They Came Home from WW1 - Waiuku and Awhitu Peninsula

Alf was on leave in the United Kingdom on 23 January 1919 and embarked for New Zealand from
London on the Waimana, disembarking in Auckland on 23 June 1919. His foreign service was 1 year
345 days and New Zealand service 149 days, a total service of 2 years 129 days, being discharged on
15 August 1919.

Post-war
Alf returned to farming at “Pehiakura” before managing his own block, called “Rose Villa”, where he
milked his first cow in the newly prepared concrete lean-to attached to the stable and machinery
shed. This farm was later sold when Alf took possession of “Taumoana”, Pretty Point, Te Toro where
there was a wharf for the manure and supplies to be landed, which were transported by ship from
Onehunga. This piece of land was partly developed by Alf’s father as he and Mary spent many happy
times there in their little cottage by the sea.
On 5 November 1924 Alf married Emma BATEMAN (1899-1970), the daughter of James (1854-1931)
and Elizabeth Emma CLIMO (C1858-1922). James had been a miner and had emigrated from the Isle
of Man.
Kohe Kohe School was closed in 1922 and a new school opened in 1923 in the Te Toro Hall. Emma
was the first schoolteacher at the newly formed Te Toro School, the teacher continuing to live in the
Kohe Kohe teachers’ residence. Before taking up this appointment Emma had accompanied her
aunt overseas, visiting relations in Cornwall and the Isle of Man. Alf and Emma’s love of music drew
them together, Alf playing the saxophone in Ben Westhead’s band as well as being a competent
pianist. Living so close to the water, fish and fishing formed a large part of their family life which
consisted of six sons and one daughter - Norman, Richard, Tottie Emma, William, James, Barry and
Rodger.
Alf had a shed on the farm which he used
as a workshop. It had a track down the
centre with mechanical parts strewn on
either side, but if someone wanted a spare
part he knew exactly where it was. After
Emma died of a stroke in 1970, Alf was
famed for his steam puddings and bottled
apples. Alf died suddenly of a heart attack
in 1977. He is remembered with the road
named after him.

In Memoriam
Kohe Kohe Cemetery North Row 4 Plot 006.
Waiuku Roll of Honour, Waiuku War Memorial Hall.
Te Toro and Kohe Kohe Roll of Honour, Te Toro Hall.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
The Renall Years by June McIntosh
Family Knowledge
New Zealand BDM
New Zealand Electoral Rolls

Researched by: Gillian Conroy

Charles Orlando ROSCOE

Service Number: 46489
Regiment: New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Last Known Rank: Lance Corporal
Died: 8 January 1938
Age: 46 Years*
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 11 Plot 004

*Age at death differs from headstone.

Pre-war
Charles Orlando ROSCOE, known as Charlie, was born on 29 March
1891 in Tasmania, Australia. His parents, Edward Stanley Roscoe
(1854-1930) and Elizabeth Ann GREEN (1855-1937) had both come
from England. Charlie was the seventh of nine children, and the family
came to New Zealand in about 1893. From 1912 two of his brothers
together had two grocery businesses at Devonport. In 1914 Edward
continued at 19 Victoria Road and Joseph at 8 Vauxhall Road.
Their mother had a store on the corner of Great South and Manukau
Roads, Epsom and their father was a gardener. In 1916 Charlie was a
storekeeper and his accommodation was at 8 Vauxhall Road, so it is
assumed he took over the store when Joe went to war.

Enlistment and Training
15 December 1916 was Charlie’s second attesting and this time he had a scar from a hernia
operation. He was 23 years old, single, was 5 feet 11½ inches (181cms), 147 lbs (66kgs) and had a
fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. Charlie was Anglican and his mother was his next of kin.
He had spent 12 months in the Garrison Artillery, and he volunteered for the 22nd draft.
On 6 February 1917 Charlie was a Private in the J Coy at Trentham camp and on 24 April promoted
to Lance Corporal at Featherston.
Charlie left on 26 April 1917 on HMNZT
84 Turakina as part of the New Zealand
Rifle Brigade and the 25th
reinforcements, J Coy from Wellington.

Service Abroad

They disembarked on 20 July 1917 at

Devonport England and

marched into Sling Camp where they

joined the 5th Reserve Battalion and

Charlie was promoted to Lance

Corporal.

April 1917 – in camp.

