Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

John Imiah Reith, known as Jock, was born on 10 February 1888 at Belhelvie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He was the second son of Alexander Reith and Elizabeth née Lamb, whose mother’s maiden name was Imiah. In 1891 Alexander and Elizabeth and their children were resident at Belhelvie, Aberdeenshire, with Alexander’s father. The family was still at Belhelvie in 1901, John a scholar. John had come to New about 1913/1914, while his brother Robert had come, it seems, about 1911, and Alexander had also come by 1914. Their father died on 19 August 1922 at the Stratford Public Hospital. A newspaper item noted that he had been in the Dominion for only about 18 months. Alexander and Elizabeth had not been resident in New Zealand when John enlisted in 1917.

In early May 1917, John Imiah Reith, Reserve, Fairlie, was one of 505 names drawn in the ballot to complete South Canterbury’s quota for the 31st Reinforcement. He volunteered for the 30th Reinforcement draft. The South Canterbury quota of the 30th Reinforcement consisting of 58 men, left Timaru on 28 May 1917, but not before they had been given a very hearty send-off at the Drill Shed, and at the Strathallan Street crossing. “The men appeared in the best of spirits,” as they were put through some elementary drill movements. They were addressed by the Mayor and by the Rev. J. H. Rogers. No country in the world possessed such a free Constitution as New Zealand, and in a spirit of determination to uphold it and all that made life worth living, they were going forth to gain the mastery over the enemy, said the Mayor. On this noble mission he wished them luck and a safe return. In going away they would take with them the love, the care and affection of many who would watch anxiously for news of them, and who would ever be solicitous of their welfare, said the Rev. Rogers. Then, headed by the 2nd (S.C.) Regimental Band, they moved off to the station. The train steamed out followed by the cheers of the crowd, and the answering shouts of the departing soldiers. Among the recruits was J. I. Reith.

A labourer, single and residing at Fairlie, John Reith was residing at Fairlie. He named his brother as next-of-kin – Alexander Reith, Pahautanui, Wellington. Rifleman J. I. Reith embarked with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade on 26 July 1917, headed for Plymouth, England by the “Ulimaroa”. He was discharged on 3 August 1919.

Mrs Reith (probably their mother), and Messrs Jack and Robert Reith were entertained by friends at Ruapuna in July 1927. “A competition which caused a great deal of amusement, was won by Mr J. Reith.” In 1932 John married Kathleen Curtis Allen. While their two daughters both died in childhood, their two sons reached adulthood. John Imiah Reith died on 5 July 1949 at Stratford, aged 61 years, and was buried at Kopuatama Cemetery, Stratfordwith his little daughter. Another little daughter was buried there in 1950 and his wife in January 1951. See newspapers item attached. His mother survived him, dying at the age of 90 on 3 April 1950 at Ashburton.

John’s younger brother, Robert Reith (Bob), also served in the war with the New Zealand Forces. He named as next-of-kin, his sister, Violet Helen Reith, who was at the time still residing in Aberdeen, and his oldest brother, Alexander Reith (Alick), who was residing in Wellington. Alexander Reith, a married man, was himself drawn in the sixth ballot in April 1917.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [06 October 2021]; Scotland 1891 & 1901 census returns (ancestry.com.au) [06 October 2021]; Timaru Herald, 9 & 29 May 1917, Stratford Evening Post, 19 August 1922, Press, 12 July 1927, 7 July 1949, Ashburton Guardian, 3 April 1950 (Papers Past) [04 & 08 October 2021]; Kopuatama Cemetery, Stratford, headstone transcription [07 October 2021]; Kopuatama Cemetery burial record (Stratford District Council) [08 October 2021]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC branch NZSG

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.