They Came Home from WW1 - Pukekohe

At some stage later George became a cook at the Patumahoe Hotel, then went into the taxi business
with the village’s first taxi. George founded a company on 25 April 1923, known as Fletcher’s Transport.
He found a small place somewhere between the War Memorial Hall and Moore’s house and starting
with a Model T Ford truck with side curtains, servicing Patumahoe and the surrounding district carrying
supplies.
George operated the company solely for the first few years, but when young George (Hori) Moore left
school, at age 16, he joined him and received shares in the business as wages.
It was due to young George becoming the major driving force of Fletcher’s, that with his initiative,
foresight, and engineering skills, that the company expanded.
Eventually, George or ‘Boss’ as he
was known, left the running of
most of the business to young
George Moore. However, George
continued the Auckland run,
getting up early in the morning to
take the growers’ produce to the
city Markets and then bringing
back general freight to be
delivered throughout the district
on his way home. He would
arrive back at the depot in the late afternoon.
Fletcher’s also cut, raked, baled and stacked hay in the shed for farmers, and George invested in many
trucks for carrying stock and goods, hay making machines, etc.
In the late 1920s, he boarded with Ivy MOORE and her family, where he stayed until his death.
George Philip Fletcher passed away on 24 November 1958, his funeral held the next day. His will left
everything to Ivy Moore and members of her family.
The Fletcher’s Transport Company finally closed in 1990.

Sources
Fletcher’s Transport (Howard Upfold)
Patumahoe Memories (Kay Carter)
New Zealand Archives
New Zealand BDM
Papers Past
Findmypast
Ancestry
Fold3, Royal Engineers UK

Researched by Rosemary Eden

John William FOSTER

Service Number: 2775
Regiment: Australian Infantry Forces
Last known Rank: Corporal
Died: 2 April 1974
Age: 76 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Ashes 006a

Pre-war

John William FUNSTAIN was born in Mossman, Sydney in 1898, the son of George Funstain and his
wife Annie TOBIN. John was the eldest of five children. The family were generally known by the
name of FOSTER.

Enlistment and Training

John enlisted in the Australian Infantry Force at Holsworthy Barracks on 27 August 1915 and signed
his Attestation Papers on 4 September, nominating his father George as next of kin. He underwent
his medical assessment on 27 October, stating was 21 years 7 months of age, (he was only 17 and
therefore underage) 5 feet 8 inches (172cms) and weighed 127 lbs (57kgs).
John was passed as fit for active service, and posted to 19th Battalion,
6th Reinforcements.
During the following week the 6th Reinforcements boarded HMAT A14 Euripides
which departed Sydney on 2 November 1915 and sailed for Egypt.

Service Abroad
On 5 February 1916, John was taken on strength of the 19th Battalion from the 6th Reinforcements at
Katoomba, Egypt and underwent further training.
The battalion proceeded to Alexandria on 18 March 1916 bound for France, arriving in Marseilles on
25 March.
After disembarkation, the battalion moved to
the Armentieres area for familiarisation in
trench warfare methods, which were
completely different to those previously
experienced on Gallipoli.

In July 1916, as part of the relief of the AIF 1st
Division, the battalion arrived at Pozieres, where
it took part in the Battle of Pozieres fought
between 23 July and 3 September 1916. The
AIF Division (of which the 19th Battalion was
part) took over Pozieres village by 27 July.
During this battle, on 28 Jul 1916, John was
wounded in action, receiving a gunshot wound resulting in severe damage to the fingers on the right
hand also a shrapnel wound to the right thigh.

The following day he was admitted to
No:7 Canadian General Hospital at
Etaples where his fingers were
amputated, and then transferred to
Calais on 1 August 1916 where he
embarked onboard the Hospital Ship
HMHS Newhaven, bound for England.

On 2 August 1916, John was admitted
to Frensham Hill Military Hospital, near
Farnham, Surrey for further treatment.
He remained at Frensham Hill and
underwent further treatment until 27
October, when he was granted leave
with orders to report to No:2

Command Depot at Weymouth on 3 November 1916.
After additional medical assessment at 1st Auxiliary

Hospital, Harefield House, the decision was taken to
discharge John to Australia.

John embarked aboard the Hospital Ship HMAT A61
Kanowna, from Southampton on 14 January 1917,
arriving at Melbourne 8 March 1917.
Following further medical assessment in Sydney on 3
May 1917, the Medical Board confirmed John’s
discharge due to the disability of his four missing fingers
on his right hand.
John Was discharged from AIF on 17 May 1917. He
received the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Post-war

John returned to civilian life and continued to reside in North Sydney, not far from his parents.
He married Ruby Mildred HOKIN in 1922 and they had three daughters. John continued to reside on
the same dwelling in North Sydney until 1958, employed as a Storeman. There are no further
records of John and Ruby until 1972, when they were living in Pukekohe New Zealand.
John died on 2 April 1974 and was cremated. His ashes are buried in the Returned Services Section
of the Pukekohe Cemetery. Ruby returned to Australia and died in 1982.

In Memoriam

Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Ashes 006A.

Sources

Archives New Zealand
Discovering Anzacs website
Great War Forum - Frensham Hill Military Hospital
Ancestry hospital ship
Wiki – HMHS Newhaven

Researched by David Squires

Leslie Alexander FRASER

Service Number: 12/3642
Regiment: Auckland Infantry Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 6 July 1970
Age: 76 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Ashes 010

Pre-war
Leslie Alexander (known as Les) was born on 10 September 1893, the youngest child born to George
FRASER and Elizabeth (Betty) STEELE who lived in Meikle Wartle, Reyne, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Leslie boarded the Athenic at London on 15 August 1913 and sailed via Cape town and Hobart to
Wellington.
In 1914 Leslie was working as a labourer for New Zealand Railways and living at Paerata, near
Pukekohe.

Enlistment and Training
On 15 October 1915 Leslie presented for recruitment and after a medical was accepted. He was
described as single, 5 feet 8 inches (172cms), 175 lbs (79kg), dark brown hair, brown eyes, fresh
complexion, was Anglican and his father was his next of kin.
He joined as Private of the Auckland Infantry Battalion, Company A, 9th Reinforcements and was sent
to Trentham Camp.
The Permanent Way Railway Staff arranged a Smoker (Social) at the Masonic Hall, Pukekohe to
farewell Leslie and three others of the Ninth on their final leave.

Service Abroad

Leslie embarked on the HMNZT 37 Manganui with the HMNZT Manganui

9th Reinforcements. The ship left Wellington on 8

January 1916 in a convoy with two other troopships

carrying a total of 2,406 troops. There was a stop at

Albany, Western Australia before reaching Suez, Egypt

on 12 February.

He joined the Auckland Infantry Regiment 2nd Battalion

at Moascar on 9 March 1916 then travelled to Alexandria

and on 8 April 1916 he embarked for France on the

Ascania.

Leslie was wounded in action on 30 October 1916. He was at No 2 Casualty Station and admitted to

13 General Hospital at Boulogne the next day. On 4 November Leslie embarked for England on the

Hospital ship St David then went to No 2 General Hospital at Walton. In January 1917 he was

transferred to the New Zealand Convalescent Hospital at Hornchurch then spent time at the

Convalescent Command Depot at Codford and Sling Camp in Wiltshire. On 26 October, Leslie was sent

back to France and attached to Base Depot at Etaples then re-joined his battalion on 11 November.

Leslie was ‘in the field’ in March 1918 when he received a gunshot wound to his right shoulder – his

second wounding.

He was admitted to 22 General Hospital, Camiers, then returned to England and spent time at Walton,

Codford, and Hornchurch.

On 25 January 1919, Leslie embarked on the Port Melbourne

and when he returned to New Zealand he remained on sick

leave until 9 April 1919.

When the ship arrived in Auckland it was quarantined for 24

hours due to the high number of influenza cases onboard.

On 7 May 1919 Leslie had his final discharge. He was no longer

fit for war service due to the gunshot wound to his right

shoulder. He was left with a long broad scar on his shoulder and Port Melbourne

a scar on his forearm.

Leslie received the British Medal and the Victory Medal.

Post-war Paerata Railway Station
Leslie went back to his job as a labourer and continued to live
at Paerata across the road from the railway line in his small
cottage with a stream and farmlands down the back.
In November 1923 his older brother, Charles, immigrated to
New Zealand and lived at Paerata for a few years before
marrying and living in Auckland.
Leslie was involved in the local community and supported the
fund-raising and social activities at the hall.

In Memoriam
Leslie died at Paerata on 6 July 1970 and was buried in Pukekohe RSA Cemetery, Ashes-010.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Ancestry
New Zealand History, Map and Military History
Flotilla Australia Ship Photos
Papers Past

Researched by Penny Prescott

James Claude GIBBS

Service Number: 14252
Regiment: Auckland Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 31 July 1977
Age: 82 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 180.

Pre-war
James Claude GIBBS, known as Claude, was born on 5 January 1895 at Tauhoa in Northland. He was
the eldest child of James GIBBS (1860-1926) and Priscilla WILSON (1872-1962) and had four brothers
and three sisters. His father had emigrated in 1874 on the Dorette and in 1885 had bought 208
acres, a property named ‘Kauri Peak’ at Tauhoa from Joseph TREADWELL.
Claude started school at Hotea North, under the guardianship of his grandfather, Enoch WILSON but
after a very short time was transferred to Tauhoa for the rest of his education.

Enlistment and Training
Claude had enlisted and attested at Trentham on the 15 December 1915 and was posted to E
Company, 11th Reinforcements, however, he was discharged on 11 January 1916 as being medically
unfit.

He re-enlisted on 7 March 1916, this time being posted to E Company of the 14th Reinforcements.
He was described as 5 feet 9 inches (175cm), 133 lbs (60kg), with black hair, hazel eyes, dark
complexion and gave his religion as Church of Christ.
He gave his occupation as a farm labourer at Hotea North when he enlisted and his next of kin was
his father James Gibbs of Tauhoa.

Service Abroad

Claude embarked on HMNZT Mauganui and left

Wellington on 26 June 1916 arriving in

Devonport, United Kingdom on 22 August 1916.

The next day he marched into Sling Camp and

began preparations for the Western Front. He

left Sling Camp for France on 14 September 1916

and just a fortnight later on 1 October Claude Rodney & Otamatea Times, Dec 1915
joined the Battalion in the field.

In October 1917 he was wounded in France and admitted to the field hospital and then transferred

to Brockenhurst in England. While there, he qualified as 1st Class Signaller.

After well earned leave from 13-27
November he then reported to
Codford and later to Sling Camp,
re-joining the Auckland Regiment
3rd Battalion in April 1918.
Claude served on the Western
Front from 1916-1918 and on 8
March 1919 he left Southampton
on the Willochra, disembarking in
Wellington on 15 April 1919.

