Uncovering a service story
RSA president Ian Bailey accidentally entered an “s” in his online search for a soldier and the name of Alexander William Roberts appeared on his screen.
Further investigation of Alexander Roberts who served in the Boer War and World War I, led Ian to the Terrace End Cemetery in Palmerston North.
Ian said he found the information from Alexander’s army records through Archway at the National Archives. Alexander is buried in an unmarked grave with his father in Block 16 plot eight, and Ian is now searching for relatives of the soldier.
“The RSA would like permission to place a memorial plaque on the grave,” says Ian.
Alexander Roberts was born in Lyttleton on January 30, 1873. His father John Roberts was Welsh, his mother Ruth Louisa was English and he had a sister, Nelly Cardine Chapman.
Alexander was a seaman and worked for W Cook’s British Empire Trading Company in Lyttleton and in 1900, aged 27, he enlisted for service in the Boer War.He served as a cavalryman in the 4th and 8th Contingents where he became a sergeant major. He was discharged in 1902 and returned to the sea. His parents owned the Railway Hotel at Kaikoura North and between 1902 and 1914 they moved to Palmerston North to the Family Hotel at 63 Fitzherbert St.
John Roberts died on March 3 1902 and was buried at Terrace End.
In September 1914 Alexander signed on for service.
Alexander, now 41, was a corporal, and despite having three fingers of his right hand with a progressive disability, he was sent to Gallipoli.
But he contracted dysentery, and became unfit for service when he was shot in the right hand. He was discharged from the army in 1916 and was seconded to the Military Police in Whanganui where he served as a jail warden.
According to a coronal report on August 26 1917, Alexander died in Whanganui Hospital from injuries he received when he was run over by a train at Marton Railway station.
If you are a relative or know the Roberts or Nelly Chapman families, contact Ian Bailey, 06 356-7517, email: pnorthbailey@gmail.com. See www.localfocus.nz Made with Funding by NZ on Air.