They Came Home from WW1 - Pukekohe

Post-war
On his arrival home William went back to living with his
parents at Taitimu, Grahams Beach.
On 4 May 1921 he married Gertrude Mary LABRUM (1899-
1962) in Auckland. The couple had two children. William
had a second marriage in 1931 and had three more
children.
In 1928 William and his family were living at Arthur St,
Onehunga, where in 1933 they had a house fire, reported
in the New Zealand Herald on 19 June 1933.
From 1935-1957, William and family members lived at
Taitimu, Grahams Beach and William is listed as a
Boatman.
In Memoriam
William is buried in plot 086 RSA Section
Pukekohe Cemetery,
and on the Memorial at Awhitu Church.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military record
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Papers Past
Ancestry
Google
Researched by Barbara Raven

Alexander HUME

Service Number: 59651
Regiment: Otago Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 22 July 1976
Age: 84 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 173

Pre-war
Alexander was born on 7 July 1892 in County Antrim, Ireland, the third of eight children of Alexander
HUME (1854-23 July 1932), and Jemima McCALLEN (1863-27 February 1941). In the 1901 and 1911
Irish census Alexander was living at home with his parents and siblings. According to his Attestation
papers Alexander had been in New Zealand for 2 years when he enlisted in 1917.

Enlistment and Training
Alexander enlisted on 29 May 1917 and said he was a farmhand working for R McEWEN of Pihama.

He gave his next of kin as his father, A HUME, Cranfield,
Randalstown, County Antrim and a friend Mrs RUSSELL of
Goodwood, Otago.
Alexander was posted to the 30th reinforcements,
F Company of the Otago Regiment. He was described as
5 feet 9 inches (175cm), 151 lbs (68kgs), dark complexion,
hazel eyes, black hair and being Presbyterian. He also
stated that he had previously had a nervous breakdown.

Service Abroad
Alexander embarked for Liverpool, England on the HMNZT 93 Corinthic on 13 October 1917, arriving
on 8 December 1917. From there he
marched to Sling Camp before being sent to
the Western Front on 14 February 1918.
After 1 year and 277 days overseas,
Alexander returned to New Zealand on the
SS Kigoma arriving home on 13 August
1919.

18 June 1919 Hawera & Normanby Star

Post-war
Alexander’s discharge address was Matapu Post Office, Taranaki and later in 1919 he was farming at
Ngawhine Road, Ararata. On 22 July 1921 Alexander was living in a Railway Boarding House in Hawera.
On 28 September 1921 Alexander married Matilda (Maud) LEITH of Patea (5 May 1897–3 September
1973). Maud, as she was more commonly known, was the daughter of William LEITH (1864-1927) and

Annie Rachel NICHOLL (1867-1906). Maud and her sister, Jeannie came to Wellington on the SS
Pakeha leaving from Southampton on 16 June 1921.
Alexander and Maud had three sons: John Alexander, who was a farmer at Waiau Pa, Richard James,
who farmed at Pukekohe East and Paparata, and William Leith, who was a rubber worker in Manurewa
and one daughter, Annie.
In early 1925 the couple were farming at Patea, Taranaki and the local papers covered a court case
over disputed goods that Alexander had purchased. By 1928 they had moved to farm at Waitomo
Caves and then they moved to Puni, Pukekohe in that same year. An item in the paper covers a request
to Council from Alexander for pipes to be installed near his property.

Franklin Times 19 October 1928

The Humes were active in the farming community of Puni and continued farming in Puni until 1957
when they moved to 5 Maxwell Avenue, Papatoetoe. Alexander initially retired, but later worked as
a labourer, a rubber worker and a storeman.

Maud died on 3 September 1973 and her ashes are buried at Purewa Cemetery.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 173.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Archives New Zealand, Probates
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Ancestry – Dunn Family Tree photo
NZ Electoral Rolls
Papers Past, nominal roll Hawera & Normanby Star 14 June 1917

Researched by Barbara Raven

Robert Denwood HUTCHINSON

Service Number: 4/1671
Regiment: New Zealand Engineers
Last known Rank: Corporal
Died: 24 June 1946
Age: 69 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 011

Pre-war
Robert Denwood HUTCHINSON was born on 25 February 1877 in Westmorland, England. He was
the son and eldest child of Edward HUTCHINSON (1854-1920) and Elizabeth DENWOOD (1850-1929).
His father was a County Court Bailiff. Edward was already working as a labourer before the 1891
United Kingdom census, when he was 14 years old.
Robert married May Elizabeth KITSON (1885-1985) in the Registry Office in Auckland on 10 October
1907 and they had five children born between 1908 and 1915, three sons and two daughters. A
separation order was granted in June 1913. Robert worked as a tramway ganger before the war and
lived at Callans Road, Northcote, Auckland but was a self-employed drainage contractor when he
enlisted.

Enlistment and Training
Robert attested at Avondale Camp on 25 October 1915 and was posted as a Sapper with the
Tunnelling Company of New Zealand Engineers.
He was nearly thirty-nine years old, weight 161 lbs (73kg), height 5 feet 10 inches (178cm), hair
brown, eyes blue, complexion fair, religion Methodist and a note was made that his left arm was
practically all scarred by burns. He gave his occupation as drainage contractor.

Service Abroad
Robert served a total of 3 years and 172 days, almost all
of that overseas. He embarked on the Ruapehu at
Auckland on 18 December 1915 and arrived in Plymouth
in February 1916 and left for France on 4 March. He was
wounded in the right forearm and spent six weeks in
hospital in Brockenhurst early 1917 but was back in
France in July of that year.

Along the way he was promoted to Corporal, and
Temporary Sergeant in October 1918.

He left France in December 1918 and London in
February 1919 aboard the S.S Hororata and was
finally discharged in April.

Post-war
Robert returned to Northcote and took up
his trade as a drainage contractor again.

He lived in Northcote until he moved to
Rogers Road, Puni where he was recorded
as a labourer at that address on the 1938
electoral roll.

Little is known about his life until his death
in 1946. May, his former wife, did not
remarry and lived to be 100.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 011.
Northcote Memorial Hall.

Sources
Archives New Zealand Military records
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Papers Past
UK census
New Zealand BDM
Google
New Zealand History, Memorials

Researched by Heather Maloney

Frank George INGPEN

Service Number: 24/1396
Regiment: New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Last known Rank: Rifleman
Died: 25 November 1943
Age: 53 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 003

Pre-war
Frank George INGPEN was born 7 February 1890 at Te Aute, Hawkes Bay. He was a twin to Zoe
Fanny. Their parents were Ernest Edward Ingpen and Annie SUTTON. They had a family of seven
children, four boys and three girls. Ernest Edward Snr was with the Railway Department and
progressed to Station Manager in various places but retired to Pukekohe in the 1920s and became
fully involved in activities in the area. Frank’s schooling was done in Halcombe (Manawatu) and
Inglewood (Taranaki). Records have Frank and Zoe passing their Standard 1 test by the School
Inspector in 1898 at Halcombe School. On leaving school Frank followed in his father’s footsteps and
joined the Railway Department as a cadet in 1907 in Feilding, was a clerk in Stratford in 1911 and
had transferred to Ohakune East by 1914.

Enlistment and Training
Frank was still stationed at Ohakune Junction at the time of his
enlistment. Frank and his three brothers all enlisted, Frank on 23
August 1915. He was described as 5 feet 10 inches (177cms), 146
lbs (66kgs), with medium complexion, grey-brown eyes, brown hair
and Anglican. He did his main training at Trentham and embarked
on 13 November 1915 onboard HMNZT 35 Willochra as part of 2nd
Reinforcements to 2nd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, F
Company.

Service Abroad
The Willochra arrived in Egypt on 18 December 1915 and Frank was
posted to D Co. 7 March 1916 at Ismailia. He headed for France
from Alexandria on 6 April. On 16 October he was wounded and
hospitalised. After treatment Frank rejoined his unit on 3
November. During 1917-1918 Frank spent time in field hospitals for
measles, influenza, gassing episodes and wounds. He was at the Convalescent Hospital and the Base
at Etaples during October and November 1917. In September 1918 Frank was given two weeks
leave to the United Kingdom returning to Battalion late September. Sadly, Frank again suffered
influenza during November and was hospitalised until he was discharged to Base at Etaples in early
December. By years end Frank’s unit had headed back to England to prepare to head home and
were camped at Sling.

Frank embarked for New Zealand 7 February 1919 on the Ajana as part of Draft 224 with over 700
troops, mostly B Class men. This meant they were not quite fit for active service and it also included

200 who never saw action at all. Arriving in Auckland on 25 March the ship was quarantined for 24
hours at Judges Bay until medically cleared. After disembarking Frank joined the special express
train heading for Wellington and South but left the train at Wanganui where the local troops
received a rousing welcome from everyone present.
He was discharged on 23 April 1919 after serving 3 years 244 days. His record shows – Discharged –
No longer physically fit (Gassed – Chronic Bronchitis). He received 1914-15 Star, British War Medal
and Victory Medal.

Post-war
Frank returned to the Railway Department after discharge from the army. He continued as a clerk at
Palmerston North. On 7 November 1923 in St John’s Church, Fielding, Frank married Eveline Mary
SANDBROOK, the third daughter of John Sandbrook and Lydia SMITH. Frank’s brother Ernest was
best man and Eveline’s brother Len was groomsman. They had two children.

Frank continued his progress with the Railway Department and in
1928 the family were in Feilding where he was still working as a
clerk. In 1935 he had become a stationmaster at Hikurangi in
Northland and by July 1937 he had earned promotion to Relieving
Staff in Auckland enabling him to relieve at any station of his level.
In 1938 he was promoted to his own station, Waihi. After two and
a half years at Waihi (1941) Frank was promoted to stationmaster
at Putaruru.

Throughout his life Frank took an active interest in all sports
especially bowls and was a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Although war had ended, like many Returned Soldiers, Frank also
enjoyed participating in the activities of the local RSA, including
celebrations mixing soldiers from the Great War and soldiers from the 2nd Expeditionary Forces.

In July 1943 Frank retired from New Zealand Railways. He sadly passed away in Waikato Hospital on
25 November. Frank was buried in Pukekohe Cemetery, RSA Section with members of the RSA
acting as pall bearers and poppies were laid in the grave.
Eveline passed away January 1962 and was buried at Waikumete Cemetery.

In Memoriam
Frank is buried in Plot 003 in the Pukekohe RSA Cemetery.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records and Probate Record
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Ancestry Family Tree Howie/Ingpen
Papers Past
New Zealand BDM
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
London Gazette, 9 December 1916

Researched by Lois Hopping

Walter Frederick JACKSON

Service Number: 33886
Regiment: New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Last known Rank: Rifleman
Died: 9 May 1979
Age: 81 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 207

Pre-war
Walter Frederick JACKSON was born 1 January 1898 (death record shows birth date 18 January) to
John Jackson and Jessie McLEAN. They were married 22 December 1886 and Walter was the fifth
child of seven. Tragedy struck the young family in 1902 when Jessie, after giving birth to Ernest on
15 April; she passed away on 28 April; and Ernest followed on 14 May.