Claude had served a total of 3 years
and 61 days – with 2years and 294
days being overseas.

Post-war
Claude gave his end of war address as c/- of Mrs C Parker, Pukekohe West, the mother of his bride to
be. The Parker and Gibbs families had lived in the small settlement of Tauhoa, so he would have
grown up with Daisy Ellen PARKER whom he married on 22 January 1920.
Daisy and Claude had two children – a son and daughter. This marriage was short lived and by 1928
he was living with his mother and farming at Maungatapere.
Claude lived at Kaipara Flats, Maramarua, Pukekohe, Kopuku and then in 1957 in Harrisville Road,
between Tuakau and Pukekohe, where he lived until his death in 1977.

In Memoriam
Claude is found on the Memorial Board at the Tauhoa Hall, along with his
brothers Edward Albert (Ned) and William Richard (Dick).
He is buried at Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 180.

Sources
New Zealand Archives, Military records, and Probate records
New Zealand BDM
NZSG School records
New Zealand History, Memorials

Researched by Heather Maloney

Francis Henry GILLON

Service Number: 58206
Regiment: 34th NZ Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Trooper
Died: 27 September 1917
Age: 20 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe Public. Wesleyan
Section Row B Plot 008

Pre-war
Francis Henry (known as Frank) was born on 12 April 1897 at Mauku. He was the second son of
Eliezer (Eli) GILLON (1866-1936) and Ellen Frances (Fanny) BACKHURST (1868-1950) and had two
brothers. His older brother enlisted and trained but was not posted overseas before the war ended.
Both parents had arrived in New Zealand with their families as children in the early 1870s and had
married at Mangere in 1892. Eli and Fanny had farmed at Tramway Road, Puni, from 1893.
He was educated at Mauku school where his father was the Chairman of the School Committee. In
1914 Eli had to petition the government for additional classroom space as the roll had grown to 90
pupils and they were crowded into one small room. The school had opened on its current site in
1887 with a roll of 30 pupils.

Enlistment and Training
When Frank enlisted on the 13 July 1917, he gave his
father as his employer and his occupation as farmer.
He left Auckland for the Featherston Training Camp
on the 23 August 1917 and arrived at camp two days
later. He was allocated to Hut 117 and posted to the
34th New Zealand Mounted Rifles.

He was recorded as being 5 feet 4 inches (162cm),
tall, 127 lbs (57kg), fair hair, blue eyes and fair
complexion and of Wesleyan religion.
He stated that his father had been in New Zealand 40
years from Ireland and his mother the same time
from England.
He also said that he had served with the 3rd Auckland
Mounted Rifle up until his enlistment date.

Sadly, Frank was only in camp a few weeks before he
died. His records say he was admitted to hospital on
27 September at 6.30pm and died at 9.40pm of cerebro-spinal meningitis.

An urgent telegram had been sent to his parents to
inform them of this tragic event and was reported in
several newspapers. It is difficult to imagine the
reaction of his parents when a seemingly healthy
country boy had left home just a few weeks before.

In Memoriam

As he did not serve overseas but died while serving, he was
granted a Commonwealth War Graves headstone after his
parents had erected their own. The CWG headstone lays flat on
the grave and is pictured at the beginning of this story. Frank is
buried in Pukekohe Cemetery, Wesleyan Section, Row B Plot
008. His brother Norman’s ashes now share the grave.

Frank also appears on two memorials.

Featherston Cemetery Memorial

Sources
New Zealand Archives, Military records and Probate
records
New Zealand BDM
Gillon Family Tree – Ancestry
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Papers Past

Researched by Heather Maloney

Auckland War Memorial Museum Hall of
Memories Panel

George GILMOUR

Service Number: 2/1784
Regiment: New Zealand Engineers
Last known Rank: Sergeant
Died: 30 June 1956
Age: 66 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 46

Pre-war
George GILMOUR was born at Thames on 16 September 1889. He was the second child of Robert
GILMOUR (1858-) and Rachel CAMPBELL (1864-1913) and had an older sister and younger brother.
His parents had been married in St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Auckland in 1881 when Robert
gave his occupation as Iron Dresser.
He was educated at Parawai School and Thames High School and his last day of school was in 1905
when the family shifted to Auckland.
George was working for the Auckland Harbour Board when he enlisted in 1915.

Enlistment and Training
George attested in Trentham on 18 April 1915. He gave his father as next of kin and stated his last
address was 20 Grafton Road, the address of his parents. He was a clerk with the Harbour Board and
was described as 5 feet 6 inches (167cm), 128 lbs (58kg), fair complexion, fair hair and blue eyes.
He was posted as a gunner to the 1st Field Artillery Brigade and was soon on his way overseas,
leaving on HMNZT 24 Maunganui on 12 June 1915, in
convoy with Tahiti and Aparima.

Service Abroad Sir George Grey Collection, Auckland Libraries
George was transferred to Division Signal Company
New Zealand Engineers shortly after his arrival in
Egypt on 24 July 1915. He then served in the Egyptian
and Balkan (Gallipoli) theatres of Operation before
embarking for France on 6 April 1916. He was
promoted to 2nd Corporal in October 1917 and then to
Corporal on his return from leave in the United
Kingdom in January 1918. Re-joining his unit on 6
February 1918 he served a further 6 months before
gaining leave again, this time in Paris. On his return
George was promoted to Sergeant. George had spent
92 days service in New Zealand and 3 years 268 days
overseas, serving in the Egyptian, Balkan and Western
European theatres of operation. George received the
1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
George left London aboard Port Melbourne in January
1919 and was finally discharged on 11 April 1919.

Post-war
George lived with his sister, Eva HOLLAND in Ellerslie and resumed his employment with the
Auckland Harbour Board when he returned.
In 1929 he married Mary Isabella TURNER, a widow and by 1935 they were living in Dominion Road,
Tuakau where George tried his hand at farming. He also stood unsuccessfully for the Tuakau Town
Board in 1932, 1933 and 1938 and was finally elected in 1941.
He and Mary shifted to Pukekohe and were recorded in the 1946, 1949 and 1954 electoral rolls living
in Station Road, with George’s occupation being a clerk.
It seems unlikely that George and Mary had any children as in her will Mary left her estate to various
nieces and nephews as well as charities.
Mary died on board the liner S.S. Oriana at Southampton on 2 August 1962.

In Memoriam
George is recorded on this elaborate
memorial on the waterfront in
Auckland, erected by the Auckland
Harbour Board to remember staff who
served in the First World War.
George is buried in Plot 46 Pukekohe
RSA Cemetery.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military record
and Probate records
New Zealand BDM
NZSG school records
Google
Papers Past

Researched by Heather Maloney

Oscar Joseph GODKIN

Service Number: 70269
Regiment: Machine Gun Squadron
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 25 April 1955
Age: 74 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 038

Pre-war
Oscar Joseph GODKIN was born on 1 November 1881 in Tasmania, Australia to James GODKIN and
Martha HUTT. James was born in Kent, England but died in 1892 in Tasmania. Martha was born in
Tasmania. Sadly, for James and Martha many of their children died in very early infancy, but three
sons, Oscar, Norman and Joseph moved with Martha to New Zealand. Oscar appeared on the
Tasmanian City Directory in 1910 and all three sons appeared on the New Zealand Electoral Roll
living at Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, with Martha in 1911.

Enlistment and Training
At the time of call up Oscar was working for the Auckland Harbour Board and had been living in New
Zealand for only seven years. His enlistment papers were dated 21 June 1917. However, Oscar
appealed his enlistment, and the Auckland Star reported his appeal on 13 July. He advised the
Auckland Military Services Board that he lived with and supported his aged mother who was in ill
health at that time. He had a brother at the front who had been recently wounded and who was
expected home shortly invalided. He also had a married brother who had a child and he had not
approached either about looking after the mother. The Board decided to grant Oscar leave until
October only. He therefore officially enlisted on 18 October 1917 and did training at Trentham.

Service Abroad
Oscar embarked at Wellington on the Ulimaroa on 8 February 1918 and disembarked at Liverpool on
23 March. Marched to Brockton, the New Zealand Rifle Brigade Reserve Depot, on 29 March and
then to Grantham, the New Zealand Machine Gun Corp Reserve Depot on 17 April. Over the next
few months saw medical issues arise and Oscar spent time in New Zealand General Hospitals at
Walton-on-Thames and Brockenhurst and then transferred to the New Zealand Convalescent
Hospital at Hornchurch. After convalescing he was discharged to Codford and No.3 New Zealand
General Hospital on 27 September. On 15 October Oscar returned to the Reserve Depot at
Grantham. He left for France on 17 November and reached Etaples Camp on 19 November and was
attached to “C” Company shortly after. On 11 March 1919 Oscar was demobilized back to the
United Kingdom to prepare to return home to New Zealand.

He embarked on the Ruahine that left Plymouth on 18 May 1919 with troops, nurses, wives and
children aboard and headed for Wellington, via Panama and was due to arrive some time June/July.
The Ruahine finally berthed in Wellington on 8 July. Because of the many Auckland based troops
there was consideration for the Ruahine to have taken them to Auckland. However, the Auckland
troops were transported by special train leaving at noon after a rousing welcome.

Oscar served a total of 1 year and 292 days in the Military - 141 days in New Zealand and 1 year and
151 days overseas and was discharged on 5 August 1919. He received the British War Medal.

Post-war
On his return, he again lived with his mother in Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, working as a
labourer.
On 1 November 1923, Oscar’s birthday, he married Mary Adelaide GRAHAM (nee
BROWNE/BROWN). They had two children. By 1928 they were living in Kihikihi. Oscar was working
as an attendant at the Mental Hospital. Oscar’s widowed mother, Martha, continued to live with
them until her death on 26 July 1932.
Oscar and Adelaide had moved to Hamilton by 1935 and Oscar returned to working as a labourer.
Mid 1940s they had retired to Raglan, and by 1954 they had moved to East St, Pukekohe. Oscar died
on Anzac Day 1955 and Adelaide passed away on 17 February 1968.

In Memoriam

Oscar was buried in

Pukekohe RSA

Cemetery, Plot 038.

His name appears on

the Borough of

Newmarket War

Memorial, Newmarket,

Auckland, as does that

of his brother Norman

(appears as Godkin,

M).

