The Long Way Home

Otago Witness, 18th Oct 1916

So much love today to this brave face, belonging to William Dunbar, from New Zealand’s beautiful South Island.

He was a single, 27 year old labourer when he volunteered in August 1915, embarking for Cairo that November and then after more training, on in April 1916 to France.

He was with 2nd Otago Regiment on the Somme in September, near Mametz Wood on 11th, in the line east of High Wood the following day and on 15th, he took part in a massive attack on Crest Trench and the Switch Line.

Relieved that night, they were east of High Wood on 16th September when the sky fell in on William Dunbar.

He was hit by bullets in the back.

And chest.

And arms (plural).

And legs (plural).

Somehow, he survived the initial shock but now began his biggest fight of all.

He was swiftly evacuated back to England, arriving at the 1st New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst in the New Forest on 20th September 1916.

He’d come this far, but each bullet took untold bacteria from the Somme mud on his uniform into his poor body beneath.

There is no record of his treatments over the next months.

Several times his Mum Eliza Jane back home in Wellington received word that he was dangerously ill. Several times he rallied.

He must surely have fought so hard to stay alive, to make it home again.

I hope the New Forest surrounding the hospital at Brockenhurst reminded him of home, gave him some hope.

He spent Christmas at the hospital; he spent his 29th birthday on 8th February at the hospital.

But finally on this day, 8th March 1917, he died of his grievous wounds.

Today, he lies with his compatriots in the churchyard at St Nicholas, Brockenhurst, some 12 000 miles from home, but he will always be loved and Never Forgotten.