Walter joined the Post and Telegraph Corp which was part of the Territorial Force that had been
created late 1911. This was formed so their special skills could be available for any Expeditionary
Force that went overseas.

Enlistment and Training
Walter stated he was a clerk when he enlisted at Trentham on 19 September 1916 and he gave his
birth date as 7 August 1896. He was described as 5 feet 7 inches (170cms), 145 lbs (65kgs), with fair
complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. He was placed in A Company 21st Reinforcements, Infantry, but
within the month transferred to J Company, New Zealand Rifle Brigade. He completed training at
Trentham and Featherston. He embarked on 19 January 1917 on board HMNZT 75 Waitemata
heading to Plymouth, Devon. The Waitemata was carrying 13th Reinforcements, Maori Contingent
and 21st Reinforcements NZEF and the Ulimaroa, which sailed at the same time, was also conveying
part of the 21st Reinforcements.

Service Abroad
Walter arrived in Plymouth on 27 March 1917 and was posted to A Co 5th Reserve Battalion at Sling.
By mid-August 1917, Walter was reassigned to 4th Battalion, Canterbury Regiment. Whether it was
because of his previous experience with the Post & Telegraph Corp or not but Walter was put
through his paces and sat a signaling test. He was passed as 1st Class Signaler at the end of August
and on 1 October Walter left Sling and headed overseas attached to D Co, 2nd Battalion, 3rd NZ Rifle
Brigade. In October 1917 Walter was wounded in the left thigh and after treatment was sent to
convalesce. On 12 September 1918 he again reported wounded and was admitted to hospital with a
gunshot wound to his right thigh. Transferred to Walton-On-Thames Hospital (No.2 NZ General
Hospital) where his wound was considered serious. Early December Walter was sent to Hornchurch
for convalescence.

Walter embarked in London on to the Zealandic to return home on 18 January 1919. The ship
arrived in Wellington on 26 February with approximately 1000 returning troops (Draft 217), 215 of
them Aucklanders. Although clear of influenza on its arrival precautions were still taken and
quarantine protocols carried out. The Salvation Army Band went out in a tug and provided the
Zealandic with some entertainment due to the quarantine “delay” and the troops disembarked the
following day.

Walter was scheduled to receive further outpatient treatment for his wounds when he arrived back
in Auckland. Because of his wounds he applied for a war pension and on 9 April 1919 he completed
a form to apply for a “King’s Certificate”.
He was granted leave from 10 April until his official discharge on 7 May 1919.

Walter spent 190 days in New Zealand and 2 years and 41 days overseas and received the British
War Medal and Victory Medal.

The King’s Certificate – In May 1918 the UK War Office approved the Example only
award of the “King’s Certificate” a special certificate of honour for
those discharged through wounds or disabilities incurred on active
service or directly attributable to “the action of the enemy”. This
Certificate was available to members of the 1st NZEF. Some had to
apply but later a special form was used to confirm details. New
Zealand later introduced a certificate of their own but only for New
Zealanders.

Post-war
Walter appeared on the 1919 Electoral Roll in Auckland with an occupation listed simply “Soldier”.
Walter married Hazel BURCHMORE on 8 March 1922 at St James Church, Auckland. She was the
third child of four born to Sydney William Burchmore and Elizabeth PELLOW. Walter wrote and had
his will witnessed on 10 March 1922, leaving everything to Hazel

Walter and Hazel lived most of their married lives at 13 Dorset Street, Westmere, Auckland, and
Walter continued to earn his living as a clerk, until his retirement in late 1960s. They then moved to
Pukekohe where their son Raymond and his wife Lorna (nee CRAFTS) were living. Walter passed
away 9 May 1979 and Hazel passed away 19 October 1989. They were buried together in Pukekohe
Cemetery, RSA Section.

In Memoriam
Walter is buried in Plot 207 Pukekohe RSA cemetery.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records and Probate
King’s Certificate – https://kiwisoldier.wordpress.com/2016/02/15/nz-ww1-certificates-of-service/
New Zealand BDM
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Papers Past
Google

Researched by Lois Hopping

Charles JAFFRAY

Service Number: 12/3694
Regiment: Auckland Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 16 November 1964
Age: 77 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 103

Pre-war
Charles was born on 4 June 1887 in Bonnyton Rayne, Aberdeenshire, Scotland to Isabella JAFFRAY,
father unknown. Isabella had three children (including Charles) before marrying Robert ALEXANDER
in September 1891 and had a further three children to him. His elder brother William was brought
up by his grandparents and Charles was “boarded” with another family, but it is thought that he
went to live with his stepfather and mother after their marriage.
The 1901 Census shows that he and his elder brother were working at a farm at Kinnethmont,
Aberdeenshire when Charles was 13.

Charles was apprenticed to a local blacksmith, but he did not complete his training and decided to
immigrate to New Zealand. He boarded the Athenic on 4 September 1913 and arrived in Wellington
sometime in October 1913.

Enlistment and Training
Charles lived in Paerata and was a labourer with the NZ Railways when he enlisted on 19 October
1915 as a Private in the 9th Reinforcements, Auckland Infantry Battalion, “A” Company. His next of
kin was his mother back in Scotland. His height was 5 feet 6inches (167cm), he had brown hair, grey
eyes and a dark complexion.

Service Abroad
He embarked on 8 January 1916 from Wellington on HMNZT 37 Maunganui arriving at Suez on 12
February 1916. On 9 March 1916 he joined the 2nd Battalion of the Auckland Infantry Regiment at
Moascar. By September 1916 he was in France and was wounded severely with a gunshot wound to
his right leg. He was evacuated to
England and was admitted firstly to
Brockenhurst Hospital, later Hornchurch
Convalescent Hospital and then onto
Codford which was a depot for men who
had been evacuated from the front line
and were not yet fit to return to the
front. He rejoined the 2nd Battalion in
August 1917 in Etaples, France.
He was finally discharged from the NZ
Army on 5 April 1919. His service was a
total of three years, 169 days.

Charles: Middle row 2nd from left

Post-war

Charles stayed on in Scotland after his discharge, and in March 1920 the Evening Post reported him
as being in Aberdeenshire settling private family matters and due back in New Zealand around
September 1920.

In New Zealand, his friend/step-cousin Jim Burr (James Alexander Burr also buried in the RSA
Pukekohe Cemetery) promised him a job and a billet on arrival. However, the job turned out to be
unloading the ship he had returned on, and the billet was a dry ditch with a tarpaulin to pull over
himself.

He settled again in Paerata
where he bought a section
and built a bach on it. He
was employed by Franklin
County Council as a Driver
on the steam road roller.
He never married. When
Jim Burr fell on hard times
he took him in and they
enjoyed each other’s
company at the RSA and
local hotel. Jim died in
1959 and left his estate to
Charles.

Charles Jaffray’s house at Paerata

Charles’ estate was left to his stepbrother Robert Alexander of Palmerston North and his stepsisters
Elsie Reid and Isabella Gray both of Aberdeen. His estate was thought to be under the value of
£2,000.

In Memoriam
Charles is buried in Plot 103 Pukekohe RSA Cemetery.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Record and Probate Record
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Paperspast
Family Search
Ancestry
Descendants of John Jaffray
https://genealogy.brockhurst.co.nz

Researched by Karen Grainger

Charles Gordon JOHNSON

Service Number: 10714
Regiment: Cycle Corps
Last known Rank: Captain
Died: 27 February 1965
Age: 79 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 104

Pre-war

Charles was born 10 October 1886 at Cambridge, New Zealand and registered as Charles George
Gordon JOHNSON, the son of John Hill JOHNSON and Susannah Distin FOSS. He was the last of ten
children and had three sisters and six brothers.
At the time he volunteered for the army he was the Manager of Hallenstein Brothers menswear in
Queen Street, Auckland and as his parents were both dead, he gave his brother Reverend
H A JOHNSON of Whangarei as next of kin.
Charles had served with the 11th North Auckland Mounted Rifles prior to the war.

Enlistment and Training

He attested at Palmerston North on 12 July 1915 and
was posted to the Mounted Rifle Brigade but later
transferred to the Cyclist Corp 12th reinforcements.
He trained at Trentham and Featherston and was
admitted to Greytown hospital with appendicitis in
December 1915 and influenza in April 1916.
He was 5 feet 9 inches (175cm), 154 lbs (69kgs), blue
eyes, fair hair, fair complexion, single and gave his
religion as Anglican.

Service Abroad

Charles served 4 years 150 days in WW1 and over
three years of that overseas, all on the Western Front.
In 1918 he was admitted to hospital with congestion
of the lungs and spent some time at No. 1 General
Hospital Brockenhurst. He was awarded General
Godley’s Service Certificate in 1917 and Mentioned in
Dispatches in 1918.
Charles was promoted through the ranks to Captain in
March 1918. He was also Battalion Quartermaster, a
position he held from June 1916 until demobilization.

Post-war

Charles married Lily WALKER in 1920 and continued with his
trade of men’s outfitter, at one stage owning four stores. He and
Lily did not have a family but were obviously close to nieces and
nephews who were beneficiaries of his estate (along with many
charities).
He also served in WW2, entering camp in November 1940. He
was posted to 2nd Battalion as Temporary Major and posted to
various places around the North Island, including Auckland, Paihia
and Whangarei. He reached the rank of Major and retired from
the army in 1951, having given over 36 years of service to the
New Zealand Defence Force.
In 1930 he and Lily took an extensive trip to England visiting many
golf courses along the way.

In Memoriam Charles’s shop in Pukekohe
Pukekohe RSA cemetery Plot 104.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military
Records and probate
Onward Book Vol 5. – photograph
Franklin Times 3 March 1965 Obituary
New Zealand BDM
Papers Past

Researched by Heather Maloney

Ernest Bernard JONES

Service Number: 31654
Regiment: New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Last known Rank: Lance Corporal
Died: 12 April 1960
Age: 70 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 070

Pre-war

Ernest Bernard JONES was born 28 February 1890 in Invercargill, Southland and lived in Edendale. His
father, Phillip James Jones, was of Welsh descent and his mother, Alice Mary REYNOLDS, was Irish. In
1897 life changed when his father died and Ernie, as he was known, as an only son with three sisters
had added responsibilities. Alice re-married and by 1905 the family had moved to Wellington and
there were three more children. Alice’s second husband died in 1913 and the family moved to
Auckland where Alice was the Postmistress at Epsom and Ernie became a Butcher working for R & W
HELLABY Ltd.

Enlistment and Training

On 26 July 1916 Ernie attested at Trentham. He was 26, 5 feet 8½ inches (173cms), 167 lbs (75kgs),
his complexion was fair, he had grey eyes and auburn hair and he was Roman Catholic. His mother,
then Mrs A M CORMACK, was his next of kin and her address was c/- P. O. Epsom.

