Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Richard James Staples, known as James, was born on 24 December 1895 at Gore, the fourth son of Thomas Seamore and Mary Jane (née Smithson) Staples. He attended Gore School. His father died in 1909 at Gore. When he enlisted on 18 April 1915 at Trentham, both he and his mother – his nominated next-of-kin - were living at 7 Brunswick Street, Timaru. It appears that the family may have lived in South Canterbury at an earlier date, as his oldest brother, John Thomas Staples who served in the South African War, was said to have been born at Waimate in 1880.

Richard James Staples was a motor-cycle mechanic, single and of Church of England affiliation. He had served with 44 Company Senior Cadets. Private R. J. Staples embarked with the Canterbury Infantry Battalion, 6th Reinforcements, departing from Wellington for Suez, Egypt, on 14 August 1915 per the “Willochra”. 6/2760 Private Richard J. Staples, motor mechanic, of Timaru, arrived back in New Zealand on 25 September 1917, per “Ionic”. His name was among those of the South Canterbury men who were expected to reach Lyttelton on the morning of 28 September and come on by the express mail train in the afternoon. He was discharged on 19 November 1917, no longer physically fit for war service on account of illness contracted on Active Service. For his service in all theatres of war, he was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Richard James Staples died on 28 June 1935 at Invercargill, aged 39 years, and was buried at Eastern Cemetery, Invercargill, his grave marked by a services plaque. He was survived by his mother and all four brothers and four sisters. Two brothers also served in World War One – Samuel Walden Staples and Albert Edward Staples.

“GORGE ROAD NOTES

OBITUARY.

(From Our Correspondent.)

With the death of Mr Richard James Staples the district has lost a highly respected citizen who was a keen worker and a great helper in the cause of the district. Over 15 years ago he took up a bush section in the district. During these years here he was connected with many organizations. When the Debating Society was in existence he was a most enthusiastic debater. He has been a member of the football club for many years, a great part of which he was secretary and later a vice-president.

The late Mr Staples was by no means a passive member of the Farmers’ Union. He took a very keen interest in politics. At the time of his death he was a member of the hall committee. He served at the war in the Sixth Reinforcements, being at Gallipoli later in the campaign there. With everything he was connected he was a tireless worker and devoted much time to these organizations. The funeral on Saturday at the Eastern Cemetery was attended by a large number of residents of the district and also many returned soldiers. At the graveside Sergeant-Major E. Hunter played the Last Post.

. . . . . . On Saturday the Gorge Road football team were to play Seaward Downs but the match was not played owing to the death of Mr James Staples.” [Southland Times. 4 July 1935.]

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [30 January 2023]; Sun, 25 September 1917, Timaru Herald, 27 September 1917, Evening Post, 28 June 1935, Southland Times, 29 June 1935, 4 July 1935 (Papers Past) [27, 30 & 31 January 2023]; Eastern Cemetery, Invercargill, headstone image & burial record (Invercargill City Council) [30 January 2023]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

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