They Came Home from WW1 - Pukekohe

His condition worsened and he was readmitted with dysentery. He was discharged and sent to the
DMC Rest Camp in Port Said before being re-admitted two weeks later to the No.14 Australian General
Hospital. He was again in the field in October then finally after several transfers David boarded the
HMNZT 279 Ellenga in Suez on 23 July 1919, bound for New Zealand. The ship was due in Auckland
on 10 September. He spent time in the ship’s hospital on the voyage home and on arrival in Auckland
was to receive several weeks of
hospital outpatient treatment.
He was discharged on
4 November 1919 having
served two years 216 days
overseas. At discharge he was
no longer physically fit for war
service on account of illness
contracted on active service.

Post-war
David farmed at Tuhimata after
the war, owning Allotment 33,
Suburban Section 5, Parish of
Opaheke.
In 1920 he married Kate Scoular
LAING. There were no children
recorded for the marriage. In
1935 he was the Registrar for Dog Registrations for the Pukekohe East riding.
David passed away on 9 July 1976 aged 82, Kate having predeceased him in 1966 at the age of 91.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe Returned Services Cemetery Plot 188.

Sources
NZSG Franklin: Suffrage 125 Vol 2 for Ada Twidle/Hooey’s story
Postcard of SS Mashobra – hippostcard.com
NZ Electoral Rolls
NZ birth, death and marriage records
Papers Past: Death From the Bite of a Katipo - NZ Herald 25 Sept 1901 page 5; In Reference to the Death of Mr

George Twidle - Evening Post 14 Oct 1901 page 6; Registrar for Dog Registrations – Franklin Times 4 Feb 1935
page 1
Ancestry library edition
Archives New Zealand: Probate and Military Records

Researched by Lynda Muir

Robert Victor UNDERHILL

Service Number: 145124
Regiment: Royal Artillery
Last known Rank: Gunner
Died: 27 October 1959
Age: 76 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 067

Pre-war

Robert Victor UNDERHILL was born on 3 August 1884 in Thornbury, Gloucestershire, the sixth of
seven children of Joseph UNDERHILL (1848-1915) and Louisa WILLIAMS (1849-1921).
In the 1911 census Robert was working as a Gardener in Thornbury and living at home.

Enlistment and Training

Robert enlisted on 11 December 1915 and
gave his address as 24 St Leonards Rd,
Horfield, Bristol. He had married Mary
Elizabeth PARKER (1887-1923) on 7 April
1915.
He was a Tram Driver and a Non-Conformist
and was described as 5 feet 9 inches
(175cms) and 164 lbs (74kgs).
Robert was posted to the Royal Artillery
Regiment of the Imperial Forces and was
placed in the Army Reserves with the Royal
Garrison. They were the coastal defence
force. He was mobilised on 14 March 1917
and posted to the 8th Mountain Artillery
Brigade. He left Plymouth for Catterick (a
garrison 5 kms south of Richmond,
Yorkshire) and on 12 September 1917
moved to Larkhill.

From the Thornbury Museum website:
Money was raised in Thornbury for the purpose
of sending each soldier and sailor from the town
a Xmas parcel and over 200 were sent out. Each
parcel contained a Christmas card, one tin of
gingerbread biscuits, fifty cigarettes, one khaki
handkerchief, and one tablet of soap provided
out of the money subscribed and in addition one
pair of socks made and given by the ladies
knitting party in connection with the Thornbury
working party.

The museum has listed all the recipients and their location at that time and Robert’s 1917 parcel was
sent to him at Salisbury Plain.

Service Abroad

Robert sailed from Southampton for Cherbourg, France on 8 January 1918. Then he re-embarked on
the Taranto for Alexandria on the 20 January 1918.
Robert’s younger brother, Thomas Ernest (Service number 29448) was killed in Italy, on 1 November
1918. He had been in the Royal Horse Artillery and had mainly served in France.
Then on 30 December 1918, Robert was admitted to hospital in Tripoli with Influenza. He was
transferred to Alexandria on 5 March 1919 with Malaria. By 7 May he had joined the Base Depot in
Egypt, before sailing for the United Kingdom on the Czar on 2 January 1920.

Post-war
Robert returned to his job of Tram Driving in Bristol after the
war. Robert’s wife Mary died in the Bristol Hospital on 8 June
1923.
Soon after that Robert must have remarried as on 10 April
1924, he sailed from Southampton with Emily on the Rotorua
bound for a new life in New Zealand. On the passenger list he
gave his occupation as Farmer, his age as 39 and Emily’s as 36
and their last address as 24 St Leonards Rd, Horfield.
In 1928, he was a Farmer on Te Kohanga Road near Tuakau
with Emily. They had a son, Victor James, born about 1925,
who was a Motor Mechanic in Pukekohe.
Between 1935 and the early 1940s Robert and Emily lived at
Ostrich Farm Rd, Pukekohe and Robert was a Farm Worker.
From 1946 to the early 1950s they lived at Helvetia Rd, 24 St Leonards Rd Horfield,Google maps
Pukekohe and Robert was still a Farm Hand. In 1946 he bought
some land from Laurel ARMSTRONG.
Robert was a keen Horticulturalist and won many prizes in the local A & P Society, particularly with
his chrysanthemums. He was President of the Horticulture Society during part of the 1940s.
In 1954 the family moved to 3 Hogan St, Pukekohe and they continued to live there until Robert’s
death on 27 October 1959. Emily continued living with Victor at 3 Hogan St until they moved to East
Rd, Pukekohe. She died on 18 July 1970, aged 85 and was buried in the Wesleyan section of the
Pukekohe Cemetery.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 067.
Thornbury Museum.

Sources
Ancestry – Underhill Family Tree
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Archives New Zealand, Probates
Forces War Records
Thornbury Museum
Find My Past – passenger lists
Wises NZ Cities and Directories -1930 and 1933
Papers Past: Horticultural Assn Committee, Franklin Times 11 July 1941; Horticultural Show Franklin Times 24 April 1942
Researched by Barbara Raven

Frederick Ernest URQUHART

Service Number: SA 1892
Regiment: NSW Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Trooper
Died: 23 August 1963
Age: 85 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 095

Pre-war
Frederick (or Fred as he was mostly known as) Ernest URQUHART was the son of John and Anne
URQUHART. Fred was born in Mudgee, NSW, Australia in 1878. His parents John and Anne were
Dairy Farmers at McDonald’s Creek, a few miles out of Mudgee.

Enlistment and Training

An item in the Mudgee Guardian on Thursday 24
January 1901 is the only record of Fred volunteering for
service in South Africa.

Service Abroad

In 1902 Fred appears to be part of the 3rd NSW Mounted Rifles.
The 3rd Mounted Rifles consisted of five mounted rifle squadrons and a machine gun section. The
preference for recruits was for trained men who were "good shots and riders". They needed to be
between the ages of 20 and 40, 5 feet 6 inches (167.6cm) or taller, and have a chest measurement of
34 inches (86cm) or larger. They also needed to be unmarried. The total strength of the regiment
was 37 officers and 980 other ranks, with 1,000 horses.
The regiment travelled to South Africa in three groups. B and D Squadrons were the first to leave
Australia, sailing from Sydney on 15 March, on board the transport Maplemore. A, C, and E
Squadrons, and the regimental staff, followed six days later on the British Princess. The machine gun
section also left on 21 March, travelling on the transport Ranee. B and D Squadrons disembarked at
Port Elizabeth on 12 April, while the rest of the regiment disembarked at Durban on 17 and 23 April.
From 2 May 1901 to 28 April 1902 the regiment served in the Eastern Transvaal and in Eastern
Orange Free, attached to Colonel Remington's column.

In early 1902 they took part in several drives, the principal one being the Harrismith drive, which
resulted in the capture of 251 prisoners, 26,000 cattle, and 2,000 horses.
In February 1902 the regiment was in action during the Boer breakthrough at Langverwacht.
In May 1902 the regiment embarked at Cape Town for Australia, leaving on 4 May and reaching
Sydney on 3 June, after having stopped at Albany, Adelaide, and Melbourne.
(The above account of the 3rd NSW Mounted Rifles can be found at www.awm.gov.au/collection/U52010)

Post-war
Fred returned to McDonald’s Creek and in November
1902 he was formerly welcomed home at a picnic
gathering at McDonald’s Creek. He was presented
with a medal that his many friends had commissioned
a local jeweller to design and make. Made of Mudgee
gold it was inscribed on one side and on the other a
sword and rifle in relief.

Fred married Helen CAMPBELL in New Zealand in
1904 and according to the Electoral Roll Fred and
Helen quickly settled in Patumahoe dairying farming
and raising a family. Patumahoe was to be Fred’s
home until his death in 1963.

In Memoriam
Fred is buried in the Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 095.

Sources
Australian War Museum
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Trove – Australian Newspapers
PapersPast. Pukekohe and Waiuku Times May 8 1912
NSWMR at a gallop, NSW Lancers Memorial Museum
New Zealand BDM
War Forces Record

Researched by Mary Mercer

Ernest WALKER

Service Number: 21823
Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery
Last known Rank: Gunner
Died: 10 July 1957
Age: 70 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 055

Pre-war

Ernest (or Ern, as he was usually known) WALKER was born on 18 November 1886 at St Andrew’s,
Peckham, Surrey and was baptised on 5 August 1887 at Peckham. He was the eldest of three
children born to Thomas WALKER (1858-1890) and Louisa STEVENS nee ELSLEY (1850-). Thomas and
Louisa had married on 6 December 1885 at Lambeth, Peckham. Louisa was a widow with four
children and by 1901 she was a widow again and was working as a Servant.

On 24 March 1914 at Tooting,
London, Ern married Mabel
DUNHAM (1887-1967) at the Parish
Church. Both their fathers had been
Printers and Ern’s occupation was
given as Asylum Attendant, living at
153 Gassiot Road in Graveney,
Tooting.

Parish Church Tooting, London

Enlistment and Training

Few details have been found about
Ern’s military service, but his medal card
indicates that he entered service on 4
October 1914 and was posted to the
Royal Garrison Artillery 106 Battery as a
Gunner.

Service Abroad
Ern appears to have been posted to several batteries within the Royal Garrison Artillery Regiment.
He received the 1914 Star medal which confirms he was overseas in 1914, most probably with the
14th Seige Battery which was at Gallipoli in 1915 and were then sent to France. On 17 July 1916 Ern
was admitted to Alexandria General Hospital with Gastritis, but returned to duty after nine days,
with light duties for four extra days.
At one stage of the war, Ern was attached to the Royal Marine Artillery (Coastal Defence).
The Royal Garrison’s duties were to defend fixed installations with large artillery pieces that did not
need to be moved.