Service Abroad

Ernie embarked on the HMNZ 81 Devon with the 24th
Reinforcements E Company in conjunction with
HMNZT 82 Pakeha. They left Wellington 5 April 1917
and the troops disembarked at Devonport, England on
10 June 1917. They marched into Sling camp,
Wiltshire, then left for France on the 26th to the New
Zealand Infantry and General Base Depot, Etaples.
By 9 November Ernie had joined 8th battalion
Auckland regiment and was ‘in the field’ and was soon
in the Polygon Wood sector, just south of
Passchendaele.
Ernie had a Certificate of Cookery attached to his file
and 19 November he was appointed Company Cook
which he held until 26 July 1918. On 28 January 1918
Ernie was appointed Lance Corporal. His leave in
March was to Paris. In August Ernie had transferred to
1st NZ Rifle Brigade B Coy.
On 1 September Ernie was wounded with a Gun Shot
Wound to his right shoulder.

He was taken by 1st NZ Field Ambulance to a Casualty Clearing Station then admitted to 1st Australia
General Hospital, Rouen, and embarked for the UK on 4 September on the Hospital Ship. Ernie was
admitted to 1st NZ General Hospital at Brockenhurst, Hampshire, then transferred to NZEF
Convalescent Hospital at Hornchurch, Essex on 28 September, followed by a discharge and transfer to
NZ Command Depot at Codford, Hampshire on 19 October. On 1 February 1919 Ernie was appointed
as Cook at Hornchurch. Ernie embarked on Cordoba 18 July reaching Wellington via Capetown 1
October. He had been away 2 years 180 days. His final discharge was 29 October1919 and he received
the British Medal and the Victory Medal.

Post-war

In July 1920 Ernie applied for a ballot for
returned soldiers for land at Puni, 4¼ miles
from Pukekohe, on a block known as Soldiers’
Settlement (Settlement Road), on the western
side of Tramway Road. He obtained 95 acres
and to begin with tented in an old homestead
with six others then erected an 18’ x 18’
dwelling.
On 29 November 1920 Ernie married Leora
Dorothy Maria Emma Birdie STOTT, known as
Birdie, at Epsom, Auckland. They were to have
a son and a daughter.
Conditions were primitive - no hot water, a coal range and copper as no electricity until 1936 and an
unmetalled road, but they both milked and they built up a herd of 65 Jersey cows. They had a large
paddock with fruit trees and a garden. The depression times were difficult and although Ernie had
obtained their property by ballot it still had to be paid for. Ernie obtained a contract to cart metal
from the quarry adjoining the farm using his two big Clydesdale horses and a heavy dray.
It was known that Ernie was a hard worker and family recall him oiling his hands at the end of the day.
It was a mission to fell some bush on the land to put into grass for grazing.
Ernie was involved in the A & P Society and in 1925 went on the Winter show committee. The RSA
was important, and he would help at the annual picnic with the children’s races and take part in the
Tug of War and relay races. Horses were a great interest and Ernie listened to the races on the radio
and went to the Pukekohe Racetrack. He had a half-brother who worked the bar at the racetrack.
By 1954 Ernie and Birdie had sold the farm and moved to 7 Paerata Road, Pukekohe. When Birdie
passed away 3 March 1956 Ernie with his Austin A 30 went to live with his daughter in the house
behind the I.G.A. grocery shop in Edinburgh Street.
Ernie’s health deteriorated and he passed away 12 April 1960 in Middlemore Hospital.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 070.

Sources
Jones Family
New Zealand Archives, Military records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Papers Past
Ancestry
N Z Electoral Rolls
N Z History WW1

Researched by Penny Prescott

James JONES

Service Number: 50446
Regiment: New Zealand Engineers
Last known Rank: Sapper
Died: 5 December 1950
Age: 58 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 024

Pre-war
James was born on the 28 May 1893 in Oamaru. His parents were Thomas JONES and Eliza Jane
HERSEY, who married in 1885 in New Zealand. James was the middle child of nine.
In 1914 he was living with his mother and some of his siblings at Exe Street, Oamaru and was
working in the Post and Telegraph Department in Oamaru.

Enlistment and Training
James enlisted on the 5 March 1917 and began Active Service on 16 April 1917. He named his
mother as next of kin, Mrs E J JONES, Exe St, Oamaru. He noted his father was deceased.
James was placed in the Wireless Troop. He was described as: weight 161 lbs (73kgs), height 5 feet
11 inches (180cm), complexion dark, eyes grey, hair dark and religion Anglican.

Service Abroad
James left Wellington, New Zealand on the Troopship 102 Willochra on the 23 April 1918 as part of
the 10th Wireless Troop and 36th Reinforcements. The ship sailed to Colombo where the men
disembarked for 3 weeks, then the Royal George took them on to the Suez, where once again they
disembarked and marched to the Australian Camp. From here they moved to Alexandria and then
finally onto Southampton, United Kingdom, arriving on the 18 July 1918. From here James was
posted to the Divisional Signal Depot at Bedford. He was overseas for 1 year and 77 days.
James returned to NZ from London on the Tahiti and arrived in New Zealand on the 5 August 1919.
He was discharged the same day.

Post-war

James moved back home to live with his mother and siblings and returned
to his job as a Telegraphist. The photo on the left was taken from a photo
board of Post Office employees in Oamaru in 1922.
In 1921 James married Florence Matilda FELLOWS in Oamaru. She was the
youngest daughter of Richard FELLOWS (1842-1918, Oamaru) and Agnes
BURNS (1852-1928). By 1928 the couple were living in Tyne St, Oamaru
and James was still working as a Telegraphist.
The couple moved to Middlemarch sometime before 1935, where James
became the Postmaster. Between the years 1946 and 1948 they moved to
Pukekohe, where James was again Postmaster.

The Post Office in Pukekohe was
opened in 1909 and the Auckland
Star of 18 September 1909
reported ‘that the new Post Office
should meet all requirements even
if the population increases to
20,000. The living quarters upstairs
consists of seven rooms and all
conveniences.’
James and Florence would have
lived on the top floor.
James died on 5 December 1950 in
Pukekohe and Florence Matilda
moved back to the South Island and
died in 1975.
In Memoriam
James is buried in Plot 024 Pukekohe RSA Cemetery.

The memorial Board includes James Jones and is in St Lukes Church, Oamaru.
The Memorial Scroll above lists the names of all people from the North Otago district who served
overseas in WW1. At the time the town memorial was being planned people debated whether it
should feature only the names of soldiers who died. Eventually it was decided that a roll of honour
with the names of all those who served would be placed inside a vault in the memorial. In 2003 this
scroll was removed and is now in the North Otago museum.

Sources

Archives New Zealand, Military records
Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph
New Zealand BDM
New Zealand electoral rolls
Google
New Zealand History memorials
North Otago Museum
Researched by Barbara Raven

George Harold KIRK

Service Number: 38545
Regiment: Auckland Regiment
Last known Rank: Lance Corporal
Died: 18 August 1963
Age: 67 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 094

Pre-war

George Harold KIRK was born on 12 August 1896 at Ohaupo, near Hamilton. His parents were
Herbert KIRK (1870-1951) and Marion McNEILL (1865-1939). George had four siblings, one sister
and three brothers. Prior to WW1, George was a farmer at Walton, near Matamata. He had been
involved with the 4th Waikato Mounted Rifles Regiment for 2 years. The regiment was part of a
group of 12 regional regiments.

Enlistment and Training
George enlisted on 17 October 1916 and gave his next
of kin as his father, Herbert Kirk, farmer of Te Pahu near
Ngaruawahia.
He began army life in training at Trentham in A
Squadron of the Auckland Mounted Rifles. By the time
his squadron embarked he had been promoted to
Lance Corporal. His Attestation record shows he was 5
feet 8½ inches (175cm), weight 154 lbs (70kg) with a
dark complexion, brown hair, and grey eyes. His
religion is Presbyterian. He had a scar on his forehead,
from an accident as a 5 year old.

Service Abroad

George embarked at Wellington on board HMNZT 78
Navua on 16 February 1917 and arrived in Devonport,
England on 26 April 1917. From there he marched to
Sling camp, before leaving for France on 28 May 1917.

All George’s
overseas service was
on the Western
Front – 2 years and
104 days and 151 days in New Zealand. As many of the soldiers
did, he changed companies and brigades throughout the war.
On 30 May 1919 he sailed for New Zealand on the Pakeha, arriving
on 30 May 1919. He was discharged from active service on 27
June 1919.

Navua newsletter published on board

Post-war
George returned to farming on his arrival back in New Zealand firstly at Te Pahu.
On 3 September 1922 George married Nita Mary HAILWOOD, daughter of Charles HAILWOOD, a
railway worker and Annie Martha.
The couple had three children and by 1928 the family had moved to farming at Starkey’s Rd,

Morrinsville. In 1938 they were living in Bank St, Morrinsville
and George was working as a carpenter.
During their time in Morrinsville George was involved in many
of the town’s activities: rugby, golf, tennis, athletics, school
committees, badminton and the local A&P show. He was
President of some of these organisations. George was also a
Justice of the Peace. In 1946 the family had moved to Hairini
on the outskirts of Tauranga and George was once again
farming.
1954 finds the family living at 43 Beatty Rd, Pukekohe and
George is a builder. At some stage he and his son went into
partnership and formed the building company GH and EG
Kirk.

Nita died 14 June 1976 aged 77 and is buried in Pukekohe Cemetery.

In Memoriam
George is buried in Plot 094 in the RSA section of
the Pukekohe Cemetery.

Sources
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Archives NZ Archway – military records
BDM Historical
Ancestry UK
Paper Past
Ancestry Family Tree, - Brown FT

Researched by Barbara Raven

This account of their wedding was in the Waikato Times
on 9 September 1922.

Thomas KNIGHT

Service Number: 38410
Regiment: Auckland Regiment
Last known Rank: Lance Corporal
Died: 3 June 1979
Age: 93 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 205

Pre-war

Thomas KNIGHT was born on 19 April 1886 in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, the son of Thomas
KNIGHT (1842-1924) a wool stapler and Lucy Jane MEAD (1846–1889). He had one brother and two
sisters. One sister, Jennie (1884-1980) came to New Zealand and lived in Napier, Albany and
Pukekohe. It is likely that Thomas followed her here.
In 1901 Thomas was working in London as a draper’s assistant and living with his employer.

Enlistment and Training

Thomas enlisted at Auckland on 17 October
1916. He stated that his last employer was J T
SHORT of Alfriston and that he was living at C
CONNELLY’S in Papakura. In the 1914 Electoral
Roll he was working as a Bushman at Orere.
His record shows that he was 5 feet 8 inches
(173cm) tall, weighed 147 lbs (66kg),
complexion fair, eyes brown, hair dark brown,
religion Anglican.

Service Abroad
Thomas was assigned to the 22nd
Reinforcements of A company, Auckland
Infantry Regiment. He embarked on HMNZT
76 Aparima on 16 February 1917 and landed at
Plymouth, Devon on 2 May 1917. From
Plymouth the Reinforcements marched to Sling
Camp. Thomas then proceeded to France on 6
June 1917 where he spent 2 years 139 days on
the Western Front with one lot of leave back in
the United Kingdom. He was promoted to
Lance Corporal on 31 July 1918.
On 1 October 1918, Thomas was wounded in
the right knee and admitted to hospital. It was
23 December before he was fit to rejoin his
Battalion.

