Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

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Biographical Notes

Thomas Daley was the youngest son of Jeremiah and Margaret (née Murphy) Daley, of Taiko. He was born on 1 March 1896 at Christchurch. Thomas started school at Kaikoura, transferring to Sutherlands School, South Canterbury in 1905. From there he moved to Taiko School when it opened in 1906. After some time at Marist, Christchurch, he returned to Taiko in September 1907, leaving at the end of 1910. T. Daley was an entrant in the 50 yards handicap for the school boys swimming races at the Century baths, West Belt, on 21 February 1907. The Tycho school children, with their parents and friends, held their annual picnic and prize distribution at the Pareora river in mid-January 1908. Thomas was the recipient of two special prizes – spelling Standard V and most popular boy.

A boy named Thomas Daley, youngest son of Mr J. Daley, Tycho Flat, met with a serious accident last Thursday afternoon [20 August 1908]. He was riding up a hill in company with his brother, when the pony was frightened by some sheep that came running down the hill, and he was thrown on his head. Dr. Burns, Pleasant Point, was sent for, and on examination it was found that he had sustained concussion of the brain. Up to yesterday he had not regained consciousness, says the Temuka Leader.

A very successful euchre party in aid of the school piano fund, was held in the Tycho schoolroom on the evening of 6 September 1911. “Play was merrily indulged in till 11 o’clock, when fourteen games had been played.” Mr J. Daley, senr., and Master Tom Daley (equal) scored highest for the men (11), the prize of a silver sovereign case going in favour of the son. “The piano fund was augmented by the sum of £3, and thanks are due to the Committee by whose efforts £33 has been raised, thus making the piano scheme something certain. . . . . . The party broke up shortly after midnight, hoping that it would not be long before the “piano warming” comes off.”

In June 1916, J. Daley, Tycho Flat, gave £1.1s. to the Heroes of the Navy fund. This appeal was being made throughout New Zealand for funds in aid of the dependents of the men of the Royal Navy who would lose their lives during the war.

Having been drawn in the ninth ballot of 4 July 1917, Thomas Daley, farm labourer, of Tycho Flat enlisted on 20 July 1917 at Timaru. His brother Patrick was drawn in the same ballot. In August 1917, Thomas Daley, farmer, Tycho, appealed, stating that he was his father’s only help on their farm of 440 acres. One brother (Jeremiah) was at the front, and two others (Patrick and Cornelius) had been classed as C2, and each had a farm of his own. “His father could not do much strenuous work. They grew grain, and also ran a number of cattle, and some sheep. They looked after the farm of the brother at the front.” His father appeared in support of the appeal and he was allowed till October 16. On the Efficiency Board’s report in October, he had his case adjourned sine die.

In late May 1918, a very successful and dance were held in the Tycho School, to raise funds to swell the total of the July Red Cross shop in Timaru. Mr T. Daley was M.C. at the dance. Mr T. Daley made a very capable M.C. at a social held at Tycho School in early July 1918, to make a presentation to a departing soldier and to welcome home another. Tom Daley’s talent as a master of ceremonies was often in demand – at school dances, farewell socials and district entertainments.

A member of the South Canterbury quota of the Forty-sixth Reinforcements, he left home by the north express on 9 September 1918, after parading at the Timaru Drill Hall. He arrived at camp the next day. T. Daley was posted as private to A Company, 47th Reinforcements, then transferred as trooper to Mounted Rifles, 45th Reinforcements.

Following the death of his father [in 1924], the Crown lease of Section 92, Block V., Pareora, “Rosewill Settlement,” 437 acres was transferred from Jeremiah Daley to Cornelius and Thomas Daley. In May 1926, LP 1555, section 92, block X., Pareora, “Rosewill,” 437 acres was transferred from Cornelius Daley and Thomas Daley to Thomas Daley.

Thomas Joseph Daley married Mary O’Connor in 1926. Sadly, Mary died on 9 February 1929 at her father’s residence in Timaru, just 33 years old. She was buried at Temuka with her parents. In early July 1930, Mr T. Daley donated 10 shillings to the Cancer campaign fund. In 1938 Thomas married Harriet Georgina Dooley, known as Georgina or Gena. Thomas Joseph Daley died on 9 February 1946, aged 49, and was buried in the Timaru Cemetery. Georgina died in 1992, aged 96, and was interred with Thomas.

Sources

NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5537 0031497) [11 September 2021]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [22 July 20214]; Timaru Herald, 21 February 1907, 13 January 1908, 12 & 13 September 1911, 29 June 1916, 4 & 31 July 1917, 6 August 1917, 18 October 1917, 21 January 1918, 1 June 1918, 10 July 1918, 7 September 1918, 20 May 1919, 4 June 1919, 26 September 1919, 9 July 1920, 14 December 1922, 11 & 19 February 1929, 8 July 1930, Temuka Leader, 27 August 1908, Press, 2 December 1924, 3 May 1926 (Papers Past) [07 & 11 September 2021]; School Admission records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [11 September 2021] Timaru Cemetery headstone image (Timaru District Council) [11 September 2021]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [11 September 2021]

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