Post-war
On 4 April 1922, Ern and Mabel left England from Southampton on board the Tainui and arrived in
Auckland. Ern had listed himself as a Painter on the passenger list.

In 1928 the family had settled in John St,
Pukekohe and Ern was a Painter. By 1935 they
had moved to Seddon St and Ern was still
working as a Painter and it was here that they
celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary.
From 1938 until their next move sometime
before 1949, Ern and Mabel were living in King
St and Ern was working as a Barman. During his
time in Franklin, Ern was involved in bowls.

Around 1949 Ern and Mabel moved to
4A Brabant St, Opotiki and Ern stated he was a
Pensioner. They lived there, with their son,
Keith until Ern’s death. Ern was buried on 13
July 1957. Mabel died in 1967 and according to
Council records, her ashes were buried with Ern
on 7 July 1967.

In Memoriam

Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 055.

Sources
Ancestry -Family Tree, medal card
New Zealand electoral rolls
New Zealand BDM
Family Search – passenger list
UK National Archives
Papers Past: Bowls Franklin Times, 27 Mar, 1939; Silver Wedding; 22 Feb 1939

Researched by Barbara Raven

Fred WALKER

Service Number: 56117
Regiment: Royal Fusiliers
Last known Rank: Sergeant
Died: 5 July 1978
Age: 85 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 213

Pre-war

Fred WALKER was born on 7 August 1892, at Cliviger, Lancashire just nine days before his father
died. He was the youngest of five children of Frederick Robert WALKER (1858-1892), a Pork Butcher
and Martha WILSON (1855-1933). Fred was a church choirboy and throughout his life, singing and
music remained his pleasures.
Martha continued to run the Butcher shop and sons William and Fred followed into the trade.
In 1912 his mother and brother James, along with Tom’s bride-to-be, left to live in New Zealand
where his brother Tom already lived. Martha settled in Buckland, near Pukekohe.
It seems likely that William and Fred continued to run the shop in Burnley as he gave his occupation
as Butcher when he enlisted for the army.
Fred lived with William and his wife Mary (Polly) next to the shop – William had played a large part
in Fred’s upbringing. Fred was very interested in gardening and had his own allotment to work on.
Soccer was his main sport and the family have a gold watch chain, and gold medals that he had won.

Enlistment, Training and Service Abroad

The service number on Fred’s headstone relates to his service with West Kent Hussars, although his
initial posting after enlisting on 7 February 1916 was with the Royal Fusiliers “London Service” where
his service number was 2506. It appears from the scant records available that he went overseas in
1916 with the Royal Fusiliers but was invalided home after a gas attack and then transferred to the
West Kent Yeomanry (W K Hussars on his pension card) which came under the umbrella of the Corps
of Hussars. According to family, he also served with the Highland Light Infantry and the Lancashire
Hussars Yeomanry. He was posted to barracks in Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland and it was here that he
met Madge BRIGHT. Fred reached the rank of Sergeant and was discharged 1 October 1919. His
address at this time was 19 Oxford St, Burnley.

Post-war
Fred returned to Burnley and lived and worked for William. He married Madge BRIGHT on 7 October
1920 in Ballymodan, Co. Cork, Ireland. St Peter’s is an Anglican Church in the larger town of Bandon.

Fred and Madge decided to immigrate to
New Zealand where two of his brothers and his
mother were living. Fred arrived in February 1921
and Madge followed later in that year. By 1922 they
had settled in Seddon St, Pukekohe and Fred was
working as a Factory Hand. Their first child, a son,
was born in 1923, followed by a daughter in 1925.
In 1928 the family moved to Maungatapere where
Fred continued to work as a Factory Hand and in
1938, they moved to Waipu.
Fred was an active member of the Lodge and was
installed as Worshipful Master of Lodge Parahaki in
1937. In 1942, when Fred enlisted for WW2, they
were living in Auckland where he was an Essence
Manufacturer. Between 1946 and 1957 Fred and
Madge were recorded in the electoral roll as living at
25 Highbury Avenue in West Auckland.
In 1960 they were at Pukekohe, back in Prospect
Terrace where they had lived some 35 years earlier.
Fred was now retired, and they had obviously
moved back to be closer to their two children who
lived in the Pukekohe area.
Fred died in 1978 and Madge died in December
1992. Her ashes are buried with Fred.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 213.
Sources

Ancestry – Military records
The Great War Forum – info from members
Walker Family members
New Zealand electoral rolls
New Zealand BDM
Ancestry – Family Tree, Rosemary Young
Researched by Heather Maloney

John Stewart (Tony) WILCOX

Service Number: 13/2955
Regiment: New Zealand Field Artillery
Last known Rank: Sergeant
Died: 23 October 1952
Age: 62 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 031

Pre-war
John was born at “Willow Stream”, the family farmhouse at Buckland, on 9 July 1890, the fifth child
and second son of Henry Innes WILCOX and Annie Jane GREER.
John’s father Henry WILCOX was born in Ireland and migrated aboard the ship Chile, arriving in
Auckland on 19 December 1869. Henry joined his brother John in Thames, spending 10 years gold
mining. After farming in Canterbury, he returned North in 1881 and purchased 120 acres in
Buckland, through a Land Clearance Scheme.
Annie Greer was born in Ireland, met Henry and they married at Christ Church in Coromandel on 20
June 1883. William was 32 and Annie 23. All thirteen of their children were born at their Buckland
farm, between 1884 and 1904.

John was known as Tony in his family, and his schooling was at Buckland Primary School and
Pukekohe District High School. He left in December 1909, having passed the Civil Service
examination in 1907. In 1910 John was a Pupil teacher at Huntly, then in 1912 he went up to
Hokianga to teach in several schools.

John’s mother Annie died on 29 January 1912.

Enlistment and Training
John was attached to the 16th Waikato Senior Cadets in 1914. On 18 October 1915 he enlisted in the
New Zealand Field Artillery Unit as a trooper. John was 5ft 10½ inches (179cm) tall, 11 stone 5lbs
(72kg) in weight, with a chest maximum of 35½ inches (89cm). He
had fair complexion, fair hair and blue eyes.

Service Abroad
On 8 January 1916, he sailed for Egypt on the troopship HMNZT
37 Maunganui. On board were his brothers Jim and Will and
cousins Henry and Jake.
John arrived in Egypt, 12 February 1916, and embarked for France
6 April 1916. While in the field he was admitted to No: 5 General
Hospital Etaples on the 11 September 1917. He rejoined his unit
in the field 10 November 1917. On 20 August 1918 he was
promoted to Bombardier and shortly afterwards to Corporal.
John was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on 21 November
1918.

John was discharged from the New Zealand Army on 7 June 1919 having served 110 days in New
Zealand and 3 years, 123 days overseas.
John had served in the Western European theatres of operation 1916-17-18-19 and received the
British War Medal and Victory Medal.
All four of John’s brothers and cousins returned home to New Zealand.

Post-war
John returned to teaching, completing 1919 at Kereta School, Tapu, then 1920 at Waikawau School.
On 5 January 1922 John married Gladys Christina JAMIESON at Thames, then moved to Manurewa,
teaching there for seven years. John and Gladys had two children.
John’s first Headmaster appointment was in 1931 at Puni School and the family lived in the Puni
Schoolhouse. In 1935 John moved to the North Shore to larger schools, and for the next 15 years
was Headmaster at Campbell’s Bay, Brown’s Bay and Milford Schools. He retired on 23 October
1952.
John Stewart (Tony) Wilcox died aged 62. An extract from his obituary in 1952 reads “John Stewart
Wilcox gave just over 40 years to the cause of Education, and the building of good character”.
He was prominent in North Shore organisations, including President of Takapuna North Shore and
Browns Bay Bowling Associations, President of Takapuna RSA, and served on the Takapuna Borough
Council.
In Memoriam
John is buried at Pukekohe RSA Cemetery, Plot 031.

Sources
The story of Henry & Annie Jane Wilcox of Buckland. Compiled by Barry Wilcox.
Papers Past
Archives New Zealand
Ancestry- Family tree
Researched by Julie Fox

Robert (Bob) WILCOX

Service Number: 54720
Regiment: Machine Gun Corps
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 22 February 1959
Age: 65 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 065

Pre-war
Robert was born at “Willowstream”, the family farmhouse at Buckland, on 26 June 1893, the
seventh child of thirteen, and fourth son of Henry Innes WILCOX and Annie Jane GREER.
Robert’s father Henry WILCOX was born in Ireland and migrated aboard the ship Chile, arriving in
Auckland on 19 December 1869. Henry joined his brother John in Thames, spending 10 years gold
mining. After farming in Canterbury, he returned North in 1881 and purchased 120 acres in
Buckland, through a Land Clearance Scheme.
Annie GREER was born in Ireland, met Henry and they married at Christ Church in Coromandel on 20
June 1883. William was 32 and Annie 23. All thirteen of their children were born at their Buckland
farm, between 1884 and 1904.

Robert was known as Bob throughout his life, and his schooling was at Buckland Primary School and
Pukekohe District High School. When he left school, he started work on the family farm,
“Willowstream”.
Robert’s mother Annie died on 29 January 1912.

Enlistment and Training
Private Robert Wilcox enlisted on 16 February 1917 at
Auckland. His Attestation paper described Robert as 5ft 9½
inches (174cm) tall, 12 stone (76kg) in weight, and he had a fair
complexion, brown eyes, and light brown hair. Robert was 24
years old and he gave his religion as Anglican. At the time of his
enlistment Robert was still serving in the 16th Waikato
Regiment. He completed 191 days service in New Zealand.

Service Abroad
Robert embarked from Wellington on 13 October 1917 aboard
either HMNZT 93 Corinthic or HMNZT 94 Arawa, both ships
leaving on the same day. Private Wilcox and the 30th
Reinforcements, Specialists Company Machine Gun Section
arrived in Liverpool on 5 December 1917 and marched into
Sling the next day to undergo additional training for France. By
early 1918 he was on active duty in the Somme, France.

On 15 April 1918 while at the front line he sustained a serious injury to his right thumb, caused by
barbed wire above the trenches. By 18 April the wound had turned septic, and he was admitted to
hospital in London. The injury to his thumb required an operation to remove an abscess.

The Medical Board meeting at Hornchurch on 18 September 1918 found that due to the injury to his
thumb, Robert was no longer fit for duty. His injury was eventually assessed as a permanent
disability. He was sent to Torquay to convalesce and on 16 November 1918 Robert embarked at
Plymouth aboard the Aryshire bound for New Zealand.