On 4 July 1919, Thomas returned to NZ on board the SS Tahiti and was discharged from service on 1
August 1919.

Post-war
Following the war, Thomas returned to his job at Orere. He
grew strawberries in Albany and later worked in the office at
Kaingaroa Forest.
In 1951 he had retired to Buckland where he lived in a cottage
on the property of his niece, May Danes. May remembers him
as a quiet man who did a lot of reading and loved his garden.
Thomas never married and died in Middlemore Hospital on 3
June 1979.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 205.
Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Mrs May Danes – his niece
Papers Past
Ancestry
Google maps, house photo
Researched by Barbara Raven

Joseph Stanley LANCASTER

Service Number: 61470
Regiment: New Zealand Artillery
Last known Rank: Gunner
Died: 16 August 1989
Age: 89 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Ashes 054

Pre-war

Born on Saturday 31 March 1900 at Croasdale, Cumberland, England, Joseph (Joe) was the oldest of five
children of Tom (1871-1962) and Martha (1880-1959 nee ROGERSON) LANCASTER. Tom was an Iron Miner.
Joe’s maternal grandparents, Joseph and Sarah Rogerson, had a lot to do with his upbringing; so much so that
Joe thought he was a Rogerson and was quite shocked when he found out he was a Lancaster. He attended
Dearham Primary School and took part in Cumberland Wrestling, competing at Ambleside in Rydal and was the
Schoolboy Wrestling Champion one year, probably when he was about twelve.
He spoke of working at the top of a mine gleaning coal. It was while he was working at the top of the mines
that he decided he wasn’t “going down the pit” and formed a plan to “run away to sea”. As a young teen he
signed on as a Deck Hand on a cargo ship which was headed to New Zealand where he had family farming at
Waimumu, Otago and at Lincoln, Canterbury. However, he didn’t stay long and headed for Auckland and a
ship, possibly signing on to either the Mamari or the Makura.

Enlistment, Training and Service Abroad WW1

While at sea he and his mate decided they would sign off once they arrived in England, but fate would have it
that their ship was requisitioned for the war effort. The Captain told Joe and his mate that there was no
possibility of them signing off.
Joe said little of his time during WWI apart from the fact that they delivered supplies for the troops.

Between Wars

After WW1 Joe travelled the world on the high seas, working his passage to many places especially around the
Pacific from Canada to New Zealand. He visited family in British Columbia, Canada in 1919 where he worked in
lumber camps. On 21 November 1923 Joe was at Eastport, Idaho, USA. Records show his permanent
residence listed as Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada, his occupation as Labourer and his destination,
Spokane. Joe said he went to the USA to become a cowboy but decided the lifestyle was too rough and hard.
He arrived in Auckland on 8 December 1924 aboard the Steamship Niagara having sailed from Vancouver via
Hawaii to New Zealand. He worked as a waiter in the Dining Room on the Niagara.
Joe stayed in New Zealand working in the mines on the West Coast, then delivering coal. In 1937 one of his
calls was to the factory where he met Reta. She was estranged from her husband and pregnant and was
working as a machinist to support herself. He offered her a chocolate from a paper bag covered in coal dust
which she accepted. In 1939 he had a motorcycle accident and was taken to hospital in a serious condition
(Press 7 August 1939). He was wheeled in with a sheet covering his face because it was thought he was dead.
Reta and a friend happened to be at the hospital at the same time and saw him being brought in. His arm
dropped down and they saw the Greenstone ring he always wore. Both exclaimed “That’s Betty!” For some
reason Joe had been nicknamed Betty, and I never knew why.

Training and Service Abroad WW2

Joe enlisted in Christchurch on 14 August 1940 putting his
age back one year. He was posted to the 14th Light Anti-
Aircraft Regiment, 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Regiment as a Gunner. A tattoo on his left arm was noted
and his occupation was listed as a coal merchant. His
training began on 8 January 1941 at Papakura, Auckland
then further training at Ngaruawahia. The 2nd New
Zealand Expeditionary Force embarked for Egypt on 7 April
1941, arriving on 15 May. Joe was part of the Allied Forces
deployed to the Western Desert and took part in the Battle
of Mersa Matruh, 28-29 June 1942. It was here that he
was in a truck that was blown up on 27 June. He thought
he was the only survivor, suffering 14 gunshot wounds (machine-gun), five compound fractures, a dislocated
shoulder and four flesh wounds. Joe was found by Rommel’s Panzer Division soldiers as he was crawling
through the desert and taken as a Prisoner of War on 28 June. He was posted as missing in action but on 21
September a cable from Rome was sent notifying the Allies that he was a POW.
Years later he was in a doctor’s waiting room and got chatting to the man next to him. It transpired that both
had been in the same truck and couldn’t believe someone else had survived.

Prisoner of War Years – POW #32887

Joe was treated for his injuries at Caserta Military Hospital in Campala, near Naples. He spent a lot of his five
months here in plaster casts and was plagued by lice until he persuaded an Italian nurse to put his bed legs
into tins full of water.
On 6 March 1943 he was sent to Capua, a transit camp, then to PG 57 Grapignano near Udine, Italy. Eventually
he ended up in Stalag V111- B (344) in Teschen, Lamsdorf, Czechoslovakia. In 1945 as the Russian Army closed
in, the prisoners were marched west starting on 2 February, in the dark, and in winter. This is known as “The
Long March”, also called “The Lamsdorf Death March”; Joe simply called it “The Death March”. American
soldiers liberated them when they spotted POW written on a barn roof in which they were sheltering after
being abandoned by the German guards.
Joe was very thin and quite bald but by 13 May he was safe in the UK where he was treated and put on the lost
weight. While there, Joe wrote to and proposed marriage to Reta. She said yes, as her former husband had
died of TB in Timaru leaving her free to re-marry.

Post-war

On 16 August 1945 Reta and Joe married at St John the Baptist Anglican Church,
Christchurch. Joe adopted Reta’s son, Tony (Anthony Walter John), and in
December 1948 they adopted me.
Joe had long term effects from his war years needing on going hospital treatment,
having a “nervous breakdown” and permanent disabilities. But all through his
remaining years he was a strong, hardworking gentle person who loved his family
very much and was well liked by those who knew him, young and old. He always
enjoyed a small whiskey of an evening in his later years and retained a lovely
twinkle in his eye.
Joe and Reta lived in Christchurch until they moved to Pukekohe in 1960. They
had a short time in Levin and moved back to Pukekohe where Joe spent the rest
of his days. Reta died in 2011 at the age of 99. Yes, he was tough, but he was
personally tough having lived through tough times.
He seldom spoke of his early life, or the war years and I trust this account has honoured him and his life.

In Memoriam

Pukekohe RSA Ashes 054.

Source

As written by daughter Sherryn Gaye Lancaster-Mehta.

George LAUER

Service Number: 13/379
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Trooper
Died: 11 December 1960
Age: 70 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 075

Pre-war
George LAUER was born on 23 October 1890 at Drury, the son of Frederick LAUER (1851-1929) and
Lucy Anna TAYLOR (1853-1943). Frederick and Anna were married on 28 September 1881 in London
and had eight children. Two of George’s
brothers, William and Thomas were killed in
action in 1918 and their memorials are at
Pukekohe East.

In 1914 George was farming at Waimai, Te
Akau on his own farm.

Enlistment and Training
George was attested at Ngaruawahia on
17 August 1914 and he was already serving in
the 4th Waikato Regiment. He was 5 feet 6
inches (167cm) tall, and weighed 168 lbs
(76kgs), his complexion was fair, eyes brown, hair dark, religion Anglican.
George embarked from Wellington on 16 October 1914 on the Star of India.

Service Abroad
George disembarked at Alexandria on 3 December 1914. He made
his way to the Dardanelles, arriving there on 9 May 1915. On 8
August 1915 George received a gunshot wound to his right
shoulder. He was sent back to England and admitted to the
Clearing Hospital at Eastleigh. George was then classified as unfit
for service and returned to New Zealand on the Rotorua arriving
3 February 1916.
He was discharged from service on 5 March 1916 having spent
1 year and 110 days overseas and 92 days in New Zealand.

Reported in the Pukekohe &
Waiuku Times 19 January
1916

Post-war
George returned to farming life, working for his father in
East Rd, Pukekohe, as his two brothers were still in Europe -
both were later killed in action. By 1946 he had moved to
West Street and in 1954 he bought a small farm on Cape
Hill, which he owned until his death. Although listed as a
farmer on the electoral roll, he worked as a storeman for
the Franklin Electric Power Board from 1939 until he retired
in 1956.

The Lauer family were known for their involvement in many
sporting activities and in community life. George’s
particular interests were in rugby, billiards, bowling and
the A & P show.

George remained single. He was buried on 13 December
1960.

In Memoriam Reported in the Pukekohe & Waiuku Times 4
George was buried in Plot 075, Pukekohe RSA cemetery. February 1916

Sources
Archives New Zealand – military record
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Ancestry
BDM Historical
Papers Past

Researched by Barbara Raven

Larcy LEWIS

Service Number: 5/790
Regiment: Army Service Corps
Last known Rank: Driver
Died: 5 December 1929
Age: 41 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe Ang Row D Plot 073

Pre-war

Larcy LEWIS was the fourth son of Welsh couple Thomas Morgan
LEWIS and Temperance Mary Lewis who immigrated to New
Zealand, within months of their marriage in 1870, in the company
of two of Thomas’s sisters, Annie and Jane.
Thomas had been raised on a farm at Lanvaches, Monmouthshire
and took labouring jobs around the North Island before settling in the Opotiki area where he farmed.
As a young man of seventeen, Larcy struck out on his own as a farmer, first at Waiotahi near Opotiki
and then on the Rangitaiki plains. It was at Waitotahi in 1910 that he had an interesting encounter
with the prophet Rua Kenana. This was reported in the Manawatu Standard on 24 February with
the headline “CHARGE AGAINST RUA. ALLEGED THREAT TO MURDER. SETTLERS PLACE DAMAGED“.
The incident was caused by a misunderstood greeting that then lead to threats and vandalism of the
farm house by a party of about thirty men and women. After a short time with Larcy and some
other men who were with him holed up in the house, the party mounted their horses and left.
According to his obituary in The Franklin Times, after the outbreak of the Great War, he sold his
property and enlisted in the army service corps. Before leaving New Zealand, he married Edith
BRODERICK who was the daughter of the late schoolmaster at Te Teko.

Enlistment and Training

After enlisting on 19 June 1915 and undergoing training, Larcy was posted to the rank of Driver in
the Army Service Corps. He was described as being 27 years and 5 months old, 5 feet 6 inches
(167cms) tall with with green eyes, clear complexion and light brown hair.