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph – Photo of Borough of Newmarket War Memorial
Ancestry
New Zealand BDM and Tasmanian BDM
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
PapersPast

Researched by Lois Hopping

George GOLDING

Service Number: 74179
Regiment: Canterbury Infantry
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 20 August 1986
Age: 89 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe Public Wesleyan
Section Row BB Plot 091

Pre-war

George was born in Pukekohe on 29 April 1897 the second son and fourth child of James GOLDING
and Sarah Jane AIKEN.
James Golding was born in Ticehurst, Sussex, England on the 22nd of September 1843 and
immigrated to New Zealand in 1865 on the ship Victory, arriving on the 4 January 1865 at 11pm. He
worked as a waggoner for a short while then went to Coromandel and opened a butchery business.
In 1876 he moved to Pukekohe and in 1882 he married Sarah Jane PATERSON (nee Aiken) who was
born in Omagh, in county Tyrone, Ireland in 1864. In 1890 James and Sarah purchased 180 acres of
what was native bush and went farming on property which is now Golding Road.
George walked across paddocks daily along with older sisters and brother Alfred to attend Pukekohe
East School. He left school when 14 years old to
help bring in the land, helping his father felling large
areas of native bush and preparing land for grass
and dairy farming. George did work for other
farmers in the area for wages including the nearby
Roulston farm, ploughing and seed sowing.
With the advent of war in Europe many of George’s
friends were over there doing their bit for the
empire so on the 12 October 1917 at the age of 20
and with consent of his parents, George signed up.

Enlistment and Training
George underwent his medical examination on 12
October 1917 and on 8 February 1918 was called to
report to area one, then marched to Auckland
Railway Station where they embarked for Trentham
Military Camp to commence training. He was
described as 5 feet 7 inches (170cms), 136 lbs
(61kgs), medium complexion, blue eyes, light brown
hair, single and Anglican.
At the completion of training, George embarked on the troop ship HMNZT 103 Maunganui on the
9th of May for England where foreign Service commenced.

Service Abroad
On 24 June 1918 George disembarked at
Liverpool, England where he was posted to the
Canterbury Infantry Regiment for more training.
On 18 September he left for France. After many
miles of marching into Etaples they joined up
with the division and he met up with his friend
Albie Reynolds. September 29 was his first day in
the trenches and on 1 October he heard that his
good friend Albie had been killed. George lost
three more of his friends over there, William
Lauer and his brother Thomas, and Alex Frail.
George was also involved at La Quesnoy.
He often spoke of the 11 November signing of
Armistice Day. George wrote in his diary of
marching many miles around France and then
into Belgium with many small battles taking
place. On the 20 December they crossed into
Germany spending four hours in a train to Rhine.
George remained on as part of the occupation
force in Europe. George often spoke of an
incident of the last day marching before heading
back to England when a few of them decided

George’s medals and dog tags they would not need their rifles anymore so decided to hide
them on the side of the road, but then they found out they
could not be discharged without the rifles they had to walk
back and get them, luckily they were still there. While George
was on leave, he visited the birth places of his father in Sussex,
and the family of his mother in Ireland.
On June 29th George left London and returned to New Zealand
aboard the Matatua and was discharged on 5th of September
1919 after serving a total of 1 year 211 days, 1 year and 92
days of that time overseas.

Post-war

On 15 April 1925 George married Sophie HINTON of Te Awamutu. They farmed on their 48 acre
block of the original farm until 1965 when they retired to Edinburgh St in Pukekohe. George was a
member of the Franklin A & P Society and the Manchester Unity Lodge. He never held a driver’s
licence, but son Athol managed to get him behind the wheel of his Fergy tractor after many hours of
training. In April 1985 they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. George and Sophie had a
family of two daughters and four sons.

In Memoriam

RSA Plaque is attached to family headstone.
Pukekohe Cemetery Wesleyan Row BB Plot 091.

Sources

Archives New Zealand, Military Record
Papers Past -Farewell, Pukekohe & Waiuku Times 9 Apr 1918
Research and story by Brien Golding, son of George.

Karl Basil GOTHARD

Service Number: 26/75
Regiment: New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Last known Rank: Second Lieutenant
Died: 21 June 1970
Age: 77 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 150

Pre-war
Karl was born 10 January 1893. He was the fifth child of seven to Edwin James GOTHARD and
Elizabeth Alice BARDSLEY who were married on 27 March 1886 at St Peter’s Church in Wellington.
Both were born in Victoria, Australia. Edwin was a solicitor in Woodville at the time of Karl’s birth
and shortly after, in April 1894, he was appointed a Coroner. Alice, as she was known, was a
signatory on the Suffrage Petition.
Karl was enrolled at Woodville School on 4 July 1897 at 4½ years old. He later attended Wellington
College for four years. He played as a forward in the College rugby team and was a member of the
Wellington College Rifles from 1907 to 1910. In 1915 Karl was a law clerk for his father and was a
member of the 17th Ruahine Rifles. He spent four years in the New Zealand Territorials, two of them
with the rank of Sergeant. Karl was in the 9th Reinforcements for the 3rd Trentham Regiment (Earl of
Liverpool’s Own).

Enlistment and Training
Karl officially enlisted on 7 September 1915 and he headed
to camp with the rank of Quarter Master Sergeant. His
training was served at three separate camps:

• 7 September 1915 Trentham Military Base, Upper
Hutt, Wellington,

• 16 October 1915 May Morn, a tent camp near
Trentham, Upper Hutt, Wellington, and

• 2 December 1915 Rangioutu, a tent camp near
Palmerston North, Manawatu.

As training neared its completion two more battalions were
added to the Trentham Regiment and it became big enough
to be renamed New Zealand Rifle Brigade (Earl of
Liverpool's Own). Karl embarked on the HMNZT Mokoia
with the regular force rank of Rifleman and left Wellington
for the front on 5 February 1916.

Service Abroad
He disembarked at Suez on 15 March 1916 and headed for
France on 7 April. The main New Zealand Division began arriving from that date. They were at
Armentieres during May, and the Battle of the Somme in August. On 24 October 1916 Karl was
appointed Lance Corporal.

He was admitted to General Hospital No.7 on 13 March 1917 with an illness and rejoined his unit on
2 April just in time to be at the Battle of Arras where he earned promotion to Corporal on 17 April.
On 12 October he was promoted in the field to Temporary Sergeant when his Sergeant was
wounded. He was promoted to Warrant Officer Class 2 (Company Sergeant Major) on 18 June 1918
and was nominated by his senior officers for a commission in the Zealand Expeditionary Force and
posted to Officer Cadet Training Battalion. On 14 February 1919 he earned his final promotion to 2nd
Lieutenant.

Karl received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal
together with the New Zealand Territorial Service Medal upon
completion of 12 years service. Karl was presented with the
Belgium Croix de Guerre in February 1919 by the King of Belgium.
This decoration was established by royal decree on 25 October
1915 and was primarily awarded for bravery or other military
virtue on the battlefield.

Karl left England on the SS Prinzessin on 16 May 1919 as part of Draft 258. The draft comprised
approximately 567 troops, 81 women and 19 children. After delays, family and friends who had
arrived in Wellington to greet their loved ones on the 25th were forced to remain until the Prinzessin
finally berthed at 3:30pm Monday, 30 June.
Karl was discharged from the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces on 28 July 1919 and absorbed into
the New Zealand Rifle Brigade as 2nd Lieutenant. On 3 March 1920 Karl applied to be placed on the
Reserve of Officers List in a Territorial unit of the New Zealand Military Forces.

Post-war
Karl returned to Woodville and on the 1919 Electoral Roll he was residing with his mother and
siblings and again listed as a law clerk. On 11 January 1922 Karl married English born Hilda
MALLALIEU in Woodville. During the marriage Karl had gained work as a linesman for the Public
Works Department and spent long periods of time away from home. Separation had made life
difficult for the couple, and Hilda’s family suggested she return to England for a family visit. Hilda
returned to New Zealand in November 1927 and found that Karl was in hospital after a football
accident. During his long recovery in hospital Hilda visited him regularly but it became clear that the
marriage was over and Hilda applied for and was granted a formal divorce on 17 August 1929 at
Palmerston North. They did not have children.
In 1935 Karl was living with his widowed mother, a spinster sister and other siblings in Woodville and
working as a labourer. By 1946 he had moved to Tuakau and was working as a confectioner. Little
else is known until 1963 when he was living in Paerata and working as a nightwatchman. Karl retired
to Pukekohe and he passed away on 21 June 1970.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA cemetery Plot 150.

Sources

Archives New Zealand, Military Records and Probate
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Ancestry, New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Papers Past
Manawatu Times 8 Feb 1929, page 8
Manawatu Standard 16 May 1929 page 7
New Zealand BDM

Researched by Lois Hopping

Vesey Gore GRINLINTON

Service Number: 36267
Regiment: New Zealand Engineers
Last known Rank: Sapper
Died: 6 July 1950
Age: 61 years*
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 022

*Age at death differs from plaque.

Pre-war

Vesey Gore GRINLINTON was born at Napier on 11 October 1888, although his army records say
1889. He was the youngest of three children of William Nassau GRINLINTON (1831-1914) and
Matilda Jemima IRWIN, nee ARMSTRONG (1848-1901). He had a brother and sister although, as
both parents had been previously married, he had many half siblings. He was educated at Woodville
Primary and High Schools. In 1907 he joined the Post and Telegraph Department (with whom he

served for forty years) and was employed as a
postal clerk at Woodville and Te Kuiti prior to the
war. He loved to entertain and as a member of
the Woodville Amateur Dramatic Club, appeared
in many productions.

Enlistment and Training

Vesey enlisted on 4 October 1916 and was posted
as a Sapper to the 6th Wireless Troop of the
Mounted Wireless Section of the Mounted Rifle
Brigade, 20th Reinforcements and gave his sister
Louise as his next of kin.
He was 5 feet 8¼ inches (173cm), 136 lbs (61kgs),
fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, single
and Anglican. He trained at Featherston.

Although Vesey served in
this wireless troop it is
unknown which man he is.

Service Abroad
Vesey embarked on 14 December 1916
from Wellington on the HMNZT Moeraki
and transferred to the RMS Mooltan at
Sydney, arriving at Suez then on to Basrah
in Iraq where he was stationed with the 1st
Australian and New Zealand Wireless
Squadron. He was granted Special Leave to
New Zealand for 10 days in March 1918 and
then struck off strength when the Squadron
left for France.
He was back in New Zealand by May and
took leave without pay from 11 June to
25 July 1918. During this period, he
married Elsie May TEAGUE (1893-1969) and
they had a son and a daughter.
Vesey was finally discharged on
30 November 1918 after serving a total of 2
years 11 days, 232 days in New Zealand and
1 year 144 days overseas.

Post-war
Vesey returned to the Post and Telegraph Department and was a telegraphist in Manaia and Te
Aroha before becoming the Postmaster at Raglan in 1927. He was there eight years during which
time he was President of the RSA, a branch he helped form. From there he shifted to Waihi for six
years before taking up the role of Postmaster at Pukekohe. His obituary stated that “he was a keen
bowler and took an interest in every sport and worthy activity until ill health prevented this. He was
a foundation member of the Pukekohe Rotary Club and an entertainer of no mean ability.”