He was discharged on 21 January 1919 with a total of 1 year, 264 days, including overseas service of
1 year and 73 days.

Post-war
On his return to New Zealand, Robert took up farming again at the Harrisville Road farm. On 17 May
1922 he married Christina Lewis HORNE, the daughter of another well-known Buckland family. The
marriage took place at St Paul’s Church Buckland. They had two sons.
Robert’s father Henry helped all four of his sons, who were to become farmers, to purchase their
first land. Bob’s initial property was 20 acres, and in 1932 during the hard times with a worldwide
economic depression Bob and Christina purchased a further 20 hectares, and in 1939 an extra 10
acres.

Robert was elected to the Franklin County Council in 1936, filling the
vacancy created by the death of his father Henry. He also served on
the Board of the New Zealand Dairy Company for 50 years, Glen Afton
Colleries for 11 years, 8 years on Pukekohe High School Board, 2 years
on the Franklin Power Board and on the Auckland Farmers Freezing
Company Board.
He was associated with the New Zealand National Party, the Franklin
Racing Club, Franklin A&P Society, Franklin Growers Assn, and Buckland
Bowling Club. Robert assisted in the formation of the Pukekohe RSA,
after which he was awarded a Gold Star Badge and Certificate of Merit.
He was also a Justice of the Peace.

Robert Wilcox died on 22 February 1959 aged 65, after several years of poor health.
Robert is buried at the RSA section of the Pukekohe Cemetery. His wife Christina died in 1994 aged
94, and her ashes are interred in Robert’s grave.

In Memoriam
Robert is buried at Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 065.

Sources
The Story of Henry & Annie Jane Wilcox of Buckland. Compiled by Barry Wilcox.
Ancestry
Archives New Zealand
Photo Ian Wilcox

Researched by Julie Fox

Arthur WILLIAMS

Service Number: 14520
Regiment: Auckland Infantry
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 7 July 1970
Age: 90 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 143

Pre-war

Arthur WILLIAMS was born on 27 May 1880 in Broseley, Shropshire, the son of Samuel WILLIAMS
(1821-1889) and Lucy FELTON (1837-1898). Samuel was born in Longdon and was a Fitter at an iron
works. He had been married previously and had two children. After Samuel’s death Lucy remarried
William LISTER (1851-1922).
Arthur and his brother Walter were living with their stepfather and stepsister in 1901 and he was a
Labourer at a brick yard. It appears that only Arthur and his brother Walter Thomas came to New
Zealand and this was probably on the Athenic which left London on 21 August 1908 and arrived in
Wellington on 5 October 1908.
In 1911 and 1914 Arthur was living in Princes St, Pukekohe and was a Labourer. His brother, Walter
Thomas was also living in Pukekohe and was a Farmer.

Enlistment and Training

Arthur enlisted on 7 March 1916 and named his next of kin as his brother, Walter Thomas WILLIAMS
of Pukekohe. He stated that his last employer was the NZ Government Railways and that he had
been working as a Labourer for them.
Arthur was Anglican and he was described as 5 feet 4 inches (162cms), 140 lbs (63kgs), with a fair
complexion, blue eyes and light hair.
On 8 March 1916, Arthur was posted to the 14th reinforcements, A company, Auckland Infantry
Regiment.

Service Abroad

Arthur left Wellington on 26 June 1916 on the HMNZT 57 Tahiti and landed at Devonport, England.
He joined his unit in the field on 12 October 1916. An accidental wound to Arthur’s left eye while on
trench duty saw him admitted to a London hospital for ten days and then transferred to the Base
Depot in France in February of 1917. In March of that year, he joined the Engineers Cable Laying
Party for a month and then rejoined his own unit again.
In July 1917 Arthur was wounded in the buttocks and was admitted to several field hospitals before
being evacuated to Brockenhurst for five weeks and then convalescing at Hornchurch for a month.
After spending some time at base in England Arthur rejoined his battalion in Etaples in March 1918.
On 4 May 1918, Walter Thomas, Arthur’s brother died of cardiac weakness in the Stargard Prisoner
of War camp in Germany. In his will he stated that Arthur was to be the recipient of everything he
had. Walter had left New Zealand on 15 August 1917 and was in the Entrenching Battalion.

In August 1918 Arthur was again
wounded, this time in the left leg
(3 inches x 2 inches in the upper
third of the calf) and also in the
right thigh. He was admitted to
Brockenhurst and after nine
weeks was discharged. The
wounds left dense scars that
caused Arthur difficulty in walking.
Arthur sailed for New Zealand on
the Oxfordshire from Liverpool
and after serving 139 days in New
Zealand and 2 years 222 days
overseas, a total service of 2 years
361 days. He was discharged on 2
March 1919 when he was
declared no longer fit for active
service on account of wounds received on Active Service.

Post-war
Arthur returned to live with Mr. & Mrs. W. DICKSON in Princes St, Pukekohe. In 1922 he bought a
small farm close to Pukekohe and he continued farming until 1957, when he retired.
The purchase was recorded in the Franklin Times of 3 November 1922:
‘The NZ Loan & Mercantile Agency Co sold a property of nine-and three-quarter acres in the estate of the late

Bridget Keane on the Pukekohe – Waiuku Road for 1050 pounds to Mr. Arthur Williams’.

Arthur was involved in community activities such as the Kennel
Club, Hunt Club and he was on the committee for the Poultry
Club and A & P Association. He showed Alsatian dogs, winning
prizes.
His next of kin at the time of his death was his niece,
Miss A. WILLIAMS, 165 Seddon St, Pukekohe who had house-
kept for him for many years.
Arthur remained single with no known children and was buried
in the Pukekohe RSA Cemetery on 9 June 1970 and Annie his
niece who died in 1979 is also buried at Pukekohe.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 143.

Sources
New Zealand Archives, Military Records
Ancestry – Williams Family Tree
New Zealand History Auckland Infantry Regiment
Family Search (Immigration)
Papers Past: Welcome home Pukekohe & Waiuku Tomes 10 Oct 1919; Purchase property Franklin Times 3 Nov 1922

A & P Committee Franklin Times 25 Mar 1925; Dog Show 24 April 1933

Researched by Barbara Raven

George Richard WILLIS

Service Number: 38859
Regiment: New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Last known Rank: Corporal
Died: 9 March 1939
Age: 54 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe Public ANG-C-
102

Pre-war

The WILLIS family of Cottingham WILLIS, Olga L. WILLIS, along with three daughters and four sons
arrived in Auckland as saloon passengers from Norfolk, England on the Sydenham in 1881. Three
more sons including George Richard WILLIS (b.1884) were born in Auckland.
The family put down roots in the Mt Albert area, but by the early 1900s George, known as Dick, the
second to youngest of the children, had moved further south.
In 1905-06 he was in the Onewhero area working as a Bush Contractor, then in 1911 he was back
farming in Mt Albert. By 1914, with his father having died in 1898, the Willis family all moved from
Mt Albert to the Pukekohe district and took up farming there. In 1914 Dick was living in Tuakau
Road, Pukekohe where he was a “Bee Farmer”.
In the war years from 1917 when Dick and three of his brothers were on active service, one of his
remaining brothers was looking after the bees.

Enlistment and Training

George (Dick), 32 years old and still single, volunteered for the 23rd reinforcements in October 1916
and was posted to the NCO’s New Zealand Rifle Brigade with the rank of Corporal. He was a tall man
for the time - 5 feet 10½ inches (176cms), with brown hair, brown eyes, and pale complexion. On his
enlistment papers he gave his trade or occupation as a Self-employed Bee Farmer. Dick stated that
he had one person - no doubt his widowed mother - who was partly dependent on him for support.
The New Zealand Rifle Brigade was created in April 1915 as a second New Zealand infantry brigade
to complement the brigade then serving at Gallipoli. After January 1916 the brigade was known as
the 3rd New Zealand (Rifles) Brigade.

Service Abroad

He embarked on the HMNZT 84 Turakina in
April 1917 and after arriving in England in July
1917, the 25th reinforcements marched into
Sling Camp on the Salisbury Plains.
At Sling and at Cannock Chase, Staffordshire,
they undertook further training in readiness for
active deployment.

AWNS-19170830-32-1 The steamer Turakina leaving New
Zealand with the reinforcements which were safely landed
before the vessel was torpedoed on her voyage from London
to New York. Image Auckland Libraries.

New Zealand Rifle Brigade. Soyes ferme. "A Merry Christmas t'you",
from ... somewhere in ... To ... Xmas 1918. ATL Ephemera collection

After spending Christmas Day in camp, Dick marched out and
embarked for active duty in France.
During his time in active service, which was all of 1918, the
3rds took part in the campaign known as the Spring Offensive
and Advance to Victory 1918. Although Dick was never
injured, he was hospitalised several times with Measles,
Influenza and Trench Tummy, and suffered from poor health
after the war until his early death.
There were several temporary promotions to Lance Corporal
and Sergeant to fill gaps caused by casualties. After the
armistice was signed in November 1918 there were still troops
needed in France and Germany for some months and Dick
Willis’s file shows that he didn’t return to England until
February 1919. After several more months he was finally returned to New Zealand by the Waimana
and was discharged from duty and home to Pukekohe in July 1919 with the rank of Corporal. He had
served 219 days in New Zealand and 2 years 59 days overseas, a total service of 2 years 278 days.
Of the seven Willis brothers, four had volunteered to serve King and Country in the Great War.
These were Guy Stockdale Willis, Edgar Oswald Willis, Harry Willis and George Richard Willis.
Remarkably for a war that often took more than one casualty per family, all survived.

Post-war
After his service overseas Dick married Ella
WILKINSON in 1919 and they made their home and
beekeeping business in Anzac Road, Pukekohe - which
seems somehow fitting.
They had two sons and a daughter. Dick passed away
in 1939 aged only 54, after suffering poor health,
described by his wife as “trench disease” ever since
his war service. The children who were then aged 15
to 18 boarded in Auckland during the week with aunts
and uncles while they were at secondary schools.
Later Ella moved with her bachelor son Jack to various
farms around the Waikato. She died in 1983 and is
buried with Dick.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe Cemetery Anglican Section Row C Plot 102.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military records
Papers Past – Obit, NZ Herald 13 Mar 1939
Ancestry
British Newspaper Archives
Digital New Zealand
National Library NZ – ATL100
Family Members: Mrs Margaret Ashcroft, Murray Willis
Researched by Claudia Page

Joseph Henry WILSON DCM MM

Service Number: 34458
Regiment: Auckland Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 1 July 1950
Age: 59 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe Pres – D-021

Pre-war
Joseph (also known as Joe) Henry WILSON was born on 16 April 1891 at Helvetia to Northern Irish
parents, George and Judith WILSON. They had emigrated from County Armagh to New Zealand in
1879. He was the second eldest son of ten children. He was educated at Patumahoe School and
played rugby at Patumahoe. He worked on the farm before the war broke out, he and one of his
brothers William were conscripted while the two remaining brothers, Charlie and Len were left to
run the farm.

