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Otago Daily Times
09-08-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
History buffs seek family of intriguing military man
Hidden away under a giant, spreading pine tree in a steeply sloping section of the Southern Cemetery lies the grave of an intriguing military man. Major-general Alexander Irvine, whose long and storied career in the British Army included service in India during the time of the British Raj, is a person of great interest for the Otago Military History Group (OMHG). Group co-chair Peter Trevathan said Maj-gen Irvine's grave, which had slumped due to the weight of its marble top slab, was in need of restoration and repair. "We would also be keen to tell the story of Maj-gen Irvine's career during an interesting period of British history," Mr Trevathan said. As planning begins on the project, the group is keen to contact descendants of Maj-gen Irvine to get their support and input. As he had three sons and four daughters, it is hoped there might be a large extended family. Alexander Irvine joined the British Army's 24th Regiment in 1844 and was sent to India in 1845, where he quickly earned a field commission to the rank of lieutenant. He was involved in the army's response to the Indian Mutiny in the 1850s and 1860s, rising further in the ranks to captain (1857), major (1867), lieutenant-colonel (1871) and colonel (1875), before retiring as major general in 1877. "It was very unusual in those days for men to become officers on merit — officer commissions were usually purchased," Mr Trevathan said. After his retirement from military service, Maj-gen Irvine moved to Hobart in Tasmania, where he and his wife raised their family. In 1884 he came to Dunedin, and died in 1890. "So Maj-gen Irvine was definitely an interesting character, and it would be good to learn more from family members," he said. OMHG co-chair Marlene Pooley said the grave project would be a focus for the group next year, so it would be good to gather as much information as possible in the meantime. The group had been involved in several projects so far in the year, including the design of the new Hillside Workshops memorial and presenting an event as part of the Otago Medical School 150th anniversary celebrations. The group was also in discussions with family members of Leading Signalman Campbell Buchanan, who died from wounds received during the sinking of the Japanese Submarine I-1 by HMNZ ships Moa and Kiwi in the Solomon Islands during World War 2, she said. • Any interested members of the Irvine family are invited to contact the OMHG by emailing Mr Trevathan at petebond058@
Otago Daily Times
21-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Hillside memorial impresses
A Dunedin group dedicated to preserving the city's military history is delighted with a major aspect of the refurbished KiwiRail Hillside Workshops site in South Dunedin. The refurbished site, which was officially reopened last week by deputy prime minister Winston Peters, includes an impressive war memorial and memorial park. The war memorial wall holds large historic brass plaques listing the names of Hillside Workshop workers who were killed in World Wars 1 and 2. The park provides ample room for the public to attend commemorative services and includes a carved Māori sculpture and information panels detailing the site's long history and development. Members of the Otago Military History Group (OMHG), who visited the war memorial and park recently, were impressed by both the design and prominence of the memorial. OMHG co-chairman Peter Trevathan said it was great to see such an important element of Hillside Workshop's long history given prominent and dignified acknowledgement. "Everyone is very impressed with it," he said. During construction of the war memorial and park, KiwiRail operations lead Mike Beaufort and KiwiRail bridge inspector and OMHG member Bernie Flaherty liaised with lead contractor Calder Stewart on the project. Mr Beaufort said Calder Stewart had been good to work with and "very responsive" to design suggestions from the pair. "The memorial wall and the plaques look great, and we have had a lot of positive feedback from members of the public whose attention has been caught by it passing by," he said. "The intention of the memorial and park is to be a peaceful place that also highlights the history of this area and the development of Hillside Workshops from the early days." The free-standing information panels highlight Māori history, settler history, the workshops and local people. Mr Trevathan said the site had hosted its first full Anzac Day service that year, which had been a great success. OMHG member Charlie Boyes, whose great uncle Andrew Colquhoun Boyes is among the names listed on the war memorial, is thrilled with the site. A.C. Boyes was working at KiwiRail when he joined up to go and fight in World War 1 — first at Gallipoli in 1915, where he was wounded by a shell, and later in France, where he was killed by a sniper. "Having his service acknowledged here, on this impressive memorial, is very special," Mr Boyes said. Mr Trevathan said the OMHG was planning a rededication service for the Hillside Workshops war memorial, to be held at 2pm on Armistice Day, November 11. The event would include representatives of the New Zealand Defence Force and KiwiRail management. It was hoped it would involve the descendants of those named on the memorial as well, he said. "We are asking families and descendants to get in touch with us, to share any information they have about the men listed on the memorial, and perhaps any memorabilia," he said. "The more family members we can involve in the rededication service, the better — and KiwiRail staff as well." • Families and descendants interested in attending the rededication service, or who would like more information, are invited to contact Mr Trevathan by emailing petebond058@ Mr Beaufort by emailing or Mr Flaherty by emailing