On 25 September he had time in isolation due to conjunctivitis and then on 15 October returned to
his unit, now at Brocton Camp, and on 23 October left for France, marching into Etaples on
26 October. In May the following year Charlie became sick and was admitted to No 3 New Zealand
Field Ambulance with pain in his back and legs caused by myalgia. Transferred to 29th Casualty
Clearing Station Charlie was later diagnosed with trench fever and by 26th May he was sent to the UK
for treatment. Admitted to the No.2 New Zealand General Hospital at Walton where he stayed for
two months before convalescing at Hornchurch.
Charlie had leave from 31 August 1918 for two weeks but need to be admitted to hospital again this
time at Codford. On 2 November a medical examination resulted in a decision to return Charlie to
New Zealand. He had a disordered action of the heart caused by the trench fever.
Charlie was discharged to Torquay on 14 November to wait for
transport home and on 19 December he embarked on the
Oxfordshire, arriving home on 2 February 1919.
Charlie received a final discharge on 23 April 1919 as “no longer fit
for war service on account of illness contracted on active service”.
He had served 212 days in New Zealand, 1 year 182 days overseas,
a total service of 2 years 130 days. He received the British War
Medal and the Victory medal.

Post-war
Charlie lived in Epsom when he returned, and he was a grocer’s
assistant, then there was a move to Whangarei where his address
was c/- Wallace & Co. Charlie met and married Delcie HERZ nee
SMITH (born 1891) on 9 August 1923 at the Whangarei
Presbyterian Church. There were not to be any children, but
Delcie was considered a kind godmother.
By 1928 Charlie was a storekeeper at Glen Afton, near Huntly, then
at Waiuku in Queen Street. They settled into the community and Charlie became very involved in
Waiuku clubs and sports, joining the RSA, the Chamber of Commerce and becoming the Auditor for
the Acclimatisation Society. He was a very keen bowls and golf player.
In January 1938 there was a tragedy when Charles suffered fatal burns in an accident at his grocery
shop. Charlie was to pass away on 8 January as a result of his injuries. Delcie carried on the shop
until she sold to George DOHERTY in 1946. She spent time in the Tauranga/ Mount Maunganui area
returning to Waiuku about 1957 and passed away on 30 June 1958.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery Row11 Plot 004.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph – photo
Ancestry – Public Member photo
Local knowledge
New Zealand History
New Zealand BDM
Paperspast: Accident, NZ Herald 10 Jan 1938

Researched by Penny Prescott

David SANDS

Service Number: 13/1090
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last Known Rank: Trooper
Died: 10 April 1965
Age: 70 years
Cemetery: Waiuku RSA Row S2 Plot 007

Pre-war
David SANDS was born on 11 July 1894 at Remuera, Auckland, the fifth of eight children of William
Sands (1863-1925) and Mary Ann BARTON (1866-1955). William was born in Wales and came to
New Zealand with his parents and six siblings between 1881 and 1885. Mary’s parents came to
New Zealand from Devon via Spain about 1865.
In 1914 David was working as a cattle dealer and living at Manukau Rd, Epsom. He was in the
3rd Auckland Mounted Rifles. By 1915 David was working for his father as a farmer in Otaua, near
Waiuku.

Enlistment and Training E Reardon, David Sands, J Crichton at Trentham Camp 1915
David enlisted on
15 February 1915 and
named his father, William
Sands, Waiuku as his next
of kin. He was Anglican,
single and described as
5 feet 10 inches tall
(178cms), 160 lbs (72kgs),
with a fair complexion,
blue eyes, and brown hair.
He had a scar on his scalp
on the left of his forehead.
David was posted to the
5th reinforcements of the
Auckland Mounted Rifles.

Service Abroad

David left Wellington on 13 June 1915 aboard HMNZT 25 Tahiti and arrived in Suez, Egypt on the
2 August. He moved to Mudros on the 3 October and was placed in A Squadron.
On the 27 December David disembarked at Alexandria having left the Dardanelles aboard the
Hororata. A month later he left Zeitoun for the Canal.
On 4 August 1916 David received a gunshot wound in the right thigh at Romani. He was admitted to
31st General Hospital at Port Said and then moved to a convalescent home at Heliopolis and from
there to a rest home. On 19 September he returned to duty at Moascar but had several further visits
to hospital with diarrhea and enteritis during 1917. In May 1918 it was recommended by the Medical
Board that he return to New Zealand to recover fully.

David left Egypt on 11 July 1918 on the Port Darwin and was discharged on 8 November as “no longer
physically fit for war service on account of illness contracted on active service” after serving a total of
3 years 267 days of which 3 years and 77 days were overseas.
He received the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.

Post-war

David returned to his father’s farm at Pukeoware after the war.
In 1923 he married Jessie JONES (1900-1991) and they had two
sons and three daughters. Jessie was born in Inglewood,
Taranaki and was the eldest of six children of Walter Herbert
Jones (1871-1934) and Fanny Rosina SIMONS (1877-1972).
David and Jessie farmed all their lives on Sands Road,
Pukeoware with brother Bill (William) next door.
David was very involved in the local community affairs. He
enjoyed tennis and rugby. He was on the committee of the
Country Party in 1938, the committee of the RSA, the
Pukeoware Sports Club and the Farmers’ Union committee. He
was on the Anglican vestry, and he was a calf club judge.