Enlistment and Training
Joseph undertook his medical examination at Pukekohe on
19 June 1916. He is described as 6 feet (183cm) tall,
weight 171 lbs (77kg) with black hair, blue eyes and a dark
complexion. His age was stated as 25 years and his
religion was Anglican. His next of kin was listed as his
mother, Mrs. J. WILSON, Puriri Park, Pukekohe.
He enlisted with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 20th
Reinforcements, E Company, 1st Battalion Auckland
Regiment on 21 August at Featherston. His rank was
Private, and he trained there for approximately four
months. Before he was posted overseas, while on leave
back in Pukekohe, the “Pukekohe Soldiers Farewell
Committee” organised a Social and Dance at the
Oddfellows Hall for the Pukekohe men that were due to be
posted to the war front. The next step for Joseph was to
be fully vaccinated on 2 January 1917 before embarking on
the troop ship HMNZT 73 Opawa bound for Devonport,
England on the same day.

Service Abroad
Joseph disembarked at Devonport, England on 27 March and was marched to the Sling Camp at
Bulford for a further two months training before being posted to the Western Front base camp at
Etaples, France on 26 May 1917. About three weeks later he was posted to the 1st Battalion
Auckland Infantry Regiment on 15 June in the Field.

In October 1917 when Joseph’s unit was held up by the enemy, his actions led to him being awarded
the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and this was published in the 2nd Supplement of the London
Gazette on 5 February 1918.
The citation reads:
“Awarded the DCM for conspicuous gallantry and devotion during an attack when the advance was
held up by a party of the enemy, he attacked them with another man and captured them with two
machine guns. This prompt and courageous action undoubtedly saved many lives and overcame an
important point of resistance. He did excellent work throughout the operation”.

Joseph re-joined his unit on 9 March 1918 in the field and was
there for three months before he was wounded on 6 June and
admitted to the New Zealand Field Ambulance unit and
transported by train to the No. 2 Canadian General Hospital at
Le Tréport on 8 June. Eleven days later he was transported back
to the No. 1 New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst in
England on 25 June. Joe was declared unfit for service because
of wounds received in action on 24 July and placed on the New
Zealand Roll. On 24 August Joe embarked on the Hospital ship
Maheno bound for Auckland and arrived on 21 October and was
then ordered to be at the Auckland Hospital Annexe for further
treatment of his wounds sustained in the “Battle of the Somme”
France. He was then ordered to be an in-patient at a
convalescent home in Rotorua on 3 February 1919 to recover.
An account of Joseph’s bravery was published in the Pukekohe
and Waiuku Times on 21 December 1917.
Private Joseph Henry Wilson was formally discharged from the
Army on 23 September 1919 and he served 1 year 107 days in New Zealand and 1 year 292 days
overseas, a total service of 3 years 34 days.

Post-war
After convalescing at Rotorua, Joseph returned to the family
farm Puriri Park on Gun Club Road to be once again a
Farmer. He married Sara SMITH on 3 July 1929 and a news
item was published in the Pukekohe and Waiuku Times on 3
July 1929. The couple had one son. Joseph was a
foundation member of the Franklin Racing Club and carried
on farming until his death.

Joseph Wilson died on 1 July 1950 at the farm. An article about
his death was published in the Franklin Times on 5 July.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe Cemetery Presbyterian Section Row D Plot 021.

Sources

Archives New Zealand, Military Record
Auckland Museum, Online Cenotaph
Papers Past, Pukekohe and Waiuku Times, Franklin Times
Patumahoe History Group -photo and info
New Zealand History

Researched by Howard Upfold

Kenneth Sydney WILSON

Service Number: 13/587
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Sergeant
Died: 12 April 1976
Age: 90 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 186

Pre-war

Kenneth Sydney WILSON was born 11 April 1886, in Seacliff, Wellington, to Kenneth Wilson and his
second wife Amy Anney CLARK. Kenneth Snr was born 1842 in Leeds, Yorkshire and died 1920 in
Palmerston North, he had been headmaster at Wellington College and Palmerston North School.
Amy Clark was born 1857 Madras, India and died 26 Feb 1890 in Palmerston North. They had
married in 1883 in Palmerston North. Kenneth snr., who was left with three young children under six
years old became a well-known identity in the district.
Kenneth Sydney was the middle of their three children, his father having had five children with his
first wife before she died in 1879. On leaving school, Kenneth Sydney went to work on a farm in
Kaikohe, but gave his address at 92 Rangitikei St. Palmerston North, farmer, in the 1911 Electoral Roll.

Enlistment and Training

After WWI broke out, Kenneth joined up on the 27 August 1914 at Palmerston North. He gave his
address as c/- Buckland & Wilson, Whawharua, Otorohanga, and next of kin Mr. K. Wilson of 92
Rangitikei Street, Palmerston North. He was 26 years 6 months old, he gave his religion as Anglican,
and he was 5 feet 10 inches (178cms), 162 lbs (73kgs), with a dark complexion, grey eyes, brown hair
and had a scar on his chin. He was already a good shot, as he was a hunter and farmer and had
served in the Palmerston North Guards.

Service Abroad

Kenneth sailed on 15 October 1914 as a

member of the Auckland Mounted Rifles 11 Aotea Home
squad, to Alexandria in Egypt. The Unit was

sent to Gallipoli, where he was severely

wounded in the back with shrapnel on 8 August

1915. He was repatriated to Alexandria on 14

August and admitted to hospital, then

transferred 17 August to the Depot at Ras-el-tin,

Suez, and on 23 September was on board HMT

Tofua back to New Zealand, where he recovered

at his father’s place, Rangitikei St. Palmerston

North. When well enough he headed back to Suez on the Mokoia, disembarking on 22 June 1916.

Retrained at Tel-el-Kohr, and according to his military record, he was one of many sent to assist the

Canadians at Hill 70. He was appointed Temporary Corporal 21 Sept 1916, Lance Corporal 18 Nov

1916, and promoted Corporal in the field on 2 December 1916.

On 9 January 1917 he was severely wounded in the left shoulder at Rafa and sent to hospital 12
January for 8 months, being accommodated at various places in Egypt, before ending up at the NZ
Convalescent Home in Port Said. He was appointed Acting Sgt, then Training Sgt while on the Staff at
Aotea Home, 5 June 1917.
He was promoted Sergeant on 25 March 1918 and re-joined his unit on 12 October 1918. A week
later, Kenneth went down with malaria in the field. He had a month in hospitals at Gaza, Kantara and
Abyssinia and a month at the New Zealand Base Ismalia on 17 November 1918 and was then sent
home to New Zealand on a troopship, which departed 25 Dec 1918. He was overseas a total of 3
years 30 days, a total service of 4 years 206 days.

Post-war
Kenneth’s brother Guy Clark Wilson, born 1889, a farmer in
Tauranga, had enlisted on 30 July 1917 and left NZ on 31
December that year but was sadly he was killed in action in
France on 6 August 1918 and buried at Gommecourt Chateau
cemetery.
On his return Kenneth resumed farming and in the 1930s he
was farming in Karaka, Papakura (1935 Electoral roll), then in
Paerata, where he had to ask for relief under the Mortgagors
and Tenants Relief Act 1933 (this was during the Depression).
There was also another selling of stock in May 1931, the
advertisement said he was giving up dairying. From 1938 to the
early 1960s he was farming land on the Drury-Waiuku Road,
regularly selling stock at the stock sales. After WWII, his
nephew Peter joined him as a farm labourer. By 1969 he had
retired to live at 14 Laurelwood St., Pukekohe where he
remained until his death on 12 April 1976, aged 90 years.
Kenneth played bowls in the RSA tournaments.
He did not appear to marry, and on his death, his will appointed
his nieces Betty Owen Wilson, spinster, and Gillian Painter nee
Wilson, daughters of his half-brother Hugh Hepworth Wilson, along with his nephew Peter Kenneth
Wilson, son of his brother Guy Clark Wilson, as executors of his Will. Apart from leaving $2,000 to
the Selwyn Foundation for aged persons, his three executors benefited from the remainder.
Sergeant Kenneth Sydney Wilson was buried at Pukekohe RSA Cemetery on 15 April 1976.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 186.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Record
Archives New Zealand probate records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Aotea Home, Egypt, Photo from National Army Museum
New Zealand BDM
PapersPastNZ, Sale of stock, Franklin Times 23 May 1931; Bowls, Franklin Times 22 Jan 1941
Ancestry
Family Search

Researched by Rosemary Eden

William James WILSON

Service Number: 40417
Regiment: Wellington Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 7 December 1960
Age: 77 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 074

Pre-war

William James WILSON was born on 28 November 1883 at Helvetia, Pukekohe to Northern Irish
parents, George and Judith WILSON. They had emigrated from County Armagh to New Zealand in
1879. He was the third eldest of ten children and
was educated at Patumahoe School and played
rugby at Patumahoe. He had a keen interest in
shooting and was a foundation member of the
Pukekohe Rod and Gun Club whose Rifle Range was
on Motion's farm. He won many competitions there
and elsewhere. He worked on the farm before war
broke out. He and one of his brothers Joseph were
conscripted while the two remaining younger
brothers, Charlie and Len, were left to run the farm.

Enlistment and Training

William enlisted on 10 November 1916 in Auckland for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He is
described as 6 feet (183cm) tall, weight 182 lbs (82.5kg) with dark hair, blue
eyes and a florid complexion. His religion was listed as Church of England.
He was attested at Trentham as a Private on 13 November 1916 and was
initially posted to the Hawkes Bay Company, 1st Battalion Wellington
Regiment E Company 23rd Division. William was transferred to Featherston
where he received two disease inoculations - one on 13 January and the
other on 22 January 1917 and was there for four months training before
being posted overseas.