Service Abroad

Larcy Lewis departed Wellington HMNZT 45 Waitemata on the rainy afternoon of 12 February 1916.
On board were 150 men and some 500 horses.

They sailed to Egypt via a stopover in Albany, Western Australia, during which they were allowed
three hours ashore, before returning to duty to look after the animals aboard. The ship arrived at

Suez on 19 March 1916.

After brief training in Egypt, he was attached to the
No.3 Field Ambulance at Moascar, Egypt. In April they were

sent direct to France, where Larcy Lewis saw continuous
service in the A.S.C. and as a stretcher bearer in the
Auckland Corps, until the end of the war. In fact Larcy Lewis

saw very long periods of service as a stretcher bearer and
driver. Only two short leaves of about two weeks in August

1917 when he went to England and another in October 1918

when he went to Italy are recorded. In addition, after the armistice of 11 November 1918, he was
not returned to England until early February 1919, almost exactly 3 years after he left New Zealand.
Finally in March 1919 he boarded the Northumberland bound for home. His period of service in New
Zealand was 144 days and overseas 3 years 188 days, a total of 3 years 332 days consisting of the
Egyptian 1916 campaign, Egyptian EF 1916 campaign and Western European campaigns 1916,1917,
1918. He was ultimately discharged in June 1919. For his service he received the British War Medal
and the Victory Medal.

Post-war
During the war, with her husband away, Edith lived with her mother at Te Teko. After the war the
Lewis’s lived in central Auckland for a brief period before moving to Karaka. Having settled at
Karaka, Larcy and Edith began their family in 1921 with the first of their four children. In September
1929, three months before his death from cancer on 5 December, there was an advertisement for an
auction to sell all the live and dead stock on the farm. However this was averted by some means,
and the auction was cancelled.

According to his obituary in the Franklin Times “taking up an unimproved farm at Karaka, and by skill
and energy made it one of the most productive farms in the district. Mr Lewis took a keen interest in
local affairs. He was Chairman of the Karaka School Committee and secretary of the Karaka branch
of the Farmers’ Union up to the time of his death. His genial disposition and willing service won for
him the highest esteem. Mr Lewis leaves a widow and four young children, for whom deep sympathy
is felt by a wide circle of friends.” [Franklin Times 6 December 1929]

Edith continued to live at Karaka for at least twenty years, after she was left a young widow. At
some time her widowed mother Mrs Jessie BRODERICK came to live with the family, which must
have been a help with four young children, however sadly she died in 1933, leaving Edith alone
again. Edith Lewis died in 1962 and is buried with her late husband Larcy in Pukekohe Cemetery.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe Cemetery, Anglican Section Row D Plot 073.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Record
Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph
Papers Past
Ancestry – Family trees
www.nzhistory.govt.nz
National Army Museum
Photograph – Google.

Researched by Claudia Page

Auckland Star

7 Dec 1929 page 13

Frederick LIDDIMENT

Service Number: 2/1285
Regiment: Field Artillery
Last known Rank: Gunner
Died: 20 June 1961
Age: 66 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 081

Pre-war

Frederick (Fred) LIDDIMENT was born on 21 September 1894 in Trowse, Norfolk, England. He was
the seventh of nine children of Robert LIDDAMENT (1853-1904) and Rachel Bolton HARRIS (1858-
1902). In the 1911 UK census both Fred and his brother Robert George were working as Servants at
the Devon County School in West Buckland, South Moulton.
On 20 June 1913 Fred left from London on the Waimana for Wellington New Zealand, as a
Missionary.

From Wellington he made his way to Pukekohe where he was a farm labourer for J WAKELIN. He
was boarding with W. MANSON of Pukekohe when he enlisted.

Enlistment and Training
Fred was deemed fit for service and attested on 14 December 1914. He gave his next of kin as
Mrs LUCAS, 80 Lancaster Road, Ludbooke Grove, London (his sister).
His Attestation paper gave his as height 5 feet 7 inches (170cm), weight 133 lbs (60kg), eyes blue,
complexion fair, hair light brown, and he is listed as an Anglican. He joined the 4th Reinforcements of
the Field Artillery as a driver.

Service Abroad
Fred sailed from Wellington on 17 April 1915 and
arrived in Egypt on 25 May 1915. On 20 August he
embarked for the Dardanelles then returned to
Alexandria on the 3 January 1916. He spent some

time firstly in an Australian
hospital and then a New Zealand
hospital with varicose vein
problems.

By 7 April 1916 Fred was in
France. His service record shows
he was hospitalised a number of
times between November 1916
and March 1917 with scabies and
a sprained ankle. He rejoined his
unit in France on 22 March 1917.
Pneumonia put him in hospital
again in September 1918.

Fred returned to NZ aboard the
SS Ayrshire, disembarking at
Lyttelton on 20 September after
serving overseas for 4 years and
156 days. He was discharged from the army on 23 October 1919 as physically unfit for service.

Post-war
Fred settled in Pukekohe and lived in West Street, listed as a labourer on the 1922, 1925 and 1928
electoral rolls. In 1926 he was applying for a job with Mr KENNELLY on a milk run in Pukekohe.
Between 1935 and 1957 Fred lived at
38 Wellington St and was still working as a
labourer. Fred played golf and was made a
groundsman of the Pukekohe Golf Club in 1937 as
reported in the local paper.
It seems that Fred remained single and neither his
parents nor siblings came to live in New Zealand.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 081.

Sources
New Zealand Archives, Military records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Papers Past
Familysearch, passenger lists

Researched by Barbara Raven

Gordon Seabright LITTLE

Service Number: 26/833
Regiment: Rifle Brigade
Last known Rank: Corporal
Died: 6 February 1962
Age: 77 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 087

Pre-war
Gordon was born in Essendon, Victoria, Australia on 19 May 1884, one of six children born to George
Henry LITTLE (1850-1925) and Sarah MASON (1852-1944).
He came to New Zealand some time before 1905, because in the 1905/6 Electoral Rolls, he is
working as a labourer at Eketahuna, Wairarapa. By 1911 and again in 1914 he is working as a
labourer at Mauku. Gordon’s eldest brother George Henry Thomas LITTLE had also come to
New Zealand and initially lived in Northland but later in the Manukau/Auckland regions and was
buried in 1945 in Waikumete Cemetery.
In 1913 Gordon was involved in the Mauku Community life, in particular the Athletics Club.

Enlistment and Training
Gordon enlisted at Hamilton on 13 October 1915. He
noted his last job as a labourer at Mauku and gave his
next of kin as his mother, Mrs G. LITTLE, 80 Brewster St,
Essendon, Victoria. His last known address was given as
Parnell. On 22 June 1915 in Patumahoe, a farewell
concert was held for those men who had enlisted and
was reported in the Pukekohe and Waiuku Times.
He was posted to the 4th Battalion A company and
travelled to Trentham to begin training. Gordon is
recorded as 5 feet 5½ inches (166cm), weighing 148 lbs
(67kgs), complexion fair, eyes blue, hair fair, religion
Anglican.
While in camp Gordon had been promoted to Lance
Corporal.

HMNZT Mokoia

Service Abroad
Gordon embarked on 5 February 1916 on HMNZT 43 Mokoia. The ship arrived at Suez on 15 March
1916 and continued its journey on to England on 7 April. Soon after landing Gordon was further
promoted, this time to Corporal.
Gordon served on the Western Front, and he was wounded in the right shoulder on 27 November
1917. Considered unfit for duty for a month, he then rejoined his unit in March 1918, but later that
month he was again wounded, this time at Passchendaele. He was hit in the right thigh with a
machine gun bullet and was invalided to England where an X-ray showed tissue damage and a
fracture to the neck of the humerus. The Medical Board deemed him unfit for further service.
Gordon returned home to New Zealand aboard the hospital ship Marama after having spent 3 years
and 169 days in service – 2 years 228 days overseas. Continuing hospital treatment was
recommended by the Medical Board and Gordon was discharged from service on 28 March 1919.

Post-war

On his return to New Zealand the 1919 electoral
roll shows Gordon back working in Mauku, but
this time as a farmer. Also in 1919, Gordon
married Annie Elizabeth ROWE (1884-1974)
daughter of Stephen and Mary ROWE. The couple
had a family of two sons and a daughter. Gordon
and Annie continued to farm at Mauku until 1957
when they moved to Ward St, Pukekohe. Annie
died in 1974, aged 90 and is buried in Pukekohe.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 087.
Victory Hall Mauku.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military record
Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph
New Zealand History, Memorials
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Ancestry
Papers Past
New Zealand BDM

Researched by Barbara Raven

Horace Binder LITTLEWOOD

Service Number: 28738
Regiment: Auckland Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 12 May 1981
Age: 89 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Ashes 025

Pre-war

Horace Binder LITTLEWOOD was born in Auckland on 24 August 1891. He was the youngest child of
Harry Hyde LITTLEWOOD (1855-1931) and Emma NICHOLLS (1859-1950). He had two sisters and his
parents had also fostered a daughter and son.
Horace worked as a farmhand at Mangere and Waerenga before the
war and served in the 16th Waikato Regiment. A farewell was
reported in the local paper in June 1916.

Enlistment and Training
Horace marched into camp at Trentham in June 1916. He was
admitted to hospital at Trentham with influenza and later while
training at Featherston Camp was again admitted to hospital, this
time with measles.

Service Abroad Horace in 1915
Horace was posted to A Company, 18th Reinforcements of the

Auckland Regiment and embarked on HMNZT Tofua from Wellington

on 11 October 1916. On arriving in Plymouth, he marched into Sling Camp on 29 December 1916

and from there to Etaples, France on 5 February 1917 where he was posted to the 2nd Battalion and

was later attached to the 1st Field

Company of the New Zealand

Engineers. He was wounded in action

on 8 August 1917 and admitted to

hospital at Le Treport. He rejoined the

Auckland Regiment on 11 October

1917.

Horace embarked for New Zealand on

the SS Pakeha from Tilbury on 12 April

1919 after serving a total of 3 years and

1 day – 2 years and 232 days of that

time overseas.

This photo was taken with his father, two sisters, Rachel and Esther,
and Esther’s children before leaving for overseas.