One of David’s nephews remembers how David would often
ride his horse while standing in the stirrups and that the family
were concerned that if the horse mis-stepped, David would
have “come a cropper”.
David died on 10 April 1965 and was buried in the RSA part of the Waiuku cemetery. Jessie eventually
moved to the Baptist Home at Howick and was cremated at Purewa on 15 May 1991, aged 91 years.

In Memoriam
Waiuku RSA Cemetery Row S2 Plot 007.
Waiuku Roll of Honour, Pukeoware Section, Waiuku War Memorial Hall.
Pukeoware Roll of Honour.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Peter Sands – family member
Rosemary Langstone - daughter
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
New Zealand BDM
Ancestry

Photo at Camp, Waiuku museum

Papers Past: Rugby, Pukekohe and Waiuku Times 5 Aug 1913; Otago Witness; 6 Sept 1916 – photo; Tennis, Franklin

Times 11 Mar 1925; Secretary Farmers Union, Franklin Times 26 June 1931

Researched by Barbara Raven

Charles William Skeates SAULBREY

Service Number: 32077
Regiment: New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 15 August 1916
Age: 20 years
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 22 Plot 027

Pre-war

Charles William Skeates (spelt Skates on his military record) SAULBREY
was born in Ngaruawahia on 20 October 1895. He was the eldest of
nine children of Thomas Lewis Saulbrey (1865-1928) and Margaret
DALTON (1874-1946) and had four sisters and four brothers.
His parents had married in Pukekohe in 1894 when Thomas was a baker
in Ngaruawahia. By 1900 the family had moved to Cambridge, where Charles started school. The
family moved a few times, from Cambridge, back to Ngaruawahia, to Mamuku, to Aratapu and
finally to Otaua. Along the way the family fell on tough times when Thomas went bankrupt with his
bakery in Aratapu and again in 1919 in Lower Hutt. Most of Charles’s siblings had three first names,
some with interesting combinations.

Enlistment and Training

Charles passed his medical at Pukekohe on 28 April 1916 and
attested at Trentham Military Camp when he arrived on 25 July.
He was described as 5 feet 9 inches (175cms), with ruddy
complexion and freckles, grey eyes, brown hair, single and gave his
religion as Anglican.
He was posted to E Company of the 19th Reinforcements of the
New Zealand Rifle Brigade and had been in camp only two weeks
when he was admitted to the cottage hospital at Trentham with
influenza. He died in the cottage hospital on 15 August, just 20
days after leaving home.

His military record gave the cause of death as influenza, but the The unofficial cap badge for E
newspapers reported it as cerebro-meningitis. Company of the 19th

The cottage hospital at Trentham Military Camp where Charles died.

Post-death
Charles’ family shifted to Lower Hutt after his death
and his father was a dairyman and baker, then later
took up market gardening.
His father died in 1928 and his mother in 1946 and
they are buried in Taita Cemetery.
Charles and his sister, Hannah Sabina Eileen Saulbrey
who died in 1915, age 14 years are buried in Waiuku,
the rest of the family lived in the Wellington Region.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery Row 22 Plot 027.

Sources
Archives New Zealand Military record
Papers Past: Burial, Pukekohe & Waiuku Tomes 25 Aug 1916
Photo Cottage Hospital – Upper Hutt recollect

Researched by Heather Maloney

George Reuben SEALES

Service Number: 50043
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last Known Rank: Trooper
Died: 2 January 1967
Age: 81 years
Cemetery: Waiuku RSA Row S2 Plot 012

Pre-war
George Reuben SEALES was born on 15 January 1885 at Papakura Valley/Manurewa, Auckland to
Reuben James Seales (1848-1925) and Agnes Ness MATHIE (1851-1938). (His birth and death
registration record Reuben spelt with an ‘e’ but his military record and his own signature record
Reubin with an ‘i’.) He was the middle child in a family of seven but the eldest of the children born in
New Zealand. Reuben Snr was born in Northamptonshire and came to Lyttelton at age 20 on the
Siberia with his father, siblings, their wives and children, a total of fourteen. Agnes was born in
Glasgow and came to Brisbane with her family at the age of nine. Reuben Snr went to Queensland
for a period and in 1878 married Agnes and they had three children. By 1885 the family had
returned to New Zealand where four more children were born, and they settled in the Papakura
Valley area farming. In about 1904 the family moved to a farm in Morrinsville. On the 1911 and
1914 electoral rolls George is listed as a farmer. It was from Morrinsville that George enlisted.

Enlistment and Training

George signed up at Te Aroha on 5 March 1917. He preferred the Mounted Rifles or Artillery and
volunteered for the 28th Reinforcements. He noted that he had two dependents, his parents. He
headed to Trentham Camp on 10 April as part of the 28th No.2 Area quota. George left New Zealand
with the 29th Reinforcements.