Service Abroad

William embarked on the troop ship HMNZT 80 Corinthic in Wellington on 2 April 1917 bound for
Devonport, England and disembarked on 10 June. He marched with the Wellington Regiment to the
Sling Camp at Bulford where he underwent a further two months training before being posted to the
Western Front in France. He marched to the New Zealand Camp in Etaples on 23 August and was
then posted to the field on 31 August.
However, it was reported on 23 October that he was “Wounded in Action” and admitted to a New
Zealand Field Advanced Dressing Station and on to a Casualty Clearing Station, then to a New
Zealand Stationary Hospital in Wisques. He was classified as suffering from “Shell Shock” on
27 October. A report was made by the Acting Officer in Charge of his unit to the New Zealand

Stationary Hospital about the “Wounded in Action” classification. This is his report: “On the day of
the 23 Oct 1917 Wilson was buried, a 5.95 (Crump) shell blew his Bivvy in, and his comrades spent
over ¾ of an hour digging him out. When rescued he did not know his own pals, two stretcher
bearers had to take him to the Regimental Aid Post”. This was written on 31 October.
He was next admitted to the No. 3 Canadian Hospital in
Boulogne on 12 November and then was transferred to two
command depots before being admitted to the New Zealand
General Base Depot in Etaples on 14 January 1918. He was
then admitted to the No. 24 General Hospital on 22 February
and was there for a month. William embarked on a hospital
ship 15 March and on the same day was admitted to London
General Hospital in Chelsea, then transferred to No. 1 New
Zealand General Hospital in Brokenhurst on 30 March. Here
he was classified as “Unfit” on 7 June suffering with Trench
Fever by the Medical Board.
William embarked on the Paparoa at Plymouth, England on
8 August bound for New Zealand and arrived in Auckland on
11 October 1918.
Private William Wilson was formally discharged on 31 January
1919 after serving 253 days in New Zealand and 192 days
overseas a total service of 2 years and 80 days.

Post-war

William or Billy as he was known by the locals, returned
to life on the family farm on Gun Club Road and always
took part in the roster of haymaking around the district.
However, because of the war he shied away from people
generally and his only outings were to Patumahoe to
collect his pension and maybe go to the pub, hitching a
ride on the cream truck or walking along the railway line
from Helvetia to Patumahoe. He became a Caretaker-
Groundsman at Patumahoe school during the 1930s.
Billy remained a bachelor all his life.

“Welcome home” article that appeared in the
Pukekohe and Waiuku Times on 25 October 1918

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 074.

Sources
Archives New Zealand
Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph
Papers Past-Pukekohe and Waiuku Times
Patumahoe History Group

Researched by Howard Upfold

Thomas George WOODS

Service Number: 23465
Regiment: New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Last known Rank: Rifleman
Died: 19 February 1921
Age: 26 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe Pres – A-050

Pre-war

Thomas George WOODS (known as George) was born on 23
September 1894 to Thomas and Margaret (nee PERRY) WOODS at
Pukekohe. He was educated at Patumahoe School. After leaving
school he worked on his father’s farm on Gun Club Road until he
enlisted.

Enlistment and Training

George took his medical examination for the New Zealand
Expeditionary Force at Hamilton on 7 February 1916. He is
described as 5 feet 10 inches (180cm) tall, weight 157 lbs
(71.2kg) with black hair, blue gray eyes and a florid
complexion. His age was stated as 21 years and his next of kin
was listed as Mr. T. W. WOODS, Pukekohe.
He was enlisted as a Rifleman at Trentham on 9 February 1916
and was posted to 7th Reinforcements, 1st Battalion,
E Company. After approximately four months training George
was posted to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd New Zealand Rifle
Brigade.

Service Abroad

George embarked at Wellington on the Troopship HMNZT 55
Tofua 29 May 1916 bound for Devonport, England and he disembarked on 26 July 1916. After
disembarking he marched and was posted to the 5th Reserve Battalion on 27 July 1916 at the Sling
Camp at Bulford, England for further training.

He left the Sling Camp for France on 12 August 1916. On 13 August
he marched into New Zealand base Camp at Etaples to prepare for
training for the front line. On 25 August 1916 he joined the
Battalion and was posted to A Company in the field (the front Line).
George is listed on his Casualty Form-Active Sheet on 15 September
1916 as “Killed in Action”, however the next line down states
“Reported Killed in Action in error”. Unfortunately, the “Killed in
Action” entry from the “Casualty Form-Active Sheet” appeared back
home in the “Pukekohe and Waiuku Times” on 10 October 1916.
However, at that time George was still on the front line.

On 29 Sept 1916, Captain C. HORSNELL, O.C.D.Co. 2nd Battalion. N.Z. Rifle Brigade posted a letter of
explanation to George’s next of kin why they couldn’t find George after their advance at the time.
About four months later, on
7 January 1917 he was detached
to a Railway construction party
in the field at Rouen and was
there until he was reported sick
from Trench Fever on 24
February. He first was admitted
to the 46th Casualty Clearing
Station in the field in Proven,
Belgium and then was
transferred to No. 3 Canadian
General Hospital in Boulogne on
the French coast on 6 March. He
embarked on the hospital ship
Cambria on 13 March bound for
England and on 14 March George
was admitted to No. 2 New Zealand General Hospital at Walton-on-Thames near London. About two
months later he was classified as “unfit” by the Medical Board and placed on the New Zealand Roll
with the remarks “Bronchial Pneumonia”, a result of being exposed to chlorine gas. After another
two months, on 14 July, he embarked on the hospital ship Marama from Bournemouth bound for
New Zealand and disembarked on 22 August 1917. He was admitted to the Waikato Sanitorium on
23 August and examined on 27 September with the remarks that further treatment was required
there. Rifleman Thomas George Woods was formally discharged from the Army on 9 October 1917
after serving 154 days in New Zealand and 1 year 88 days overseas a total service of 1 year 242 days.

Post-war

His father sent him to Australia to convalesce, but he returned home no better. During this time, he
and his Uncle Laurie PERRY (who had lost a leg) spent time together convalescing. To make their

convalescence more interesting they
inserted an advertisement in the New
Zealand Herald inviting young ladies to
“correspond with a view to marriage with
two eligible returned servicemen”. The
many replies were quite typical of the desperation of the times.
For a time, it seemed that he was getting better but on the morning of 19 February 1921 when his
great-grandmother took his breakfast in to him, she had found he had died.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe Cemetery Presbyterian Section Row A Plot 050.
St James Presbyterian Church, Pukekohe.
Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Sources

Archives New Zealand, Military Record
Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph
Papers Past
Patumahoe History Group

Researched by Howard Upfold

Archibald WRAY

Service Number: 13/1124
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Driver
Died: 13 December 1973
Age: 81 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 169

Pre-war

Archibald WRAY (known as Archie) was born in Takapuna, Auckland on 12 April 1892, the sixth of
eight children born to William John WRAY and Mary McSPORRAN who were married on 31 Dec 1878
at St James Presbyterian Church Manse, Auckland. He had four sisters and three brothers.
William John Wray was born c.1851 in Londonderry, Ireland and had arrived in Auckland on 8 Sept
1874 on the Oxford, described as a Labourer. In 1874-76 he was a leasehold Farmer on 40 acres in
the Takapuna area. Mary McSporran, born in Londonderry in 1853, had arrived with her parents on
8 October 1863 on the Queen of Beauty and
possibly lived in the Devonport area.
Archie was a great athlete and football
player, regularly featuring in the paper with
his successes.
The Bombay community had put on a
farewell when he left for camp in February
and another when he was on final leave
before embarking.

Enlistment and Training

Archie attested in Trentham on 15 February 1915 and was posted as a Trooper to the Auckland
Mounted Rifles. He gave his employer and next of kin as his father, W. J. Wray and his occupation as
a Farmer. He was single, Presbyterian and was described as 5 feet 11 inches (180cm), 151 lbs
(68kgs) with light brown complexion, fair hair and grey eyes.
He stated he had served for three months in the Auckland Railway Engineers prior to enlistment in
1915.

Service Abroad

Archie embarked from Wellington on 13 June 1915 on HMNZT 25 Tahiti, arriving in Egypt on 1
August 1915 and from there to Moudros. He then sailed on 27 December 1915 aboard the Hororata
back to Alexandria.
In Cairo on 26 January 1916, he was admitted to hospital with Diarrhoea and Giddiness, but was
returned to duty on 18 February 1916. By 9 March 1916 he was on his way to France on HMS
Haverford.
On 9 March 1917 he was transferred to the Brigade Ammunition Column and on 23 July 1918 he was
again admitted to hospital with Mumps.

Between 9 January 1918 and 25 January 1918, he was in
Walton upon Thames Hospital, suffering from Influenza and
was then transferred to Hornchurch to convalesce.
On 8 December 1918 he embarked on the Ruahine for home
and was finally discharged in New Zealand on 17 February
1919 having served 146 days in New Zealand and 3 years 222
days overseas, a total service of 4 years and 3 days. He
participated in all the theatres of war and received the 1914-
15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Post-war
Archie returned home to work on his father’s Bombay
property. He was very involved in community activities –
athletics and rugby in particular, and he was very accurate in
guessing weights of livestock at gala days. He played,
coached, and took several administration roles in rugby over
his lifetime. On the death of his father on 17 June 1926,
Archie inherited the farm of 29 acres which was Part
Allotment 27 Parish of Maungatawhiri at Bombay. Here he
milked and raised a pedigree jersey herd.
In 1943 he fell from a haystack while working on a
neighbouring property and broke his leg, requiring a stay in
Auckland Hospital. In 1967 he had a land information
valuation done on the property and leased it to James Tai
SHACK who would ultimately use it for market gardening.
Archie died on 13 December 1973, having never married, and
is buried in the Pukekohe Cemetery.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 169.
Bombay Roll of Honour.

Sources
Archives New Zealand Military Record and Land records
Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph
Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection
Papers Past College Sports, NZ Herald 26 Nov 1908; Dairy Cows, Franklin

Times 7 March 1924; Rugby presentation, Franklin Times 21 Oct 1935;
Broken leg, Franklin Times 6 Jan 1943

Researched by Rosemary Lewis

Arthur Roper WRIGHT

Service Number: 13/255
Regiment: New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Last known Rank: Sergeant
Died: 23 December 1963
Age: 71 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 097

Pre-war
Arthur Roper WRIGHT was born on 1 February 1892 at Matakana, near Wellsford, the eldest child of
three, with two sisters, of Arthur Edward WRIGHT (1864–1945) and Martha Ann GREENWOOD
(1866-1930). Arthur Edward was born in Pakiri, near Wellsford and was a well-known Northland
personality and Timber Contractor. Martha was born in Leigh, near Wellsford. Her parents had
come to New Zealand in 1861 on the Red Jacket.
Prior to enlisting, Arthur was in the 11th Auckland Mounted Rifles, Gun Section and was farming on
his own account near Whangarei.

