Fatality on Somes Island 1918

JAMES SANDISON aka Saunderson (1868-1918) was born in Scotland in July 1868. He served in WWI as Private 23882 (newspaper article says Sergeant Saunderson) with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 13th Reinforcements Wellington Infantry Battalion, B Company. He embarked from Wellington 27 May 1916 (aged 47.10) and listed his next of kin as his friend Miss Graham, Moss Lea Hill, Liverpool, England.

• At the inquest it states that Mr James Moore, seaman's missioner, was his next of kin.

He returned to NZ on 13 Oct 1917
At the time of his death he was a Prisoners' Guard
(click on link at photos for zoom option)
photo The prison layout on Matiu/Somes Island

photo The daily routine, morning roll call

Different newspaper articles spell his name differently.
I will spell as found
Evening Post, 1 Nov 1918
FATALITY ON SOMES ISLAND
... The death occurred early this morning of Sergeant James Saunderson, a member of the guard on Somes Island, under circumstances which will necessitate the holding of an inquest. A report furnished to the police states that at 1.15 a.m., Saunderson, who was a returned soldier, was relieved of duty by another member of the guard (Lance-Corporal Brown). Fifteen minutes later, Brown heard the report of a firearm from the direction of the guard room, and on entering the building he found Saunderson lying on his back, with a service revolver in his hand and a bullet in his head. Saunderson was quite dead.
So far as can be ascertained, the deceased had no relatives in New Zealand. He left a note bidding farewell to Major Matheson and the staff, and naming Mr James Moore, the Seamen's Missioner, as his next of kin. He was a single man, 49 years and 8 months old, and left New Zealand with the 13th Reinforcements

Dominion, 4 Nov 1918
Verdict at the INQUEST
... An inquest was held on Saturday morning by Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., into the circumstances surrounding the death of Sergeant James Sandison, a member of the guard on Somes Island, who was found early on Friday morning near the guardroom lying on his back with a service revolver in his hand and a bullet wound in his head. It was state in evidence that the deceased had been serving at the island for about twelve months.
Major Matheson, Commandant at the island, state that the deceased held the King's and Queen's medals for the South African War and had left New Zealand in respect of the present war with the Ninth Reinforcements and had returned from England as being over age. So far as witness knew, Sandison was a man of steady habits and his general health was good, except for nervousness or over-consciousness in personal matters. Deceased had never given any indication that he intended taking his life and so far as witness knew he had no financial worries. About four months ago deceased asked for leave of absence without pay as the position of senior sergeant which he held was too big a responsibility for him. At the time deceased seemed to be worried and was granted leave with pay.
Witness said that when he was informed that Sandison was dead he went to see the body. Deceased had left a note stating that Mr James Moore, seaman's missioner, was his next-of-kin, also stating:Kind regards to the Mayor for all he has done for me."
Deceased had been in suspense for a month prior to November 1, but the matter had been investigated and cleared up on the day before he was found dead. On October 31 witness had told deceased that he had absolute confidence in him. When deceased asked for leave of absence witness had discussed the matter with the medical officer and they had come to the conclusion that he was worrying over trifles. Deceased was sergeant of the guard and witness had found his books to be in perfect order up to about half an hour before the shot was heard.
Lance-Corporal James Brown, also a member of the guard, stated that Sandison appeared to worry at times. Witness and Sandison occupied the same room. On November 1 deceased woke up at 1.15a.m. to go on duty at 1.30. Deceased was dressed and spoke in his ordinary voice. He just woke witness up and, in reply to a question, told him the time.
Witness went on to describe his hearing of a shot and finding the deceased lying in the field just off No 1 sentry beat, about 100 yards from the guardroom. The bullet wound was in the forehead.
Constable O'Connor gave formal evidence as to taking charge of the body, on which there were no marks other than the bullet wound in the forehead.
The Coroner, in giving his verdict, said there was some evidence of temporary periods of mental depression. He was of opinion that in one of these periods the deceased had taken his own life.

Evening Post, 5 Nov 1918
MILITARY FUNERAL A military funeral was yesterday accorded Sergeant J. Sandison, a guard at Somes Island, whose death occurred at the island on Friday last. Lieutenant A. B. Jack (Assistant Commandant at Somes Island) represented Major Matheson and staff and the Defence Department was represented by 2nd Lieutenant Gemmell (D Company, 45th Reinforcements). Mr T. Bohlson represented the Returned Soldiers' Association several members of which were present. The firing party was provided by Trentham Camp and Mr James Moore (Seamen's Missioner) conducted the service at the graveside. Sergeant Sandison was buried in the Soldiers' Cemetery at Karori.

According to the cenotaph info (at his links above) he was buried in Grave A. 8. (S) at Karori Cemetery but that his name not recorded on the Karori Cemetery database, though he was buried there.
(since corrected by Karori see next).
UPDATE
A message from Barbara Mulligan at Karori cemetery (16 Jan 2021)
Subject: James (Jack) SAUNDERSON
To: ngairedith
From: karoricemetery
Date: 2021-01-16 02:36:16
Hello Ngaire. You have an item about James SAUNDERSON who committed suicide on Somes Island in November 1918, in which you state his name is not on the Karori Cemetery database, though he was buried there. His name was actually James (Jack) SANDISON and he is registered on the cemetery online database accordingly. Newspaper reports of the incident clearly state his name was Sandison.
Regards Barbara
... no Barbara, as can be seen above, his name was spelt Saunderson 4 times in that article and Sandison at the Inquest.
Karori cemetery had mis-transcribed his name on the online database. It has since been corrected (Sep 2020) so he now has an accessible record. Thanks Barbara.

ALSO READ my journal: Prisoners Of War, Matiu/Somes Island, deported May 1919 (has photos)

PHOTO Plot 8 A, Soldiers
GRAVE of JAMES SANDISON at Karori
photo provided by Paul Baker and shared from the Cenotaph Site