Service Abroad
On 13 November 1917 George boarded the HMNZT 98 Tofua. They arrived at Suez on 21 December
1917 and George was posted to Auckland Mounted Rifles.
George was transferred on 25 February 1918 to Moascar Isolation Camp/Hospital with measles. Re-
joining his unit on 18 March. Two months later he was admitted to 48 Stationary Hospital, Gaza
from a Casualty Station in Ludd, and was later discharge to duty on 19 May.
Hospital became George’s home for many periods over the next months of the war. In June he was
hospitalised with rheumatism and given convalescent time at Ismailia and Port Said through to the
start of August. George fell sick again in early December 1918 and spent a few days in a Field
Hospital. In March 1919 George was given “debility leave” to Aotea Convalescent Hospital at
Heliopolis and then Ismailia in early April before returning to the Regiment.
George left for New Zealand on 30 June from Suez aboard the Ulimaroa. The Ulimaroa arrived on 8
August in Auckland but did not berth. Instead, it stayed anchored in the harbour and the Auckland
based troops disembarked by the ferry steamer Lady Roberts.

A seaplane from the Kohimarama
Flying School flew over the ship and
dropped cigarettes and sweets. The
Ulimaroa then proceeded south with
the remaining troops.
George was discharged on
24 October 1919 with the notation
“No longer physically fit for war
service on account of illness
contracted on active service”. He
had served 330 days in New Zealand,
and 1 year 269 days overseas. He
received the British War Medal and
Victory Medal.

Post-war
When George returned from war, he went back to Morrinsville and to farming. In 1921 George’s
father sold off a portion of his farm and his dairy herd. His father had become ill and suffered quite
badly until June 1925 when he passed. George took the opportunity to move on from Morrinsville
and went to work as a farmhand in Te Kuiti and then Matapara, Te Awamutu. He became engaged
to Ellen Elizabeth DAWSON but his mother passed away suddenly in March just a few months before
they were to marry on 30 June 1938. Ellen was born on 26 July 1902 to Adam Albert Dawson (1875-
1918) and Emma Jane MORGAN (1880-1954) of Mullet Point, Auckland and was the eldest child in a
farming family.
It was a late marriage for both George and Ellen and there was no family but plenty of nephews and
nieces from whom they took great joy. By 1946, George and Ellen had moved to Waitetuna, near
Raglan, and George had employment as a farmhand. However, farming in their own right was still
important and by 1949 they had their farm in Waiuku and they were living in Victoria Avenue.
Several of their extended family were farming in the Karaka area.
By 1957 the electoral roll showed George had retired. George and Ellen continued to live at 78
Victoria Avenue where George passed away on 2 January 1967. Ellen remained there till the late
1970s when she moved to Bucklands Beach to be nearer her brother Owen. She later moved to Mt
Eden and passed away on 11 September 1982.

In Memoriam
Waiuku RSA Cemetery Row S2 Plot 012.

Sources
Archives New Zealand - Military Records, Probate
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Auckland Mounted Rifles
Papers Past: Ulimaroa Return, 7 and 8 August 1919
New Zealand BDM
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Queensland BDM

Researched by Lois Hopping

Charles William SHORT

Service Number: 56360
Regiment: Auckland Regiment
Last Known Rank: Private
Died: 19 February 1961
Age: 65 years
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 38 Plot 005

Pre-war
Charles William SHORT was born in Awhitu on 26 March 1895 to Charles William SHORT Snr (1864-
1952) and Margaret ASPIN (1874-1944). He was the eldest in a family of five boys and eight girls and
was known as Carlos. Charles Snr was born in England and Margaret, or Maggie as she was known,
was born in Queensland, Australia. Carlos attended Awhitu Central School and was admitted on
26 February 1900, leaving on 17 December 1909 for the home farm. He may not have remained on
the home farm for long as he progressed through to be a sharemilker. Carlos was the sharemilker
for Thomas McDONNELL at Otaua when he enlisted. He had been an active member of the
3rd Auckland Mounted Rifles for four years and was still active at the time of his enlistment.

Enlistment and Training
Carlos attested at Waiuku on 3 March 1917. He asked to be called up in the 30th Reinforcements
but expressed no preference for a particular branch of the army. Carlos was 21 years old, 5 feet 7¾
inches (172cm) tall and weighed 158 lbs (71kgs). He had a dark complexion, brown eyes and brown
hair and registered as Roman Catholic. He arrived at camp on 30 May and was posted to A Company
29th Reinforcements. On 4 August Carlos signed a second
attestation at Trentham shortly before leaving for overseas. On
13 August he embarked from Wellington on Mokoia as part of the
29th Reinforcements, Auckland Regiment, A Company of the New
Zealand Expeditionary Force.

Service Abroad
Carlos arrived at Glasgow on 2 October 1917 and the next day was
posted to Sling Camp and the 4th Reserve Battalion Auckland
Regiment, A Company. On 9 November he was admitted to the
Military Hospital at Tidworth with measles. He was discharged to a
quarantine camp at Perham on 20 November and on 1 December
was taken back on strength at Sling Camp. Two weeks later he
headed for France in the Reserve Auckland Regiment and on
16 December Carlos was at the NZ Infantry and General Base
Depot at Etaples. On 17 January Carlos was attached to the New
Zealand Field Ambulance from 1st Battalion Auckland Regiment for
a week before returning to his unit.

