They Came Home from WW1 - Pukekohe

This Company was created in January 1917 to help operate the network of the railways behind
British front lines so that supplies and ammunition could be supplied to the troops.
On 1 August 1917 he was appointed a locomotive driver. He was admitted to the No. 54 General
Hospital in Wimereux, France with Influenza on 13 June 1918, re-joining his unit on 14 July 1918. His
promotion to locomotive driver finished on 15 January 1919.
He was discharged on 4 April 1919 with a total service of 3 years, 313 days.

Post-war
James took his discharge in the United Kingdom and according to the Evening Post of 25 March
1920, he visited Scotland and was on a “pleasure jaunt”.

James married Ellen Louisa Martin (nee ASHLEY) in Wellington on 31 April 1928. She was a widow
and was believed to have owned a pub in Masterton. The website family.gray.kiwi (Robert Gray)
states that although James had a reputation for liking his drink Ellen had a good influence on him.
James’ occupation appears to have been as a labourer throughout his working life.
James and Ellen didn’t have any children together but before she married Jimmy, Ellen adopted a
son, Charles Martin and a daughter Doris Franks (nee Martin).
Ellen died in 1942 and owned two properties in Masterton. In her will she left the children of
Charles Martin the proceeds of one of these. The other property was left to her husband James but
on his death it was to go to her daughter Doris. The rest of her estate was left to James.

After Ellen’s death, according to family.gray.kiwi (Robert Gray), “Jimmy (James) teamed up with his
friend/step cousin Charles Jaffray who took him in and they lived together at Jeff’s bach in Paerata”.
Charles is also buried in the Pukekohe RSA Cemetery.
James left his estate to his friend/step cousin Charles Jaffray.

In Memoriam
James is buried in Plot 066, Pukekohe RSA Cemetery.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military and Probate Records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Paper Past
Familysearch
Ancestry
New Zealand History, Light Railway Company
Robert Gray, family.gray.kiwi

Researched by Karen Grainger

Edward James CAMPBELL

Service Number: 23/700
Regiment: Rifle Brigade
Last known Rank: Second Lieutenant
Died: 8 January 1978
Age: 85 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 216

Pre-war

Edward was born in Waihi on 1 March 1893 and was known as Ted during his lifetime.
His father was Daniel CAMPBELL born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1861 and, his mother was Lillian
Ellen LAMBERT born in 1865 in Cambridge. They married in Thames in 1886. Daniel, his parents and
brother came to Auckland from Dublin on the Dauntless arriving on 15 May 1865. Five more boys
were born to Daniel and Lillian in New Zealand.
Edward attended Whitford Public School and passed the Year 6 Standard.

Enlistment and Training
Edward enlisted with the “C” Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade on 28 May 1915. He had
previously served with D Coy 16th Waikato Regiment Infantry for three years and also one year with
the 3rd Auckland Mounted Rifles.
He was 5 feet 6½ inches (170cm) in height, 132 lbs (60kg), with a fair complexion, hazel eyes and
light brown hair.

Service Abroad
Rifleman Edward Campbell left Wellington on 9 October 1915 on the Maunganui arriving in Egypt on
15 November 1915. During April 1916 he was transferred to France and on 5 May 1916 was
transferred to the Trench Mortar Battery. On 15 August 1916 he was promoted to Corporal.
In March 1917 he was admitted to a hospital in Etaples, France until his discharge in May 1917.
There followed a couple of appointments as a Temporary Sergeant and then finally he was
appointed as a Permanent Sergeant in March 1918 when he was posted to the 3rd Light Trench
Mortar Battery.
In August 1918 he was sent to the U.K. as he was nominated for Officer training and on 3 February
1919 he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant.
Edward served in the Egyptian and Western European theatres of operation and received the 1914-
1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals.
He returned to New Zealand on the Ionic on 14 March 1919 arriving on 26 April 1919 and was
discharged on 3 July 1919 with a total service of 4 years, 37 days.

Post-war
Edward married Constance Ruby Paxton NICHOLSON (1892-1989) on 13 August 1919. They had two
daughters.
Electoral rolls for 1914 and 1919 give his occupation as a farmer in Mellon’s Bay, Howick, Auckland.

From 1928 his occupation is listed as a farmer and he lived with Constance in Queen Street,
Pukekohe where he farmed and grew potatoes. Edward was very involved in the promotion of the
industry and led several delegations for action to the Government.

He was also heavily involved in rugby, being a coach,
selector and administrator for the White Star Club for
many years. He was a member of the Pukekohe
Chamber of Commerce and he and Connie were also
active in the Caledonian Society.

On 1 August 1941 he was appointed as a Temporary
Lieutenant in the Home Guard and on 15 December
1942 he was appointed a Temporary Captain. Then
followed an appointment as a Temporary 2nd
Lieutenant on 23 February 1942 and on 1 August 1943
as a Temporary Lieutenant.

In Memoriam
Memorial Board at Whitford Hall.
Edward is buried in Plot 216, Pukekohe RSA Cemetery.

A New Zealand 4.5 inch howitzer
in action at Anzac, May 1915

'New Zealand artillery at Anzac', URL:
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/ne
w-zealand-artillery-anzac, (Ministry for
Culture and Heritage), updated 15-Apr-
2014

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Record
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Papers Past - Potato growers,-NZ Herald17 Sept 1925 & 19 Feb 1929; Rugby President Franklin Times 13 April 1927
Familysearch
Ancestry
New Zealand History

Researched by Karen Grainger

Frank Newman CARTER

Service Number: 78190
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Trooper
Died: 5 August 1970
Age: 72 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 144

Pre-war
Frank was born on 20 December 1897 at Bombay and was christened at St Peter’s Anglican Church,
Bombay. He was the son of William Bragg CARTER (1866-1934) and Kate Emma SAWYER (1868-
1953) and the sixth of ten children, having two sisters and seven brothers.
He did his early schooling at Waerenga School and worked on his father’s farm before enlisting.

This story appeared in many papers in November 1905.
Like most farm children, Frank would have helped on the
farm, even as a young child.
He declared this broken leg in his military papers.

Enlistment and Training

Frank had served in the 16th Waikato Regiment during the early part of WW1. This was a territorial
force, formed in 1911.
He enlisted at Hamilton in January 1918 and gave his occupation at the time of enlistment as farmer.
He trained at Featherston as part of the 40th reinforcements. He was promoted to Lance Corporal as
a trooper with the 42nd reinforcements and embarked on 11 October 1918 to the Suez on the
Moeraki.

Moeraki leaving Wellington

Service Abroad
Frank served 1 year and 189 days – just less than a year overseas and was discharged in October
1919 having suffered from Diphtheria after arriving in Eygpt. He had two brothers who also served
overseas – William and Albert who died of malaria in Palestine in 1918.

Post-war
Frank was listed as a roading
contractor at Waerenga on the 1919
electoral roll and in this advertisement
of November 1921 he was living at
Waitoa.

He married Florence Eveline MALCOLM (1898-1976) in 1923 and they had two children. They
farmed firstly at Waerenga but by 1946 they were living and farming in Mauku before retiring to
Edinburgh Street in Pukekohe. Frank then worked as a storeman and shop assistant.
Frank was involved in the community – he served on the school committee at Waerenga, the
Franklin A & P Association committee and the Patumahoe Domain Board. He also won an award for
dairy farming, in the category for over 51 cows in 1936.

In Memoriam
Memorial Board at Waerenga Memorial Church.
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 144.

Waerenga Memorial Church

Sources
New Zealand Archives, Military records and Probate
Ancestry – family trees
New Zealand Electoral rolls
New Zealand BDM
Google
Papers Past

Researched by Heather Maloney

Walter James CASWELL

Service Number: 17/380
Regiment: Wellington Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 11 August 1976
Age: 83 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 174

Pre-war
Walter James CASWELL, also known as James Walter Caswell on many documents and commonly
called Jim, was the son of Mark (1845-1933) and Ellen Caswell, nee FLETCHER (1854-1938). He was
born at St Andrews in South Canterbury on 15 August 1894 and was one of seventeen children. Both
parents had been married previously, with Mark having one child and Ellen five children, they then
went on to have eleven more children together.
Jim started school at Springbrook, just south of Timaru, where his parents were farming before they
moved to Holme Farm, Albury, where Jim completed his schooling.
Prior to the war he had been working as a shepherd for R.M. Anderson at Maraekakaho, near
Hastings.
Two of his other brothers, William and Frank, were working on farms in the same area.

Enlistment and Training
Jim had just turned 21 when he enlisted in August 1915. His brothers, William and Frank enlisted on
the same day, and they all completed their training at Trentham. Jim is described in his service
record as being single, 5 feet 6 inches (167cm), 175 lbs (79kg) of fair complexion, blue eyes and has
auburn hair. He states his religion as Anglican.

Service Abroad

Jim was posted to E

Company of the 9th Infantry

and embarked for Suez on

20 December 1915. While

in the Suez he was

transferred to New Zealand

Veterinary Corp and left for

France in April 1916.

In February 1917 he was

transferred to the 2nd

Wellington Infantry

Battalion where he served

for the rest of the war. Jim returned home on the SS Hororata in February 1919 and was discharged

after serving 3 years 179 days, most of that overseas.

Post-war
Jim returned to the Hawkes Bay after the war and worked at Olry Station at Maraekakaho. By 1928
he had moved to Onewhero where he worked as a farmhand at several places including Limestone
Downs Station.
He married Isla Mabel YORK in 1940 and they had six children – two daughters and four sons.
After a few years in Mt Roskill following his marriage, they moved back to Onewhero before farming
at Mauku until his death.
In Memoriam
Jim is remembered on two memorial boards.
Te Ngawai, South Canterbury and Maraekakaho, Hawkes Bay.
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 174.

Sources
New Zealand Archives, Military Record
New Zealand BDM
New Zealand Electoral rolls
Ancestry, Family trees
Hastings Library
Timaru Museum
Google
Researched by Heather Maloney

Hubert Harold CHARLESWORTH

Service Number: 620
Regiment: Australian Imperial Forces
Last known Rank: Trooper
Died: 9 November 1949
Age: 56 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 021

Pre-war
Hubert Harold CHARLESWORTH was born in March 1893, in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales,
Australia, sixth of eleven children born to John CHARLESWORTH and Ellen PRIEST, who married on 29
November 1875 at Muttama, NSW, Australia.
His father was a farmer, owner of ‘Rosedale’, Coolamon, which is 40 kms Northwest of Wagga Wagga
on the Riverina. The family had several horses, and up to 20 cattle, but developed their sheep
breeding interests in the mid 1900s, and by 1911 they had 402 sheep.
Harry (as he was known) became a part time cook on the property, and a farm labourer, as were
most of his siblings.

Enlistment and Training
When WW1 broke out, Harry joined up on 24 September 1914. He was aged 21 years, 7 months and
single. Harry’s occupation is given as cook. He states that his father is a farmer, and names his next
of kin as his mother Mrs. Ellen Charlesworth of ‘Rosedale’, Coolamon. Harry was 5 feet 11 inches
(180cm), weighed 10 stone 4 lbs (65kg), with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and light brown hair. He
gives his religion as Anglican. He was not vaccinated, but had a scar on the right arm, caused by a
kick.
He was sent to Rosehill Camp, Sydney, for training, and embarked, with his Unit, on the Troopship
Suevic for Egypt on 21 December 1914.