After Vesey’s death, Elsie married George Robert HOSKING in
1953.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 022.

Sources
Archives New Zealand Military Records
Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph
Woodville Museum – 6th Wireless photo
Papers Past Farewell Woodville Examiner 24 June 1912; Wedding NZ

Observer 20 July 1918; Funeral Franklin Times 10 July 1950; Obituary Franklin
Times 7 July 1950

Researched by Sandra Brasell and Heather Maloney

Lewis GROWDEN

Service Number: 54873
Regiment: Wellington Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 31 May 1963
Age: 78 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 093

Pre-war
Lewis GROWDEN (registered as Louis) on 22 May 1885 in Normanby, Taranaki to Edwin Growden
and Margaret Jane KEMPTHORNE. Both parents were born in Cornwall, England and were married
in 1874 in Truro. They arrived in New Zealand in December 1874 on board the Assaye. Edwin died
in 1888 in Wellington and Margaret Jane remarried Samuel CADDY in 1890 and they had three
children. Samuel was a contractor and the family continued to live in Normanby, until Samuel went
farming. By 1911 the family had moved to a farm at Paerata. Lewis was helping on the farm but by
1914 had joined the New Zealand Railway in Pukekohe. In 1917, when Lewis enlisted, his younger
brother Albert had also attempted to enlist but was found to be medically unfit.

Enlistment and Training
Lewis enlisted in the 29th Reinforcements on 21 February 1917. His military records show an
incorrect birth date of 15 April 1884 and an incorrect age of 33 years. His mother Mrs. M J Caddy is
listed as next of kin. He was 5 feet 2 inches (157cm) tall, weighing 126 lbs (57kg). His complexion is
dark, eye brown, and hair black. He left for camp on the special troop train on 2 May and entered
Trentham Camp on 3 May to begin full training.
On 19 June the Pukekohe Soldiers’ Farewell Committee invited the soldiers who were on final leave
to join the public at a social to be held in the Carnival Tea Rooms on 21 June.

Service Abroad

On 14 July 1917 Lewis embarked on the Waikato but changed vessels to the Omrah in Cape Town,

South Africa and reached Southampton on 25 September as part of 28th Reinforcements, E

Company.

The group marched into Sling Camp and by 26 October he was headed for France, marching into

Base Camp at Etaples on 29 October.

Lewis caught German measles and Hospital at Rouen, France

on 10 November was dispatched to

7th General Hospital in St Omer,

France. He was later dispatched to a

Rest Camp and then to Base Depot

in early December. In late

December he finally returned to his

unit. Early January 1918, now part

of 11th Company, 3rd Battalion,

Lewis was sent to Training School

and returned to his unit two weeks

later.

In May 1918 Lewis was sent to Lewis Gun School and he returned to his Battalion in June. On 23
February 1919 Lewis was admitted to a hospital in Rouen, France and returned to an England
Hospital in June.
Lewis returned to New Zealand on the Remuera as part of Draft 289 of 625 men, 81 women and 24
children. The transporter left on 12 September from Plymouth for Auckland. They stopped off at
Newport News eleven days later and had a four-day break with some troops visiting Washington and
New York. Colon was reached on 2 October and interest in the Panama Canal was high. No leave
was granted as it was just anchorage for the night. A two-hour stay was made at Pitcairn Island on
the 15th. For each stop the skipper had prepared the troops and other passengers by giving lectures
on what they may see. Educational classes were also run during the trip, but the troops showed
little interest in them. The Remuera arrived in Auckland on 26 October. On their disembarkation
they were given refreshments from the Patriotic Society and the Auckland troops were ferried home
with family and friends by the Volunteer Motor Corps.
Lewis was finally discharged on 23 November 1919. He had spent 2 years 105 days overseas and 100
days in New Zealand. He received the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Post-war
On his return from the war Lewis returned to Paerata Road, Pukekohe and by 1928 he had returned
to farming in the Paerata area. His mother Margaret Jane passed away in 1927 and his stepfather in
1940. Both are buried in Pukekohe.
In 1942 Lewis married Annie Florence SCHLAEPFER (nee FLAY). Annie was born 17 August 1904 in
Bombay, Franklin, to William Flay and Mary Ann PERRY. Her first marriage in 1923 to Johannes
Schlaepfer had produced five children but ended in divorce. Lewis and Annie did not have children
of their own.
Lewis and Annie continued to live and farm in Paerata until early 1950s when they moved to Great
South Road, Drury and Lewis retired and claimed his pension. Lewis passed away on 31 May 1963
only writing his will on the 17th. Annie passed away 16 February 1981 and was buried at Manukau
Memorial Gardens, Auckland.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 093.
Roll of Honour at St Bride’s, Mauku, Auckland.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records and Probate
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
New Zealand History, Memorials
New Zealand BDM

Researched by Lois Hopping

Edward GUEST

Service Number: P/127307
Regiment: Highland Light Infantry
Last known Rank: Captain
Died: 18 August 1974
Age: 75 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 172

Pre-war
Edward GUEST was born on 27 February 1899 in Glasgow, the seventh child of eight of Edward
GUEST (1859-1927) and Isabella Barbara McINTOSH (1859-1930). He had two brothers and five
sisters, two of whom died as infants. His father was a house painter.
Edward attended Allan Glen’s School in Glasgow and was in the Cadet Corps from 1915-1917.

Enlistment and Training

Entry in Edinburgh University Roll of Honour book

Edward chose a military career and attended Edinburgh University from where he left to join the
Highland Light Infantry, 32nd Division of the 157th Brigade.

Service Abroad Edward’s medal card

The war diary of the above Brigade records that Edward
joined the battalion in France on 21 September 1918 as 2nd
Lieutenant. On 24 December 1918 the same diary records
him as one of seven officers proceeding to the Lewis Gun
School at Chateau de Buisseret in Belgium for training. On 8
March 1919 five officers, including Edward and 142 other
ranks proceeded to Mons where they joined the 9th
Battalion. Two months later Edward was part of the

contingent who sailed home from Dunkirk to Southampton.

Chateau de Buisseret

Post-war

Edward returned to Glasgow and in 1921 at St
Andres Church, Dundee, he married Greta
WILLIAMSON. In 1925 the address his medals were
posted to was 38 St Vincent Cres, Glasgow, where he
had lived with his parents.
He served in WW2 in the Royal Army Pay Corps and
in the London Gazette of 28 May 1940 he is listed as
Late H.L.I. to be Lieutenant from 15 April 1940 and
again in the London Gazette of 17 Oct 1941 he is
serving in The Royal Army Pay Corp. Although
records have not been found, he must have
obtained the rank of Captain, as indicated by his
headstone plaque.

38 Vincent Cres, Glasgow

On 9 June 1964 at the age of 65, Edward arrived in Wellington, New Zealand, on the MS Oranje,
travelling first class, giving his intended address as c/- Post Office, Paerata. Travelling in the next
cabin was Marjorie Latham JONES.
Edward divorced Greta in 1968.
In the 1969 and 1972 electoral rolls he was listed as an Accountant, living at Paerata with Marjorie.
Edward was buried on 21 August 1974 and Marjorie died in 1996.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 172.
University of Edinburgh Roll of
Honour book.

M S Oranje in 1964 on her last voyage before a name change

Sources
National Archives, war diaries Highland Light Infantry
Forum members of Great War Forum – supplying various documents and information
Find My Past – Census of Scotland 1901; Scotland, Rolls of Honour
New Zealand electoral rolls
1901 Census of Scotland

Researched by Heather Maloney

George W A GWILLIAM MM

Service Number: 2/2139
Regiment: New Zealand Field Artillery
Last known Rank: Bombardier
Died: 18 September 1976
Age: 79 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 175

Pre-war
George William Albert GWILLIAM was born on 17 February 1897 in Auckland to George William
Albert GWILLIAM and Louisa Charlotte Jane ELLISDON. Both parents were born in Australia but were
married in 1896 in New Zealand. George Jnr was the eldest of six children from this, his father’s
second marriage. George Snr’s first wife, Martha Largner BOND, had passed away in 1895 aged 25.
There were four children from the first marriage.
George Jnr attended Newton West School on Great North Road, Auckland. He sat Civil Service
examinations to advance in his career in the Railways Department, particularly the Locomotive
branch. He also volunteered for the No.2 Railway Engineers military cadets and the 7th Company
Garrison Artillery. Newspaper articles in May 1918 stated that;

“although only now 21 years of age, he has been on active service ever since the proclamation of the
outbreak of war in August 1914, when as a member of the Garrison Artillery, he was called out for
service at one of the forts. He was then only 17½ years old.”

Enlistment and Training
George’s enlistment papers were signed on 25 August 1915. He did his training at Trentham and left
from Wellington with the New Zealand Field Artillery in the 7th Reinforcements. His original call-up
was to be part of the 8th reinforcements. He embarked on 9 October 1915 on one of three troop
ships that sailed on that day – Aparima, Navua and Warrimoo.

Service Abroad
George disembarked at Suez, Egypt on 18 November. His group
did extra training and George also attended a School of
Instruction at Zeitoun. As a result of George’s training, he was
passed as Signaler 2nd Class on 29 January 1916. George was
admitted to the New Zealand General Hospital in Cairo on 26
February 1916 with bronchitis and transferred to Aotea
Convalescent Home in Heliopolis on 14 March 1916. Three
weeks later on 8 April George left from Alexandria for France.
He continued to suffer the occasional bout of bronchitis and
was treated mainly in field hospitals. On 30 June 1916 George
was transferred to 8th Battery, 4th Brigade. On 14 May 1917 he
was again attached to the School of Instruction rejoining his unit
on 6 June, and then in September 1917 he was given two weeks
leave.

During January 1918 he reported sick at a Casualty Clearing Station but returned to his unit 10 days
later. April and May saw George back at the School of Instruction for further training.
Back in the field, he was awarded the Military Medal for acts of gallantry on 31 May 1918:

“During an exceptionally heavy bombardment two
linesman on the Battery staff (of whom he was one)
worked up and down the line from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm
repairing the line, which was six times broken, under
extremely heavy fire.”

George was officially promoted to Bombardier in
August 1918, and he had earned leave in October
spending part of it in hospital in England. On 25
January 1919 he embarked on the Port Melbourne for
New Zealand. While on the ship he was admitted to
the hospital and spent a week there. A newspaper
report on 4 March 1919 advised that there were 58
cases of influenza (Spanish flu) among the men on the
Port Melbourne and that none were serious.
George was discharged on 11 April 1919. On George’s discharge paper it reads – complexion: dark,
hair: dark brown, eyes: blue, height: 5 feet 8 inches (172cm), trade: cleaner.

