Daniel William Lysaght

Conflict:

WW1

Additional Information:

Son of Patrick and Catherine Lysaght, of "Scotsden" Ashburton, Canterbury. Served on the Western Front, 1916-1917.

References:

CWGC

Archives New Zealand

NZ WAR GRAVES

CONTRIBUTED

Public Contributions:

Daniel’s Story: (Reproduced from the book “The Lysaghts in Canterbury 1865-2010”) Daniel volunteered for active service in the First World War and served as Lance Corporal 13498 in the 4th Otag...o Regiment NZEF, on the Western Front 1916-17. His military record is as follows: Casualty Record: 9/2/16: Enlisted 25/5/16: Embarked "Tofua": Wellington 27/7/16: Disembarked: Devonport 30/7/16: Posted to Otago Co, Sling(shot) (Main NZEF depot at Larkhill, Bulford Village, Salisbury Plain) 20/8/16: Left for France 21/8/16: Attached to NZ Base Depot, Etaples 20/9/16: Joined Battalion, Posted to 4th Company, In field 18/10/16: Appointed Lance Corporal (unpaid), In field 16/12/16: Sent to Hospital (sick), In field 16/12/16: Admitted to NZ Field Ambulance, In field 23/12/16: Admitted to Australian Casualty Clearing Station, In field 26/12/16: Admitted to 18th General Hospital, Camiers 6/1/17: Embarked hospital Ship "Formosa" for England 11/1/17: Admitted 1st NZ General Hospital, Brockenhurst 3/3/17: Admitted Convalescent Hospital, Hornchurch 9/3/17: Classified Unfit, placed on NZ roll, England 26/4/17: Embarked for NZ RMS "Tainui" and struck off strength of NZEF, Plymouth 26/6/17: Returned to NZ (assumed) 11/8/22: British War Medal, Victory Medal (posthumous) He may then have worked on the Dunedin trams (or perhaps in the coal mines of Nightcaps for a time, according to Bridget Lysaght) until he died of influenza in Dunedin on November 1918 (Mary Lysaght). Daniel was not a big fellow – his army record shows that when he enlisted (10 February 1916) he was 5’ 6.75” tall (1.7m) and weighed only 123.5lb (56.1kg). He had fair hair, fair complexion and blue eyes. A Fairton Function (Ashburton Guardian Saturday 28th April 1916): "A farewell social was tendered to Trooper Dan Lysaght in the Fairton School last evening. Despite short notice a very large number of friends from all over the district attended. Mr S Wilson, who presented Trooper Lysaght with a handsome wrist watch, spoke of the high esteem in which the Lysaght family were held and mentioned that Trooper Lysaght had received his entire education at Fairton and had enlisted the moment he was of military age. They were proud that he was the first soldier from the school and that he was going among the "wents". The present was a small appreciation from those whom he was going to represent and fight for. A pleasant surprise followed when Mr William Anderson presented Trooper Lysaght with a cheque (by no means a blank). Mr Anderson said although regretting the necessity for the Trooper's departure, he was proud to see him in khaki. If he served his country as he had served others they would be proud of him. Trooper Lysaght feelingly responded. Songs were given by Mrs Hanrahan, Miss Bennison and Mr Burgess, and Mr Spillsbury provided the music." Letter from Nellie Carew (Tipperary) to Daniel Lysaght (1917) There is a very interesting letter (of which there are two slightly different versions) which perhaps casts some light on the family of William Lysaght and Mary Moore. If this letter is correct, then Nellie Carew may have been Patrick’s sister and their father, William Lysaght, may still have been alive in 1917, when Dan was convalescing in England. There is also a reference to “Auntie Kate” – perhaps the Kate who immigrated to NZ and Australia (see Australian Connections, below). This version was copied out by Mary Lysaght: "Church St, Tipperary Sunday 28 Jan 1917 My dear Dan, What a surprise this morning at getting a letter from you and to find you are safe in England. You may be weak for a while but when the weather gets fine you will be fine but remain in bed as long as you can during the cold weather. I shall write to the Drs in charge of the hospital to try and get you leave as soon as you are up and on the mend, and be sure .... if you have a chum to bring him as any one you may think well of .... will be to welcome. No matter what you want only ask it and I will send by return of post as I do not know what you may like and are you treated well in hospital. Let me know all the news and do not be shy to ask what you may want. I shall be counting the time until I see you as you will be the first of my people to come home. I shall write to Auntie Katie tomorrow as she is very put out over you, but she will be delighted that you are in England safe. Father cryed with rejoicing this morning we thought of dear Mother how glad she would be to see you. I will say fair well for the present but write by return, and give all the Anzacs in your ward my love. Your fond Auntie Nellie Carew." Send some of the boys’ addresses and we will send them some post cards. Read More

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Casualty

Service Number:

13498

Name:

Daniel William Lysaght

Date of Birth:

Not known

Next of Kin:

Mrs P. Lysaght (mother), Fairfield, Ashburton, New Zealand

Date of Enlistment:

Not known

Occupation on Enlistment:

Teamster

Unit:

NZEF, Otago Regiment

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:

Died of Sickness

Date of Death:

25 November 1918

Day of Death:

Monday

Age at Death:

Conflict:

WW1

Embarkation Details

Embarkation Body:

New Zealand Expeditionary Force

Embarkation Place:

Wellington, New Zealand

Embarkment Date:

27 May 1916

Transport:

HMNZT 54
HMNZT 55

Vessel:

Willochra or Tofua

Destination:

Plymouth or Devonport, England

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery:

Dunedin (Anderson's Bay) Cemetery

Cemetery Location:

New Zealand