Service Abroad
Harry arrived at Gallipoli on Troopship Lutzow on 15 May 1915, joining the Main Expeditionary Force.
Harry served at Gallipoli until December 1915 when he was evacuated sick and hospitalised in
Alexandria in Egypt. He re-joined his regiment in March 1916, staying in Port Said, Kilo, Kantara and
other places in Egypt. In early 1917 he was a 1st class Machine Gunner and in June 1917 transferred
to the Machine Gun Squadron.
Eventually suffering from severe rheumatism and illness he was discharged back to Australia on the
Troopship Port Darwin arriving in Australia on 12 July 1918.

Post-war
Harry returned to his family for a while but sometime after May 1924 he arrived in New Zealand and
is seen on the electoral rolls in 1925 and 1928, as a motor driver, living in Hall Street, Pukekohe.

He married Hazel Margaret BLAKE, daughter
of W. Blake of Pukekohe, in 1927 at St.
James Presbyterian Church.

In 1929, there was a tragic accident when a
young boy aged 2½ ran out onto King
Street, Pukekohe and was killed. The truck
was driven by Harry Charlesworth. The
verdict of the Coroner was that no blame
was attachable to the driver who had had
no time to stop.

Soon after the accident Harry and his wife Franklin Times Vol XVII, Issue 131, 14 Nov 1927
moved to live in Devonport and can be
found from 1930-1938 at 16 Queen’s
Parade with his occupation as a Contractor.
By 1946 they had moved to 20 Anne Street,
Devonport with Harry then working as a

dock worker.

While in Devonport Harry lost his medals overboard while fishing, and made an application to the
AIF for replacements. The medals were the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. He
received the replacements in 1936.
Harry and Hazel had no children and after Harry’s death, Hazel returned to Pukekohe where she had
lived before her marriage. She died in 1977.

In Memoriam
Harry is buried in Plot 021 Pukekohe RSA Cemetery.

Sources
Australian War Memorial and National Archives Australia
New South Wales BDM
Australian Police Gazettes
New Zealand BDM
New Zealand Electoral rolls
Australian Electoral rolls
Ancestry
Findmypast
Google

Researched by Rosemary Eden

Herbert William CLARIDGE

Service Number: 41486
Regiment: 23rd Reinforcements
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 2 June 1941
Age: 61 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe Wes. Row B Plot 051

Pre-war

Herbert was born on 30 January 1880 in Otapuni, Papanui,
Christchurch, the fifth of six children of Reverend Reuben
CLARIDGE (1849-1919) and Elizabeth DUFFELL (1849-1918).
Reuben and Elizabeth married in Papanui in 1870. Reuben had
come to New Zealand in 1851 with his parents, Thomas
CLARIDGE and Elizabeth WILLIS who settled in Papanui and were
farmers. Elizabeth arrived at Lyttleton, New Zealand in 1850 on the Cressy (one of the first four
ships to settle Canterbury) with her parents, William and Jane nee ROBERTS and five siblings.
Herbert was educated at the Papanui Primary School and in 1902 was attending evening art classes.
In 1905 he was living at home with his parents at Sawyer’s Arms Rd, Papanui and was working as a
carpenter. He also received an apprenticeship in foundry work. In 1912 became a farmer in Okara,
Whangamomona.

Enlistment and Training

Herbert enlisted at New Plymouth on
19 October 1916 and gave his next of kin as his
father, R CLARIDGE, Sawyer’s Arms Rd,
Papanui, Christchurch. He was a Methodist
and was described as 5 feet 10 inches
(178cms), 141 lbs (64kgs) with grey-black hair,
green eyes and a dark complexion. He was
posted to the 23rd Reinforcements, F Company.
Prior to leaving New Zealand he was given a
farewell in Papanui.

Service Abroad

Herbert embarked from Wellington on 2 April 1917, on the HMNZT 79 Ruapehu, but was transferred
to the hospital ship, HMNZT 80 Corinthic on 6 April 1917, with suspected Phthisis Pulmonalis (T B of
the left lung). When the ship reached Cape Town, he was further transferred, this time to No. 2
General Hospital on shore. It was decided that he needed to be put on the first available vessel
going to New Zealand. On 11 June 1917 Herbert was found to have an old lesion, that had been
present before his admission to the forces.
Herbert arrived back in Wellington on the HMNZT Tainui and was discharged to the Pukeora Military
Sanatorium in Hawkes Bay on 16 August 1917. In 1920 a further assessment found Herbert to be
severely disabled with TB of the lung.

Post-war
Following Herbert’s discharge from the sanitorium, he went back to his farm in Whangamomona. In
the 1928 Electoral Roll, Herbert was farming at Mangatotara and was, it was stated, a disabled
soldier. He was never to recover his health. Herbert’s eldest brother, Alfred Reuben was living in
the same district as Herbert at this time.

On 24 January 1929 in Hamilton, Herbert married
Frances Grace HICKS, eldest of thirteen children of
Francis HICKS (1839-1911) and Mary ALLAN (1856-
1939). Herbert and Frances had no children.
Herbert and Frances lived for a couple of years at
Wakefield, Nelson before moving to Nihotupu in the
Waitakere Ranges in 1935.
By 1936 they had moved to Anzac Rd, Pukekohe.
Herbert was involved with the Franklin A and P Show
while he lived in Pukekohe and he had previously
exhibited basket weaving at other shows.

Herbert died on 2 June 1941 and was buried in the
Wesleyan Section at Pukekohe cemetery. Frances
died on 10 June 1968, aged 85 and is buried beside
him.

Herbert left a major portion of his estate to the
Papanui Orphanage in his will.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe Wesleyan Row B Plot 051.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Archives New Zealand, Probates
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Ancestry -50 Family Trees
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Papers Past: School of Art Press 16 Dec 1902; Farewell,

Lyttelton Times 16 Feb 1917; Engagement NZ Herald 23 Aug
1926; Obituary Franklin Times 6 June 1941

Researched by Barbara Raven

George William Albert CLARKE

Service Number: 12/715
Regiment: Auckland Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 2 June 1967
Age: 73 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Ashes 002

Pre-war
George William Albert CLARKE was born on 11 February 1894, to John (Hone Karaka) CLARKE and
Elizabeth CONNELLY, the sixth of seven children. His father John farmed at Te Hirua, Pukekawa where
George initially worked as a labourer.

Enlistment and Training
Following the outbreak of WWI, George, known
locally as Bert, enlisted in Hamilton, as an employee
of S.H. Crawford, Onewhero, commencing duty on
14 August 1914 with the 2nd draft Auckland Infantry.
He stated he was born in 1893 and was 21 years 8
months, but he was in fact born in 1894. His
description reads: 5 ft 6 inches (197cm) tall,
weighing 140 lbs (63kg), dark complexion, brown
eyes, black hair, religion Anglican. He gave his next
of kin as his father John Clarke, farmer of Pukekawa.
He was in New Zealand training until December
1914, his departure being delayed as he had caught
measles in October 1914.

Service Abroad
Finally sailing for Suez, Egypt on 14 Dec 1914 on either Verdala, Willochra or Knight of the Garter, he
arrived on 29 January 1915. After just a few months in Egypt Private George Clarke was invalided

back to New Zealand on the 14 June 1915. His
medical report on 4 October 1915 says he had
recovered from his ailments and was fit for civilian
occupation. He was discharged on 18 October 1915,
having served 173 days overseas and 258 days in New
Zealand.

As reported in the Pukekohe and Waiuku Times dated
17 November 1915, a welcome back concert was held
at Onewhero Hall for Bert Clarke and (Robert) Stanley
Ohlson on their return from the war.

Post-war
George (Bert) was a highly regarded Rugby Union referee for the Franklin Rugby Union. His other
interests were certainly community based as newspaper reports of the day show that he was
involved in musical events and other sporting activities.

He was working in Onewhero when he married Frances
Margaret (known as Pearl) MCWHIRTER in 1916. They
had two daughters and three sons, one of whom was
killed in 1941 fighting in Libya during WWII.
The family were farming in Onewhero in 1925, but by
1949 and until 1957 Bert was employed as a
glassworker and he and Pearl were living at 10 Green
Park Rd, Penrose.
George William Albert Clarke died on 2 June 1967, aged
73, a labourer, of 14 Sturdee Road, Manurewa,
Auckland. He was cremated on 3 June 1967.

In Memoriam
George William Albert Clarke is remembered
on the Pukekawa Roll of Honour in the
Pukekawa Hall and his ashes are buried in
the Ashes section of Pukekohe RSA
Cemetery, plot 002.

Sources
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Archives New Zealand
PapersPast
New Zealand BDMs
New Zealand Electoral rolls
Findmypast
Ancestry
Familysearch

Researched by Rosemary Eden.

Norman Hooper CLIFFORD

Service Number: 17484
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Trooper
Died: 1 June 1932
Age: 49 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe Public. Anglican
Section – Row D Plot 066

Pre-war

Norman Hooper CLIFFORD was born on 14 August 1882 in Bengal,
India, the fourth of seven children of William Wigram CLIFFORD
(1845-1920) and Lucy Jessie NORMAN (1856-1924). William was
born in Cavan, Ireland and was buried at Timaru, New Zealand. He
and Lucy married in Bengal, India on 19 October 1876. Lucy was born
in India and descended from a family who had served in the army in Cuba and India.
In 1905 Norman was living in Nelson and was working as a farmer. In 1908 he bought a section of
land in Waihi and by 1911 he was working as a Chainman for C. SHEPHERD, a Surveyor in Taneatua.
On 20 December 1911 Norman married Eliza Charlton JOSLIN (1888-1946), known as Joss, the
daughter of Frederick William JOSLIN (1858-1909) and Mary Ann MCKAY (1860-1912). Frederick was
from the United States and was a sea Captain. He died in Hong Kong, but was buried in the
Anderson’s Bay cemetery, Dunedin.
Eliza had gained her teacher’s certificate in 1905 in Dunedin. Norman and Eliza had two children,
Bertina and Richard.
In 1912 Norman moved northwards to Maropiu near Dargaville and bought land there along with a
block of land at Aoroa. He worked the two pieces of land together dealing in cattle and sheep. In
1914 he lost a lot of his cattle in the bush and consequently a lot of his year’s profits and had to sell
the farms. He bought a house in Valley Rd, Dargaville, where the family lived for a while and
Norman worked as a stable proprietor breaking in horses. The next move was to Waimauku in 1915.
It was while living here and trying to pay off his accumulated debts that he was judged bankrupt. As
reported in several newspapers, Norman had bought two parcels of land but the interest on his
borrowings, coupled with the heavy loss of cattle, meant that he was unable to make a profit.

Enlistment and Training
Norman enlisted and attested
at Featherston on 28 June 1916
and gave his next of kin as his
wife, Mrs. E. C. CLIFFORD,
Taneatua and his last address
as c/- RUTHERFORD,
Waimauku. He stated that he
had been working as a horse
dealer for Mr. KENNY, a
Government Surveyor.

