Poor Percy Albert MERCER. Suffered shellshock and insomnia...

Finally, aged 27 - he could handle it no more.

DEATH AT ANNEXE.
RETURNED SOLDIER
WHO SERVED WITH AUSTRALIANS.
A returned soldier named Percy Albert Mercer died at the Military Annexe early this morning apparently as, the result of poisoning from a virulent disinfectant. He was brought to the annexe by two companions in a very bad condition, and despite every- effort on the part of the medical men died a few hours later. It is stated that he had been suffering from insomnia and shell shock for some time. He was 27 years of age, and resided, with his mother, Mrs. C. W. Mercer at First Avenue, Kingsland.

Following on the outbreak of war he served at the front with the 7th Battery of the Australian Field Artillery. He was invalided to New Zealand, and subsequently joined the permanent forces at Featherston.
Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 262, 4 November 1919

Cenotaph database record:
www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/recor...

Sadly also, you an see by his signature how his health was deteriorating:
flic.kr/p/2iM3ntU

[1]
Attestation 23rd October 1915
2 ½ yrs Territorial Force, Auckland, N.Z.
Crime: RMS Osterly; 4 Feby 1916, Smoking on troop deck
Crime: AWL RMS Osterly; Feby 1916
Crime: “in the field”: Taking a horse off the lines without permission; absent from billet after 9pm 10 July 1916 (awarded 2 days field punishment no.2)*
Illness: Admitted to 3rd Gen. Australian Hospital to Feb 1917, England – Bronchitis then onboard HS Panama ex Havre for England
Crime: AWL (absent without leave) 4-6 May 1917, Perham Downs, England
Crime: AWL 6-7 July 1917, Drunkeness
Illness: 9 Aug 1917 Displaced cartilage in chest, France
Illness: 29 Aug 1917 admitted 3rd Auxillary hospital to 14 Sept 1917, England
Returned to Australia 31 October 1917
Death “was due to taking Lysol during a fit of severe mental depression, the consequence of wounds and shell-shock received during active service.” J.W. Poynton, S.M. Coroner.
Payment of funeral expenses were approved by headquarters.

Brother Victor Herbert MERCER 13 April 1894, Kingsland, Auckland, died 29 Feb 1916 at Berrima District Hospital, Bowral of Typhoid fever (3wks) after suffering a bullet through the left wrist (severe) and being admitted to hospital [?] 1 May 1915 at Gaba Tepe, Gallipoli. He returned to Australia by the “Ballarat” on 6 August 1915 and was discharged as medically unfit 17 January 1916. He was re-attested for home defence as a recruiting officer on 7 February 1916.

Their mother Anne wrote to the AIF to enquire about a ‘bronze’ (memorial plaque) for Victor as she had received one for Percy. A reply notes that he was not entitled to one because his death was recorded as typhoid fever and only “soldiers who died on active service, or who died subsequent to discharge from causes attributable to war service” were eligible. He is buried at General municipal cemetery, Church of England section, Bowral.
Photo of his grave: livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7546214
Victor appears on this poster (low res – option to purchase) www.awm.gov.au/collection/P11193.002

[2]
Reg. No.92523 (note this is his NZ no. although struck out later, 11099 was his AIF no.)
Born: 26 April 1890, Auckland, New Zealand
Height: 5ft 4.5 inches
Hair: Dark Brown
Eyes: Light blue
Complexion: dark
Character: Good
Occupation: Self employed Hairdresser
Served in A.I.F but discharged due to medically unfit (prior to attesting in New Zealand 16 Sept 1918)
Lost end of right index finger
Tattoo right arm and left forearm
Shellshock August 1917 (on Attestation form) discharge from AIF 26 Jan 1918

30 June 1919
Applied for medical treatment for shellshock as inpatient at Hanmer convalescent “severe case, tremor & stammering. Much worse lately.” Noted on form.

*There were two categories field punishment. Field punishment No. 1 consisted of heavy labouring duties, possibly being restrained in handcuffs or fetters, and being tied to a post or wheel. Field punishment No. 2 differed, in that the offender was not liable to be attached to a fixed object.
(www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/field_punishment)

Sources:
[1]
Military personnel record via National Archives, Australia
recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewIma...

[2]
Military personnel record via Archway Portal; Archives New Zealand
ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServle...

Taken on: April 25, 2018

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Sets appears in: • Waikumete Cemetery

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