Who was Smith J?
That question is one of many facing a group of historians just beginning the hunt for information about those named on Upper Clutha war memorials as having been killed in World War1.
Almost nothing is known about Smith J. except that his name features on the Wanaka war memorial.
In contrast, a considerable amount is known about John Smith, whose name also features on the memorial.
The descendants of John (or Jock) have gathered up family material that describes his early life, how he came to die and where he is buried.
Wanaka Genealogy Group president Louise Primrose hopes someone might have similar information about Smith J. - and several dozen other Upper Clutha men and women who died in World War 1.
Her group, along with the Upper Clutha Historical Society, plans to bring all the information together in a book designed to be an historical record of those killed in action in the war.
Copies would be placed in libraries and also be made available for sale, proceeds going to the Royal Returned Services' Association.
Mrs Primrose said it was too early to say how many victims of the war might feature in the book.
Other members were still gathering names from memorials at Lake Hawea, Cardrona, Makarora and other places in the Upper Clutha.
While it is expected most will be men, the group has some information about Otago-born staff nurse Catherine Anne Fox, who drowned in 1915 when the British transport ship she was on, Marquette, was torpedoed.
Ten of the 29 crew and 182 troops who died were New Zealand nurses who had been working in Port Said, Egypt.
As for John Smith, the official record shows Smith, John Pvte 8/4222 Otago NZED 1st Bn, died in June 1917 and was buried in France.
What his descendants have been able to reveal, however, is his wicked sense of humour and penchant for practical jokes - at least one of which is probably not suitable for young readers of the Otago Daily Times.
The book, it is hoped, will be completed by 2018.