Post-war
George appeared on the 1919 Electoral Roll living at 41 Wanganui Avenue, Ponsonby, the home of
his parents, with an occupation of Locomotive Fireman. On 28 February 1922 George married
Myrtle Hatherill SNEDDEN. They were to have five children. In 1928 George and Myrtle were living
at 6 Clarence Street, Ponsonby and George was working as a trunk maker. By 1935 George and
Myrtle had gone farming at Mercer on Koheroa Road and were there until they retired to 17 Russell
Avenue, Pukekohe in mid to late 1960s.

George passed away on 18 September 1976 and Myrtle on 5 September 1989.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 175.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military records, probate, and photograph
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Papers Past
New Zealand and Victoria, Australia – BDM
Ancestry
New Zealand Electoral Rolls

Researched by Lois Hopping

Charles Henry HALL

Service Number: 203202
Regiment: Yorkshire Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 17 September 1977
Age: 86 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 178

Pre-war

Charles Henry HALL was born in Skerne, Yorkshire, England
in April 1891, the son of Henry Hall (1861-1955) and Mary
Lyell DEE (1866-1948). He was the fourth child of seven and
had three sisters and three brothers. In 1911 he was
working as a groom, family say for Sir Tatton SYKES at
Sledmore, who had a large stable of racehorses and
boarding with a family in Rillington, Yorkshire.

Enlistment, Training and Service Abroad He
Charles enlisted at Darlington on 15 August 1914 and was
posted to the 9th Yorkshire Regiment. The English military
records are in very poor condition (see below) and few
details other than his next of kin being his father and
occupation being a groom were readable.
From what is readable, Charles served in France between 18 April 1915 and 19 May 1916.
obviously saw other service as he was not discharged until 4 March 1919.

Part of Charles Military record

Post-war

At the time of his marriage in 1931 to Charlotte EVISON, Charles was farming at Brough, Yorkshire
but the newspaper report indicates the couple were intending to take up residence at Manor Farm,
the home of his DEE grandparents.

Manor Farm

Charles and Charlotte, probably at Mary’s wedding in In 1939 Charles was farming and they were living at
1952 Cuth Wolds, Brantingham with Charlotte’s mother
and two farm workers. They had a daughter, Mary,
born in 1932 and she married George Jeffrey
WILLIAMSON in 1952. It is unknown when the
Williamsons came to New Zealand, but Charles and
Charlotte arrived on 13 February 1965 aboard the
Iberia and settled in Totara Ave, Pukekohe with Mary
and her husband. Charles was aged 75 and retired at
the time of their move across the world. He died in
1977.

Charlotte died 22 January 2000 and is buried with Charles in Pukekohe.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 178.

Sources
Evison-Ednie Family Tree, Ancestry – photos and wedding newspaper cutting
Ancestry, Military record
Electoral Rolls England
New Zealand electoral rolls
Family Search, passenger lists

Researched by Heather Maloney

George Harold HANNAH

Service Number: 75861
Regiment: Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Trooper
Died: 12 October 1972
Age: 74 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Ashes 012

Pre-war

George HANNAH was born on 14 September 1898 at Gummies Bush, near Riverton. He was the
youngest of five children of Thomas HANNAH (1858-1899) and Margaret JUNGE (also known as
Margaretta or Maggie) (1867-1937) and had three sisters and a brother. His father Thomas died in
Invercargill Hospital in 1899 leaving Margaret with five children under the age of seven. Thomas
died intestate and amongst the probate records are many letters from the Southland Charitable
Board regarding taking the children into care at ‘Lorne Farm’, Makarewa. George would have
attended Makarewa School.
His mother married again in 1909 to John PITTAMS (1855-1916) and it is unknown whether she was
able to have her children back, but George gave his mother, Mrs J. Pittams, Manchester St, Feilding,
as next of kin when he enlisted in 1918. Margaret was to marry for a third time and died as
Mrs Archibald MAINS, in 1937 at Auckland Hospital.

Enlistment and Training
George enlisted on 14 March 1918 at Hawera and gave his occupation
as a farmhand working for Major Henty of Hawera. He was posted to
the 42nd NZ Mounted Rifles as a trooper.

Service Abroad
WW1: George embarked in Wellington 10 October 1918 on the
Moeraki to Sydney and after a stay at Liverpool Camp embarked on
the Malta for Suez via Freemantle and Colombo. Influenza was rife
and 16 soldiers died on this voyage. The Armistice was declared
before they reached Suez, so George did not see any active service
but remained overseas until embarking for home on 23 July 1919.
WW2: # 11002, Enlisting at Auckland on 13 November 1939, George declared he had one child, age

10, still at home and that he had served five years in the Taranaki
Mounted Territorials. He was described as 5 feet 10 inches (178cm), 11
stone 11 lbs (75kgs), complexion dark, hair brown, eyes grey and that he
had a lifetime experience with horses and had had 15 years experience
in driving. He was posted to the 6th Field Ambulance Corp at Burnham
Camp and in August 1940 embarked for Egypt. He served a total of 1
year 198 days, with exactly 1 year overseas. During this period, he spent
time in hospital with severe asthma and tonsillitis. He was invalided
home in April 1941 in the hospital ship Somersetshire.

Post-war
Between the wars George married Ruby Maude FREWIN in Wellington in 1920. George and Ruby
had four children – two boys and two girls. Prior to enlisting for WW2 George had worked on farms
in Bulls, Hunterville and Te Kohanga and for a short time was a self-employed contractor.
During WW2 Ruby took the family to Auckland where she worked in a factory making uniforms for
the soldiers.
In 1949 George and Ruby were dairy farming in Puni on the Aka Aka Road and by 1954 they had
shifted to Beatty Road in Pukekohe where George lived until his death.
His daughter Dorothy remembers her father as a quiet man, who enjoyed cards and following
racehorses. There were a group of card lovers who met regularly in each other’s houses to play.
Ruby Maude died in 1986, aged 86 and her ashes are buried with George.
In Memoriam
Lorne Farm Roll of Honour.
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Ashes 012.
Sources
Mrs Dorothy Landon – daughter
Archives New Zealand, military records
Archives New Zealand, probate for George’s father
New Zealand electoral rolls
New Zealand BDM
Researched by Heather Maloney

George’s tag from WW2

Henry William HARPER

Service Number: J19689
R.N.Z.N. WW1 Royal Navy
WW2 Royal NZ Navy
Last known Rank: Chief Petty Officer
Died: 16 December 1965
Age: 68 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Ashes 001

Pre-war
Henry William HARPER was born in East Ham, Essex, England on 1 February 1897, the eldest child of
John Thomas HARPER (1868) and Alice DARVILL (1868-1917). In the 1901 England Census Henry is
aged 4 years and his father’s occupation is given as Gas Worker and Coke spreading worker perhaps
indicating John held two jobs. His father was an ironmonger in the 1911 UK census.

Enlistment, Training and Service Abroad
Henry signed on at the Royal Navy in 1912 for 12 years. His first ship was HMS Impregnable. He was
described as 5 feet 4 inches (162cm), brown hair, brown eyes, and fresh complexion and initially
posted as a boy. This term applied to anyone under the age of 18, at which age they became an
ordinary seaman (O.S.) and were subject to the Naval Discipline Act, applicable to adult seaman.
By 1 February 1915 he was serving on HMS Britannia and in 1920 his last ship in the Royal Navy was
HMS Pembroke. He was discharged to the New Zealand Navy at the end of September 1920.

HMS Britannia

UK, Royal Navy Registers of Seamen’s Services, 1848- 1939 for Henry William Harper

Post-war
It is unknown when Henry came to New Zealand, but he is
first seen on the 1928 Electoral Roll living in Onehunga, his
occupation given as tram conductor. In December that
year Henry married Vera Mabel HUDSON (1905-1971) in
Auckland. Henry and Vera settled in Onehunga and
Henry remained a tram conductor until 1957. The 1957
Electoral Roll shows he had changed his occupation to
Aircraft Employee. Henry and Vera took a trip to
England in July 1957, returning in April 1958. Both
voyages were on the Southern Cross. Henry retired to
Lawrie Avenue, Pukekohe in 1963.

His WW2 service record is not freely available but according to his
RSA plaque, Henry also served in the Royal New Zealand
Navy and obtained the rank of Chief Petty Officer.
He was very active in the Naval Old Boys organisations
and was secretary for many years of the Chatham and
Philomel Association.
Henry’s ashes are in Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Ashes 001.

Sources

Bell-Boswell Family Tree, Ancestry
United Kingdom Census
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Papers Past
FamilySearch

Researched by Heather Maloney

William HARRISON

Service Number: 22199
Regiment: Gloucestershire Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 10 August 1968
Age: 74 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 128

Pre-war
According to William HARRISON’s death certificate, he was born in Penzance, Cornwall, England
about 1894. His parents were William Henry HARRISON, a Shipwright and Mary ANDREWS. None of
the facts have been able to be verified, leaving his pre-war life a mystery.

Enlistment, Training and Service Abroad
This file card found on Ancestry is
the only evidence of his war
service.

The Gloucestershire Regiment was a line infantry regiment of
the British Army. In total, 16 battalions of the Regiment saw active service during World War 1, on
the Western Front, in France and Flanders, Italy, Gallipoli, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia and Salonika.

Post-war

William immigrated to New Zealand soon after the end of the war. In 1944 he married Elizabeth
Wilcock THOMAS, who had previously been married in 1932 to Claude Angelo THOMAS (1894-1937)
of South Taranaki. Elizabeth was the seventh of nine children of Charles Ambrose WOOLFORD
(1868-1947) and Martha WILCOCK (1868-1917). Elizabeth had three children when she married
William and had arrived in Pukekohe around 1938, and the electoral roll lists her address as c/- Mr
OATES who owned the store at Mauku.
William and Elizabeth lived at 52 West St, Pukekohe all their married life. William worked variously
as a Hotel Yardman, Caretaker and a Cleaner.
He died on 10 August 1968 and Elizabeth continued living at West Street before moving into a
pensioner flat in Albert Place, Pukekohe. She died on 22 December 1988, aged 82 and according to
Council records, her ashes are buried with William.
In his will William named Elizabeth, her three children and William Eric Harrison as beneficiaries.