Norman was described as 5 feet 9 inches (175cms), 144 lbs (65kgs) with a fresh complexion, blue
eyes and dark hair.
On 30 June 1916, Norman was posted to the 19th Mounted Rifles and then on 7 September 1916 to
the 26th Reinforcements. In October of the same year, he was promoted to Corporal, then on 11
January 1917 he was further promoted to Sergeant. On 24 January he reverted to Corporal.

Service Abroad
Norman embarked on 7 September
1917. There was a stopover at Sydney
and the ship finally reached Suez on 19
October 1917. Soon after his arrival,
Norman was posted to the Ambulance
Squad. Norman spent all of his overseas
service in and around Port Said.
On 26 April 1919, Norman was invalided
home on the Kaikoura. He was
discharged as no longer physically fit for
duties on account of illness contracted
on active service on 24 June 1919. He
had served 1 year 35 days in New Zealand and 1 year 325 days overseas.

Post-war
On returning home Norman lived at Ngongotaha and then
Netherton and was discharged from bankruptcy on 1
August 1919.
In 1928 the family were living in Whangaroa, Northland
then shifted to Pokeno Valley, where on 4 June 1932,
Norman was found dead in his home. An inquest was
held, and it was found Norman had died of natural
causes. He was buried in the Pukekohe Cemetery, and
Eliza who died in Dargaville in 1946 is buried with
Norman.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe Cemetery Anglican Section Row D Plot 066.

Sources
Archives, New Zealand, Military Records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph photo 26th Mounted Rifles
Ancestry
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Google
Papers Past: Bankrupt NZ Herald 28 March 1916; Death Franklin Times 6 June 1932

Researched by Barbara Raven

Daniel Patrick COLGAN

Service Number: 76418
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Trooper
Died: 4 July 1971
Age: 75 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe Public Wesleyan-
Row R Plot 025

Pre-war

Daniel Patrick COLGAN was born in Northcote, Auckland on 16 September 1895. He was the fourth
child of six to William COLGAN (1856-1936) and Margaret DELANEY (1865-1936).
His family farmed at Lake Road, Northcote and Daniel left school, destined to become a Farmer.

Enlistment and Training

He enlisted in Auckland on 13 July 1917 and
passed his medical on 30 July. He gave his
occupation as Farmer, his next of kin as his
father and was single and a Roman Catholic. He
was described as 5 feet 7½ inches (171cms),
136 lbs (61kgs), with dark complexion, blue
eyes and black hair. He was serving with the
3rd Auckland Mounted Rifles Territorial Force.
Daniel trained at Featherston Military Camp
and was initially posted to E Company but was
transferred to the 42nd Reinforcements of the
NZ Mounted Rifles and promoted to Temporary
Lance Corporal in May 1918.

Service Abroad

As part of the 42nd Reinforcements of the Mounted Rifles Brigade, Daniel boarded the Moeraki in
Wellington on 11 October 1918 and then transferred at Sydney to the RMS Malta, arriving in Suez on
22 November 1918. The Armistice had been declared by this time but there was still much work to
be done and Daniel marched into camp at Moascar and was posted to the NZ Mounted Rifles
Training Unit and later to the 3rd Squadron of the Auckland Mounted Rifles. He was in the field at
Ismalia from January to the end of June 1919 and embarked on the Ellenga on 23 July 1919 bound
for home.
He had served 266 days in New Zealand and 377 days overseas, a total service of 1 year and 238
days and was finally discharged on 9 October 1919.

Post-war
Daniel returned home to the farm but entered the ballot for farmland being offered by the
Government at Puni, near Pukekohe. He was successful and drew Section 6 which was 70 acres in
1920. Conditions were rough as there was only one shed on the 1,200 acre block, so the 12
successful men and their families had to make do with that until they were able to build some
accommodation on their own land. This area became known as the Soldier Settlement and is now
Settlement Road.
In December 1929, Daniel became engaged to Maisie
Ellen McFETRIDGE, who he married in August 1930.
Daniel and Maisie had a family of three daughters and
four sons, the first son dying at only twelve days of age
and one of the girls (a twin) stillborn.
They ran a dairy farm with jersey cows and sheep and
were involved in community activities. Daniel competed
with success in wood-chopping events around the
Auckland area from 1925 through to 1934 and was a keen
supporter of the Franklin A & P Show, regularly showing
horses.
An interesting item appeared in the local paper regarding
a sheep he had reared.

Daniel and Maisie lived in Settlement Road for the rest of
their lives. Daniel died on 4 July 1971 and Maisie on 8 July
1989 and they are buried together in Pukekohe.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe Cemetery Wesleyan Section Row R Plot 025.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Record
New Zealand BDM
Puni centennial book
Papers Past: Engagement notice, NZ Herald 12 Dec 1929; Wedding NZ Herald 21 Aug 1930, Woodchopping, Franklin

Times 22 June 1925 and many others; Horses, NZ Herald 15 Feb 1929 and many others.
Oversized hogget, Akl Star 21 Sept 1934

Researched by Heather Maloney

Albert Edward CONWAY

Service Number: 64623
Regiment: Auckland Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 2 September 1965
Age: 71 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 111

Pre-war
Albert Edward CONWAY was born on 9 November 1893 in Auckland to Michael CONWAY, a saddler
(1869-1933), and Jane DALEY, (1875-1949) who married in 1893 in New Zealand. Both his parents
had also been born in Auckland. Albert was the eldest of nine children, four girls, five boys. Michael
and Jane are seen in the 1896 electoral roll with his occupation as a saddler, living in Waihi.
Albert was living in Pollen St, Thames when he attended Waiokaraka school in 1899. On 23 April
1900 he entered Kauaeranga Boys School, his last day being 1 September 1907.

Enlistment and Training
When Albert signed up to fight in WWI at Thames on 26 July 1917, he was single and aged 23 years 8
months. A request at the bottom of his Attestation was that he ‘expressed a preference to enlist for
ambulance’.

His occupation was a
boilermaker, employed
by A.& G. Price of
Thames, who were the
largest private railway
locomotive
manufacturers in New
Zealand.

He gave his next of kin
as his mother Mrs
Michael Conway of First
Ave, Whangarei and his
description reads: 5 feet
4-7/8 inches (172cm)
weight 132 lbs (60kg), complexion medium, eyes hazel, hair brown, religion Roman Catholic.
He stated that he was serving in the 6th Hauraki Infantry.
On 23 August he was posted to C Company of the 32nd Reinforcements as a Private and a month later
transferred to 37th Reinforcements and promoted to Corporal. However, another month on he was
transferred to A company of the 32nd Reinforcements and reverted to Private.

Service Abroad
Albert embarked at Wellington on 22 November 1917, on HMNZT 95 Willochra to Liverpool. He
marched into Sling Camp on 8 January 1918 and remained in England until 20 March 1918 when he
departed for France.

On 1 April Albert joined the 1st Battalion Auckland Regiment in the field and in June spent two weeks
at the Lewis Gun School. He was wounded with a gunshot wound to his right forearm in October
1918 and treated at No 67 Field Ambulance before being admitted to the No. 56 Casualty Clearing
Station and transferred to England five days later. Here he was admitted to No 2 London General
Hospital.
On recovery he returned to New Zealand aboard the Maheno on 12 February 1919. He was finally
discharged on 28 April 1920, having served 1 year 97 days in New Zealand and 1 year 152 days
overseas.
Albert received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Post-war

Albert gave his discharge address as King George
Military Hospital in Rotorua and from there he
returned to Thames where he married Kathleen
Josephine GILL in 1922.
They first lived at 4 O’Neill St, Ponsonby, and then
in 1925 lived at 13 Elgin St, Grey Lynn where
Albert was an electrician. Albert and Kathleen had
twin daughters born on 16 September 1926. From
1935 to 1950 they lived in Ardmore Road,
Auckland West and then spent a short time in
Matamata, where on the electoral roll, Albert was
listed as a storeman. The 1963 electoral rolls
show them as being retired and living at Paerata
Road, Pukekohe, close to one of their daughters
Kathleen.

Albert Edward Conway died on 2 September 1965,
aged 71 years.
Kathleen who was born in Thames on 3 January
1897 and died in 1983. She is buried at Pukekohe
Cemetery.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 111.

Sources
New Zealand Archives, Military Records
New Zealand BDM
School Records
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Papers Past: Wedding report, Thames Star 9 May 1922
A & G Price Building photo: Thames Treasury

Researched by Rosemary Eden

William CRONIN

Service Number: 12/521
Regiment: Auckland Infantry
Last known Rank: Corporal
Died: 31 January 1949
Age: 54 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 019

Pre-war
William CRONIN was born in Aropohue near Dargaville, Northland on 13 August 1893, the son of
Michael CRONIN and Sarah McANENEY. Michael Cronin was born in Waipipi near Waiuku in 1867
and Sarah in Thames in 1873. They married in St Patricks Cathedral Auckland in 1892. William was
the eldest of ten children, he had five brothers and four sisters. The family raised all the children in
the Dargaville, Northland area and Michael and Sarah are recorded as living in Pukekohe in 1919.

Enlistment and Training
William volunteered for service in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on 18
August 1914 and signed his Attestation papers in Dargaville, Northland. He was
a farmer, and he nominated his mother, Mrs S. Cronin as his next of kin. He
completed his medical examination the same day and passed as fit for active
service. William was 21 years old, 140 lbs (63kg) and 5 feet 8 inches (172cm)
tall. He was posted to 15th Company North Auckland Infantry Battalion.
Training for the Auckland Infantry Battalion was conducted at Alexandra Park
in Auckland.

On 23 September, the Auckland Battalion embarked at Auckland aboard HMNZT 12 Waimana
escorted by HMS Pyramus but returned to Auckland the following day as they lacked insufficient escort
strength to fight off German cruisers known to be in the Pacific. The Pyramus continued to Melbourne.
The Waimana sailed again on 11 October for Wellington.
On 16 October 1914 the Waimana and HMNZT 8 Star of India sailed from Wellington as part of a ten
troop ship convoy carrying the New Zealand Expeditionary Force Main Body to Egypt. The convoy was
escorted by the Cruisers HMS Minotaur, HMS Psyche, HMS Philomel, and the Japanese Battle Cruiser
HIJMS Ibuki.

Service Abroad
The Convoy arrived in King George Sound, Albany, Western Australia on 28 October and departed on
1 November 1914 in conjunction with the first convoy transporting the First Detachment of Australian
and New Zealand Imperial Expeditionary Forces. The Waimana arrived at the Suez Canal on
1 December, and the Auckland Infantry Battalion disembarked at Alexandria on 5 December
continuing their journey by train to Zeitoun Camp, near Cairo. The Auckland Battalion were based at
Zeitoun Camp for training for the first three months of 1915. Just after Easter 1915 they returned to
Alexandria where they embarked on the Lutzow, a captured German liner.

