Description
New Zealand Memorial Cross, GVI, 60367 Sapper Robert Henry, 20th Field Company, 2NZEF, Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers, who died in Suva, Fiji on service on 14th August 1941.
Reverse officially named: “60367 SPR H. GALRBAITH” Also Marked “R” “Sterling” in original case of issue with lengthy original ribbon and the issue card reading:
“This Memorial Cross is forwarded to you by the Prime Minister on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand in memory of one who died in the service of his country.”
Sapper Henry Galbraith, A Scotsman turned New Zealander, was born circa 1913 in Scotland, the son of James and Elizabeth (nee Campbell), of Clydebank, Dunbartonshire,
He came to New Zealand, and married a local Girl, Fonda during 1937.
You can view his full NZ Army service records courtesy of the NZ Government at the link below:
https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE69387960
Enlisted into the New Zealand Engineers, having worked as an Engineer’s Fitter.
He would join the new 2NZEF, the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (The 1st having been formed for WW1).
Posted to the Pacific Section of 2NZEF, he was deployed to Fiji, the first brigade of infantry arriving on Viti Levu for the Defence of Fiji in November 1940.
He was a member of the 20th Field Company.
You can read further and see a photograph of the 20th Field Company here:
https://ehive.com/collections/3278/objects/1652416/photograph-20th-field-company-nz-engineers-2nd-nzef-fiji
He was only 28 years old when he died, the cause of death being “Mastoiditis” having recovered from a serious illness he looks to have died from Meningitis, his papers contain a letter from the Army containing further details, having been married to Fonda Lorine Sangster, and was living with it seems with his mother in law Mrs I. Sangster in Woolston, New Zealand, the couple had a young child awaiting his return.
He is now buried in Suva Military Cemetery.
The service records contain the following emotive letter sent home from Suva by his Padre, Reverend Harold Theodore Peat who buried him, to his mother in law in Christchurch:
“Dear Mrs Sangster,
When this reaches you, you will have received from Army Headquarters the sad news of the passing of your son-in-law, Sapper Henry Galbraith, No 60367.
Allow me to say as his Padre how sorry I am that so gallant a soldier should be called away in his youth.
When Henry came to Suva Hospital from the other side of the Island I visited him in hospital, he was a very sick man.
The Medical Doctors and Sisters were very attentive and did everything humanly possible to check the illness, but all was to no avail, and he passed quietly away.
This afternoon at 3:30pm, as his Padre, I officiated at his Military Funeral.
As you know, Henry was in the Engineers and the whole of his unit including the Officer Commanding, Major Black, attended the Funeral.
Messrs Patton and Stock were the undertakers, and Henry is now interred in Plot No 9539 in Suva Cemetery, Fiji.
Suva Cemetery is about one and a half miles west of the town of Suva.
Henry is at rest on a sun-kissed slope amid beautiful surroundings, overlooking Suva Harbour.
Later, if I am still here when the grave has been attended to, I shall endeavour to obtain some photographs of the grave and surroundings and forward them to you.
I need hardly state that all the proceedings were carried out with Military precision and dignity.
Eight Engineers acted as pallbearers, the Firing Party was drawn also from his own unit, and all his mates who are on this side of the Island stood to attention around the grave during the service.
The weather had been showery and overcast but during the service the sun shone brilliantly.
As I recited the committal and deposited on the casket a sprig of green from one of the hospital trees, as a symbol that his memory will be evergreen in the hearts of his comrades.
At the end of the beautiful service, and addressing my fellow soldiers, I said:-
In the discharge of his duty performed nobly and well our comrade, Henry Galbraith, has ‘Gone West’ on the long route march that leads to God. Reverently we place in the bosom of mother earth, his mortal body, but his spirit marches on to God.
As an Engineer he served under the master Engineer – the Great Architect of the Universe.
Henry has joined that great company who laid down their lives for God, for King and for Country, “They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old, age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning We will remember them.”
I then pronounced the Benediction.
Major Black gave the order to the Firing Party, the 3 volleys in honour of a deceased comrade, were fired. The troops with fixed bayonets presented arms, all officers stood and saluted, and the Bugler sounded the call “The Last Post” and “The Reveille”.
Thus as soldiers we paid our tribute to a comrade, commending him to our Heavenly Father, as his soul marches on to good.
We shall miss him, for was he not our friend and comrade.
We know that you and his family circle will miss him, and our love and sympathy go out to you all.
The official records reveal that you are his next of kin, and that he has one child under 16.
I am sorry that I have no more definite information concerning his relatives, but to you all, on behalf of his fellow soldiers, I send across the ocean our kindest thought and the assurance that the torch he so gracefully held, we shall endeavour to carry onward and upwards, that freedom and victory are assured, and peace again established.
Yours very truly, Harold T. Peat, Chaplain Major.”