In July he reported with a slight gunshot wound to his neck, receiving some treatment at a dressing
station but remained with his unit.
In September he was evacuated sick to No.1 New Zealand Field Ambulance and a few days later was
transferred to the Stationary Hospital at Wimereux, France with pleurisy. On 17 October Carlos was
admitted to hospital at Walton-on-Thames, England and on 19 December he boarded the Hospital
Ship Marama leaving from Southampton and heading for New Zealand. This was returning draft
206, made up of approximately 550 wounded and invalided men who arrived at Auckland on
27 January 1919. Back in New Zealand Carlos was given notice to report to Auckland Hospital as an
outpatient and received treatment until 25 February 1919.
Carlos served a total of 2 years 23 days, 1 year 168 days of that time overseas and 220 days in
New Zealand. He was discharged on 25 March 1919 as “no longer physically fit for war service on
account of illness contracted on Active Service (chronic pulmonary disease)”. He received the British
War Medal and Victory Medal.

Post-war
Carlos returned to Awhitu and his family. His father, Charles, was a contractor at Awhitu and it is
possible that Carlos worked for him. In 1922 records have him working as a labourer at Awhitu. By
1925 he was living in “Bush Camp” and working at Mokai as a bushman. In 1928 Carlos was working
in Kaitawa, Hawkes Bay, as a carpenter. He married Phyllis Evelyn RINK in 1939 and had five
children. Phyllis also had two children from a previous relationship. She was born on 1 June 1908 in
Rangitikei to George Otto RINK (1882-1924) and Eliza Jane HEAYNS (1884-1934).
Carlos continued to work in Kaitawa but later took on a job at the Kaitawa Hydro Scheme. He
progressed through the levels to gain the job of overseer. The project was to take water from
Waikaremoana to a new power station at Kaitawa. The family were still there in 1954. By 1957 they
had moved to Mangakino and Carlos was working as a civil servant. Carlos and Phyllis eventually
returned to Waiuku but sadly in 1961 Carlos passed away at Greenlane Hospital and was buried in
Waiuku Cemetery. Phyllis continued to live in Waiuku where she passed away in 1996 and was
buried beside Carlos.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery Row 38 Plot 005.
Awhitu Central Cemetery Memorial – pictured at right.
Waiuku Roll of Honour, Waiuku War Memorial Hall.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Photograph – Extended Short Family member
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
New Zealand BDMs

Researched by Lois Hopping

Robert Emelius SPEEDY

Service Number: 2/2724
Regiment: New Zealand Field Artillery
Last Known Rank: Corporal
Died: 3 March 1969
Age: 75 years
Cemetery: Waiuku RSA Row S2 Plot 019

Pre-war
Robert Emelius (known as Bob) SPEEDY was born on
23 October 1893 to Havelock Speedy (James Henry Havelock
1859-1947) and Marion Ellen HOUGHTON (1861-1938) at
Birkenhead, Auckland. Bob’s family were of British descent,
and he had a strong army background. His grandfather was
Major James SPEEDY of Mauku. Bob had three brothers and
one sister and lived at Chelsea, Auckland. He had attended
Auckland University College (now the University of
Auckland) and had an apprenticeship working as a surveyor
for R. E. FRY located in Hellaby’s Buildings.

Enlistment and Training
Bob attested on 19 October 1915 and was single, aged 22,
was 6 feet 1 inch (180cms) and weighed 175 lbs (79kgs). He
had a fair complexion, blue eyes, and auburn hair, was
Anglican and his father was his next of kin. Bob had
belonged to the Coast Defence for 4½ years.
At Trentham Camp on 9 November, he was admitted to the Cottage Hospital with tonsilitis.