On 15 April the Lutzow arrived at Moudros, the port on the island of
Lemnos, which was the main base for the invasion force for the
Dardanelles Campaign. On the evening of 24 April 1915, they left
Mundos and steamed toward Gallipoli.

At 8.30am on 25 April, the boats came alongside to take the
Auckland troops ashore, they were the first New Zealanders to land.
It is not known if William was amongst this first group, but he would
certainly have been involved in the desperate fighting in the days
and weeks that followed as the Anzacs fought their way up the
slopes.
By the end of April, the Auckland Battalion had reached a point
known as Plugge’s Plateau. On 1 May 1915 they left the Plateau and
moved up Walkers Ridge, where they were to have been in support
of an attack. At the last minute this operation was cancelled, but in
these last few days on Walkers Ridge, four men were killed and
twenty-eight wounded, including William, who received a scalp wound on 5 May.

On the same day, William was admitted to the Hospital Ship Gloucester Castle, and then transferred
to the No. 1 Australian General Hospital in Heliopolis. He remained in Hospital until 13 June when he
was discharged for convalescence until embarking at Suez for New Zealand on the Willocha on 25
September, arriving in Port Chalmers on 23 October 1915.
William was discharged from the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on 19 February 1916, having
served 1 year 186 days of which 1 year 15 days were overseas.
William received the 1914/15 Star.

Post-war
After discharge, William returned to farming in the Kaipara District, and is recorded as living in
Mangarata in 1918. William married Mary Alice CLEARY in St John’s Church, Maunu, Whangarei on 12
Feb 1918, and they had four children, two boys and two girls.
In the early 1920’s the family relocated to the Franklin District and settled in Pukekohe West with
William’s occupation still as a farmer. They resided there until William’s death on 31 January 1949.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 019.

Sources
The Auckland Regiment; nzetc.victoria.ac.nz
New Zealand Archives
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Papers Past

Researched by David Squires

Walter Ernest DAVIES

Service Number: 46442
Regiment: New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Last known Rank: Rifleman
Died: 1 June 1953
Age: 75 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 042

Pre-war
Walter was born in St Peters, Carmarthen, South Wales on 9 December 1877 and was christened in
St Peters Anglican Church, Carmarthen. His father Thomas DAVIES, a farmer, married his mother
Margaret JONES in 1871. Together they raised eight children, four boys and four girls. In 1901 Walter
was living in Manchester, England, working as a Post Office clerk. He immigrated to New Zealand
about 1907, and it seems he was the only child of the family to emigrate. His older brother Thomas,
served in the Royal Artillery in England and France during WW1.
By 1916, Walter was living in Silverdale, north of Auckland and employed on the Albion Orchard as an
Orchardist. He was listed on the Army Reserve Roll.

Enlistment and Training
Walter was attested in Auckland on 4 January 1917, nominating
his father Thomas as next of kin. In March 1916, Walter had
previously been rejected for enlistment due to his small stature.
However, a medical board reviewed this at a special medical
examination, and he was passed as fit for service. According to
the medical records, Walter was 32 years old, 5 ft 2 in (157cm)
tall, weighed 107 lbs (48kg) and posted to the New Zealand Rifle
Brigade to commence training at Trentham Camp. A comment
on his Attestation form says “Chest under measurement – but
otherwise compact little man full of energy. Has walked 20 miles
today and intends walking back”.
On 6 February, Walter was posted to J Company
25th Reinforcements. Training continued until part of the unit
embarked on HMNZT 82 Pakeha, they sailed from Wellington

harbour in unison with HMNZT 81 Devon on 26 April 1917.

Service Abroad
The Pakeha arrived in Devonport, England on 28 July 1917, where Walter proceeded to report at the
New Zealand Expeditionary Force Base Camp at Sling on the Salisbury Plains. It was here he awaited
instructions, and subsequently two days later, he was posted to 2nd Battalion, C Company.
Walter left for France on 14 September, arriving at Etaples on the 17th, and it was here he received
further training in preparation for service in the front line.

On 8 October 1917, the 2nd Battalion, was already involved in heavy fighting at Passchendaele in
Belgium. Walter was attached to D Company and moved forward to put his training into front line
action.
Four days later he was wounded and initially reported missing in action, however, he was located and
transferred to No. 44 Casualty Clearing Station located at Brandhoek, near Ypres. The following day
saw Walter moved to No. 3 General Hospital at Le Treport in France, where he underwent medical
treatment. On 9 November 1917 Walter returned to No. 1 NZ General Hospital at Brockenhurst in
Hampshire where he further convalesced.
The medical board assessed Walter as unfit for active duty on 11 December 1917 and consequently
he was placed on the embarkation roll.
Walter embarked on the Maunganui from Liverpool on 2 February 1918, arriving in Auckland on 15
March. He was discharged from the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on 23 July 1918, having served
a total of one year 68 days of which 209 days were served overseas.
Walter received the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Post-war
After his discharge, Walter initially returned to live in the Silverdale area, and by 1928 was operating
an orchard located in Wellington Street, Pukekohe. He continued to operate this orchard during the
1930s and early 1940s. The Electoral Rolls of 1946 and 1949 record Walter living in King St, Pukekohe.
There is no record of Walter having married.
Walter died on 1 June 1953 and is buried in the Returned Services Section of the Pukekohe Public
Cemetery.

In Memoriam
Memorial board; Silverdale RSA.
Pukekohe RSA Plot 042.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Record
Ancestry
The NZEF Project
Flotilla Australia
History of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade

Researched by David Squires

Henry Herbert DELL

Service Number: 43195
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Sergeant
Died: 22 August 1956
Age: 67 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 049

Pre-war
Henry Herbert was born in Pukekohe on 30 January 1889 to Henry DELL
and Elizabeth/Eliza Jane DILWORTH. Henry Snr arrived in the Franklin area
in 1878 and met the young Pukekohe born Eliza and they married in 1888.
Henry Jnr enrolled at Pukekohe School on 30 April 1894, Registry No. 882.
Henry Snr was a saddler by trade and his son Henry Herbert learnt the skills
from his father. Henry Snr had been a member of the Pukekohe Mounted
Rifles, resigning in 1904 with the rank of Captain. As a child Henry Jnr was
always enamoured with military displays and during one such event he
mounted his little pony and followed his father in the procession.

Family photo Henry, Henry,

Enlistment and Training Eliza, Vera

Henry Jnr enlisted on 20 November 1916 in Pukekohe. On 9 January 1917

the following appeared in the New Zealand Herald –

“Volunteers for Camp” –Volunteers for the Auckland Military District for the 25th Reinforcements for

NZEF would be the last of the continuous series of voluntarily-enlisted quotas.

They numbered 260 men and 23 non-commissioned officers, Henry Herbert, saddler of Pukekohe,

among them. They were to head south for Wellington by a special train after marching down

Wellesley Street and Queen Street to the station. In late April Henry Jnr and several other Pukekohe

soldiers were formally farewelled by local groups.

He embarked 31 May 1917 aboard Moeraki and headed for Sydney where they transhipped on to

Port Lincoln and headed to Suez, Egypt, as part of the 26th Reinforcements,

Mounted Rifles.

Service Abroad
On 16 August 1917 Henry arrived in Suez and was officially
transferred to the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Training Regiment
and a month later to the Auckland Mounted Rifles and of course
“Mounted” in the desert meant horses and camels.
Henry wrote as often as possible to his parents who appear to
have willingly shared some of them through the Pukekohe and
Waiuku Times.
On 3 March 1918 he wrote from Palestine giving descriptions of
historic places he had seen. He also acknowledged with pleasure the
receipt of a cake from Waiau Pa and said “it came as a very welcome
change from bully beef and biscuits.”

On 5 December 1918 Henry wrote from a rest camp at Rishon, and on 31 January 1919 several parts
of that letter appeared – “It is great to know that the war is over, and soon we will all be on our way
for home. We are having plenty of sport lately – viz, horse racing, football, etc., so the days pass on,
but all the same we are anxiously waiting for the order to pack up”.
A more serious image was given from a second portion of his letter when he spoke about visiting the
grave of a certain Pukekohe soldier who was buried on the Mount of Olives, and he could assure the
bereaved relatives that the grave would be well looked after.
Henry returned to Auckland on 8 August aboard the Ulimaroa as part of Draft 271. He was formally
discharged on 5 September 1919 carrying the rank of Saddler Sergeant of the Auckland Mounted
Rifles after 2 years and 70 days service abroad and 169 days in New Zealand. He received the British
War Medal and Victory Medal.

Post-war
On completion of his military career Henry
returned to Pukekohe and again joined his father
in his saddlery business which occupied Dell’s
Corner for many decades. However, in October
1920 Henry Snr retired after 35 years’ service.
Henry Herbert continued the business in the same
building under the same banner H Dell & Son.
In December 1925 a letter was received by the
editor of the New Zealand Herald from a Palestine farmer. He asked that a heartfelt tribute to the
Anzacs be printed and testified to the esteem in which the soldiers were held, both for the valour
during the campaign but also the chivalry to the people. He wished the Australian and New Zealand
Mounted troops who were camped at Rishon-le-Zion a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year among
other comments. Franklin Times asked Henry for a comment. He expressed memories of a service
held on 14 November 1918 on the outskirts of Rishon-le-Zion. At that service the Jewish people
pledged to look after the graves of the fallen. They made wreaths and placed them on each
headstone. They promised to continue the honour each year at Christmas. He was thankful they
had honoured the promise as heavy fighting had taken place in that area with the Auckland
Mounted Rifles sustaining heavy casualties.
Henry married Jane LAUER on 6 January 1926 and they had three sons, two of whom worked in the
business, Maurice for a short time and Grahame until he retired, having taken over the business on
his father’s death. A third son, Laurie, became a chemist. Henry serviced the horse community all
his life but also had a love for the horses themselves. He gave this love and understanding of horses
to many from the generations that followed.
Henry passed away because of a stroke on 22 August 1956. Jane passed away on 6 September 1988
and rests with her husband.

In Memoriam
Henry is buried in the Pukekohe RSA cemetery Plot 049.

Sources
New Zealand BDM
PapersPast
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Archives New Zealand
Photographs – Cenotaph Online, Ancestry Dell Family Tree (delltk99), Mr Grahame Dell

Researched by Lois Hopping

Barend Alexander DeVRIES

Service Number: 12/926
Regiment: Auckland Infantry
Last known Rank: Sergeant
Died: 3 June 1941
Age: 53 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe Public Presbyterian
Section Row H Plot 113

Pre-war

Barend Alexander DeVRIES was born on 29 October 1886 in Cape
Town, South Africa, the fifth of eight children of Marthinus
Christian De VRIES (1852- 1905) and Elizabeth Wilhelmina
Cornelia VOS (1854-1940). Marthinus and Elizabeth were
married in Cape Town on 2 August 1876. In 1882 Marthinus was
an Apothecary. Both sides of Barend’s family had been living in
Cape Town for more than 100 years.
Barend came to New Zealand in October 1908 after he had spent two years in South Africa in the
cadets. In 1911 he was working as a labourer and living in Buckland. He gave his address in early
1914 as Whangarata, but on enlistment said he was living in Pokeno.