Enlistment and Training
Arthur enlisted for the first time under the name Arthur WRIGHT on 13 August 1914 and named his
next of kin as his mother, Mrs. M. A. WRIGHT, Whangarei. He gave his last address as Kamo Rd,
Whangarei and was described as single, Anglican, 6 feet 1 inch (185cm), 156 lbs (71kgs) with fair
hair, blue eyes and light brown hair.
He was posted as a Trooper to the Main Body of the Auckland Mounted Rifles.

Service Abroad
Arthur embarked the first time on 16 October 1914 from Wellington and arrived in Suez on
3 December 1914. On 6 April 1915 he was admitted to a hospital in Zeitoun with Gastritis but was
discharged from hospital two days later. He was readmitted on 17 April with Diarrhoea and
Lumbago and on 24 April he was transferred to convalesce at Ramleh. Eventually on 1 September
1915 he was declared medically “unfit for active service” and sent home on the Tahiti. He returned
to Whangarei to live.

12th Reinforcements marching, Auckland January 1916

On 11 January 1916 Arthur re-enlisted, this time under the name Arthur ROPER. He was given a
service number of 11116 and was posted to the 12th Reinforcements, E company. He gave his next
of kin as E. DYER (friend), Aponga, Whangarei.
Arthur embarked on 1 May 1916 on the Ulimaroa from Wellington for Suez and then sailed from
Alexandria to Southampton, arriving on 7 August 1916. From there, on 20 August, he was posted to
France where on 3 October he joined his battalion. On 20 November 1916 Arthur was wounded but
returned to duty shortly afterwards.
In April 1917 after attending a GAS course, Arthur was promoted to Lance Sergeant and in August
1917 to Sergeant. Following this he was given three weeks leave in the United Kingdom.
On 8 October 1917 Arthur’s name and service numbers were corrected and all his service records
were collected into one file under the name Arthur Roper WRIGHT #13/255.
In mid-November, Arthur was admitted to hospital in France with Trench Feet. He was transferred
to Bethnal Green Hospital in England and after two months was sent to convalesce at Hornchurch
Hospital. Two months later (29 April 1918) he returned to duty. On 7 March 1919, Arthur was sent
home on the Port Melbourne and declared “no longer physically fit to serve”. His service record
shows he served 1 year 123 days in New Zealand and 3 years 242 days overseas, a total service of 5
years.

Post-war
Arthur’s discharge address was Mains Ave, Whangarei.
In 1922 Arthur married Florence Eileen PARKER (1901-
1991), daughter of Walter Coor PARKER and Florence
SOWDEN who had come to New Zealand sometime
after 1911. From 1935 Arthur and Florence lived and
farmed at Buckland. He had a special interest in showing cattle and pigs at the local shows and was
involved in many of the district activities. These included tennis, bowls, Young Farmers, Folk Lore
Society of which he was secretary, A & P Show and the RSA.

It appears that Arthur and Florence did not have any
children. Florence died on 10 June 1991 and was
cremated at the Manukau Gardens on the 11 June, aged
90.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 097.
Matakohe Memorial Monument.

Sources
New Zealand Archives, Military Records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Ancestry, Family Tree
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Auckland Libraries – photo Ref AWNS – 19160120 – 37-3
Papers Past – Marriage, Northern Advocate 20 May 1922; Dairy Herd disposal Franklin Times 29 May 1939; Bowls

Franklin Times 23 Dec 1935

Researched by Barbara Raven

Roger WRIGLEY

Service Number: 42265
Regiment: Middlesex Regiment
Last known Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Died: 13 May 1965
Age: 70 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 107

Pre-war

Roger WRIGLEY was born in 1895 in Watford, Hertfordshire, the fifth of six children of Charles Edwin

WRIGLEY (1861-1927) and Blanche POTTER (1863-1951). Charles and Blanche were married on 21

January 1886 in Kensington, London. Roger had three sisters and two brothers.

In 1901 Charles and Blanche wished to move the family to a country seat so they purchased
Boddington House at Wendover. The Estate comprised of a small farm, a large country house, a
stable block and a cottage. They had seven household servants. Wendover was a perfect location
being only 30 miles from London, with a direct train link.

With a stable block and better facilities Charles could now
indulge his interest of horse racing and steeple chasing. He had
had three good horses in The Chestnut, Middleton and Boy
Middleton.
Roger developed a lifelong passion for horses after he was
given his first pony as a six year old, the first of many, followed
by park hacks and hunters. Always thoroughbred and
preferably bay, he particularly enjoyed following the hounds
and hunting. At 16 years of age, he was whipper-in (he
assisted the huntsman in managing the hunt hounds) for the
local Hunt Club.
The family have his
hunting-horn,
hunting-whip and
gold fox head hunting-pin.
In 1911 some members of the family were living at
Boddington House, but Roger was living with the MOSS
family in the Rectory at Bletsoe, Bedfordshire, aged 16,
boarding with three other students in the house, prior to
attending Military College. Roger was educated at the
prestigious Malvern College, Worcestershire, and after
leaving school attended the Woolwich Military College
graduating as a 2nd Lieutenant.

Enlistment, Training and Service Abroad

Roger joined the army as a career soldier at the age of 19.
He was posted to the Middlesex Regiment and joined his
unit soon after the outbreak of WW1 as a 2nd Lieutenant
and he fought in France and Flanders.

Among other engagements in which he took part was the famous Battle of Mons where the British
soldiers were outnumbered 3 to 1 by the Germans. Roger was the recipient of the Mons Star. On 1
October 1914 he and four other officers were posted to the 4th battalion. On 24 January 1915
Roger was wounded near Armentieres and was therefore entitled to wear a wound stripe. Roger
resigned his commission in August 1915 with the Middlesex Regiment and joined the Royal Field
Artillery where he served as a Gunner and Shoeing Smith under the new regimental number 707350.
Roger suffered from the effects of gas and received several more wounds in action. More than once
he was invalided home, but on each occasion after recovery, he returned to the front line. He was
discharged from service on 19 October 1920.

Post-war
When peace came and members of the forces were demobilized, Roger studied and became a fully
qualified Surveyor. In 1921 he married Phyllis Mary AULT at Shardlow, Derbyshire. Phyllis was born
in 1900 in Allenton, Derbyshire, the second of six children of William AULT (1873-1947) and Mary
Frances (1879-1965). In 1923 the first of Roger and Phyllis’ two sons, Charles Alan, (known as Alan)
was born at Shardlow, Derbyshire.
Realising that there were better opportunities in New Zealand, the family set sail arriving in
Auckland on 30 May 1925, on board the Tainui before heading for Wellington where Roger had
accepted a position with the Lands and Survey Department. A second son, Bernard Roger, was born
in Wellington in 1926. In 1928, the family were settled in Omar St, Khandallah, where Roger was
working as a Draughtsman.
Between June 1932 and February 1933, during the depression, the family returned to England as
Roger felt unsettled and unsure if he wished to make New Zealand his permanent home. They had
two more subsequent trips to England before finally settling in Pukekohe in 1935.
Between 1935 and 1957 Roger was farming at “Shardlows”, The Hill, Pukekohe. He was a keen
Huntsman and as a member of the Pukekawa ward of the Maramarua and Pakuranga Hunt Clubs, he
took part and rode his horse Rupert, a bay thoroughbred in numerous meets.
Roger continued his Horse Shoeing career that he had honed in the army and opened a small smithy
shop in Upper Queen Street, Pukekohe for two part days a week, a mix of business and pleasure. He
also worked occasionally as an on-call Surveyor for the local surveying company in Pukekohe.
However, Roger had a substantial private income which allowed him the lifestyle of an English
Country Gentleman.
At the beginning of WW2 Roger attempted to enlist but was turned down due to the age criteria, so
he then went on to enlist with the New Zealand Home Guard. He would ride his horse Rupert from
Pukekohe to Kaiaua to the Mounted Rifles Camp and it was when Roger was returning to the
Military Camp at Papakura that Rupert was struck by a military vehicle and killed.
Roger was a great lover of flowers, especially roses and he was a prominent member of the
Pukekohe branch of the NZ National Party and in his later years did much to assist the party at
general elections. While Roger possessed a quiet and unassuming disposition, he took a keen
interest in local affairs and was an enthusiastic supporter of deserving appeals. In 1957 Roger and
Phyllis retired to Paerata Road, Pukekohe. Roger’s health was indifferent, and he suffered from the
effects of gas.
Roger was buried in the Pukekohe RSA Cemetery on 15 May. By 1969 Phyllis had moved to 18
Victoria Street, Pukekohe. She died on 24 July 1981 and was also buried in the Pukekohe Cemetery.

Sources

NZ Electoral Rolls
Ancestry
Pukekohe Cemetery records
UK National War Records

• Peter and Heather Wrigley: Peter (Grandson of Roger), Heather (Archivist of the Wrigley Records)
• Wendy McPartland: Granddaughter of Roger

Arthur David YOUNG

Service Number: SA 29470
Regiment: Imperial Scottish Yeomanry
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 30 July 1968
Age: 86 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 122

Pre-war
Arthur was born in 1882 in Dundee, Scotland, the fourth of six children of Francis (Frank) YOUNG
(1851-1941) and Alice ROSE (1857-1935). Frank was a teacher of Chemistry and Physical Science.
Arthur was educated at Dundee High School.
Before the Boer War of 1899-1902, Arthur was apprenticed to John Henderson of Dundee for three
years as a clerk. He had also spent 1 year in the 1st Volunteer Battalion Royal Highlanders.

Enlistment and Training
Arthur enlisted on 27 February 1901 at Cupar, Fife, Scotland. He was described as 5 foot 9 inches
(175cms), 144 lbs (65kgs), with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and light brown hair. He was
Presbyterian.

Service Abroad - Boer War
Arthur was posted to the 20th Company of the 6th Battalion of the Imperial Scottish Yeomanry as a
trooper and arrived in South Africa on 16th March 1901. He fought in the Orange Free State, Cape
Colony, and the Transvaal.
He was discharged from service on 15 August 1901 at Gosport, Hampshire and his intended
residence was 32 Buckingham Terrace, Glasgow.

Post-war
Arthur arrived in New Zealand about 1907 and by 1911
was settled in Pukekohe as a farm labourer. In 1909 he
joined the Lodge of Manchester Unity Odd Fellows and in
1923 was made the District Master. In 1917 Arthur was
called up to the 2nd Division of the Reserves and stated his
home address as Baeriach, Pukekohe. Arthur continued
working as a farm labourer until at least 1919.