Post-war
Horace resumed his employment farming at Waerenga on
his return and on 2 June 1921 he married Ethel Agnes
LEACH (1894-1989). After farming for some time at
Waerenga they moved to Heights Road, Paerata and dairy
farmed there until Horace retired and in 1954 they were
living in Victoria Street, Pukekohe. This was a large
property which they later subdivided. They moved to 7
Churchill Street, Pukekohe, the same address they were
living at when they married, some forty years earlier,
although they had been away in-between times.
Horace and Ethel had four daughters and four sons and Horace was very involved in school affairs,
serving on the Paerata school committee for a long period. He also served on the Paerata Hall
committee. Ethel also took an active part in community affairs and was frequently reported in the
local newspapers for her efforts.
Daughter Beryl said he had a “man cave” at the bottom of the garden where he loved to spend time
and that he loved gardening and enjoyed time at the RSA.
Granddaughter Lynn remembers him always rolling his own cigarettes and telling funny stories.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Ashes 025.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, military records
Family memories
Ancestry Family tree-Patricia Hargreaves
Papers Past
New Zealand Electoral Rolls

Researched by Heather Maloney

Clifford Norburt LODGE

Service Number: 10785
Regiment: Somerset Light Infantry
Last known Rank: Lance Corporal
Died: 31 March 1972
Age: 77 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 152

Pre-war
Clifford Norburt LODGE was born on 27 October 1894 in Old Sodbury, Gloucestershire, England. He
was the youngest of five children of Henry LODGE (1856-1915) and Emily BALL (1857-1901) and had
two brothers and two sisters. Henry was a Brewer.
In the 1901 UK census, taken shortly after his mother’s death, the family had three boarders living
with them and oldest brother Clement at 15 was working on the railways as a Stoker.
In 1911 at age 17, Clifford was a domestic servant living and working for the ALLEN family in
Westbury on Trym – a house of 22 rooms.

Enlistment and Training
Clifford enlisted on 28 August 1914 and served in the 7th Somerset Light Infantry, photo below taken
in Chipping, Sodbury in winter conditions.

Service Abroad

The 7th Battalion disembarked in Boulogne, France on 24 July 1915. Clifford was promoted to Lance
Corporal but was wounded on 20 March 1916 and was discharged on 21 October 1916 as “no longer
physically fit for war service.” He had his thumb shot off and recovered in a French village called
Laventie, a name he gave to his daughter born in 1917.

Post-war

Clifford returned to his pre-war address and when he married his occupation was given as Chauffeur.
On 16 December 1916 he married Matilda GILL, daughter of Frederick William GILL (1864-1947) and
Alice JONES (1865-1936).
They married at the Parish Church in Coalpit Heath, Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire.
With a family of three small
daughters, Clifford and Matilda
made the bold decision to
come to New Zealand and
boarded the Rimutaka on 27
April 1922 and settled at
Horopito, near Ohakune where
his eldest brother was living.
His brother, Clement had come
to New Zealand in 1906 and
was an Engine Driver living in
this area. A son born in 1929
completed the family.

Imagine how it must have been to move from a city environment of Horopito early 1920’s
Bristol to the remote location of Horopito.

Clifford’s occupation in the electoral rolls from 1928 to 1960 was Machinist, probably at a sawmill as
there were many in the area. By 1969 Clifford and Matilda had retired to Pukekohe and lived
opposite their daughter Betty Dittmer in Lawrie Avenue.
Clifford was buried on 3 April 1972 and Matilda was buried with him on 7 April 1986. They must also
have had a small farm, as on his death, Clifford was described as a Farmer.

In Memoriam

Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 152.
Westbury on Trym Memorial, centre of town, photo google.

Sources Clifford and Matilda

UK census
Forces War records
New Zealand electoral rolls
Ancestry - Lodge Family tree, Jennifer Dittmer, granddaughter
Find My Past – passenger list
Horopito – photo Digital NZ
New Zealand Probate records

Researched by Heather Maloney

Robert LOGAN MID

Service Number: 11/700
Regiment: Canterbury Regiment
Last known Rank: Major
Died: 1 April 1969
Age: 75 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 129

Pre-war

Robert LOGAN was born on 19 April 1894 in Kokonga, Central Otago, the son of Robert LOGAN 1863-
1935 and Elizabeth Catherine (Kate) PRESTON 1860-1910. Robert was the third of four sons, one of
whom died of wounds received at Gallipoli. Robert Snr was a JP and prominent resident of Central
Otago who, as a Colonel, also served in WW1 as the Military Administrator of Samoa from 1914 until
1919. He was awarded the Companion of the Order of Bath in 1917 and the Croix de Chevalier in
1919 for that service. However, a New Zealand Commission of Inquiry subsequently criticised him
for his negligence in his handling of the influenza outbreak which killed 20% of the Samoan
population.
Robert Jnr went to Waitaki High School where
he enlisted in the cadets for four years. Upon
leaving school he sat the Solicitors’ Civil
Service exam in 1911 and attended Otago
University for a short time, before being
accepted for the Royal Military College in
Duntroon, Australia from 16 June 1911 until 6
August 1914. He was promoted to Lance
Corporal in 1913, Corporal in 1914 and then to
Lieutenant. At the start of WW1, he was
requested to return to New Zealand.

Enlistment and Training

Robert attested on 30 August 1914. His attestation details were height 5 feet 11 inches (180cm), fair
complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair, Anglican and was single.

Service Abroad

Robert left for Alexandria, Egypt on 16 October 1914 as part of the Wellington Mounted Rifles
Regiment. He disembarked on 3 December and from there sailed to Gallipoli on 8 May 1915. On 28
August 1915 he was wounded and was invalided to England. On arrival he was found to have
dysentery and to be suffering from shell shock. He was promoted to Captain in the same month.
Robert went on furlough in October and on 20 November 1915 at Sydenham, London he married
Hilda Rogers HAWKRIDGE (1887-1920), daughter of Joseph Hawkridge (1852-1935) and Mary Louisa
ROGERS (1858-1942).
On 11 January 1916 he sailed for Egypt again, arriving in Alexandria on 22 January, where he rejoined
the Wellington Mounted Rifles.

He was mentioned in Sir Ian Hamilton’s dispatches on 28 January 1916 and then on 1 March 1916 he
was appointed Adjutant 2nd Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment.
On 7 April 1916 Robert sailed for France arriving on 13 April. In September 1916 he was wounded at
the Battle of the Somme and was transferred to a New Zealand General Hospital and then to Rouen
on 4 October and finally to the Royal Herbert Hospital in Woolwich, England. He had been hit by
shrapnel and was wounded in the right and left forearms and the left thigh.
After several operations he was finally declared fit to re-enter service on 17 September 1917 and
once again was sent to France. On 8 November 1917 Robert was promoted to Brigade Major and
then in 1918 to Major.
During 1918, Robert was given the opportunity to attend a Staff Course at Cambridge. He finally left
France on 4 December 1918 and sailed for New Zealand on 25 April 1919 after 4 years and 294 days
of active service.

Post-war
On his return to New Zealand, Robert was
given the job of Area Officer for the
Blenheim region. A daughter was born in
June 1920 but sadly Hilda died on 11 July
1920 and is buried in the Omaka Cemetery,
Blenheim.
Robert applied for leave to return with his
baby daughter to England where the
grandparents, Joseph and Mary PRESTON
were going to look after her.

He then applied for a job in the British Army,
but there were no vacancies.
He married twice more, firstly to Gwenneth
OPENSHAW on 12 March 1929 at Eccles,
Lancashire. The couple sailed to Nigeria in
1930 where Robert was to take up a position
in the Colonial Administration Service, a
position he held until at least 1940.
In May 1940 whilst still in Nigeria he again
offered his services for New Zealand Expeditionary Force. A reply telegram three days later advised
there was no vacancy for Major Logan.
In 1952 Robert and Gwenneth retired to Pukekohe where Robert’s brother, John Logan, lived.
After Gwenneth died in 1956, Robert married Enid May WRIGHT.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 129.

Sources

Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Ancestry
London Gazette 28 January 1916, page 1210
New Zealand BDM
Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
Report of the Samoan Epidemic Commission
New Zealand Companions of the Order of the Bath

Researched by Barbara Raven

Samuel LOUGHRIN

Service Number: 79679
Regiment: Auckland Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 18 October 1973
Age: 80 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 167

Pre-war

Samuel was born on the 14 June 1894 in Ballymachall, Dungannon, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland,
the younger son of Samuel (Senior) LOUGHRIN (1851-1937) and Mary MCIVOR (1869-1949). The
name is shown as Loughran on the birth certificate. Samuel Snr and Mary were married on 6 August
1889 in the Presbyterian Church at Donaghmore, Tyrone. Prior to his marriage Samuel Snr had spent
five years in the USA, firstly working in sawmills and later in Minnesota working as a fireman.
In 1901 and 1911 the family were living at Crossdernot, Tyrone.
On 5 February 1914 the family, Samuel Snr, Mary and their two sons, William Thomas (with his wife,
Hannah McCLEAN) and Samuel Jnr, left London and came to New Zealand and settled in Dublin St,
Pukekohe.
Samuel Jnr became a motor driver for Gallagher and Howe in Pukekohe and joined the 16th Waikato
Regiment.

Enlistment and Training

Samuel initially enlisted in September 1916 but may have
been turned down at that time as when he did attest at
Auckland in July 1917, the comments on his attestation
forms read “found to have flat feet and deficient vision”.
There is a further attestation form, signed in Trentham on 18
June 1918, and he spent from then until 26 July 1918
training at Trentham. While at Trentham he went AWOL on
15 July and was fined five days’ pay. He was described as
Presbyterian, 5 feet 9 inches (175cms), 124 lbs (56kgs) with a
dark complexion, blue eyes, and dark hair.
He noted his next of kin as his father, Mr S LOUGHRIN of
Dublin St, Pukekohe.

Service Abroad
Samuel left NZ on the HMNZT 108 Ulimaroa on 27 July 1918
and arrived in London on 4 October 1918. On 5 October he
marched to Sling Camp. He was posted to the 41st
Reinforcements, H company, but later transferred to the 3rd
Reserve Battalion.
From 5 April 1919 until 4 June 1919 Samuel was given
special leave to obtain farming experience.
He returned to NZ on the Ayrshire on 20 September 1919

and disembarked at Lyttleton. He had been overseas for 1 year 61 days and was discharged from
service on 23 October 1919.

Post-war
Following his discharge, Samuel returned to live
with his parents in Dublin St and worked as a
labourer. In 1923 Samuel took a trip with his
parents to visit his birthplace in Ireland and also
to visit Scotland and England.
By 1928 he had moved to live with his parents in
Hall St and was working as a taxi proprietor.
Samuel and his cousin set up Loughrin and
McIvor with a regular bus timetable Pukekohe
to Auckland and return. During the following
years he employed eight staff and the name of
the company changed to Pilot Motors. During
WW II Samuel used his buses like taxis taking
the American troops from Wesley College to the
Pukekohe Racecourse and back.
On 8 March 1948 Samuel married Joan
FRANKLIN (1911-1993) the third of four children
of Edward FRANKLIN (1880-1959) and Mary Elizabeth COBBALD (1883-1928).
In 1945 Samuel’s father-in-law wanted to acquire property at Whangamata. Samuel drove the
family down to the land agents and produced the £50 out of his pocket and so the land was in his
name.
Samuel and Joan continued living in Hall Street. In about 1947 Samuel set up The Franklin Shoe
Store in the south block of King Street in Pukekohe. In 1957 the shoe shop was sold to Halliwell
Shoes and moved to the top block of King Street. In 1963 Samuel and Joan retired to 2 Bilkey
Avenue, and in 1969 moved to 121 Queen Street. Both of these houses were built new for the
couple. Samuel was a keen duck shooter and was often seen driving around town with his English
Springer spaniel resting his head against his shoulder. He was a member of the Ulster Association
where he met up with lots of Northern Ireland friends.
Samuel died on 18 October 1973 and after his death Joan moved to Whangamata where she had
two houses built for her. Joan died on 14 July 1993 in Canada on one of her many overseas trips and
her ashes were interred with Samuel.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 167.
Samuel is remembered in the Auckland Cenotaph.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Ancestry – various family trees
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Papers Past – Pilot Motors Bus timetable
Birth, marriage and death certificates
Photograph in possession of Godson

Researched by family member Lynnette McDonald

Henry George LUCAS

Service Number: 13/1061
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Trooper
Died: 6 June 1974
Age: 83 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 171

Pre-war
Henry George, or George Henry as he often referred to himself, was the third of four sons of
Frederick LUCAS (12 Oct 1856, Werben, Brandenburg, Germany-10 Jun 1932, Puni) and Harriette
Annette LEWIS (1852-7 October, 1934, Puni). Frederick had arrived in New Zealand as a child in
1864 after a short time in South Africa, and he was involved in the Waiuku Cavalry during the times
of unrest in the area. The family bought land in Puni and it is here that Henry was born in 1891 and

grew up. He worked for his father and other local
farmers.
Henry was involved in sports in the local community
but was especially interested in athletics. He was
regularly in the papers during 1914 and 1915 having
successfully competed in a variety of athletic events.
In the 1914 Electoral Roll Henry was living at
Glenbrook and working as a farmer.