Enlistment and Training

Barend enlisted on 14 August 1914 and gave his next of kin as his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth De VRIES,
Observatory Rd, Cape Colony, South Africa, and he gave his last occupation as working for the
New Zealand Railways as a Platelayer.
Barend was Presbyterian, single and he was described as 5 feet 9½ inches (176cms), 156 lbs (71kgs)
with a dark complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair.
His military records have his name as Berand Alexandra DeVRIES.

Service Abroad

Barend embarked from Wellington as a Private on 16
October 1914 and arrived in Suez on 3 December 1914. On
12 April 1915 he was moved from Alexandria to the
Dardanelles where on 2 May he received gunshot wounds in
the hip. He was invalided back to New Zealand on the
Willochra on 15 July 1915.
On 17 November 1915 Barend arrived back in Egypt on the
HMNZT31 Tahiti and was transferred to the Base Camp on
31 December 1915. On 29 January 1916 he rejoined his unit
at Moascar and left from Port Said on 16 April 1916 on the
Franconia to join the 7th reinforcements in Marseilles,
France. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 26
September 1916 and then on 16 January 1917 to Corporal.
Barend was attached for a short time to the NZ Engineers
on 12 March 1917 to help with cable laying.

On 7 July 1917 Barend was severely wounded in the knee in France and was evacuated to a
New Zealand Hospital at Walton for treatment. After two months he was transferred to Hornchurch
to convalesce and then joined the New Zealand Depot, but by 24 October he was back in Hornchurch
for further convalescence.
In May 1918 Barend was admitted to the New Zealand General Hospital with scabies. On discharge
he was declared unfit and on 9 January 1919 he returned to NZ on the Maunganui. He was finally
discharged and declared no longer physically fit for war service on account of an injury sustained on
active service. He had served overseas for 4 years and 1 day and 176 days in New Zealand.

Post-war

Barend went to live at Totara Ave, Pukekohe on 6 July 1919
and began working as a Carter from Manukau Rd.
Pukekohe. In 1924 he married Florence Macey BEAGLEY
(1897- 1971), eldest child of Esau BEAGLEY (1875-1961)
and Sarah McMILLAN (1874-1963).
Barend and Florence had 5 children: Bernard Alexander
(Bernie), Elizabeth Patricia (Betty), Arthur David, Theresa
and Florence Macey.
By 1928 Barend and Florence had moved to Victoria St and
Barend was still working in his own Carrying business.
He was involved in several community activities, namely:
Lodge, a member of the A&P Society and on the
committee of the Poultry Club.
Barend did not keep good health, having operations in
1927 and 1928 and died in 1941. Florence continued to
live in Victoria St, Pukekohe until her death on 13 February
1971. She is also buried in the Pukekohe cemetery.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe Cemetery, Presbyterian section,
Row H, Plot 113.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Archives New Zealand, Probates
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Ancestry
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Google
Papers Past Wedding report Franklin Times 6 Aug 1924; A & P

Franklin times 29 Nov 1926; Poultry Club 9 Mar 1928; Hospital
Franklin Times 16 Nov 1927 and 4 July 1928; Obit Franklin Times 4
June 1941

Researched by Barbara Raven

Herbert Edward DOBBS

Service Number: SA 8945
Regiment: 10th Contingent
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 2 July 1955
Age: 75 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 039

Pre-war

Herbert Edward DOBBS was born in 1880 in Peterborough, England, the second of nine children of
James Edward DOBBS (1860-1941) and Selena MARKLEY (1860-1891). James and Selena were
married in Croyden, England in 1880 and came to Port Chalmers, New Zealand in 1883 on the
Trevalyan and settled in Wanganui. After Selena’s death, James remarried, and two more children
were added to the family. Herbert was at school between 1888 and 1891 at Terrace End,
Palmerston North, the records say he came from Christchurch and left school for ‘home’ in 1891.

Enlistment and Training
Herbert enlisted for the 2nd South African War
(Boer War) and was posted to the Ruahine
Mounted Rifles as part of the 10th contingent.
He gave his employer as J DOBBS of
Ormondville, Waipawa, Hawkes Bay for whom
he was a labourer and his next of kin as his
brother, A DOBBS.
His address was Ormondville,
Waipawa.
Herbert gave his religion as
Anglican and is described as 5
feet 4 inches (162cms) tall and
a 160 lbs (72kgs) with a dark
complexion, blue eyes and dark
hair.

Service Abroad

Herbert embarked on the
Drayton Grange from
Wellington on the 14 April
1902. The troops were
responding to the defeat
suffered by the British forces at Tweebosch on 7 March 1902. The ship arrived on 27 May, and the
men were stationed at Newcastle in Natal for three days before the peace accord was signed. By
July 1902 he was home in New Zealand and was discharged on 9 July 1902 after 145 days service.

Herbert received the South African Medal, forwarded to Doctor A.A. Martin at Herbert’s request. Dr
Martin then forwarded the medal on to Herbert.

Post-war

NOTE: Herbert Edward DOBBS appears to have used a variety of names post war. He married his first
wife under the name Herbert Edward but the second, using Alfred. His will was Alfred, but when his
wife notified the Defence Department of his death she called him Herbert Edward and, on her
headstone, he is referred to as Bert. He is on electoral rolls with various combinations of these
names.

In 1907 Herbert married Elizabeth Louisa LEVETT nee OTTAWAY (1880-1955). Elizabeth was the
second of nine children of Frederick Charles OTTAWAY (1847-1928) and Elizabeth Ellen TUKE (1858-
1930).
Elizabeth Louisa had married John James LEVETT on 13 April 1897 and they had lived in the
Palmerston North and Wanganui areas until John’s death in 1906.

In 1911 Herbert and Elizabeth were living in High St, Opotiki and Ernest was a labourer. In 1914 they
were still in Opotiki but later in the year they moved to Ngatapa, Gisborne and when he registered
on the 1916 Nominal roll as Herbert Edward Dobbs, he was living at Motuhora, working as a
labourer. On the 1919 electoral roll they were living in Motuhora, Gisborne, where Ernest was a
firewood contractor.

In 1925 he married Elizabeth Esther JACKSON under the name
of Alfred Herbert Edward DOBBS. Elizabeth Esther was the
second of eight children of Alexander JACKSON (1856-1908)
and Jane Marshall MUIR (1877-1948). Herbert and Elizabeth
Esther had five daughters: Dorothy Rose, Eunice May, Ruby
Thelma, Colleen Joy and Betty Irene.
In 1928 and 1935 Elizabeth Esther and Herbert (under the
name Alfred on the roll) were living at Opunake and Herbert
gave his occupation as a seaman. On the 1938 electoral roll
Elizabeth Esther was living at National Park, but Herbert was
not on an electoral roll. In 1949 they were living at Aka Aka,
Waiuku and by 1954 they had moved to Main Rd, Paerata.

Herbert died on 2 July 1955 and Elizabeth continued living in Main Rd, Paerata until 1963 when she
moved to Aka Aka. She died on 7 April 1966 at Otahuhu and is buried in Pukekohe Cemetery.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Plot 039.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Ancestry – info and photo
NZHistory – South African War
Wilson Collection - marriages
Papers Past: Enlistment, NZ Times 5 Feb 1902
Researched by Barbara Raven

James Thomas DOUGLAS

Service Number: 55209
Regiment: New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Last known Rank: Rifleman
Died: 20 March 1951
Age: 73 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 025

Pre-war
James was born in March 1878 (although his military record said 1877). He was the eldest child of
John DOUGLAS (1844-1903) and Elizabeth Ann ROUTLEY (1849-1911). He had three brothers and
three sisters.

Enlistment and Training
He enlisted in Auckland in May 1917, together with his brother William Robert (who was awarded a
DCM) and was recorded as being single, 5 feet 7inches (170cm), 141 lbs (64kg) of fair complexion,
blue eyes, brown hair, and Presbyterian.
He stated that he was a self-employed farmer at Pukekohe and gave his sister, Mrs W.A. DICKEY of
Kohekohe, near Waiuku as next of kin as both his parents had died by this time.
He trained at Trentham and Featherston and was initially posted to J Company of the
28th Reinforcements. Over the next few months, he was posted to several different companies and
eventually to B Company of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade and left on the Athenic bound for
Liverpool in November 1917.

Service Abroad
James saw some active service in France
1917-1918 before being discharged as
medically unfit due to rheumatism aggravated
by the wet and cold conditions.

He had served a total of 1 year 60 days, 334
days of that overseas before coming home to
New Zealand on the Ulimoroa in May 1918.

James received both the British War Medal
and Victory medal

His signature from his will

Post-war
James returned to Pukekohe and the farm after the war.
Douglas Road was named after his family as his father had
owned several parcels of land in this location and it was
here that James also farmed.
He appeared in the newspaper regularly having the top
price for his cattle at stock sales.
In September 1920 he married Ethel Annie BROCKELSBY
(1900-1928) and they had six children before Ethel died in
1928 at the young age of 28.
On 30 March 1931 he married Margaret Inglis McNEIL
(1906-1953) they were to have five children.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 025.
Puni District Roll of Honour (now in the Puni School Hall).

Sources
New Zealand Archives, Military records and Probate
Wilson Collection
Ancestry Family Trees
Papers Past
Google maps
Researched by Heather Maloney

William Robert DOUGLAS DCM

Service Number: 53765
Regiment: New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Last known Rank: Rifleman
Died: 28 May 1966
Age: 80 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe Pres Row D Plot 025

Pre-war
William Robert DOUGLAS was born on 13 July 1886. He was the fifth child of John DOUGLAS (1844-
1903) and Elizabeth Ann ROUTLEY (1849-1911) and he had three brothers and three sisters. He
would have attended the Pukekohe West School which was located where the Pukekohe cemetery
now is.
Douglas Road, Pukekohe was named after his family as his father had owned several parcels of land
in this location and it was here that William initially farmed.
In 1915 he had moved to Kohekohe and was farming there until his death.

He married Ethel Doris WOODS (1896-1951) in
June 1917 at the house of his sister, Emma
DICKEY at Waipipi, near Waiuku.

Enlistment and Training
He enlisted in Auckland in May 1917, together
with his brother James Thomas DOUGLAS and
was recorded as being 5 feet 11 inches
(180cms), 157 lbs (71kgs) of medium
complexion, hazel eyes and black hair. He
stated that he was a self-employed farmer at
Kohekohe and gave his sister,
Mrs W.A. DICKEY as next of kin as both his
parents had died by this time. He was
however married after enlistment and before
embarking. In his letter seeking an
exemption, dated 16 February 1917, he stated
he had only been on this farm for 18 months
and would need to get his farming operation
in order before he could serve overseas.
He trained at Trentham and Featherston and was initially posted to H Company of the
28th Reinforcements but soon transferred to the 27th Reinforcements.

Service Abroad

William was posted to C Company of the New
Zealand Rifle Brigade and proceeded overseas
on the HMNZT 88 Athenic bound for Liverpool,
arriving in September 1917. Here he joined the
4th Battalion and arrived in France just after the
Battle of Passchendaele, in wet and boggy
conditions.