Service Abroad
Bob embarked on HMNZT 37 Manganui on 8 January 1916 as a Gunner with the New Zealand Field
Artillery 9th Reinforcements at Wellington and reached Suez, Egypt on 8 February. He embarked for
France on Menomenee from Alexandria on 7 April with the 14th Battery and was soon in the field.
On 22 January 1917 Bob was transferred to the 3rd Brigade 12 Battery and on 21 October he was
detached to the 2nd army school then re-joined the 12th on 24 November and was in the field.
A special responsibility Bob had was a daily climb up inside a chimney stack and remove a brick to
check for enemy action. One day his mate joined him, so each put an eye to the peep hole. A bullet
went whizzing between their heads and Bob realised that he had had a lucky escape.
On 6 January 1918 Bob was promoted to Corporal and on 8 January he was detached to the United
Kingdom. He marched into Brocton on 11 February and on 12 April from Tilbury he embarked for
New Zealand on Pakeha reaching Wellington on 30 May. Though the weather was wet and
extremely cold, several thousand people assembled to meet the returned men. A special train was
put on to transport men to Auckland.
Bob’s final discharge was on 27 June. He had served 3 years 143 days abroad, and 109 days in New
Zealand, and he received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Post-war
Bob and his brother Frank had land on
Hamilton Road, Awhitu Central, Awhitu
Peninsula. It was about halfway along
on the right and on the cliffs of the
coast. Here they milked, had some dry
stock and a few pigs. Bob met Lillian
TAYLOR (known as Peggy, born 1895) in
England and she moved to New
Zealand, they married on 7 December
1921. She was the daughter of Robert
Taylor (1861-1931) and Sarah
PARTINGTON (1862-1931). They were
to have three sons, the eldest were twins. Bob and Peggy later bought a property at the beach with
a great view of the harbour and when son Loch and his wife began sharemilking on the land Bob and
Peggy moved to Grahams Beach. The residents there were to know when it was morning as Bob
would blow his bugle at 6 a.m., sometimes also at night.
Bob had an orchard (the local children loved their plums) and kept bees. He was always tinkering in
the garage and had beautifully engraved handmade tools.
They were the first in the area to get a television but it was turned off every night at 8pm so all
visiting children then went home. The family had boats and loved fishing. When the boys were in
their teens, they had a speed boat named “Calypso” with a V8 motor.
Bob and Peggy enjoyed travelling and their two world trips on an ocean liner were special times.
Bob passed away on 3 March 1969 at Grahams Beach and Peggy on 29 December 1982.

In Memoriam
Waiuku RSA Cemetery Row S2 Plot 019.
Birkenhead Roll of Honour, Birkenhead War Memorial Park.
Auckland University College Roll of Honour.

Sources
Archives New Zealand,
Military Records
Ben Speedy -Family
information and photos
Local knowledge
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
N Z History

Researched by
Penny Prescott

Auckland University College Roll of Honour

William John SUMMERVILLE

Service Number: 58483
Regiment: Mounted Rifle Brigade
Last Known Rank: Trooper
Died: 29 August 1932
Age: 37 years
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 8 Plot 005

Pre-war
William John (Bill) SUMMERVILLE was born on 31 July 1894 to William SUMMERVILLE (1865-1954)
who was of Irish descent, and Ann Jane WRIGHT (1867-1906) who had been born in Mangere but
whose family were from Ireland and England. Bill was the only son and had four sisters and he was
brought up on the farm on Otaua Road, west of Waiuku.
His mother died on 19 November 1906 and his father re-married in 1910 and had three more
daughters. After school Bill worked on the farm.

Enlistment and Training
Bill attested on 22 September 1917 and said he was a
farmer and self-employed. He was single, 5 feet eight
inches (173cms), 140 lbs (63kgs), had a fresh
complexion, light blue eyes, and brown hair. Noted
was a broken nose, right nostril obstructed. Bill was
Presbyterian, single and his father was his next of kin.
He belonged to the 3rd Auckland Mounted Regiment
and had served with the 72nd Company Senior Cadets.
Bill was posted to Featherston as a Trooper of the 36th
New Zealand Mounted Rifles.

Service Abroad
Bill embarked at Wellington on 21 February 1918 on
Moeraki with the Mounted Rifles 25th and 26th
Reinforcements from New Zealand to Sydney, then
transhipped to the RMS Ormonde arriving at Suez on 4
April 1918. It was at Moascar eight days later that Bill
became sick with measles and was sent from the
Training Regiment to the No.2 Stationary Hospital but
then discharged to duty on the 24th. He was posted to
the Auckland Mounted Rifles and was in the field on 31
May in the offensive against the Ottoman Turks.
On 26 June 1919 the Auckland Mounted Rifles were
divided into two groups. Seven officers and 193 other
ranks including Bill moved to the New Zealand Training
Unit and depot at Ismailia to await transport home in
July.

Bill embarked on 23 July on No.279 Ellenga at Suez and reached Auckland on 10 September. He had
been away for 1 year 203 days. His service totalled 1 year 357 days of which 154 days were served
in New Zealand. Bill’s final discharge was on 9 October 1919, and he received the British Medal and
the Victory Medal.