Enlistment and Training
Henry enlisted on 15 February 1915 at Trentham. He was assigned to the 5th Reinforcements of the
Auckland Mounted Rifles as a Trooper and gave his last employer as F APPELBY. He was described as
5 feet 9 inches tall (175cm), with a dark complexion, brown hair, brown eyes and his religion as
Presbyterian. Henry’s brother, Frederick William, enlisted on the same day, but was placed in the
2nd Reinforcements of the Auckland Mounted Rifles. Both men gave their next of kin as their father,
Mr Frederick LUCAS, Puni via Pukekohe.

Service Abroad
Henry left Wellington on 13 June 1915, possibly aboard
the Tahiti, and arrived in Egypt. On 1 October Henry was
sent to Gallipoli and then was posted to a unit at Mudros,
but soon after was admitted to hospital for 5 weeks with
dysentery.

From 25 March 1916 until 12 August 1916, Henry was the
unit’s cook. He was then sent to a School of Instruction

before returning to his unit in late
October. During 1917, Henry had time at
an Anzac Rest Camp, but rejoined his unit
in August 1917. He then spent 16 days in a
Cairo Hospital. Re-occurring malaria
seems to have caused him further time in
hospital.
In August 1918 Henry was in Jerusalem.
Finally, after 4 years and 92 days on active
service, Henry was able to begin his
voyage home on 20 April 1919. He was
discharged on 17 May.

The hospital at Pont de Koubbeh, Cairo

Henry’s brother, Frederick William was
killed at Gallipoli on 8 August 1915 and is buried at Chunuk Bair. His name is listed on the Memorial
there.

Post-war
Following his time abroad, Henry returned to his pre-war
farming job at Glenbrook.
In 1924 he married Florence Edith May McFADDEN (1904-
1973) and they had one child, Trevor George.
Henry and Florence continued to farm within the Franklin
area, firstly at Puni, then Dublin St, Pukekohe, and finally
at Tuakau Rd, Buckland.
In 1931, according to the Waikato Times 14 July, Henry
unwittingly purchased a bull from Arthur Campbell who
falsely represented that the bull was his property.
They retired firstly to Paerata and then by 1972 to Kennelly Cres,
Pukekohe.
Florence died in Pukekohe on 14 October 1973 and is buried in
the Pukekohe Public Cemetery with their son, Trevor.
Henry died the following year.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 171.
Henry appears on three local memorial boards:

• Waiuku War Memorial Hall,
• Glenbrook Hall,
• Puni Memorial Board, now at Puni School.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Ancestry
Nelson Museum – hospital photo
New Zealand BDM
Papers Past

Researched by Barbara Raven

Sidney Gilbert MALIN

Service Number: 57562
Regiment: Rifle Brigade
Last known Rank: Rifleman
Died: 7 August 1956
Age: 78 years*
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 047

*Age at death differs from plaque.

Pre-war

Sidney Gilbert was brought up the eldest child with seven younger siblings to Sidney MALIN and Mary
Masterman ADAMS who had both been born in Australia. He was born 19 November 1877 at Port
Adelaide, South Australia and was known as Sid. Sidney Malin Sr became a most respected
businessman and Mayor of Port Adelaide Corporation.
It is thought Sid worked for H M Customs and lived in Semaphore, a suburb of Adelaide. Sid went to
South Africa and enlisted as an ‘irregular’ or volunteer in the South Africa 1899-1902 (Boer War)

conflict. He served as Trooper 307 with the
Western Provinces Mounted Rifles then 1475
with Bethunes Mounted Infantry 31 August 1901
to 2 March 1902. Sid received the Queen's South
Africa Medal with ‘Cape Colony’ and ‘Orange
Free State’ campaign clasps.
In September 1906 Sid sailed on Waikare and
moved from Australia to New Zealand. In 1911
he was living at 105 Webb Street in Wellington
and was a stationer. By 1914 Sid owned ‘Malin’s
Book Arcade’ at 95 Willis Street.

The first gun called Pom Pom was introduced during the
second Boer War.

Enlistment and Training
Sid attested 10 May 1917. As well as having been in
the South African Irregular Forces he was on the N Z
Army Reserve Roll -1st Division. He was single, aged 39
years 6 months, was 5 feet 7½ inches (171cms),
weighed 154 lbs (69kgs), had a dark complexion, brown
eyes, and black hair, and his religion was Unitarian. Sid
was a bookseller and his father, who lived at Hillside,
Mount Lofty, South Australia, was his next of kin.
On 27 June 1917 Sid was posted as Trooper in the 32nd
N Z Mounted Rifle Brigade at Featherston then was
transferred to H Coy 30th as Private.

Service Abroad
On 13 October 1917 Sid embarked on NMNZT 93 Corinthic at Wellington as Rifleman with the 30th
Reinforcements. They disembarked at Liverpool, Merseyside 8 December and marched into NZ
Command Depot at Brocton Camp, Cannon Chase, Staffordshire, as B Reserve, 5th Battalion.
He was posted to A Coy and they left for France 14 April 1918 and posted to the Base Depot at Etaples
before a further posting to 4th Battalion C Coy and ‘in the field’. On 21 August the N Z Division was in
a major assault along a 15 km line during which Sid was wounded in action.
He had a Gun Shot Wound to the right of his chest and was attended to at the Field Ambulance, at a
Casualty Clearing Station, at No 22 General Hospital at Camiers then the 3rd Stationary hospital at
Rouen.
Sid was taken on the hospital ship Grantully Castle to England on 24 August, admitted to the 1st NZ
General Hospital at Brockenhurst on the 28th for 11 days then at 3rd NZ General Hospital at Codford.
He was transferred to NZ Convalescent Hospital at Hornchurch, was discharged and on leave then
reported 14 October to Codford Camp. He also had time at Brocton Camp. On 15 May 1919 Sid
embarked on Kigoma and returned to Wellington, arriving 15 July, he had been away 1 year and 276
days. His final discharge was 12 August 1919, and he received the British Medal and the Victory Medal.

Post-war
A few days after his return Sid had a trip to Australia. He
then set up a stationer’s shop “S G Malin” in Pollen Street,
Thames which he owned for a few years. Sid was a keen
cricket player and a valued member of the RSA team.
In June 1923 there was a six-week trip to Australia. Sid had
sold the shop at Thames and in November that year he
purchased a book shop in Victoria Street, Hamilton. As well
as books and stationery he sold purses and other
leatherware, toys and dolls, electro plate and silverware and
soldier’s baskets. Sid continued his interest in cricket,
playing for Frankton.
By August 1829 the Hamilton shop was sold and by 1935 Sid
was a newsagent in Pukekohe and his address was c/- Mrs
Berriman, Station Road. In 1946 the business was in King
Street and in 1954 in Manukau Road. There had been
another visit to Australia in 1947. Sid never married and was
the only one in his family to live in New Zealand.
On 7 August 1956 Sid passed away and he was buried on 9
August.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 047.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Record
Malin Family
New Zealand electoral rolls
Papers Past -Shop Adv, Thames Star 16 Dec 1921; Cricket Thames Star, regularly; Business sold, Thames Star April 1923;

Sydney trip, Thanes Star 22 June 1923; Hamilton shop, Waikato Times 19 Dec 1924

The Australian Boer War Memorial -bwn.org.au/soldiers
Boer War Website – AngloBoerWar.com
MyHeritage, FindMyPast and Familysearch
Researched by Penny Prescott

Wilson Burns MARSHALL

Service Number: 11496
Regiment: Auckland Infantry Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 15 May 1945*
Age: 52 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 007

*Date of death differs from plaque.

Pre-war

Wilson Burns MARSHALL was born 9 November 1892 in
Taranaki, the eldest of three sons of Thomas Marshall and
Isabella RAE who were of Scottish descent.
Wilson served his apprenticeship as a plumber and sheet
metal worker at Tauranga and by 1914 was a plumber
working for W S RUSSELL at King Street Pukekohe and living
nearby at Buckland.

Enlistment and Training
On 10 January 1916 Wilson enlisted and attested 2 days later
at Trentham.
He was single, aged 23 years, was 5’ 11” (180cm), 144 lbs
(65kg), and had a dark complexion, black hair and brown
eyes. He was Methodist and his father was his next of kin
with the address c/- Post Office, Buckland. Wilson had been
serving for 5 years in the Territorial Forces – 16th Waikato.
As Private in A Coy, 12th Reinforcements he was promoted
to Lance Corporal on 22 January then to Corporal 20
February.

Service Abroad
On 1 May 1916 Wilson embarked at Wellington on HMNZT 51 Ulimaroa with the Auckland Infantry
Battalion, A Coy, 12th Reinforcements and with HMNZT 52 Mokoia departed for Egypt arriving 9 June
at Suez. They left Alexandra 26 July 1916 and disembarked at Southampton, England 7 August then
marched into the New Zealand Reserve Camp at Sling, Hampshire where Wilson reverted to Private.
On 5 September 1916 they left for France and then were attached to the New Zealand Infantry and
General Base Depot at Etaples. Wilson joined the 2nd Battalion Auckland Regiment on 26 September
and was ‘in the field’ joining the Battle of The Somme.
In March 1917 Wilson became ill with mumps. He was admitted to No 2 New Zealand Field
Ambulance, to 7 General Hospital at St Omer then 6 April Wilson was sent to 4 Stationary Hospital at
Arques. He travelled on the hospital ship Jan Breydel to England and was admitted to No 1 N Z General
Hospital at Brockenhurst then on 24 April 1917 he was transferred to New Zealand Convalescent
Hospital at Hornchurch.
On 14 July Wilson embarked on H S Marama at Avonmouth and returned to Auckland 22 August 1917.