Arthur married Mary WYLIE (1883-1926) of Pukekohe in
1913 in the Presbyterian Church in Pukekohe. She was the
fifth of six children of Hugh WYLIE (1833-1911) and Jane
Alice MOORE (1848-1931). Hugh and Alice were both
from Ireland and are both buried in the Pukekohe
Cemetery.

Mary and Arthur had three children: Winifred, Jean and Frank. Mary suffered from mental health
issues and died tragically on 30 June 1926 and is buried in the Pukekohe Cemetery.

Arthur was very involved in the community affairs of
Pukekohe; namely the Lodge, the Caledonian Society (where
he was chief), the local School Committee, a Councilor on the
Borough Council, the Burns Club, the A & P Society and the
Presbyterian church. He obviously had a love of singing as he
was often noted as entertaining at local events.

In 1928 Arthur was living in Birch Rd, Pukekohe and the road
off this, Youngs Grove, was named after him. He continued
farming in Pukekohe between 1935 and 1949. In 1954 he
was a farmer living in Collie Rd and by 1957 he had retired.

Arthur died on 30 July 1968 and was buried the Pukekohe
RSA Cemetery.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 122.

Sources
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Archives New Zealand, Probates
New Zealand BDM
Forces War Records
Family Search
Ancestry
Find My Past
Papers Past: Oddfellow Lodge Franklin Times, 24 July 1923; Councilor

20 May 1925; Mary’s death Franklin Times 30 June 1926; Caledonian
Society, Franklin Times 27 Oct 1937

Researched by Barbara Raven

Memorial Gates Pukekohe

The WW1 Memorial Gates were unveiled in 1921. Situated on the corner of Roulston Park, where
the Pioneer Cottage now stands. The Memorial Column was moved in April 1980 to its present
location at the Pukekohe Memorial Town Hall.

Orders, Medals and Awards

as noted in this book

British Gallantry, Distinguished and Meritorious Service

Note: where there is a notifier in brackets after the medal title the recipient may use it after his/her
name, known as a post nominal.
Military Cross (MC)

Instituted in December 1914 for commissioned officers below the rank of
Captain and for Warrant Officers in recognition of their gallantry during
active operations against the enemy on land.

Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
The DCM was instituted in 1854 and was the equivalent of the Distinguished
Service Order but was for members of the armed forces below the rank of
officer. It recognised an act of gallantry in the field in the face of the enemy.
A bar carrying the date of a subsequent deed could be added until 1916 when
the bar was changed to a laurel wreath.
Military Medal (MM)

Instituted in March 1916 and back-dated to 1914, the MM was awarded to
other ranks for gallantry and devotion to duty when under fire in battle on
land.

Mentioned in Despatches

Although not a medal, a soldier mentioned in despatches is one whose name
appeared in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high
command and in which the soldier’s gallant or meritorious action in the face of
the enemy was described.
For WW1 and up to 10 August 1920, the decoration consisted of a spray of oak
leaves in bronze and was worn on the Victory Medal as shown.

British Campaign Medals

The Queen’s South Africa Medal /The King’s South Africa Medal

Instituted by Queen Victoria in 1899, and subsequently by
King Edward VII in 1902, to recognise service in the Boer
War. This was the first to be awarded to New Zealanders
for service overseas. Twenty six clasps were issued for the
Queen’s medal and two for the King’s.

1914 Star

Also known as the Mons Star, this is the first of a group of medals instituted
between 1917 and 1919 to recognise service in WW1. It was issued to all
ranks who served in France or Belgium between 5 August (Britain’s
declaration of war) and midnight on 22/23 November 1914 (the end of the
First Battle of Ypres). Recipients were part of the pre-war British Army. It is
worn with a bar if the soldier served ‘under fire’.

1914-1915 Star

The 1914-15 Star was issued to all ranks of the British and Imperial Forces
who served between the commencement of the war on 5 August 1914 and
31 December 1915 provided they had not first qualified for the 1914 Star. It
is identical to the 1914 Star except the centre scroll bears the dates “1914-
15” and the two small scrolls bearing “Aug” and “Nov” are omitted.
Recipients of this medal also received the British War Medal and
Victory Medal - it was never awarded singly.

The British War Medal

This medal was instituted in 1919 to recognise the service of all ranks who
rendered service between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918. All ranks of
the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and Dominion and Colonial naval forces
(including reserves) were required to have completed 28 days mobilised
service.
The medal was later extended to cover 1919-20 for mine-clearing at sea as
well as participation in operations in North and South Russia, the eastern
Baltic, Siberia, the Black Sea, and the Caspian.
The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service.
This was the most numerous of the First World War medals.

Victory Medal

The Victory Medal marked the successful conclusion of the war by the Allied
Nations. It was awarded to all those who entered a theatre of war, therefore
it was not given alone but as a pair with the British War Medal or as a trio.
Eligibility was having been mobilised in any fighting service and having served
in any theatre of operations, or at sea. Women who served in any
organisation in a theatre of operations were eligible.

When encountered together, the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and
the Victory Medal are referred to as the ‘World War One Trio’ – irreverently
referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.
Those who enlisted after 1915 would only have received the British War Medal
and Victory Medal, together known as the World War One Pair or Duo - also
irreverently called Mutt and Jeff.

Long Service and Good Conduct Medals

Long Service and Good Conduct awards varied considerably. To identify them it is necessary to take
into account which country was served, what rank the individual was, what date it was awarded and
which monarch was ruling. Some had post nominals e.g. Efficiency Decoration (ED).
An example (below) refers to that awarded to Karl Basil GOTHARD, 26/75 New Zealand Rifle Brigade.
New Zealand Territorial Service Medal

The New Zealand Territorial Service Medal was instituted in 1911. It was
awarded to all ranks of the NZ Territorial Forces on completion of 12 years
service. It was replaced in 1931.

Foreign Gallantry Award

Croix de Guerre (Belgium)

The Croix de Guerre or Oorlogskruis (Dutch) was established by royal decree on
25 October 1915 primarily as an award for bravery or other military virtue on
the battlefield. It was only awarded to individuals. When the person receiving
the award was mentioned in despatches this was shown by either a small lion
or a palm (with a monogram ‘A’ for Albert I - King of Belgium 1909-1934).

Sources

www.nzdf.mil.nz
www.greatwar.co.uk
www.forces-war-records.co.uk/medals/1914-star
www.birkenheadrsa.com/campaign-stars-medals
www.forces-war-records.co.uk/medals/1914-15-star
www.heraumahara.nz/in-remembrance/wwi-service-medals
www.birkenheadrsa.com/long-service-good-conduct-awards/new-zealand-territorial-service-medal

Wikipedia

Camps, Depots and Hospitals

There were many camps, depots and hospitals used by our troops. This section covers some
of those most frequently mentioned in the stories in this book.

New Zealand
England
France
Egypt

New Zealand 'blue boys' from Ward 7, No. 1 New Zealand General Hospital, Brockenhurst, prepare for a
snow fight, 3 April 1917. NZhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/snow-fight-Brockenhurst

New Zealand Camps

In 1910-1911 New Zealand organised a Territorial Force of some 30,000 men and when war broke
out on 4 August 1914 New Zealand was able to offer Britain an expeditionary force immediately.
Within a week of the declaration, camps were established at Awapuni, Auckland, Wellington,
Christchurch and Dunedin and it was at these locations that the Main Body of Troops were trained
before embarking in October 1914.
These camps were, however, only temporary and on the same day the first troops went overseas, a
camp was set up at Trentham.

Trentham camp
In 1900 Land had been purchased as a rifle range for the army, chosen for its location and proximity
to railway lines. It was to this land that 3000 recruits and huge quantities of camp equipment and
supplies arrived in October 1914. Men were housed in tents; the only buildings were those
associated with the rifle range. It was not until March 1915 that huts were erected – 50 initially but
this grew to over 300 buildings of which 160 were huts, or barracks. By this time there were over
8,000 men in camp and because of unsanitary health conditions emergency camps were set up at
Rangiotu, Tauherenikau and Waikanae.
It was not until July 1915 that roads and proper drainage were completed. The camp had its own
electricity plant, a complete postal and telegraph system, huge storage sheds as well as numerous
clubhouses. A cottage hospital was established with 20 beds which had to be rapidly enlarged to
cope with the need.
Once Featherston was established, Trentham was used as a camp for final training and a base for
mobilization. Troops marched over the Rimutaka Hill before being sent to Wellington by train to
embark.
More than 55,000 troops passed through Trentham Camp during World War One.

Trentham Camp 1915 –Alexander Turnbull Library.

Featherston Camp
When World War One began, it was hoped it would not last long but by the end of 1915 it was clear
that fighting would continue, and more trained soldiers would be needed. Trentham Camp was
overcrowded, and a new site was needed.
In January 1916 New Zealand’s biggest army training camp opened on the main road between
Featherston and Tauherenikau, 3 kms north of Featherston. It covered almost 30 hectares and was
the biggest settlement in the Wairarapa when Masterton’s population was 5,500. The camp was
designed to accommodate 4,500 men but at times there were up to 9,000 and there was stabling for
500 horses.
The permanent accommodation was designed and built between August 1915 and January 1916 by
1,000 men. Thirty tonnes of nails were used in the 250 buildings. The camp was lit by electric
generators and water was carried through 10kms of steel pipes and there was 5kms roading and 90
barracks. There was a hospital, bakehouse, butchery, 6 cookhouses and 16 dining halls, 17 shops,
buildings for church groups and several rooms for billiards and other social activities.
Over 60,000 men trained here during the WW1.

Wairarapa Archive (00-038-074)

The tenth reinforcements
marching from Featherston
to Trentham = Photo Auckland
Libraries AWNS 19160224-39-1

New Zealand Camps, Hospitals and
Depots in England

To support the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) on the European continent, an enormous
infrastructure of camps, hospitals, depots, and offices was developed across the Channel in England.
The NZEF Headquarters in London dealt with records, public enquiries, postal matters, soldiers’ pay
and legal issues.
Initially Sling Camp was the only training camp for New Zealand servicemen in England. This soon
began to overflow, so other camps were established to accommodate other units: the New Zealand
Rifle Brigade (NZRB) trained at Brocton; the New Zealand Machine Gun Corps (NZMGC) was based at
Grantham; the artillery units (NZFA) and the Medical Corps (NZMC) both trained at Ewshot; the
signallers were based at Stevenage; and the engineers, tunnellers and Maori reinforcements trained
at Christchurch in Dorset.
New Zealand’s sick and wounded were bought from France to England on hospital ships and several
hospitals were set up to care for them.
Complementing these general hospitals were convalescent hospitals to which patients were sent to
recover before returning to service. Men deemed unfit for further service waited at the
New Zealand Discharge Depot in Torquay for transport back to New Zealand.