Death certificate for William Harrison

William’s signature from his will

Footnote
The contributors of the Great War Forum who assisted with this research have come up with a very
interesting and credible theory about this man:
They have proved that the man with number #22199, Gloustershire Regiment was in fact William George
Andrew BRAY, born 10 October 1893, the son of William Henry Bray and Thirza Jane ANDREW (s). William H.
Bray was serving in the navy from 1885 to 1919 when he transferred to the Coastguard. The family were living
in Cornwall in 1901 and William G.A. Bray was living in Cornwall in 1911, working as a gardener.
William G.A. Bray served with the 7th Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment in WW1, service number
22199, enlisting on 11 September 1914 earning a trio of medals, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory
Medal, before being transferred to Class P on 20 January 1917 and qualifying for a Silver War Badge. He then
re-enlisted on an emergency service enlistment for 90 days.
In August 1922 William immigrated to New Zealand, working as a farm labourer in Taranaki. His last known
address is given on the passenger list as St Autell, Cornwall.
In 1935 he came to the attention of the Police (Police Gazette 1935) and then completely disappeared but in
1944 a William HARRISON married Elizabeth Wilcock THOMAS from Taranaki.
William’s death certificate names his parents as William Henry Harrison (correct forenames, wrong surname)
and Mary Andrews (wrong forename, correct maiden name). There is a Harrison connection – his mother’s
sister married Joseph Harrison, so when he disappeared in 1935, did he pick this surname as his new surname?

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 128.

Sources
New Zealand electoral rolls
New Zealand Archives, probate
Wilson Collection – marriage record
New Zealand BDM
Ancestry – military index card
Ancestry – 82 Family Trees for Woolford
Wikipedia – Gloucestershire Regiment

Researched by Barbara Raven and Heather Maloney

George Edward HART

Service Number: 280991
Regiment: R.A.S.C. Imperial Forces
Last known Rank: Lance Corporal
Died: 8 June 1961
Age: 63 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 080

Pre-war

George was born in 1898 in South Queensferry, in Scotland but moved to Portsmouth, Hampshire
before he was three. He was the eldest of three children of Edward Joseph HART (1874-1962) and
Eliza Margaret (1877-1957). Edward was a Navy Blacksmith and Eliza was a small general dealer,
selling sweets and groceries from home.

Enlistment and Training

George enlisted on 23 September 1914 and was posted to the Royal Hampshire Regiment as part of
the Imperial Forces attached to the Service Corp.

Service Abroad George’s army card

George’s wartime task as part of the
Service Corp would have been to
supply transportation, both mechanical
and horses, to the troops and to supply
weapons, munitions, and food.
On 19 Oct 1918 George was wounded
and therefore “entitled to wear a
wound stripe”. He was discharged on 6
May 1919 as no longer physically fit for
active service.

Royal Army
Service Corps
troops at work
moving
supplies.
Typical duties

for the Service

Corps.

Post-war
On 20 September 1923, George left England for New Zealand on the Remuera, disembarking in
Wellington. His details on the passenger list said he was a Shipwright and that his last address was
19 Alver Rd, Fratton, Portsmouth.

The Remuera was converted from coal to oil in 1921 and was the first oil fired passenger ship to come to New Zealand

By 1925 he was settled at 60 Point Chevalier Rd and was working as a Carpenter and later in 1928 he
moved to Albert Rd, Waterview. Arapuni, Waikato was the next move in 1935, where he was a
Powerhouse Attendant. In 1936 George married Mildred Louise WORTHINGTON, who was born on
22 March 1907. She was the third of six children of Howard WORTHINGTON (1874-1951) and
Florence Amy POTTS (1878-1969). The WORTHINGTON family were from Stratford, Taranaki.
George and Mildred had two children, a son, and a daughter.
From 1938 George and Mildred lived at 69 Alford St, Waterview, Auckland and George worked as a
Cleaner and a Lift attendant.
George was buried on 10 June 1961.
Mildred continued living in Alford St until her death on 25 May 2002. She was cremated at
Waikumete Cemetery.
In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 080.

Sources
New Zealand electoral rolls
War forces, military records
UK census
Ancestry – Hart Family Tree
Researched by Barbara Raven

Clarence Wilfred HAYDEN

Service Number: 38912
Regiment: Machine Gun Corps
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 29 January 1965
Age: 69 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Ashes 049

Pre-war
Clarence Wilfred (Clarry) the sixth of eleven children, was born 21 November 1985 to John William
Herbert (Herbie) HAYDEN and Alice May SIMPSON. Both his parents were born in New Zealand and
were of English descent.
Herbie was a farmer and contractor and they lived in Feilding, near Palmerston North.
Clarry was a labourer in 1916 working for BROWNLIES & Co of Kilbirnie, Wellington and was living in
Ghuznee Street.

Enlistment and Training
By 20 September Clarry had passed his medical and filled his Attestation Form to enlist for the Army.
He had been a Senior Cadet (No 30 Coy) and he volunteered for the 22nd Reinforcement.
Clarry was described as single, 5 feet 9¼ inches (176cms), 10 stone 8 lbs (67kgs), had a fresh
complexion, grey eyes, dark brown hair, he was an Anglican, and his father was his next of kin.
As a Private in the Machine Gun Section (23rd Specialist Company) Clarry was posted to camp at
Trentham.
Christmas leave must have been special as on 23 December at Wellington, Clarry married Freda Emily
PARROTT who had emigrated from England in 1914. Freda’s older sister had arrived the previous year.
It was then back to camp – at Papawai and Featherston.

Service Abroad
Clarry transferred to 24th Reinforcements and on 14 April 1917 embarked on the HMN Z T 82 Pakeha
which was leaving with the Devon. The total troop number was 2,141.
After a stop in Sydney they arrived at Plymouth, Devon, England 28 July and marched to Sling camp.
After eight days they moved to Grantham, the N Z Machine Gun Corps Reserve Depot in Lincolnshire.
It was while there on 11 September the first of his two daughters were born. Freda was staying at
Feilding.
On 19 October 1917 they left for France to Camiers and 27 October they were ‘in the field’ just after
the battle at Passchendaele with the 1st N Z Infantry Brigade known as Auckland Company. He was
detached to 2nd Company for six weeks and was stationed in the Polygon Wood area south of
Passchendaele Chateau.
On 2 July 1918 Clarry was sick and in isolation for a few days. On 28 August Clarry was very sick with
diarrhoea and taken to the ‘2 N Z field Ambulance’ (mobile medical unit) then a Casualty Clearing
Station. On 3 September he was admitted to the 3rd Australian General Hospital at Abbeville then
the Convalescent Depot at Cayeux. He was transferred to the Base Depot at Etaples and sent to
convalesce at Camiers.
Clarry re-joined his Battalion, A company on 16 November and was off to the U K on leave 6 December.

On 14 January 1919 Clarry was struck with influenza and sent to the General Hospital then
Convalescent Depot at Codford. He returned to Duty and was appointed Cook in March.
Clarry embarked on the Ayrshire leaving Liverpool 5 August 1919. There was a stop at Colon, Panama
where they had a day’s leave and much entertainment. The voyage had been enlivened by daily
concerts put on by the Reserve Battalion of the NZRB from Brocton Camp. Clarry reached Lyttelton
20 September, he had been away from family for 2 years, 149 days.
Alice and Herbie Hayden wrote as ’next of kin’ for two wharf passes to meet Clarry at Lyttelton at the
reserved enclosure where the troops would disembark.
Clarry was discharged 19 October 1919 and he received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Post-war
Though Clarry had given a Wellington address for his pension when he returned, it was to Feilding he
and the family would live, with him working as a labourer.
Clarry became a bushman and they lived at Mamaku, near Rotorua, then Ohaeawai, near Kaikohe, for
many years then a change to Takapuna where a daughter was living ‘down the road’ and where he
was a barman.
An opportunity to have a business saw them living at Waiotahi, near Opotiki but by 1957 he was a tally
clerk living at Rothesay Bay before retiring and living at Bracken Gardens in Takapuna.
Clarry died 29 January 1965 at Middlemore Hospital aged 69. His ashes were interred at Pukekohe.
Freda later moved to Pukekohe near her younger daughter. She died 20 August 1978 at Lady Allum
Home, Milford, North Shore.

The children of Herbie and Alice HAYDEN. Clarry is standing on the left in the back row.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Ashes-049.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Record
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
New Zealand BDM
Wikipedia
Ancestry
New Zealand History WW1
Papers Past

Researched by Penny Prescott

Percy Alfred HINTON

Service Number: 50916
Regiment: New Zealand Field Artillery
Last known Rank: Gunner
Died: 12 June 1969
Age: 76 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 132

Pre-war

Percy Alfred HINTON was born at Matamata 29 July 1892. His father Job had been
born in Australia and his mother, Millicent (Milly) Maud HUNT, had lived there but
both were of English descent. They had a large family of 13 and Percy grew up on
the farm at Matangi near Hamilton.

Hinton Family Crest

Enlistment and Training
On 3 February 1917 Percy was 25, farming and self-employed and his father was his next of kin.
He was 5 feet 9¼ inches (176cms),148 lbs (67kgs), his hair and complexion were dark, his eyes brown
and he was an Anglican. Percy had been in the 4th/11 Waikato Mounted Rifles, and he volunteered
for the 25th Reinforcements.
On 31 May he was posted to Featherston as a Gunner with the 30th then 32nd Reinforcements of
the New Zealand Field Artillery.

Service Abroad
Percy embarked on the HMNZT 96 Manganui on 21 November 1917 at Wellington with the 32nd
Reinforcements New Zealand Field Artillery and disembarked at Liverpool, Merseyside 8 January 1918.
They marched into the Depot at Aldershot, Wiltshire and later left for France 10 February.
From Etaples they went into the field on the 14 February and Percy had been posted to 1st Brigade
7th Battery. On 8 April Percy was wounded in action by Gun Shot Wounds to both his thighs.

From #1 New Zealand Field Ambulance
he was taken to a Casualty Clearing
Station then to #18 General Hospital in
Camiers near Etaples and 11 April
travelled to England on the Hospital Ship
Princess Elizabeth (pictured at left). Percy
was admitted to 1st New Zealand General
Hospital at Brockenhurst, Hampshire,
then 12 June transferred to the
Convalescent Hospital at Hornchurch,
Essex. He was then classified as unfit on
24 August due to the right thigh wounding and in September he was sent to the New Zealand
Discharge Depot at Torquay. Percy embarked for New Zealand on the Ayrshire 6 November 1918 from
Plymouth and returned to Auckland 25 December. He was to continue treatment at Waikato Hospital.
Army personnel had feared he would never walk, but he did walk again, however with bent knees.
His final discharge was 22 August 1919 he received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Post-war Percy with his parents, Job and Milly
Percy went back farming. On 22 September 1919 he married
Cecilia Alice Lillian ROBINSON and they had five children Ivan,
Trevor, Norrie and twin girls Dulcie and Eileen. Cecelia had
arthritis and suffered during the cold Waikato winters at
Matangi where Percy was now share-milking.
Percy was very involved in the community. He was a judge of
the school swimming carnival and helped with races at the
picnic, was involved with the Waikato Winter show winning
places in the Agricultural section with his potatoes, helped with
catering or judging at Gymkhana competitions and there were
always dances organised by the local clubs.
In 1938 the family moved to a dairy farm in Ostrich Road
Patumahoe. Initially Cecelia was using crutches to walk
however as her arthritis worsened, she relied on a wheelchair.
Sons Ivan and Trevor were farming but played rugby for the
local club with Percy supporting them.