He was discharged 2 October 1917 as he was no longer fit for war service on account of illness
contracted on active service.
Wilson had been overseas for 1 year 114 days and received the British War Medal and the Victory
Medal.

Post-war
Wilson went back to his job working for W S Russell
at 8 King Street, the business on the west side of
COOPER and CURD and with a picket fence on part of
its frontage.
He was to later purchase the business and it was said
he developed it into one of the best in Franklin.
On 17 December 1918 Wilson married Ruth ALLAN.
They were to have 3 daughters and lived in West
Street.
For several years Wilson was an executive member of
the Pukekohe Chamber of Commerce and on the
committee of the Pukekohe Primary School. He was
a member of Lodge Franklin and Lodge Excelsior, and
boat building was a hobby. In 1934 he took up
bowling and represented Pukekohe Friendly
Societies. His keen interest was astronomy, and he
was one of Mr C B MICHIE’s assistants at his
observation post on Doctor’s Hill, Pukekohe during the total eclipse of the sun in 1937. He was to go
to Canton Island to observe another eclipse about 1939 but ill-health prevented him undertaking the
work. Wilson constructed a fine reflector telescope through which one could see some close ups of
the moon and other planets.

Wilson passed away at Greenlane Hospital after a long illness 15 May 1945.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 007.

Sources

Wilson Family
New Zealand Archives, Military records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
N Z History WW1
Ancestry and Familysearch
N Z Electoral rolls
Paperspast: Obituary Franklin Times, 21 May 1945, page 2

Researched by Penny Prescott

Albert MARTIN MM

Service Number: 44756
Regiment: Auckland Regiment
Last known Rank: Lance Corporal
Died: 10 Oct 1951
Age: 62 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 028

Pre-war
Albert was born in Ireland on 22 November 1888 to William MARTIN of Lisburn County Down,
Ireland and Eliza Anne MARTIN.
The census of 31 March 1901 has Albert in Maze, Down, Ireland, with his father, brother and two
sisters.
Albert immigrated to New Zealand, via Southhampton c1911 possibly on the Victoria and settled at
Hunua. Albert was single, a self-employed farmer prior to enlistment. According to his military
papers, Albert was a resident of New Zealand for 5 years prior to enlistment and his mother Eliza
was deceased before WW1.

Enlistment and Training
Albert enlisted on 1 December 1916, and he was posted to 25th A Company on 9 January 1917. On
1 February he was transferred to 24th A Company, Rifles. Albert was 5 ft 9 inches (175cms), 145 lbs
(66kgs) and he had a medium complexion, brown hair, blue eyes, his listed religion was Anglican,
and he was described as fit. Albert had lodged a will with E Mahoney & Sons, solicitors, Auckland
and named his father in Lisburn Ireland and his friend Miss E Trail of Hunua as next of kin.

Service Abroad
Albert embarked on the HMNZT 81 Devon from New Zealand on 5 April 1917 and arrived in
Devonport and then left for France on 6 July 1917, marching into camp at Etaples. On 25 July he
joined the 2nd Battalion Auckland Regiment. Albert was detached to the School of Instruction on
14 February 1918, re-joining the Battalion on 25th February, fighting in the field. Albert was awarded
the Military Medal for “acts of Gallantry in the field”.

He was appointed Lance Corporal on 26 July 1918. On 29 August Albert was wounded in France and
admitted to hospital the next day, his wound being a machine gunshot wound to his left shoulder.
He embarked for England on 3 September 1918 and was admitted to No 1 New Zealand General
Hospital at Brockenhurst on 13 September, then transferred to Hornchurch to convalesce.

On 17 October he was dispatched to Codford for further rehabilitation, and on 25 January 1919 in
London, Albert embarked for New Zealand on the ship Port of Melbourne.
He was discharged on 11 April 1919 after a total service of 2 years 93 days - 121 days in New Zealand
and 1 year 337 days overseas.
He gave his intended address on discharge as Hunua.

Post-war

Albert returned to farm at Hunua and on 23 July
1919 he married Elizabeth Anderson TRAIL (1887-
1963). She was the daughter of William Kettle Trail
and Letitia NOBBS and had two sisters and ten
brothers – two of whom lost their lives in WW1.
Albert and Elizabeth had four children, two sons and
two daughters, one of which died very young. They
farmed at Hunua until about 1930 when they shifted
to a farm at Mauku, where they lived until their
deaths, Albert in 1951 and Elizabeth in 1963. Albert
regularly topped the sales with his prime steers,
worth around £10 (~$20) each in 1931.
In 1933 he took his family to be part of an RSA picnic
at Clarks Beach, where it was reported that 2000
people turned up to enjoy the day out. Albert’s son
was a prize winner on the day.
In his will, dated 1938, Albert left 69 houses in
Belfast, Ireland to his three children. These houses
were listed with addresses, around 22 for each child.
He left a substantial estate for that era.

Elizabeth is buried in the Wesleyan section at
Pukekohe cemetery.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 028.

Sources

Archives New Zealand Military records
Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph – photo and citation
Archives New Zealand, probate records
Papers Past – Prime Steer NZ Herald 23 April 1933; RSA Picnic
Franklin Times 1 Feb 1933
New Zealand electoral rolls
New Zealand BDM
Ancestry Family Trees - Weaver Family Tree

Researched by Julie Fox

Ambrose MAYHEW

Service Number: 17521
Regiment: Wellington Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Trooper
Died: 20 April 1954
Age: 78 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 033

Pre-war

Ambrose was born on 10 September 1876 (although the birth appears to have not been registered)
in Oamaru to Robert MAYHEW, cabinet maker born in Suffolk, and Catherine Elizabeth nee TRICKER
of Suffolk. He was their first son, and one of fourteen children - three boys and ten girls.
They had arrived in New Zealand in 1875 with three children settling in Oamaru before moving to
Marton then to Waituna.
Ambrose was involved in the rifle club and was secretary of the Waituna Football Club.
In 1902 Ambrose left on SS Surrey with the 8th Contingent, North Island B Squadron for the South
African War. He gave his age as 23 years and four months, his occupation as farmhand living in
Waituna and his next of kin as his father Robert.
Prior to enlisting for WW1 Ambrose’s address was Waituna, near Fielding, and his occupation was
farmhand.

Enlistment and Training

Ambrose enlisted on 26 June 1916. He was 5 feet
10 inches (178cms), 168 lbs (76kgs), brown hair
medium complexion and blue eyes. He stated he
was agnostic and had served six years in the
Alexandra Mounted Rifles and had served as a
trooper in South Africa. He was posted to the 19th
Mounted Rifles at Featherston. He spent four days
in Featherston Hospital in July 1916 with influenza.

The badge of the Queen Alexandra
Mounted Rifles

Service Abroad
Ambrose embarked the ship HMNZT 70 Waihora on 5 December 1916 bound for Suez and arrived in
Egypt on 13 January 1917. He was posted to position of cook on 30 January 1917. On 23 July 1917
he relinquished this position, being appointed to duty in Brigade Headquarters in the field on 24 July.
On 24 August he was admitted to Kantana Field hospital Alexandria, with dyspepsia, then
transferred to the Hospital tram for Cairo on 26 August. He was in the General Hospital from 10
September, and the log entry on 24 September 1917 said his indigestion was improving. On 6
October 1917 Ambrose was in Port Said at the New Zealand Convalescent Home. He attended for
police duty on 31 May 1918, and rejoined the Soldiers Club as Trooper in Cairo on 12 August 1918.
Ambrose was in hospital on 15 September 1918 in Cairo, classified as “C” class. On 14 December
1918 he embarked for New Zealand on the ship “Malta”.
Ambrose was discharged no longer fit for war service on 26 February, the reasons given, injuries in
or by the service, and flat feet. Ambrose‘s total service was 2 years 247 days and he was 44 years of
age on discharge. A footnote in his service record states, “out of 2 years 3 months overseas service
he has done only six weeks in the field”. All his overseas service was in the Middle East.

Post-war
Ambrose listed his intended address on discharge as Maromaku,
Northland.
His mother Catherine died following a stroke on 14 June 1919, four
months after his return from war service, she was 72.
When sent his medals, the British War medal and the Victory medal, in
December 1923 he refused to accept them and sent them back. They
were however, reissued shortly after his death.
On 10 March 1922 at the Hukeranui A&P show he entered a water colour
painting of flowers in the artistic section, gaining a first place.
Ambrose married Annie Margarita ALISON in 1951. She was the daughter

of Joseph Wallace LANG and Elizabeth McLELLAND and had previously been married to Duncan
ALISON. She had seven children, all adults by the time she married Ambrose.
Duncan remained a farmer living at Maromaku until his death which was at Ngawha Springs,
according to his military records.
Annie died in 1973 and is buried with her first husband at Waipu.

It seems a mystery as to why Ambrose was buried in Pukekohe as there are no known links to this
district.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 033.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military records and probate
Photo and info from Ancestry tree Mervyn Taylor
New Zealand Electoral rolls
Google – Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles
Papers Past – Farewell Rangitikei Advocate 28 June 1916; Rifle Club Feilding Star 12 July 1905
Researched by Julie Fox

William Graham McAUSLIN

Service Number: 41345
Regiment: Rifle Brigade
Last known Rank: Rifleman
Died: 20 February 1957
Age: 62 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 052

Pre-war

William (Bill) Graham McAUSLIN was born on the 14 August 1895 at Ashburton, Canterbury, the son
of William McAuslin (1872–1947) and Mary Anne (Annie) BRADFORD (1871-1947). William and
Mary Ann were married on 6 February 1892 at the Presbyterian church in Ashburton and had five
children, two sons and three daughters. William Snr was an engineer and appears to have been
sought after to play in musical events in both Ashburton and Hastings. The family moved from
Ashburton to Hastings between 1899 and 1902.

Enlistment and Training

Bill enlisted 13 November 1916 and on 3 January 1917
he was assigned to the 24th Reinforcements, H
Company. He gave his next of kin as his father,
William McAuslin, 801 Lovedale Rd, Hastings. His
attestation papers said he was 5 feet 10 inches tall
(178cm), fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair and
that he worked as a drover. His religion was Anglican
and he had been in the 9th Hawkes Bay Regiment prior
to WW1.

Service Abroad

Bill embarked on HMNZT 82 Pakeha on the 14 April 1917 and arrived in Plymouth, Devon on 28 July
1917. Leaving for France on the 23 October 1917, and then in early November he joined his
battalion in the field, he spent all his active service on the Western Front.

On 8 December Bill was wounded in the Battle of Ypres. He received a flesh wound in the chest, a
superficial wound below the clavicle and shrapnel in his left ring and middle fingers. He was
transferred from Rouen to Bethnal Green Hospital in the UK and from there to the Hornchurch
Convalescence Home. After massage and exercises, Bill was still found to have stiffness of
movement in his two fingers and a poor grip. The Medical Board decided he was no longer fit to be
on active service, and he sailed from Glasgow on the Athenic on 16 May 1918 for Auckland.