He was awarded the
Distinguished Conduct
Medal for his actions in
France.

William returned to New Zealand on 19 April 1919 aboard the Pakeha after serving a total of 2 years
and 72 days – 1 year and 319 days overseas in the Western European theatre of war.
William was presented with his medal on Saturday, 24 April 1920 in Auckland by the Prince of Wales

during his visit to New Zealand.

Post-war

William came home to his farm at Kohekohe. He and
Ethel had four children, three sons and a daughter.
He had pedigree jersey dairy cows and topped the sales
with his prime lambs. He also served on the Waipipi
Rabbit Board in 1932.

In Memoriam

Pukekohe Cemetery, PKPRS Row D Plot 025.
Puni Memorial Board, now in the Puni School Hall.
Waiuku and Districts Memorial Board, Waiuku Town Hall.

Sources

Archives New Zealand – military records and probate
Auckland Museum – cenotaph

New Zealand BDM Part of the Memorial Board at Waiuku Town Hall

Ancestry Family Trees

Papers Past: Wedding report, Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, 22 June 1917; Medal ceremony, NZ Herald 22 April 1920;

Pedigree Jersey sale, Franklin Times 11 Sept 1933; Prime lambs, NZ Herald 21 Dec 1938

Researched by Heather Maloney

Frederick James DUNCAN

Service Number: 67964
Regiment: Auckland Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 20 December 1962
Age: 65 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 092

Pre-war
Fred was born at Waitekauri on the 25 January 1897, the third son of John and Jane DUNCAN. He
had four siblings who grew to adulthood, Amelia (born 1883), John (born 1888), Frank (born 1892)
and Ivy (born 1900) but was the only one to serve in the armed forces.

John and Jane (nee Lees) had met at Wade (what we now think of as Silverdale) where Jane’s family
had arrived from Birmingham in 1864 and had established a trading business. John was a Scottish-
born carpenter; just when he arrived in New Zealand is not totally clear, but they were married at
Wade on 8 August 1877. John died in 1903, and Jane brought the family to Pukekohe to live.
Jane’s Lees relations then owned the general store which subsequently became Perkins’ Storei.

Fred was a wheelwright, according to his enlistment papers, working for Mr C Penny before joining
the army. His obituary in NZ Herald also notes that he had been apprenticed as a builder.

Enlistment and Service Abroad
Fred enlisted in October 1917, initially joining the 16th
Waikato Regiment, and embarked on the Balmoral
Castle leaving Wellington on 2 May 1918, arriving in
London 21 June, with D Company, 36th Reinforcement
of 1 NZEF. He went to France as part of the Auckland
Battalion in September 1918 and was wounded in
October. He spent some months in hospital, first in
France, then in Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow, in
Hornchurch Convalescent Hospital and in London,
including operations to remove shrapnel from his back.

Fred returned to New Zealand on the Ambulance
Transport Zealandic, departing London on 18 January
1919 and arriving in Wellington on 28 February 1919.

Post-war
Fred’s two older brothers John (who had learned building) and Frank (a highly skilled cabinetmaker)
had established a building company, Duncan Bros, in Pukekohe in 1912, and Fred and his brothers
are recorded as having built and donated an altar to the Anglican church in Pukekohe in 1916ii. After
recuperation from his war wounds, Fred joined the building firm, until he finally retired from it as a
director in 1960.

Fred did not allow his war wounds, and his impaired lung function, to get in the way of his life. Prior
to enlistment, Fred had been a member of the St Andrews Church Choiriii, and he was a founding
member of the Pukekohe Amateur Operatic Societyiv, and performed in several of their shows. He
was in heavy demand as MC of social events, such as ballsv,vi and other events,vii,viii. Fred was very
active in Pukekohe Golf Club (including winning trophiesix,x), in billiards, in the Franklin Club (of
which he was made a life member), in the Masonic Lodge and in the Oddfellows Lodgexi,xii(of which
he was a member for more than 50 years).

Fred married Sybil Muriel Gwendoline (Gwen) FULTON at St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Auckland,
on 3 September 1943, and they had one son Ross Frederick (1945-2004).

In Memoriam

Fred is buried in the Pukekohe RSA cemetery – Plot 092.

Sources

i C Francesco, Preliminary Historic Heritage Assessment: Pukekohe – Paerata Structure Plan,
Auckland Council, August 2017, pp 134-5
ii Papers Past: Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 222, 31 October 1916, Page 2
iii Papers Past: Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 343, 8 January 1918, Page 2
iv Papers Past: Franklin Times, Volume 11, Issue 856, 26 October 1923, Page 4
v Papers Past: Franklin Times, Volume 14, Issue 267, 19 August 1925, Page 4
vi Papers Past: Franklin Times, Volume 11, Issue 827, 27 July 1923, Page 4
vii Papers Past: Franklin Times, Volume 10, Issue 838, 1 June 1923, Page 4
viii Papers Past: Franklin Times, Volume 14, Issue 205, 20 November 1925, Page 5
ix Papers Past: Franklin Times, Volume 18, Issue 68, 18 June 1928, Page 5
x Papers Past: Franklin Times, Volume 23, Issue 121, 16 October 1933, Page 5
xi Papers Past: Franklin Times, Volume 10, Issue 846, 29 June 1923, Page 4
xii Papers Past: Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 736, 2 June 1922, Page 6

Researched by family members John Duncan and Karen Duncan

Arthur Frederick ELKINGTON

Service Number: 13/136
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last known Rank: Trooper
Died: 22 March 1960
Age: 74 years*
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 069

*Age at death differs from plaque.

Pre-war
Arthur Frederick ELKINGTON, known as Archie, was born in Ponsonby, Auckland 8 November 1885
and was brought up the youngest, with an older brother and two older sisters. His mother, Annie
Elizabeth BLANCHARD was born at Cowes, Isle of Wight, Hampshire and his father, James Ingle
Elkington, was born in New Zealand and his early family were from England.
Archie became a horseman and driver. He married Frederica KERWIN at St Peter’s Church, Onehunga
8 April 1907. They were to have six daughters and one son.

Enlistment and Training
Archie attested at Epsom, Auckland 17 September 1914. He was a driver living and working in Three
Kings Road, Mt Roskill and had his wife as next-of-kin.
He was described as being 6 feet 1 inch (185cm), and having a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown
hair.

Service Abroad
As a Trooper in the Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment Archie was sent to Egypt as part of the Main
Body, 1st New Zealand Expeditionary Force, the largest force to ever leave New Zealand.
On 24 September, just six days after his attestation, he boarded HMNZT 8 Star of India in Auckland.
The Auckland ships were to rendezvous in the Tasman Sea with ships carrying troops from the rest of
New Zealand but were ordered back within 24 hours of sailing because of concern that the convoy did
not have enough protection. The troops left the ships and resumed training. They did not sail again
until 10 October when they sailed to Wellington to join the convoy which left on 16 October 1914,
further protected by the armoured cruiser HMS Minotaur and the Japanese battleship IJM Ibuki.

The fleet of troopships which transported the Main Body of the NZEF and their escort in Wellington Harbour, 15 October
1914. Image courtesy of Matt Pomeroy.

The convoy stopped at Hobart, Albany Western Australia (where it was joined by 28 Australian
troopships), Colombo Sri Lanka and then continued to Egypt arriving on 3 December 1914.

On 27 November 1914 Archie attended a Medical Board on board ship with the following finding:

“The Board are of the opinion he is suffering from a contracture of the flexors of his right hand and
also of an anaesthesia of the right hand and lower forearm as the result of an injury sustained by him
three years ago. He made a statement that he joined the E.F. with the conditions that he should be
forthwith invalided out of the force as his right hand is useless.”

Archie was transferred to
HMNZT 3 Maunganui on 4
December at Port Said to be
sent back to New Zealand
(invalided) as unfit for
service. His foreign service
ended on 11 January 1915.
He received his final
discharge on 4 October 1915
“being medically unfit for
active service although fit for
employment in civil life”.

Archie received the 1914-15
Star, the British War Medal
and the Victory Medal.

Post-war
Archie and Frederica lived at Alfred Street, Onehunga for the next while then moved to the Manurewa

and Papakura district where he leased land. They
owned a cow, but Archie’s love was his Clydesdale
horses which he would exhibit at shows. He also
broke in horses for people, mainly Standard breed
(Trotting) horses for racing. Archie’s horsemanship
was renown. There was a move to Papatoetoe and
then Archie and Frederica parted.
Archie moved to Helvetia, Pukekohe where he spent
his last years with his friend Louisa.

Archie died 22 March 1960 in Middlemore Hospital aged 74.

In Memoriam
Archie was buried in the Pukekohe Cemetery RSA-PLOT-069.

Sources

Elkington Family
New Zealand Archives, Military records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Papers Past
Ancestry
NZ History WW1
Researched by Penny Prescott

Henry Wilson ESTALL

Service Number: 3/3562
Regiment: Medial Corps
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 8 October 1985
Age: 89 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 245

Pre-war
Henry Wilson ESTALL was born in Wellington 4 June 1896 and was known as Roy. He was the son of
Henry William Estall and Agnes Wilson MCKAY. Roy’s father had been born in New Zealand and
previous family were from England and Ireland. Ada was from Scotland. Roy’s parents later divorced
and both remarried.

Enlistment and Training
Roy enlisted 28 April 1917.
He was residing in Ohaupo Road, Hamilton and was a Chemist’s assistant working for J Baillie chemists,
Victoria Street, Hamilton. His next of kin was his mother Mrs A W McCARTY of Lipsey Park, Te Aroha.
Roy’s height was 5 feet 11 inches (180cms), he weighed 158 lbs (72kgs), his complexion was dark, his
eyes were brown, his hair was dark brown, and his medical record showed that he had had diphtheria.
When attending Wellington College Roy had been in 1st Company Cadets. He had been registered for
compulsory Military training in Wellington and was recently in the fifth Mounted Ambulance.
He volunteered for the 30th Regiment.

Service Abroad
On 13 October 1917 Roy embarked. Both the Corinthic and the Arawa carried the 30th
Reinforcements, New Zealand medical
Corps, that day. Roy spent a year and
312 days overseas.
On 8 December they disembarked at
Liverpool, and he was sent to Aldershot
Military camp in Hampshire.
Records show he was attached to the
New Zealand infantry at Etaples in the
north of France then joined the No. 4.
New Zealand Field Ambulance.
Unfortunately, Roy was gassed and
returned to England on the Princess
Elizabeth hospital ship to Brockenhurst
Hospital.
On 14 June 1918 he was discharged to
duty at the New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst.

Roy embarked at Liverpool 2 July 1919 on the vessel Somerset and returned to New Zealand on 20
August. His final discharge was 18 September 1919.
Roy was received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Post-war
Later in 1919 Roy was living at 26a Campbell Street in Palmerston North and was an assistant chemist.
On 17 July 1923 Roy married Ida Katinka RONBERG at the Danish Lutheran Church, Palmerston North
and a reception afterwards was at the bride’s parents’ residence.
By 1927 Roy and Ida were living in Pukekohe in Hall Street and it was there that their son was born in
1928 followed by two daughters.