Brocton Camp

The camp of the New Zealand Rifle

Brigade was situated on the northern

edge of Cannock Chase, County

Staffordshire, 8kms from Stafford and

43kms north of Birmingham. The

village of Brocton and the railway

station were only 500 meters away.

The camps (Brocton and adjoining

Rugeley) could hold up to 40,000 men

at one time.

Brocton Camp was perched on a hill Google Images
surrounded by moors and comprised

about 100 acres. Various schools of

war were established offering instruction in musketry, scouting, signalling, gas warfare among other

subjects.

Most of the vegetables used in the camp were grown on site and they had all their own amenities –

a church, post office, bakery, theatre, and huts to buy coffee and cakes or play billiards.

Bulford / Sling camp
Initially the only training camp, Sling
was created as an annexe to Bulford
Camp on the Salisbury Plains in
Wiltshire, 20kms north of Salisbury,
133kms from London. Larkhill, close
by, was an adjunct camp.
It was a 3km walk from the railhead
in the village of Bulford.
The camp was the place of arrival
and departure for the Western
Front for most New Zealand troops
and could accommodate up to
5,000 men. It was a said if the huts were placed end to end, they would cover 6 miles (nearly
10kms). Practice trenches, bombing pits and model dugouts were all used as part of the rigorous
training carried out by new reinforcements and casualties who were regaining fitness.
At the end of the war 4,600 men, frustrated by the wait for embarkation, rioted and this led to the
carving of the huge kiwi in the chalk hills behind the camp, still visible today.

Christchurch Camp
The camp at Boscombe, near Christchurch on
the southern coast of England was the Reserve
Depot and training camp for New Zealand
Engineers, Tunnellers and Maori
Reinforcements.
It was 37kms south of Salisbury and had
Bournemouth close to the west.
In post war years it was where the Bailey
bridge was developed.

The guard house to the barracks

Ewshot Camp
Run in conjunction with
Aldershot, this camp was home
to the New Zealand Filed
Artillery (NZFA) and the New
Zealand Medical Corps.
It was 58kms from London and
nearly 6kms from the nearest
railhead. The camp could
accommodate 1,500 men and
1,000 horses and because it was
a permanent camp for regular
soldiers the troops were
accommodated in two stories brick houses. Training courses were generally six weeks in duration.
Veterinarians, shoeing smiths and saddlers were also housed in this camp.
Medical teams trained in all aspects of field and hospital work and practised in model dressing
stations constructed in trenches.

Grantham Camp
Belton Park Camp near
Grantham in Lincolnshire was
developed on land given by
Earl Brownlow, the owner of
Belton House. It was 183kms
north of London and 40kms
east of Nottingham and a 3km
walk to the railway station.
This was the base for Britain’s
Machine Gun Corps, the camp
established in 1914, and
initially they used tents for
accommodation until more
permanent facilities were
available – some 840 wooden huts were built to accommodate 12,000 men.
New Zealand Machine Gun Corps (NZMGC) were based here and were taught the mathematics of
the machine gun, firing, map reading and the use of semaphore flags among other skills.
A minimum of five weeks training was undertaken before posting to the frontlines.

Stevenage Camp
The New Zealand Reserve Signal
depot was located here in the fields
behind The White Lion pub in High
Street, Walkern, Stevenage, 47kms
north of London. Before they were
deployed, the New Zealand troops
were involved in community life, even
putting on shows.
As well as billeting Australian and
New Zealand troops, Stevenage
became the home for 100,000
refugees from Belgium.

Brockenhurst Hospital
The No 1 New Zealand General Hospital
was at Brockenhurst, 20kms from
Southampton in Hampshire. The site was
chosen for its proximity to the ports and
the good railway connections. It had
previously been a hospital for Indian
troops but was taken over in June 1916
for use by New Zealand. It was run by
the Royal New Zealand Army Medical
Corps and consisted of a main tented
and hutted section and included two
hotels in the village with capacity for 200
men in each. At the peak, the complex
could accommodate 1,600 patients and became the orthopaedic centre for the New Zealand
Medical Service. It was a site of great medical innovation and by 1919 when it was closed, 21,000
patients had been cared for.

Codford Hospital
Codford Command depot and No 3
General Hospital was on the Salisbury
Plains, only a few kilometres from Sling
Camp. Soldiers who had recovered at
Hornchurch where generally given leave
then were sent to Codford to be
“hardened” for further active service.
Upon entering camp men were divided
into three classes A, B and C, the majority
starting as B3 and given light duties. B2
meant heavier work and route marches
up to 10kms per day. Class A meant up
to 22km a day marches and men were now ready to be sent to their reserve unit as fit. Sport was
encouraged and seen as a good way to keep fit. By1918 Codford could accommodate 3,200 men.

Hornchurch Hospital
The large country estate of Grey Towers
was originally purchased by the British
Army but passed over to New Zealand in
April 1916. It was 20kms northeast of
London and comprised 85 acres, half of
which was cultivated for food supply,
including a rabbitry and poultry farm.
It opened with 1,500 beds but soon
increased to 2,500 and was equipped with
all the latest appliances and best
treatment available at that time.
It was designated the New Zealand Convalescent Hospital and medical cases no longer requiring
active treatment were sent here as were surgical cases when wounds were nearly healed. There
were halls and rooms for activities, mostly staffed by volunteers.

Torquay Depot
On the coast of Devon, some 210kms west of
Brockenhurst, Torquay was where the men
went to await transport back to New
Zealand. It consisted of nine large houses –
one used as a headquarters, one for Officers
and the remainder for other soldiers. The
houses had been secured by the War Office
and were near each other. The men were
divided into companies and allotted houses
according to their port of embarkation. The
number of men here at any one time varied
but 1,800 could be catered for. Two large
farms were operated, and men could work
on them or could choose to work in local
industries. Educational facilities were also provided. Careful supervision was exercised over the
men, they still had to parade, and leave was only granted at stated intervals. However, it was the
start of their journey home.

Walton on Thames Hospital
No 2 New Zealand General Hospital was
opened in July 1915 in the requisitioned
Mount Felix estate, an imposing house
set in 18 acres of grounds in Surrey,
30kms southwest of London. It was the
first hospital in the UK used specifically
for New Zealand soldiers but was
renamed No 2 after Brockenhurst was
opened. Huts and tents were erected in
the grounds and in 1916 the nearby
Oatlands Hotel in Weybridge was also
used. The complex could accommodate
1,200 men and took the wounded servicemen who had arrived at Dover. Workshops and
educational classes were established to enable convalescent amputees to learn new skills.

Weymouth Convalescent Depot
This was a joint depot with Australia,
opened on 31 May 1915 in existing
British army facilities. It was at
Chickerell, close to Weymouth in Dorset
on the Southern Coast on England.
More than 120,000 ANZAC soldiers
passed through here during the war, but
the New Zealander’s only used this
venue until Hornchurch was opened in
April 1916.
The seaside climate was thought to be
beneficial to the rest and recuperation
needed. Training schools were set up to occupy the troops and classes in motor mechanics and new
technology in farming were popular. Stays ranged from a week or two to months, before returning
to the front with the badly affected often sent back home.

Sources
For New Zealand Camps, Hospitals and Depots in England
NZ history online - nzhistory.govt.nz. and Google
Map -https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/nzef-england-1916-1919
Photographs
Brocton Camp. – Pinterest
Sling Camp. – National Army Museum: 1992.2626
Christchurch Guard house. – Wikimedia
Ewshot. – National Library NZ – Ref 1/2 -014101G
Grantham. - National Trust UK nationaltrust.org.uk
Stevenage. – Walkern History Society
Walton on Thames, Grey Towers Hornchurch. - New Zealand Post Card Society
Brockenhurst. - N.A.M. Ref 1992.1155
Brighton Convalescent. -National Armey Museum Ref 1986.1753
Codford NZETC. – Victoria University
Torquay. – Hampton Rest Home N A M Ref 1994.2560.2
Weymouth Convalescent Depot. www.awm.gov.au

No:2 New Zealand General Hospital, Walton on Thames – Inside ward.
National Army Museum Ref 1990.223.1

Etaples Camp and No: 1 Stationary
Hospital - France

Map shows the three approximate locations of No:1
Stationary Hospital and Etaples Camp.

Etaples
Etaples on the northern coast of France was chosen for its good railway links and access to ports
becoming the principal depot and transit camp for troops coming from Britain. Soldiers were taken
to the camp as soon as they landed in France for further training and preparation before being sent
to the Western Front or ‘up the line’ as it was called. The officers and NCOs in charge of the training,
the "canaries", had a reputation for not having served at the front, which created a certain amount
of tension and contempt. Both raw recruits and battle-weary veterans were subjected to intensive
training in gas warfare and bayonet drill, and long sessions of marching at the double across the
dunes for two weeks.
It was also a point to which the wounded were transported as there were at least 16 hospitals
capable of holding 20,000 beds and a convalescent depot. At the height of the war the hospitals
were receiving 40,000 soldiers each month. They were bought to Etaples on ambulance trains that
ran every day. These, along with the training camps, saw a capacity of 100,000 troops in the town.
Conditions were harsh and the discipline severe and in September 1917, New Zealand troops were
involved in a series of mutinies which eventually lead to better conditions.



New Zealand Troops on parade at Etaples before going ‘up the line’ 15 Jan 1918. - Alexander Turnbull Library

No 1 Stationary Hospital
This hospital was initially in Amiens, some 15 miles (25kms) from the Front Line and operated from
July 1916, when New Zealand Sisters and nurses arrived, until May 1917.
It consisted of two buildings, the main part of 350 beds was in part of a convent and was where the
more serious cases were admitted. The other part, in the Lycee Girls School, a few blocks away,
could accommodate 380 beds. A little later a third school was opened as an Officer’s hospital with
100 beds.
After 10 months the Stationary Hospital was transferred to Hazebrouck and could accommodate
1,040 patients in two schools and a field of tents. It was in existence until September 1917.
The hospital was again relocated, this time to Wisques, three miles (5kms) from St Omer. Here
everyone was under canvas until some huts could be erected.

Matron, Sisters and Medical Officers at Wisques No 1 Sationary Hospital. Photo: Royal NZ
Returned Services’ Association Ref:-1/2 013478-G