The short life of a Scottish soldier whose headstone was the first at Cambridge’s Hautapu Cemetery was honoured last month.
The three sisters and distant relatives of Dugald MacColl – Kaye Turner, Dianne Baker and Liz Saunders – flanked by Alpha Lodge Cambridge Master David Moore, right, and Masonic chaplain Ivan Smith, after the ceremony. Photo: Viv Posselt
Ensign Dugald Charles Edward S MacColl of the 3rd Waikato Militia Regiment died from illness at Camp Cambridge on August 6, 1866, aged 22.
He was buried on August 15, 1866, with full military honours – the third burial at Hautapu Cemetery. The original wooden headstone, carved by Sergeant Stuart Newall of the same militia, was the first headstone at the cemetery.
Blessing of the headstone during the service is Ngaruawahia-based Masonic chaplain Ivan Smith. Photo: Viv Posselt
MacColl was born in Tobermory, Argyll, and sailed to New Zealand in 1862. He later became a Freemason, joining the Alpha Lodge No. 449 Irish Constitution in 1866 after being proposed for membership by Lambert William Loveday.
His connection with Loveday began after MacColl joined the 3rd Waikato Regiment (Militia) on January 9, 1864. By March 28, 1865, he was a sergeant in militia and served as a witness at the first marriage to be conducted in Cambridge – that of Lambert Wiliam Loveday and Adelaide Vogel.
MacColl was promoted to ensign on February 7, 1866, and was stationed at Camp Cambridge.
Cambridge’s Kaye Turner speaking on behalf of the family, watched by Cambridge RSA’s Cas Stinson. Photo: Viv Posselt
Because of his affiliation with the Freemasons, it was the Alpha Lodge that arranged for last month’s ceremony to be held, when a new headstone was unveiled to replace the original which was in disrepair.
Alpha Lodge Master David Moore said he had been made aware that the headstone was in poor repair about five years ago.
“I visited the grave, and when I put my hand on top of the headstone, the wooden top almost broke off,” he said. “When I started looking into replacing it, I discovered there were numerous hoops we had to jump through. The process has taken about five years.”
One of MacColl’s distant relatives, Cambridge’s Kaye Turner, was making similar moves around the same time.
She and her sisters – Te Awamutu’s Dianne Baker and Hamilton’s Liz Saunders – were at the unveiling.
Alpha Lodge Cambridge members after the ceremony. They are, from left, Peter Saunders, (Master) David Moore, Peter Colebourne, Warwick Roberts, Denis Cook and David Landells. Photo: Viv Posselt
Their great, great grandfather was Dugald MacColl’s uncle. Their own parents are buried at the RSA Cemetery at Hautapu, and the families visit regularly on Anzac Day, usually dropping by MacColl’s grave at the same time.
It was on a visit around five years ago that Turner noticed the poor condition of MacColl’s headstone
“I contacted Elizabeth Harvey at the Cambridge Museum. She told me someone from Alpha Lodge had recently been in asking about the MacColl headstone and was seeking family members to give permission for its replacement,” she said.
That coincidental contact eventually bore fruit, with Alpha Lodge unveiling the new headstone on February 23.
“We are incredibly grateful to Alpha Lodge for this, it means a great deal to us,” Turner said.
Moore said the Lodge had covered the cost of the new headstone and a protective screen over it which will preserve its new lettering. He particularly commended fellow Lodge member Warwick Roberts for his efforts in getting the job done.
Cambridge RSA member Paul Murphy said the unveiling was a very significant occasion. He explained the long-standing disparity that sees the RSA care for graves in the RSA section of the cemetery, but not those of militia members on the other side of the site.
Masonic chaplain Ivan Smith conducted the ceremony, describing it as a remarkable and deeply meaningful event.
Cambridge RSA’s Paul Murphy addressing those at the ceremony. Photo: Viv Posselt
