Coutt's Island War Memorial
On the corner where Dickey's Road and Coutt's Island Road this is one of the most missed memorials I know. By the Waimakariri River, just outside of Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand, it is tucked in it's own tiny park it is almost impossible to see heading up the road. On the way back you may wonder how you missed it. It has 7 names in total, 5 from WW1 and 2 from WW2. I am sure it had an urn carved on top, maybe the quakes got it. The concrete at the base has certainly been damaged. best to park across the road as it is very difficult to see on coming traffic. Great spot for a picnic.
Joseph Elijah Cooksley was born in Kaiapoi in 1890, son of Henry Driver and Elizabeth Cooksley. Sgt Cooksley was KIA. He is buried at Trois Arres cemetery in France. Service Number 5/118.
His known siblings according to BDM:
Gerty Mary Sarah Jane Cooksley born 1888
Henry Driver Cooksley born 1889.
A farmer from White's Bridge, Company Sgt Major Otto Garfield Wright, son of James and Janet Wright. He served at Messines and Passchendaele but later died of wounds sustaned in the battles of Amiens, 1 September 1918, aged 21. He is buried Bagneau British Cemetery, France. Service number 29332. NZEF Canterbury Regiment 2nd Battalion.
His known Siblings according to BDM:
James Douglas Wright born 1883
Ann Ada Wright born 1885
William Harry Wright born 1887
James Tibbott Wright born 1889
Walter Stanley Wright born 1891
Lester Tasman Wright born 1895
Gordon Wolseley Wright born 1900
Ewart Rolleston Wright born 1903
Private Thomas Alexander Scott, born Christchurch in 1896, son of Charles and Agnes Louisa Scott. He worked as a teamster at Rakaia. He was found dead "from exhaustion and heart failure by recurring Attacks of Gastroenteritis" on the battlefield. He is buried at Motor Car Corner Cemetery, Belgium. Auckland Regiment 3rd Battalion.
His known siblings according to BDM:
Stanley Charles Scott born 1899
Thelma ElizabethScott born 1906
Edward William Scott born 1908
Colin Douglas Scott born 1911
TWO BROTHERS
Joseph William and Margaret Todd lost two sons,
Gunner Oliver Martin Todd, born in Kaiapoi in 1886, married Mary Theresa Wilson in 1916, an engine driver, was KIA 18 June 1917. He is buried at Pont D"Achelles Military Cenetery, near Nieppe, France. New Zealand Field Artillery, 6th Battery
Private Ernest Ashley Todd, born 1896, worked as a farm hand. He was KIA, 6 April 1918 near Le Signy Farm during the German Offensive, aged 22. He is buried at Knightsbridge Cemetery at Msenil Martinsart, Somme. Service number 44609 NZEF Canterybury Regiment 1st Battalion.
Their known siblings according to BDM:
Henry Planta Todd born 1881
Elizabeth Avis Todd born 1883
Harriet Eva Todd born 1884
Gladys Annie Todd born 1888
Joseph Todd born 1889
Margaret Todd born 1889
Leonard William Todd born 1893
Eva May Todd born 1894
Victor Baden Todd born 1900
The Todds are distantly connected to the Prices of Banks Peninsula via the Birdlings and down through a complicated line to the Loudens.
His known siblings according to BDM:
Gerty Mary Sarah Jane Cooksley born 1888
Henry Driver Cooksley born 1889.
A farmer from White's Bridge, Company Sgt Major Otto Garfield Wright, son of James and Janet Wright. He served at Messines and Passchendaele but later died of wounds sustaned in the battles of Amiens, 1 September 1918, aged 21. He is buried Bagneau British Cemetery, France. Service number 29332. NZEF Canterbury Regiment 2nd Battalion.
His known Siblings according to BDM:
James Douglas Wright born 1883
Ann Ada Wright born 1885
William Harry Wright born 1887
James Tibbott Wright born 1889
Walter Stanley Wright born 1891
Lester Tasman Wright born 1895
Gordon Wolseley Wright born 1900
Ewart Rolleston Wright born 1903
Private Thomas Alexander Scott, born Christchurch in 1896, son of Charles and Agnes Louisa Scott. He worked as a teamster at Rakaia. He was found dead "from exhaustion and heart failure by recurring Attacks of Gastroenteritis" on the battlefield. He is buried at Motor Car Corner Cemetery, Belgium. Auckland Regiment 3rd Battalion.
His known siblings according to BDM:
Stanley Charles Scott born 1899
Thelma ElizabethScott born 1906
Edward William Scott born 1908
Colin Douglas Scott born 1911
TWO BROTHERS
Joseph William and Margaret Todd lost two sons,
Gunner Oliver Martin Todd, born in Kaiapoi in 1886, married Mary Theresa Wilson in 1916, an engine driver, was KIA 18 June 1917. He is buried at Pont D"Achelles Military Cenetery, near Nieppe, France. New Zealand Field Artillery, 6th Battery
Private Ernest Ashley Todd, born 1896, worked as a farm hand. He was KIA, 6 April 1918 near Le Signy Farm during the German Offensive, aged 22. He is buried at Knightsbridge Cemetery at Msenil Martinsart, Somme. Service number 44609 NZEF Canterybury Regiment 1st Battalion.
Their known siblings according to BDM:
Henry Planta Todd born 1881
Elizabeth Avis Todd born 1883
Harriet Eva Todd born 1884
Gladys Annie Todd born 1888
Joseph Todd born 1889
Margaret Todd born 1889
Leonard William Todd born 1893
Eva May Todd born 1894
Victor Baden Todd born 1900
The Todds are distantly connected to the Prices of Banks Peninsula via the Birdlings and down through a complicated line to the Loudens.