War broke out in 1939 and as Ivan and Trevor had joined the Army, Percy managed all farm duties.
Percy was a strong supporter of the Franklin A & P Society where he was a steward with the horses.
By 1963 the farm had been sold and Percy and Cecelia moved to a house by the railway line in Paerata
with a large vegetable garden and orchard and an enormous bougainvillea that grew along the outside
fence. A wide range of fresh vegetables always featured at the family Christmas dinner including new
potatoes, beans and peas. Percy always had a pocket full of cleanly washed sixpences to hide in the
grand children’s lunch on Christmas Day. Percy was the sole caregiver of Cecelia caring for her with
patience and understanding. They worked as a team and cooked together, always having biscuit treats
for grandchildren’s visits. Cecelia produced fine hand pieces of sewing, knitting, crochet and shell
work and he would wind wool, cut up material, punch holes in cardboard to make book covers, wash
shells and varnish jewellery boxes. Percy would push her in the wheelchair to the Paerata Hall for the
monthly WDFF meeting of competitions. Most Fridays, he took Cecelia to Pukekohe in their black
Morris 8 car and while he shopped, she sat in the car and waited for passers-by to stop and chat.
During their time at Paerata Percy got to know every steam train’s arrival and departure time as the
trains stopped to refill the water tanks.
Percy had been in hospital and had six weeks at home before he died 12 June 1969.
Cecelia spent her last days at Wallace Home in Papatoetoe and died on 23 October 1970 and is buried
with Percy.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 132.

Sources

Hinton Family
Archives New Zealand, Military records
Google: N Z History WW1, photo hospital ship
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Papers Past
Ancestry
Familysearch
New Zealand Electoral Rolls

Researched by Penny Prescott

Joseph James HOE

Service Number: 70051
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Trooper
Died: 9 June 1948
Age: 51 Years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 015

Pre-war
Joseph James, born 25 May 1897 to Richard William Roderic HOE and Carolina Florence CAMPBELL of
Woodhill, Kaipara, was named after his grandfather and known as Joe. He grew up on the land and
spent time swimming and horse riding with his four brothers, four sisters, cousins, and friends,
especially enjoying time at the bach at Muriwai. Joe went to the local primary school then his
secondary years were in Auckland. He moved to Dargaville and began work as a clerk for N Z Railways.
He also served as a senior cadet in the North Island Battalion of the Railway Engineers, a territorial
force.

Enlistment and Training
Joe enlisted and was examined 27 July 1917 aged 20
at Dargaville. He was single, 6 feet ½ inch (184cms),
weighed 158 lbs (72kgs), had fair complexion, light
blue eyes, brown hair, and was Anglican. His next of
kin was his mother who had Woodhill, Kaipara Line as
her address.
As a Private in A Company 35th Reinforcements, Joe
was at Trentham camp on 18 October then
transferred as a Trooper to the 36th Mounted Rifle
Brigade at Featherston 31 October. The training
programme included dismounted drill, shooting,
mounted drill, animal management and stable duties.
All mounted reinforcements had to pass confirmatory
riding tests before being cleared to go overseas.

Service Abroad
Joe embarked on the Moeraki 21 February 1918 at
Wellington with the 36th Reinforcements and then
was transhipped to Ormonde at Sydney.
On 4 April they reached Suez and 11 May Joe was
posted to the Mounted Signal Troop at Moascar. They
were soon ‘in the field’ and joined the raids on Amman in the Jordan Valley against the Ottoman Army
and where daily maximum temperatures could range from 36°C to 46°C. On 13th October Joe
reported sick, malaria was hitting the ANZAC troops hard and on the 16th October he was admitted
to a Stationary Hospital, and on 18th to the British 27th Army General Hospital in Abbassia, Cairo.

Then on 24th he was transferred to the
Kantara (El Qantara) Hospital Centre
where he stayed and was diagnosed with
malaria. A few days later he was
transferred to Aotea (NZ) Convalescent
Home, Heliopolis, Egypt. On 7 November
1918 Joe was discharged and sent to camp
at Ismailia but he had further health
complications. In January 1919 it was
decided because of his illness Joe should
return to New Zealand, and he embarked
at Suez on the Kaikoura 6 March 1919 and
reached Wellington on 18 April. There
were further medical reports and Joe was
finally discharged 27 June 1919. He
received the British War Medal and the
Victory Medal. Sadly, Joe’s brother
Stanley had died at Messines Battle just
prior to Joe enlisting.

Post-war
Joe returned to his job as a clerk for N Z Railways, now living in Auckland at 48 Grafton Road. In a
ballot of 12 sections open to returned soldiers in July 1920. Joe was successful with section 9 at
Settlement Road - 137 acres at Puni, 4½ miles west of Pukekohe. He lived in an old wool shed until
erecting a house 12’ X 12’. It was dire conditions – a clay road, no power and there was a depression.
Joe met and married Vera WRIGHT, a local Otaua girl, 18 October 1922. They were to have seven
children, six girls and one boy.
By now Joe had built up a dairy herd breeding Jerseys. He exhibited at the shows and over many years
his Large White sows and boars would win first place. Joe became a member of the Franklin A & P
Society and went on the committee for the show pigs. His ability with horses was well known and he
could break in wild horses and train them. His girls also enjoyed horse riding.
An accident with a bus while riding a horse at Paerata in 1927 was unlucky and he sustained injuries
but was awarded damages.
Joe was involved with the RSA activities, competing in the Tug of War and relay races at the Annual
Picnics. He was interested in politics, belonged to Lodge Auckland and was very involved with local
events and the social dances including the ‘Fancy Dress’.
Joe became ill and passed away in Middlemore Hospital 9 June 1948. Vera lived another 50 years and
passed away 3 August 1998. Their son had gone on the farm, later buying down the road where family
are still living today.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot-015.

Sources

Hoe Family
New Zealand Archives, Military Record
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
New Zealand History W W 1
FamilySearch
Wikipedia
Papers Past
Researched by Penny Prescott

James HOLLIDGE

Service Number: 46346
Regiment: Auckland Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 10 October 1960
Age: 78 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 073

Pre-war
James HOLLIDGE, born on 5 February 1882 in South Norwood, Croyden, Surrey, England was the
youngest child of James HOLLIDGE (1842-1881) and Mary Ann DARBY (1841-1930). James Snr was
born in Surrey and was a builder and glass and china dealer. Mary Ann and James had six children,
four boys and two girls. Frederick Charles, elder brother of James, immigrated to Wellington, New
Zealand in 1902 and James Jnr followed him in 1907. The two brothers settled in Waikino, near
Waihi, Frederick as a plumber and James as a tailor, becoming manager of Conner and Glass, tailors
in Main Street, Waihi.

Enlistment and Training James enlisted in Paeroa on 11 January
1917. He gave his occupation as tailor and
Waikino Hotel his address as Waikino Hotel. His next of
kin were given as his mother, Mrs M.
Hollidge of 24 Weinder Rd, South Norwood,
Surrey and his brother, Frederick Charles
Hollidge of Waikino Hotel. His statistics
were given as: age 33 years, 5 feet 7 inches
(170cm) tall, 121 lbs (55kg), dark
complexion, grey eyes, dark hair, and his
religion as Anglican.

Service Abroad
As part of the 25th reinforcement James embarked on the “Tofua”, which left Wellington on 26 April
1917, along with the troopship “Turakina”. The ships arrived in Devonport, England on 20 July 1917
and from there the troops marched to Sling camp. On 5 September the troops left for France and by
3 October they had joined their regiment at Etaples. James had Trench fever several times and this
saw him admitted to Rouen Hospital. In September 1918 James was on leave and went to England.
On 14 August 1919, James sailed on the “Adolph Woermann” for Wellington, disembarking on 1
October 1919, followed by discharge on 30 October 1919. He had served overseas for 2 years and
160 days and 107 days in New Zealand.

On the voyage home, an onboard newsletter publication
was produced in which soldiers were encouraged to
submit stories, poems or cartoons.
On the Adolph Woermann this publication was called
“The Home Trail” and as there were wives and children
on board for this voyage home, a picture of a nurse and
child was on the cover.

Post-war
Upon discharge, James returned to Waikino and to his brother, Fred, who now had a wife, Catherine.
By 1928 James had moved to Westcourt, Pukekohe where he was working as a tailor. In 1929,
James married Florence Emily Leta HARLIN, (1894-1977) daughter of Alice Ada and Henry Thomas
HARLIN. James and Florence lived in Seddon Street, Pukekohe and James continued to work as a
tailor until his death on 10 October 1960.
His wife Florence is buried in Waikumete Cemetery, Auckland.

In Memoriam
James is buried in Plot 073 Pukekohe RSA Cemetery.

Sources
New Zealand BDM
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Archives New Zealand, Military Records and Probate
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Wises Directory
Family Search
Flotilla Australia
Papers Past

Researched by Barbara Raven

Thomas Henry HORNE

Service Number: 73260
Regiment: Auckland Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 14 November 1967
Age: 70 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 119

Pre-war

Thomas Henry HORN(E) was born on the 4 January 1897 at Onehunga. He was the eldest child of
Thomas Nicholas Henry HORN (1871–1916,) and Alice Green LAMBERT (1872-1939). Thomas had six
siblings, five brothers and one sister. In the 1911 Electoral Roll Thomas’s father was a saw doctor
and was living at Norman’s Hill, Onehunga. Thomas’s grandfather had been a Master Mariner from
Brunswick, Germany and he and his wife Catherine GRADY had settled at Huia in the Waitakere’s
and then later in Mangatawhiri.

Enlistment and Training
Thomas Henry was attested with the NZ Army on 15 October 1917. His next-of-kin was his mother,
Mrs A C Horn and he was working as an Exchange Clerk. He was placed in E company when he
arrived at Trentham. On 29 January 1918 he was transferred to B Company and then on 28 February
he was placed into the 38th Reinforcements, which was a Specialist Company. Thomas Henry was
described as; height 5 foot 8 inches(172cm), weight 116 lbs (53kg), nlack hair, hazel eyes, with a pale
complexion. He gave his Religion as Methodist.

