covered 22ft 9in. Mr McAuliffe has not been absent from one of the South Canterbury Caledonian Society’s meetings for the past fifty years.” [Timaru Herald. 3 January 1925.] The South Canterbury Caledonian Society celebrated its diamond jubilee on 2 January 1935. Mr McAuliffe had attended the first meeting held by the Society (1876) and had participated with honour in many of its sports gatherings over a long period of time. At the head of the long line of past competitors at the celebrations was Mr Tim McAuliffe, who was “chaired” round the ground. Mr T. McAuliffe, of Salisbury, had also been at the initial meeting of the St Andrews Caledonian Society on 1 December 1888, when he was the handicapper.

Patrick McAuliffe, a driver of Timaru, whose name was drawn in the ballot in January 1918, may have been the second son of Timothy and Elizabeth. Ronald Francis McAuliffe, the elder son of Patrick (Peter) and nephew of Timothy Joseph, served with the Royal New Zealand Air Force in World War Two and was killed in action on air operations on 4 December 1944. His younger brother, Colin Peter McAuliffe, was serving overseas with the Air Force at that time. Timothy William Mannix who was born in County Kerry, Ireland and served with the New Zealand Forces in World War One, was a cousin of Timothy Joseph McAuliffe, his mother being a sister of Timothy McAuliffe, senior. Douglas William Francis Mannix, the elder son of Timothy Mannix, served in World War Two.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [08 April 2016]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5544 0071289) [10 April 2016], NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5674 425277) [10 April 2016]; Timaru Herald, 18 June 1900, 30 March 1901, 27 March 1903, 7 October 1907, 31 December 1907, 3 January 1908, 15 March 1909, 3 January 1910, 1 March 1912, 17 December 1912, 3 January 1913, 5 December 1913, 21 January 1914, 26 August 1914, 6, 13 & 14 October 1915, 4 & 6 October 1917, 16 January 1918, 7 August 1918, 15 October 1918, 8 January 1919, 11 August 1919, 3 January 1925, 15 & 21 June 1928, 21 December 1929, 2 January 1935, 15 June 1936, 25 November 1936, 14 & 18 June 1937, Press, 29 December 1911, 24 August 1914, 4 October 1917, 7 August 1918, 12 October 1918, 8 December 1944, 4 December 1964, 26 April 1968, 2 September 1970, Evening Post, 2 & 3 October 1917, 5 & 7 August 1918, Sun, 2 & 4 October 1917, 7 August 1918, 12 October 1918, Star, 2 & 3 October 1917, Lyttelton Times, 4 October 1917, 16 January 1918, 7 August 1918, NZ Herald, 7 August 1918, NZ Times, 7 August 1918, Temuka Leader, 8 August 1918, Evening Star, 29 August 1941, Otago Daily Times, 15 & 16 June 1928, 30 August 1941 (Papers Past) [07 April 2015; 09 April 2016; 02 December 2018; 16 August 2022; 16, 23, 27, 28 & 30 September 2024; 01 October 2024]; School Admission records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [09 April 2019] Andersons Bay Cemetery records [09 April 2016]; Andersons Bay Cemetery Headstone image (Dunedin City Council) [09 April 2016]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [09 April 2016; September 2024]; Timaru Herald, 29 September 1969 (Timaru District Council) [20 June 2016]; Baptism Index (Catholic Diocese of Christchurch CD held by South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [03 September 2021]; Probate record (Archives NZ Collections – Record number 940/69) [29 September 2024]

External Links

• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• McAULIFFE Timothy Joseph - newspaper clippings (pdf, 123.7 KB updated 08-Oct-2024)

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