Somme - Roll of Honour

In remembrance of the five local lads who gave their lives in the battle of the Somme, 1916. The first four all died the same day in September.

Sydney Ford
Otago Witness, Collection of
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum

Sydney Ford

Sydney Ford, the fifth son of Richard & Emma Ford of Valeview, Otautau. He was born in 1894 and apprenticed as a carpenter after he left school. He enlisted for the war in 1915.

Private Ford served in the 2^nd Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment and was killed in action, Somme, France, 15 Sep 1916, aged 21. He was the first in his family to die in the war.

Sydney Ford “...made the Supreme sacrifice in the great struggle for freedom...”—The Otautau Standard, 5 Jan 1917

Ernest John Pay
Otago Witness, Collection of
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum

Ernest John Pay

Ernest John Pay was the son of Frederick & Margaret Pay, born in Kennington, Invercargill, in 1895. He was a cheesemaker at the Ryal Bush Dairy Factory.

 Private Pay enlisted Nov 1915. A large gathering of Bayswater residents fare-welled him in Jan 1916 as he had worked there for a few years.

As a member of the 2nd Battalion, Otago Regiment, he was in the front line of a planned attack at the Somme, 

As a member of the 2nd Battalion, Otago Regiment, he was in the front line of a planned attack at the Somme, France. Private Pay was killed in action 15 Sep 1916, aged 21.

Francis Andrew Laidlaw
Otago Witness, Collection of
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum

Francis Andrew Laidlaw

Francis Andrew Laidlaw was born in 1894 to Hannah & John Laidlaw of Isla Bank. He became a sawmiller for Mr McCallum at Fairfax.

Private Laidlaw enlisted in Nov 1915 with his brother John. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Otago Regiment, and took part in the first offensive in the Somme. Under heavy artillery fire on 15 Sep 1916, 21-year old Private Laidlaw was killed in action.

Thomas Henry Poole
Mollison Family

Thomas Henry Poole

Thomas Henry Poole was the son of Margaret & Edward Poole of Isla Bank. He was born in 1889 and worked as a farmer.

Private Poole enlisted Feb 1915 with the Otago Mounted Rifles. He transferred into the NZ Pioneer Battalion a year later. In 1916, the Pioneer Battalion built communication trenches at the Somme under heavy artillery fire. Private Poole was killed in action, 15 Sep 1916, aged 27. 

He was one of 600 NZers to die that day and the first of three Poole brothers to die in the war.

Nisbet Shirreffs Lamont

Nisbet Shirreffs Lamont
photo courtesy of Rick Lamont

Nisbet Shirreffs Lamont was born in Woodlands to John & Jane Lamont of Edendale. He was a teacher and 1st Assistant at Otautau School.

Private Lamont enlisted Jan 1916 serving with the 2^nd Battalion, Otago Regiment. He was killed in action at the Somme, 1 Oct 1916, aged 21. 

The Otautau school committee erected his portrait in the school in commemoration of his life and service.

“… a life of effort, crowded in good service and consideration for others.”—The Otautau Standard, 3 Apr 1917

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