Post-war
Bill went back to “The Totaras”, the family farm.
It would have been at one of the many dances held
at that time that Bill met Gladys Harriet SMITH, born
on 3 December 1899. Her parents Sylvester Smith
(1873–1949) and Charlotte Alice WALMSLEY (1879–
1958) had a small farm at Kaeo. It had an orchard
and very large vegetable garden. Her father’s uncle,
Daniel HAYES had visited to ask if one of the girls
could please come back with him to Whirwhiri to
help his wife look after the household as she was
poorly. Gladys who was about 21 and the oldest girl
was the one to help.
Bill and Gladys were married on 11 June 1924 at St
Stephen's, Ponsonby, Auckland. They had three
sons, then a daughter: Guy, Roy, Max, and Molly.
When Molly was about 20 months old Gladys
became extremely unwell with pleurisy and had
sixteen weeks in hospital. It was advised that she go
up north where it was warmer to recuperate.
Fortunately, an aunt was looking after Molly, but it
was a difficult time for Bill with farm work piling up
and the three boys to care for. Bill became run
down and contracted pneumonia.
Gladys had been up north for two weeks when she
received word that Bill was sick, but she wasn’t yet
fit enough to travel and sadly within a fortnight he passed away on 29 August 1932.
Gladys, now a widow with four children aged two to seven, decided to employ someone to milk and
care for the farm and go home to Kaeo for family support to bring up her small children. She would
visit Otaua to see how things were going and to see the lawyer. When the children were older the
family returned to Otaua and managed with the boys helping on the farm. Roy was to buy the
property. Gladys later moved into Waiuku to King Street, and she passed away on 25 April 1987.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery Row 08 Plot 005.
Waiuku Roll of Honour, Waiuku War Memorial Hall.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Record
Family information and wedding photo
Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph
flotilla-Australia
N Z History

Researched by Penny Prescott

Rankin THOMSON

Service Number: 24775
Regiment: New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Last known Rank: Rifleman
Died: 27 November 1966
Age: 71 years
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 33 Plot 026

Pre-war

Rankin THOMSON was born on 5 October 1895 at Tauranga, the seventh of fifteen children of Thomas
Miller Thomson (1859-1947) and Jane MUIR (1869-1945). Thomas and Jane married at Mataura,
Southland in 1886. Thomas was from Kilmaurs, Ayrshire, Scotland and Jane was born in Mataura.
Jane’s grandparents had been farmers in Scotland. Following their marriage Thomas and Jane lived in
the Mataura area until 1895 when they moved to Te Puna, Tauranga and then in 1902 to Waiuku.
Most of Rankin’s siblings lived in the Waiuku or Tauranga areas and are buried in the Waiuku
Cemetery. Before the war Rankin was a driver for R G HOLMES of Waiuku and had been in the
3rd Auckland Mounted Rifles. His last address was Waiuku.

Enlistment and Training

Rankin enlisted on 8 February 1916 at Pukekohe and
named his father, Thomas M Thomson, Waiuku as his
next of kin. He was posted as a Rifleman to the 13th
Reinforcements, A Company. Rankin was single,
Presbyterian, feet 8 ½ inches (173cms), 168 lbs (76kgs),
with a fair complexion, blue, grey eyes and fair hair.
While in Trentham he suffered a bout of influenza.

Service Abroad

Rankin was transferred to H Company of the 13th
Reinforcements and embarked from Wellington on
27 May 1916 on the HMNZT 55 Tofua and sailed via
Adelaide and Capetown before arriving in Devonport
on 27 July 1916. He proceeded to France on 12 August
1916 and was transferred to the New Zealand Pioneer
Battalion two weeks later. The Pioneers, formed in
1916, were a military force trained to work on
engineering duties – building roads and railways. This
essential work was dangerous and often carried out
under fire.
On 26 June 1917, at the Somme, Rankin was gassed and
was transferred to Walton on Thames a few days later.

He was finally discharged from hospital on 18 October 1917, but by 7 November he was back in No 2
New Zealand General Hospital with pulmonary tuberculosis.
The medical report in his military file outlined the effects and impairment of the gassing and his
infection with tuberculosis. He was declared unfit for service on 29 October 1917 and embarked on
the HS 133 Marama on 21 November 1917.
Rankin returned to New Zealand on 1 January 1918 was discharged on 29 June 1918 as “no longer
physically fit for war service on account of illness contracted on active service”, (chronic TB).
He had served a total of 2 years 142 days, a good portion of that time overseas.

Post-war
On his arrival back in New Zealand, Rankin
returned to the Waiuku area and took up
farming at Otaua.
Rankin married Edith Olive MARKS in 1921.
Edith was born in 1900 in Helensville the
second of five children of Thomas Henry
Marks (1869-1954) and Alice Catherine JEFFRIES (1872-1945).
Rankin and Edith had eight children some of whom are buried in the Waiuku Cemetery.
Between 1922 and 1938, Rankin and Edith were farming at Otaua. Rankin was involved in community
affairs and was on the Farmers’ Union Committee.
On 16 June 1946 Edith died and was buried in the Waiuku Cemetery.
Rankin moved to Maioro Rd, Waiuku in 1949 and then in 1954 to Racecourse Rd, Waiuku and was still
farming. Rankin retired to this address until his death on 27 November 1966. He was buried in the
Waiuku cemetery with Edith.

