Jane Kerr Chalmers Hercus

Jane Kerr Chalmers Hercus

Little is known about the ‘Miss Hercus’ who was awarded the Médaille de la Reine Elisabeth (Queen Elisabeth Medal) for her fundraising work during the First World War, but it seems likely that she was Jane Hercus, the youngest daughter of George Hercus, an accountant and later director of Dunedin clothing manufacturers Ross & Glendining.

An active supporter of the Otago Patriotic and General Welfare Association during the First World War, Jane collected money for various wartime causes, including Belgian relief. Her name was regularly listed in the newspapers for canvassing houses for donations to the war effort. She continued to support charitable causes after the war, participating in the Young Women’s Christian Association (Y.W.C.A) and raising funds to support the association’s work in India and China. Jane never married and died in 1966 aged 86.

Family information

Parents: George Robertson Hercus and Elizabeth Hercus (née Elder)

Born: 1880

Died: 5 May 1966, aged 86

Buried: Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin, Block 228, Plot 31

Active in: Dunedin

Obituary/death notice:

HERCUS, Jane Kerr Chalmers, late of 325 Stuart Street. – On May 5, 1966, at Dunedin, loved aunt of Leslie, Cyril, and Graeme (Melbourne). – The Funeral will leave the Hanover street Baptist Church Tomorrow (Saturday), May 7, after a service, commencing at 11 a.m., for the Northern Cemetery. Messages to 24 Thoreau street, Concord. – Hope and Sons Ltd., funeral directors.
Otago Daily Times, 6 May 1966, p. 3

Selected sources

'The Otago Patriotic Fund', Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1917, p. 5

'The War', Otago Daily Times, 14 May 1917, p. 6

'General News', Otago Daily Times, 5 February 1920, p. 2

'Sale of Produce', Otago Daily Times, 29 July 1920, p. 8

Community contributions

No comments have been posted about Jane Kerr Chalmers Hercus

What do you know?