Service Abroad
Thomas embarked from Wellington on 05
June 1918 on HNNZT 105 Remuera
arriving at Liverpool, England on 31 July
1918. From there the men marched to
the Sling camp. By 22 November 1918
Thomas had developed the flu and this
progressed to bronchitis. He was
admitted to hospital for thirteen days.
When he was released from hospital his
condition was described as being ‘left
with debility and poor physique’. On 14
March 1919, Thomas Henry left London
on board the SS Ionic for New Zealand.
He had spent 324 days overseas but had
seen no active service.

Post-war

Upon discharge on 25 May
1919, Thomas began work

again as an Exchange Clerk
in the Waikato and was

living with a Mrs Terry of
Grey St, Hamilton.

In 1926 Thomas married
Constance Mona MORROW
(1905-1983). She was the

daughter of Frances James
Morrow (1874-1962) and

Fanny Rebecca REYNOLDS

(1880-1952) and had six

siblings. Thomas and

Constance had two sons. By
1928 Thomas was working

as an Electric Linesman in

Pukekohe. He and

Constance were living in
Princes St, Pukekohe. 1946 saw the couple moving to John St, Pukekohe and in 1957 Thomas was
working as a Meter Reader, living with Constance at 116

John St, Pukekohe.
He was involved in the Orange Lodge and was a keen
sportsman, featuring frequently in the local paper, playing

bowls and golf. Thomas Henry died on 14 November 1967.

In Memoriam
Thomas Henry is buried in Plot 119 Pukekohe RSA
Cemetery.

Sources
New Zealand BDM
New Zealand Archives, Military
Records
Ancestry
Family Search
Google
New Zealand Electoral Roll
Auckland Museum Centoph

Researched by Barbara Raven

‘The Remuerian’
The onboard newsletter published
during the voyage to England 1918

Walter Waddell HORWELL MM ED

Service Number: 3/89A
Regiment: Medical Corps
Last known Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Died: 22 March 1970
Age: 76 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Ashes 009

Pre-war

Walter Waddell HORWELL was born Christchurch, 29 November 1893, the third child of William
Parkes Horwell, a butcher and Joan Cooper BROWN of Sophia Street, Timaru. He had two sisters and
two brothers. He was educated at Christchurch East and Phillipstown schools, before transferring to
Timaru Main School (Timaru High School). Walter had been dux in 1907 and won a junior
scholarship in 1908.

Enlistment and Training
Walter was a student when he enlisted on 19 August
1914 and embarked with the Main Body on 10
troopships on 16 October 1914. He had been a Timaru
High School cadet and served in the Field Ambulance
before he enlisted.
He was described as 5ft 8in (172cm), weight 138 lbs
(62kgs), complexion dark, eyes grey, hair black and
gave his religion as Presbyterian.
He was posted to the NZ Medical Corp.

Service Abroad
Walter served 4 years and 145 days in WW1. He saw
action in Egypt, Gallipoli, France, and Belgium.
He had distinguished himself in the Ambulance Corps in
France and was awarded the Military Medal for
conspicuous bravery at the Somme in 1916. In 1917 he
attended Officer Training School in England and
progressed through the ranks to Lieutenant.
In August 1917, his brother in Timaru received a long,
interesting letter from Walter, in which he described
the destruction and desolation of ruined villages. This letter was published in a Timaru paper, and in
part it read:

“This is only a portion of what war, really means. I think one who has never seen it pictures only the
charge of men across shell swept ground, or the clash of steel on steel. One is apt to forget the pain,
the sufferings of innocent people, large-hearted, simple, peasant folk, who, up to three years ago
were, contented with their small farms, their work; knowing nothing, thinking nothing of the evil
days in store. To my mind, these things will leave a bigger mark on the boys than the memories of
the long days and nights in the trenches, or of the hell of a big battle”.

Walter embarked at Plymouth on 23 March 1918 and returned to New Zealand on the Remuera.

Post-war
In 1919 Walter was living with his parents, at 56 Church St, Timaru and working as a teacher at
Timaru High School. He married Stella May FREW in 1921 and they had two daughters, sadly their
eldest died aged 10.
Walter joined the Territorials in 1919 and continued to serve for many years, being promoted to
Captain before his retirement.
He was awarded the E D –
Efficiency Decoration in 1939,
recognizing his long military
career.

By 1937 Walter and Stella were
living in Pukekohe and Walter
was a teacher at Pukekohe
Technical College, later
renamed Pukekohe High
School. They were living in
Kitchener Road, Pukekohe in
1948 when Walter applied for
the position of Senior Education
Officer in the Army. He was
rejected as the retirement age in the army was 55 years.
Sometime before 1954 they had shifted to Torbay where Walter taught at Torbay High School.
Stella died on 18 May 1979 and is buried in Pukekohe Cemetery with her daughter Robyn.

In Memoriam
Walter died on 22 March 1970 on the MV Tufoa and was buried at sea during the voyage between
Auckland and Suva.
He has a plaque 009 in the Ashes section Pukekohe RSA Cemetery.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Record
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Papers Past
School Admission records
New Zealand BDM

Researched by Rosemary Lewis

George Eng King HOW CHOW MID

Service Number: 54750
Regiment: New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Last known Rank: Rifleman
Died: 4 January 1971
Age: 72 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 146

Pre-war

George was born in Gisborne on the 4 December 1895, the youngest of seven children of George Snr

1846-1907 and Sophia WEST (1854-1946). George Snr and Sophia were married in Gisborne on

25 April 1885.

George Jnr was educated at Gisborne

Central School, Te Karaka District

School and for a short time at St Jose

College in Hong Kong.

George Snr worked as a chef when he

first arrived in New Zealand, then he

bought and owned the Central Bakery

in Gladstone Rd, Gisborne until it was

burnt down in 1893. He rebuilt the

bakery and opened as the Empire

Dining Rooms. George sold the dining

rooms in 1901 and moved to Te Karaka

where he bought the Te Karaka Tavern The family home in Te Karaka
and built a home at 1 Kipling Rd, Te Karaka, Gisborne.

In 1906 George Snr sold up and took all the family to Hong Kong. Later in 1906 Sophia and six of the

children returned to live in New Zealand and George Snr went on to his family village, Konghoi in

China. Soon after the family left, George Snr was kidnapped by brigands in China and a £9000

ransom was demanded. Held for almost a year, George was finally released and returned to New

Zealand in 1908.

George Jnr played soccer from 1912 to 1917 for Gisborne clubs and during these years George was a

senior army cadet.

Enlistment and Training
On 8 February 1917 George Jnr enlisted in the Army, giving his address as 376 Te Waiti Stream Rd,
Otara, Gisborne. He had previously worked for Mr D. J. BARRY as a farmer in Opotiki.
George trained in Trentham and embarked on HMNZT 88 Athenic from Wellington on 16 July 1917.
The ship arrived in Liverpool on 16 September 1917 and the troops marched into Tidworth that day.
George was described as 5 feet 5½ inches (165cm) tall, weighing 146 lbs (66kg), brown eyes and
black hair of dark complexion and his religion as Anglican.

Service Abroad
George served on the Western Front for 2 years 78 days. By 23 October 1917 he was at Brocton
Camp in France, then from there he was moved on 26 October to Etaples and on 3 November 1917
he joined his battalion in the 4th New Zealand Mounted Rifles.

He took part in many of the important battles of
WW1; 3rd Battle of Ypres, Battle of Bapaume, and
Le Quesnoy. He was in B Company, the first unit to
get to Le Quesnoy and in the same unit as Leslie
AVERILL the first man up the ladder at Le Quesnoy.
George was Mentioned in Despatches from Sir
Douglas HAIGH on 16 July 1919:

“For distinguished and gallant services and
devotion to duty during the period 16 September
1918 to 15 March 1919”

He spent time in hospital after spraining his ankle
playing a game of soccer, followed by a bout of flu.
George received the 1914-15 Star and the Victory
medal with oak leaf.
When the war finished George stayed on in
Cologne on occupational duties and then spent
time at Sling camp.
He returned to NZ on the Cordoba arriving on
3 October 1919. He was discharged on 29 October
1919.

This photo was sent to his

sister Annie, and is signed

“your affectionate brother

Post-war George, Trentham, 13-07-17”

After the war George played rugby in Gisborne, worked as a labourer in Puha, Gisborne, a farmhand

in Opotiki and Morrinsville and then a dairy farmer in Buckland Road, Tuakau before retiring to

Collie Rd, Pukekohe.

In 1925 he was in a Hawaiian band that played at the opening of the Waioeka Settlers Hall, and in

1938 he won a Euchre Tournament in Gisborne.

While in England he became engaged and had a son known as George DAVIS. This son came to New

Zealand looking for his father and changed his name to George HOW CHOW.

The later years of George’s life were lived in solitude, the family saying, as the result of his war

experiences.

In Memoriam
George is buried in the RSA cemetery Plot 146.

Sources

Archives New Zealand, Military record
New Zealand BDM
Andrews Family Tree - Ancestry
Poverty Bay Herald 06 September 1907
The Dominion April 21 1908, Story of capture and ransom.
Gisborne Herald 3rd November 2018
London Gazette 8837
Auckland Museum Cenotaph

Researched by Barbara Raven

William George HUDSON

Service Number: 70286
Regiment: Auckland Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 12 January 1962
Age: 75 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 086

Pre-war
William George HUDSON was born in Auckland, New Zealand on 8 October 1886, the only son of
George Thomas Turnbull HUDSON (1859-1932) and Elizabeth Frances BERRY (1853-1932). He had
one sister, Alice Susan (1888-1975). He and Alice attended Awhitu School from 1895 until 1901.

Enlistment and Training
William’s attestation papers were filled out on 18 June 1917 and he formally enlisted on 18 October
1917. He noted his next of kin as his father, George Thomas HUDSON of Grahams Beach, Franklin.
William was a Master Mariner living at the same address.
William was assigned to B Company, of the 34th Reinforcements in the Wellington Infantry Regiment.
He was described as 5 feet 10 inches (177cm), weight 150 lbs (68kg), with auburn hair, and blue
eyes. He had a fair complexion and listed his religion as Presbyterian.

Service Abroad
William embarked for Liverpool on HMNZT 100 Ulimaroa on 8 February 1918 arriving on 29 March
1918. All his 1 year and 162 days of overseas service were spent on the Western Front and
subsequently in hospital in France and the United Kingdom.
On 1 October 1918 William received a 7-inch (18cm) flesh wound in the abdomen and was
hospitalised and then sent back to the United Kingdom. He embarked for New Zealand on the
Zealandia and arrived home on 28 February 1919. On 12 March 1919 William was declared no
longer physically fit for duty and was discharged from active service.

HMS Zealandia