In April 1927 Roy took over a business in King Street
Pukekohe from Blyth Harper; and renamed it ‘H W
Estall’. In October he was elected to the Pukekohe
Chamber of Commerce committee.
Roy advertised his latest offers in the Franklin Times and
was often suggesting medical advice and remedies in the ‘Items of Interest’ column.
Roy’s past-time involved sports. He joined the Pukekohe Bowling Club in 1928 and enjoyed competing
in tournaments. He later was an avid golf player and played cricket for the United Cricket Club. He
joined the Masons: Lodge St. James No. 244 Drury in 1928.
In 1937 Roy and Ida bought a property in West Street and two years later had built a two- storey art
deco home. They used this home for fund-raising events such as a party in 1940 to raise funds for the
sick, wounded, and distressed.
In 1954 Henry and Ida moved to 106 Harris Street.
Henry’s son took over the pharmacy in 1959.
Henry Wilson Estall passed away on 8 October
1985, aged 89, and Ida Katinka Estall on 10 August
1986.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 245.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Record
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Papers Past
Ancestry
Familysearch
New Zealand Gazette’
New Zealand Navy Museum
National Army Museum
Madonnewzealand – Shop Photo

Researched by Penny Prescott

The house in West Street Pukekohe

Wilfred EVISON

Service Number: T4/252488
Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 27 May 1980
Age: 83 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 199

Pre-war

Wilfred EVISON was born 2 October 1896 in
Rotherham, Yorkshire, England, the fourth child of ten
to James EVISON (1860-1938), a butcher, then farmer
and Charlotte STEER (1866-1942). He had two sisters
and seven brothers, one of whom died as an infant.
His brother James also served in WW1.
In 1910 his registration as a Temporary Boy Clerk
appeared in the London Gazette but in the 1911 UK
census, he is working on the home farm near
Campsall, living with his mother and siblings.

Enlistment and Training

Wilfred was a part time (auxiliary) soldier of Britain’s Territorial Force (TF) and as such he would
have attended a local drill hall in the West Riding region. Each unit possessed at least one General
Service Wagon for the transportation of stores on which it could practise. Every year an annual
training camp took place in summer and the men were paid a cash bounty. Wilfred was an Army
Service Corps driver, but this could have been a horse drawn dray or mechanical transport, such as a
steam engine.

Service Abroad

His detailed military records have not been found but his medal card indicates that he served in
France from 15 April 1915. This means that he was part of the 49th West Riding Division which was
responsible for providing the wagons that would carry supplies for the infantry division.
In March 1915 the Division was warned it would go on overseas service and entrainment began on
12 April. Wilfred would have gone from Southampton to Le Havre and the Division remained in
France and Flanders. During 1915 they took part in the Battle of Aubers Ridge and provided defence
against the first Phosgene attack and in 1916 Wilfred would have been involved in the Battle of the
Somme.
Wilfred had two regimental numbers as there was a reorganisation of numbering carried out in
1917. His earlier number was T/3534.

Wilfred was finally
stood down from full
time service on 13
February 1919.

Men of the Royal Army
Service Corps, with
their wagon loaded
with supplies, pose for
the photo.

Post-war
On 19 October 1922, 26 year old Wilfred departed for a new life in Australia aboard SS Beltana,
listed as a farmer with his last address Woodville House, Hull.
Wilfred was initially a tramway employee, then seemed to take various labouring roles. In 1924 he
married Marjorie BURDEN, who was born in England. They were to live in the outer suburbs of
Melbourne until Marjorie’s death on 13 August 1972.
After her death Wilfred came to New Zealand to live in Pukekohe with his sister Charlotte HALL and
his niece Mary WILLIAMSON, to whom he left his estate.

In Memoriam
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery
Plot 199.
Roll of Honour St Mary
Magdalene Church,
Campsall, England, photo

supplied.

Sources

Ancestry - British Military
records
Great War forum -Peter and
other very helpful members
Census records England
New Zealand electoral rolls

Researched by Heather Maloney

Edward J FAHEY

Service Number: SA2364 and SA7038
Regiment: 5th and 9th Contingent
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 25 April 1956
Age: 82 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 045

Pre-war

Edward (Joseph seems to have been added after his birth registration) FAHEY was born in 1873, the
third of eight children of Edward FAHEY (1842-1913) and Ellen McCORMICK (1843-1925). Ellen and
Edward Snr. were both born in Galway, Ireland and were married on 13 September 1864 at
St Patrick’s, Liverpool on their way to London to board the Bombay to sail to New Zealand as part of
the Waikato Immigration Scheme.
They settled in Bombay which was originally known as Williamson’s Clearing. There they bought
property at the corner of what is now Wootten and Chamberlin Roads and built a six-bedroom
home, which was burnt down in 1891. Both Edward and Ellen were buried in the Pukekohe Catholic
Cemetery.
Edward Joseph attended school at Bombay from 1879 until 1888 when he left to work on the farm.
Prior to signing up for the Boer War, Edward Joseph was living in Bombay, but he had been working
at the Martha Mine, Waihi, as a Miner.

Enlistment and Training

Edward Joseph was

drafted from the Number

3 Unit of the Ohinemuri

Rifles in which he had

been a Private for 2

years. He named his

father, Edward, as his

next of kin on his

enlistment for the 2nd

South African War

(Boer War). Edward

Joseph’s older brother,

Stephen Patrick (known

as Patrick) also went to

the Boer War as part of

the 6th contingent.

Edward Joseph was
Roman Catholic and was
described as 5 feet 11
inches (180cms), weighing 167 lbs (75kgs), with a dark complexion, blue eyes and dark hair.

Service Abroad
Edward Joseph sailed from Wellington on 31 March 1900 on the Māori as part of the 5th Contingent,
11th company. These men volunteered in response to a British request for more troops who would
serve with British units. Edward Fahey, Trooper of the 5th Contingent disembarked at Beira and by
the end of April the contingent was fighting at Elands River. They were then based at the Kimberley-
Vryburg Railway, in southwest Transvaal. Edward served for 1 year 57 days and was then given
leave from 11 July 1901 to 11 August 1901 when he was discharged at Wellington.

On 19 March 1902, Edward Joseph re-enlisted and sailed back to South Africa on the Devon. This
time he was a Sergeant in the Mounted Rifles, 9th Contingent. He served a further 33 days and was
then transferred to the Australian Depot on 6 July 1902. According to a letter in his military file, he
then appears to have joined the Police in Johannesburg for several months before returning to
New Zealand.

Post-war
Edward returned to farming in Bombay and married Mary Jane ANDERTON (1879-1943) in 1904.
In 1905 and 1911 Edward Snr and Edward Joseph were both farming in Bombay. Mary Jane and
Edward Joseph continued farming at Mile Road, Bombay until Edward Joseph’s death, although in
1916 he had given his address as Mercer, a sheep farmer.
Mary Jane and Edward Joseph had four sons and one daughter. In 1953 all the family were still living
in Bombay.
He owned 30 acres in Lots 78, 80 and 83 at Bombay and the
area has a road named after the family.

Mary Jane died on 13 September 1943 and is buried at
Bombay Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
Edward Joseph died on 25 April 1956 and was buried in the
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery.
In his will he left his watch to his grandson, Edward Joseph and
his watch chain to Terrence, another grandson.

In Memoriam
Bombay 1914-1919 Memorial Gates.
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 045.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Archives New Zealand, Probates
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Google – Passenger lists for ship Bombay
NZ History online
Papers Past: House fire, Auckland Star 26 Sept 1891; Mother’s obit, Franklin Times 24 July 1925

Researched by Barbara Raven

Edgar FARR

Service Number: 7007
Regiment: 14th Battalion AIF
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 18 August 1975
Age: 88 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 191

Pre-war
Edgar was born in Manningford Bruce, Wiltshire, England in January 1887, the son of Maurice FARR
and Ann HAWKINS. He was the ninth child of twelve children, nine boys and three girls. The family
were farm labourers and in the 1901 census, Edgar age 14, is described as a plough boy.
Edgar immigrated to Australia, departing London on 12 November 1910 aboard the Miltiades bound
for Sydney.
By 1914, Edgar was living in Portland, Victoria, with his occupation listed as Groom.

Enlistment and Training
In October 1916, Edgar volunteered to enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). He attended a
recruitment centre in Portland where he was medically examined and assessed as fit for active service.
He was 28 years 9 months old, 5 feet 9 inches (175cm) tall and weighed 144 lbs (65kg).
Edgar was transferred to Melbourne, where he signed his Attestation papers on 16 October, giving his
next of kin as his father, Maurice Farr, Wiltshire, England. His occupation was stated as Groom.
Edgar was assigned serial number 7007 and posted to 14th Infantry Battalion (23rd Reinforcements)
and sent to Royal Park Camp on 1 November for six weeks basic training.

On 16 December 1916 Edgar embarked at Melbourne aboard HMAT A7 Medic bound for England.

Service Abroad

Military records confirm that the Medic arrived in Plymouth on the 18 February 1917. Upon

disembarkation, Edgar was transferred to Sutton Mandeville, and on 4 March he was attached to the

4th Training Battalion. On 8 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital Dartford
August 1917, he was kicked by

a horse. There is no specific

detail as to where this

occurred. The next entry, 9

August, shows that Edgar was

admitted to Hursley Park Camp

Hospital with a right forearm

fracture, requiring surgery, and

was transferred to No. 3

Australian Auxiliary Hospital at

Dartford.

He was to spend a total of 39 days in Hospital before being discharged on 8 October 1917. The fracture
left him with limited movement and inability to fully close his right fist. (There is a handwritten note
in the medical files which reads “in the field France?”). Upon discharge, he was assessed as unfit for
active duty for more than 6 months, and recommended he be returned to Australia.
Edgar arrived at an Embarkation camp on 18 January 1918, prior to departing aboard HMAT A14
Euripides on 30 January. He arrived back in Australia on 21 March 1918 and was discharged from the
AIF on 27 April 1918.

Post-war
After discharge, Edgar returned to Portland, and is recorded as living there in 1919. Shortly afterwards
he immigrated to New Zealand, married Mabel Frances HOBSON in 1923, and by 1928 was farming at
Bombay.
During 1924 the AIF mailed a British War Medal to an E Farr at a Culverden address in Southland, but
this was returned with no forwarding address. In 1938 the New Zealand RSA wrote on Edgar’s behalf
to the Australian Army records in Canberra requesting the issue of his medals. It was acknowledged
that Edgar was entitled to the British War Medal, and this was subsequently mailed to him c/- the
Pukekohe RSA.
On 13 May 1949, Edgar’s wife Mabel died, she is buried in the Purewa Cemetery, Meadowbank,
Auckland.
Edgar continued to live in the Bombay area and in 1963 he married Patricia Dorothy TUNNICLIFFE.

Edgar died on 18 August 1975.

In Memoriam
Edgar is buried in the Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 191.

