Born County Armagh, Ireland on June 24, 1843. Joined the New Zealand forces in 1859 as a trooper in 'Cameron's' Yeomanry. Served in the British Army and promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1899. He commanded the 4th New Zealand Contingent to the South African War from March to July 1900. He was second in command of the 5th New Zealand Contingent from July to November 1900. He rose to the rank of Colonel before he retired in 1904. Promoted rifle shooting as a competitive sport in New Zealand establishing the Trentham Rifle range in 1892, and commanding the New Zealand teams to Bisley, England, in 1897 and 1902. (Info from Who's Who, 1908; `Rough riders at war' / Richard Stowers, 2nd edition, 2002.)
Sommerville, Joseph Reginald, 1843-1910
There are 6 related items to this topic
Image
J Braithwaite (Dunedin) :Exercise book. Fine thick paper. J Braithwaite, bookseller and...
Date: 1890 - 1899
From: [School exercise books of octavo size. 1800s-]
By: Braithwaite, Joseph, 1848-1917; Fredric, A E (Mr), active 1976
Reference: Eph-A-SCHOOL-EXERCISE-BOOKS-1890s-01
Description: Back and front covers show coloured illustrations of children at play. On the front cover they are walking in the fields and picking flowers, and on the back cover they are playing "Oranges and lemons" or Tug of War inside. The pages of the book have been used to stick in clippings about the New Zealand Rifle Association, Major J R Sommerville, Captain Collins (treasurer of the NZ Rifle Association), Private H S Batchelor, Private William Richardson, Mr W G Fletcher (secretary, NZ Rifle Association), "A" Battery champion team 1890-91; Major Sir Arthur Douglas, competition at the military tournament, Dunedin Sea Fencibles, Mounted infantry who left for England in 1894 from Sydney; NZ Rifle Association meeting at Oamaru; Dunedin Navals Camp. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Ruled exercise book, 200 x 160 mm. Provenance: Donated by Mr A E Fredric in August 1976.
Image
Hill-Trevor album 1
Date: 1897-1904
From: Trevor, Charles Edward Hill-Trevor, 3rd Baron, 1863-1950 :Photographs of New Zealand and Cook Islands compiled during Vice-regal term of Lord Ranfurly
By: Boscawen, John Hugh, 1851-1937; Burton Brothers (Dunedin, N.Z.); Pulman (Firm); Shepherd, Cromwell, active 1903-1934
Reference: PA1-f-142
Description: Charles Hill-Trevor's personal album of the time he spent as personal secretary to Lord Ranfurly, Governor of New Zealand. It records the New Zealand contingents sent to the South African war and public events, personalities and patriotic entertainments associated with that enterprise. Visits to Government houses in Australia record other governors, officials and official residences. On one occasion in Melbourne a New Zealand versus Australia polo match was played. Hill-Trevor shows an interest in Māori, wildlife conservation (including the bird sanctuary on Resolution Island), and the sports of fishing, polo and horsemanship. There are photographs of members of the Ranfurly family and their principal servants as well as the Governor engaged in official functions such as opening the Kaiapoi council offices and laying the foundation stone of the Veterans Home, Mt Roskill, Auckland in 1903. Also photographs relating to the play 'The Geisha'. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s).
Image
Elrick Studios, Wanganui :Lieutenant Colonel J R Sommerville
Date: [ca 1900]
By: Elrick Studios (Whanganui, N.Z.)
Reference: PA7-43-20
Description: Studio portrait of Lt Col Sommerville taken by Elrick Studios, Wanganui Inscriptions: Recto - bottom right - Elrick Studios, Wanganui; Backing board verso - Title Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Albumen print, 20.2 x 15.5 cm
Image
Hon Richard John Seddon, Colonel J R Sommerville and officers of 4th New Zealand Mounte...
Date: 24 Mar 1900
From: Russell, Captain :Various photographs
By: Dutch, F W, active 1900-1906
Reference: PA7-43-18
Description: Group photograph of Hon R J Seddon and officers of the 4th Contingent (all named): Lt R W G Collins, Capt J Hardy Neil (M.O.), Lt J M Nicholson, Lt J R Macdonald, Lt W J A Thompson, Lt R G Tubman, Lt B Arthur, Lt R J Seddon, Lt W J F Ross, Capt H F Fulton, Capt J A Harvey, Major F W Francis, Col J R Sommerville, Capt J Pringle, Capt G H Walker. Inscriptions: Recto - above image - Names of those in the group No 9 and 10 Companies, under command of Major F W Francis, sailed to South Africa aboard S S Monowai from Port Chalmers on 24 Mar 1900. No 7 and 8 Companies, under command of Major J R Sommerville, sailed to South Africa aboard S S Gymeric from Lyttelton on 31 Mar 1900. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Albumen print, 24 x 29.4 cm
Manuscript
Correspondence
Date: Sep-Oct 1891
From: Hall, John (Sir), 1824-1907 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-1784-180
Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Manuscript
Papers relating to national matters
Date: [1885-1902]
From: Field, William Hughes, 1861-1944 : Papers
Reference: 73-128-076
Description: Includes correspondence and reports relating to drainage acts, property law, land setlement, statistics of land holdings and use, a petition relating to development of smallholdings near Porirua Lunatic Asylum, concern about status of surveyors by [?] F Simpson of Napier; also some correspondence relating to employment Quantity: 1 folder(s).