Sources
National Archives Australia
3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital Dartford
birtwistlewiki.com.au
Ancestry.com

Researched by David Squires

Percy Thomas FIELD

Service Number: 1/164 and 10/2391
Regiment: Wellington Regiment
Last known Rank: Lieutenant
Died: 10 July 1944
Age: 58 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 004

Pre-war
Percy Thomas FIELD was born in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia on 23 August 1886, the eldest
son of Joseph FIELD and Elizabeth GILBERT. Educated at Dubbo District School and at Melbourne
College, he studied accountancy. Percy was initially employed as a station clerk on the property
occupied by his father, and later with a firm of Sydney accountants. In 1913, Percy immigrated to
New Zealand and settled in Wellington, employed as an accountant for New Zealand Railways.

Enlistment and Training
Percy enlisted on 9 August, only four days after the declaration of war. He
underwent his medical examination the same day, he was 29 years old,
weighed 129 lbs (58kg) and was 5 feet 9 inches (175cm) tall. Percy was passed
as fit for active service and signed his Attestation form. He stated that he had
served three years with the Australian Light Horse, so he had military
experience. He was assigned serial number 1/164 and posted to 5th Wellington
Regiment. At the outbreak of the First World War the 5th Regiment was
ordered to Samoa as part of the 1,400 strong Samoa Expeditionary Force.

Without any additional training, Percy embarked with the 5th Wellington Regiment aboard the
troopships Monowai and Moeraki, sailing from Wellington on the morning of 15 August 1914.

Service Abroad
The Samoa Expeditionary Force landed in Apia on 29 August 1914. Percy was promoted to Lance
corporal on 9 August, and remained stationed in Samoa until 3 April 1915, when he returned to
Wellington arriving on 14 April 1915. Upon his return, Percy was issued with a new serial number
(10/2391) and was transferred to Trentham and posted to B Company, Wellington Infantry
Regiment. Six weeks later, on the 13 June 1915, Percy sailed with the Regiment aboard HMNZT 24
Manunganui bound for Egypt arriving on 24 July 1915.
On 8 August his Regiment arrived at Gallipoli and were immediately involved in fighting at Chunuk
Bair and Percy sustained a gunshot wound to the leg.
On the 10 August 1915, Percy was evacuated to the No. 16 Casualty Clearing Station at Mudros on
the island of Lemnos. From here he was transferred to 3rd London General Hospital aboard the
Hospital Ship Aquitania. He was admitted on 4 September 1915.
After treatment and convalescence, Percy was returned to Egypt on the troopship Ionic arriving in
Alexandria on 2 January 1916 and to his Regiment stationed at Ismailia the following day. On arrival,
Percy was posted to the 2nd Battalion and promoted to Sergeant.
The Regiment was on the move again in April, with the 2nd Battalion embarking for France aboard
the troopship Llandovery Castle which departed Alexandria on 10 April and arrived in Marseilles on
the 18 April.

On 16 June 1916, Percy was again wounded whilst in the trenches and admitted to No. 2 New
Zealand Field Ambulance and from there to the 1st Casualty Clearing Station. On 18 June, he was
admitted to 13th General Hospital in Boulogne where he remained until 22 June when he was
transferred on the Hospital Ship St Denis to the New Zealand Convalescent Camp at Grey Towers,
Hornchurch, England.
On 12 July 1917, Percy was nominated for Commission in the NZEF, and on 10 August, joined #4
Officer Cadet Battalion at Balliol College, Oxford. He qualified as a 2nd Lieutenant on 27 November
and was posted to No. 2 Discharge Depot at Torquay, pending a return for duty in New Zealand. On
10 January 1918, Percy embarked on the Arawa, but having no sooner arrived back in New Zealand
was ordered back to England and departed on the Balmoral Castle. On 24 April 1918, disembarking
London on 21 June, and attached to the Wellington Regiment Reserve at Sling Camp.
Whilst at Sling, Percy developed a Hernia and was transferred to No. 3 NZ General Hospital at
Codford for an operation and convalescence, and then on return to Sling Camp developed
Bronchitis. His ill health resulted in his medical status being changed to “unfit for service for 6
months” and was discharged to NZEF Headquarters.
On 19 May 1919 Percy was promoted to Lieutenant and embarked on HMNZT Ruahine at Plymouth
and arrived back in Wellington on 8 July 1919. He was discharged from the NZEF on 6 September
1919 having served a total of 5 years 33 days of which 4 years and 221 days was spent overseas.
Percy received the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Post-war
Percy initially returned to his pre-war employment with the Railways Department, but then decided
to take up land at Waitetuna near Raglan. On 14 December 1921 he re-enlisted in the New Zealand
Territorial Force and posted to the Waikato Mounted Rifles.
He married Irene Linda JOHNSON on 13 April 1925 in the Methodist Church, Levin, and for some
years the couple lived in Hamilton where Percy managed a motor transport business and was also
elected to the Hamilton Borough Council. Later they moved to Matamata where he had purchased a
farm. In 1932, Percy sold the farm in Matamata and moved to Pukekohe, taking up a small farm in
Princes Street. Percy was a member of the Pukekohe Borough Council for a term, and treasurer of
the Franklin RSA for some years and secretary of the Tuakau Transport Company. He was also a
member of the Pukekohe Fire Board.

He died in Greenlane Hospital on 10 July 1944 and was survived by his wife Irene and two sons.

Percy’s funeral at the Pukekohe RSA Plot was well attended with District organisations with which he
had been associated attending. Every affiliated branch of the Franklin R.S.A. was represented to
form an honour guard of sixty ex-soldiers.

In Memoriam
Percy is buried in the Pukekohe RSA cemetery Plot 004.

Sources
New Zealand Archives, Military record
Troopship information; navymuseum.co.nz
The Wellington Regiment, New Zealand History
Ancestry.com

Researched by David Squires

John Alexander FINDLAY

Service Number: 10802
Regiment: Cycle Corps
Last known Rank: Lance Corporal
Died: 2 May 1972
Age: 78 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 153

Pre-war
John Alexander FINDLAY was born 23 June 1893, to James and Elizabeth (nee COOK) Findlay, who
married in 1882. John was the youngest of three sons and two daughters and trained as a draper in
Dunedin.
He attended Invercargill South School.

Enlistment and Training
When John enlisted, he was working for draper and clothing firm, I. Copeland of Dee Street
Invercargill and living at 189 Clyde Street.

He attested at Featherston 10 February 1916 and named his mother Mrs. J. Findlay of 3 Royal Cres,
Musselburgh, Dunedin, as next of kin.
When he enlisted John’s was 6 feet 1 inch (185cm) with a fresh complexion, greyish blue eyes, light
brown hair, weight 148 lbs (67kg), single, 22 years 5 months and gave his religion as Presbyterian.

Service Abroad

On 12 February 1916 he sailed for Suez on HMNZT43 Mokoia arriving 22 June 1916. Originally, he
was in D Squad 13th Cyclist Coy., then transferred to the newly formed 22nd Cycle Battalion on 4 April
1916.
On 11 September that year the Cycle Corps sailed for the UK and then the following year went on
leave to Paris on 29 December 1917. He was appointed Lance Corporal in the field on 16 January
1918.
In mid-1918 he had an accident which put him into hospital for a few weeks, he returned to the field
then was transferred to Glasgow 24 May 1919. John was sent back to NZ on the Paparoa, arriving 22
June 1919 and was discharged that day in Wellington. He had served 3 years 20 days.

Note: The New Zealand Cycle
Corps, which served at various
times as II Anzac Corps Cyclist
Battalion, XXII Corps Cyclist
Battalion and New Zealand Cyclist
Battalion, was added to the NZ
Division in April 1916. The Unit
arrived on the Western Front in
July 1916. Split into two
companies and attached to II
Anzac Corps, the cycles were
lighter, quieter, and logistically
easier to manage than horses.
Cyclist Battalions performed a
similar role as mounted rifleman,
conducting scouting and reconnaissance work. They could move relatively quickly across poor
ground and had long range.
The New Zealand Cyclist Corps were used exclusively on the Western Front, participating in Messines
and Passchendaele offensives in 1917 and the Spring Offensive and Advance to Victory in 1918. They
were also involved with burying telegraph cables, and sometimes used as infantrymen, as in the
Battle of Lys and Battle of Marne in 1918.

Post-war
On John’s return, he returned to his occupation as a mercer/draper, living in Timaru where in 1925
he was living in 115 High Street, then came to the Auckland area.
He married Rita Clare ROCHFORD in 1927 - she died on 22 January 1993. They had a son, who
became a dentist, and a daughter. Settling in the Pukekohe area, living in Princes Street and Seddon
Street, he appeared on various electoral rolls as a mercer, draper and salesman. He made a will on
11 January 1961, but did not pass away until 2 May 1972, his death stating he was a retired manager.
His will was proved in Pukekohe on 6 June 1972.

In Memoriam
Invercargill war memorial.
Pukekohe RSA Cemetery Plot 153.

Sources
New Zealand Archives
Papers Past
New Zealand BDM
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Fold3 military information
Invercargill history online
Ancestry
Findmypast

Researched by Rosemary Eden

George Philip FLETCHER

Service Number: 209279
Regiment: Royal Engineers UK
Last known Rank: Sapper
Died: 25 November 1958
Age: 66 years
Cemetery: Pukekohe RSA Plot 063

Pre-war
George Philip FLETCHER was born in 1892, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, to John Thomas and Sarah
Ann (nee BISHOP) Fletcher. He was the seventh of ten children, a sister born 1880 died a baby, but the
rest all lived well into adulthood.
John was a railway driver, and they were living in 161 Wetmore Road, Horninglow, Burton on Trent
when George Philip was born a year later in 1892. They were still in the same place in the 1901 Census,
and in 1911 George, by now involved with the railways after leaving school, was boarding at 10 Brook
St. Hellifield, Yorkshire as an engine clearance worker.
George Philip was in Lancashire as an engine driver, when he married on 6 June 1914 at Nelson St. His
marriage entry reads; George Philip, Church of England, Blackburn, aged 22; father, John, engine driver
to Elizabeth Atkinson, aged 19; father, William; railway labourer.

Enlistment, Training and Service Abroad
There is no WW1 record for George Philip Fletcher, Service No. 209279, as his record is part of the
‘burnt records’, when many WW1 records were destroyed during WW2 bombing, however there is a
Chelsea Pension application which reads. -

“George Philip Fletcher WR/209279, Royal Engineers, transferred to Colonial administration 21 April
1921, former address 56 Smith St., Nelson, Lancashire’, stating his discharge of 23 October 1919, and
signed 13 October 1919”.

Post-war George Fletcher courtesy of Patumahoe
George departed on the Federal and Shire Lines ship Shropshire History and Memories
on 25 February 1921, bound for New Zealand. He is listed as
passenger 813, a loco driver, aged 29, from England, arriving
April 1921. His wife did not accompany him.
Once he had arrived in New Zealand, he started looking for work
and saw an advertisement for a locomotive driver for
Buckthought & Sons in Patumahoe. He thought it was a good
place to start and set off on 16 April at 4pm travelling the 31
miles to Pukekohe, then a further 6 miles to Patumahoe,
arriving 10pm that evening.
The next day he went for an interview, and saw the steam
wagon he was to operate, he then started work on 18 April
1921.