Rankin, 2nd from the right, with his five brothers

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery Row 33 Plot 026.
Waiuku Memorial Board, Waiuku Memorial Hall.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
New Zealand BDM
Family Photo – Thomson Family Reunion book
NZ Pioneer Battalion photo – Archives NZ 1A 76/12 H61
Papers Past: New Zealand Herald; 1 June 1944, 22 Aug 1923, 5 Sep 1921, 28 Oct 1925, 31 Jan 1916,

Franklin Times 15 Apr 1936

Researched by Barbara Raven

Thomas Miller THOMSON

Service Number: 56381
Regiment: New Zealand Mounted Rifles
Last Known Rank: Trooper
Died: 17 May 1956
Age: 65 years
Cemetery: Waiuku Row36 Plot 035

Pre-war
Thomas Miller THOMSON was born in Mataura on 12 April 1891,
the fourth of fifteen children of Thomas Miller Thomson (1859-
1947) and Jane MUIR (1869-1945). He had seven sisters and seven
brothers. The family moved to Te Puna when he was just three
and Thomas started school in this district. He was eleven when the
family shifted to Waiuku, and he went to Karioitahi School as well
as helping on the farm. Thomas was a member of the Waiuku Rifle
Club before he enlisted.

Enlistment and Training
Thomas enlisted at Waiuku on 3 March 1917 and named his father,
Thomas Miller Thomson as next of kin. He stated that he was a
driver of a team of horses, working for H McFADYEN at Waiuku and
was single and Presbyterian. He was described as 5 feet 8 inches (173cms), 168 lbs (76kgs), with a fair
complexion, blue grey eyes, and light brown hair.
He was posted to A company of the 29th Reinforcements.

Service Abroad
On 13 November 1917 Thomas embarked on
HMNZT 98 Tofua and reached Suez on 21
December. He was posted to the New Zealand
Mounted Rifles training unit and transferred to
the Auckland Mounted Rifles on 13 January
1918. Thomas was admitted to hospital with
illness on 24 April and the next few months saw
him admitted several times culminating in a
lengthy stay with malaria from September to
December.
On 28 December a Medical Board assessment
returned a decision that he should go home to
New Zealand, but it was not until 6 March 1919
that he embarked on HMNZT 230 Kaikoura,
arriving back on 19 April. Thomas had served a
total of two years 91 days and was finally
discharged on 3 June 1919.
He received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Post-war
Thomas returned to the farm, still suffering from
malaria.
In 1919 he married Eileen Myrtle MILLER,
daughter of Thomas Miller (1869-1958) and Ellen
Muir BUCHANAN (1869-1958).
Ellen died on 9 October 1923, leaving three very
young children.
Thomas later married Mary Olive ELSMORE and
between them they raised fourteen children.
All his married life was spent on the farm at
Taurangaruru, Waiuku where he worked to
improve the land. He loved horses and owned
racehorses, even leaving one horse in his will to
three sons.
“He loved children and sang with abandon,
especially in the cowshed. He was gifted with a
sense of humour and sometimes in a theatre
where a comedy was being shown, one could hear
his hearty laugh. His laugh was infectious, and
everyone laughed with him.
The depression years of the 1930s were tough but
there was plenty of milk, eggs and home grown vegetables, and quite often fish caught at the nearby
beaches.
Thomas loved his family and life on the farm was one of satisfaction. He kept a daily diary, and it
shows the continual work on the farm – manure sowing, thistle digging, harrowing, ploughing, and
buying and selling stock.” This is an extract from the Thomson Reunion Book.

After a short illness, Thomas died in 1956, aged 65. Mary died in 1989, age 89 and is buried with
Thomas.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery Row 36 Plot 035.
Waiuku Roll of Honour, Karioitahi Section, Waiuku War Memorial Hall.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Thomson Family Reunion Book
New Zealand BDM
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
School records

Researched by Heather Maloney

James Robert TURNER

Service Number: 42432
Regiment: New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Last known Rank: Rifleman
Died: 23 September 1934
Age: 38 years
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 1 Plot 20

Pre-war

James Robert TURNER was born on 23 July 1896 at 63 Albert Rd,
North Woolwich, Kent, England, the third of twelve children of
James Turner (1867-1940) and Rachel BARBER (1869-1930).
In 1901 the family were living at Topcroft, Norfolk with five
children, where James was a labourer in the mine.
James, Rachel and nine of their children sailed on board the SS
Ortona on 28 June 1907 for Sydney and then a year later moved
to Petone, Wellington, New Zealand. James got a job working for
the Riverside Dairy Company on Gear Island, Lower Hutt. By 1917
the family had shifted to Waiuku. James Robert had joined the
senior cadets and was a farmhand for T D REID at Glenbrook.

Enlistment and Training James’s parents, James & Rachel Turner

James enlisted at Waiuku on 28 October 1916 and was
described as single, Anglican, 5 feet 7 inches (170cms), 174 lbs (79kgs), with a fresh complexion, blue

eyes and brown hair. He named his mother, Mrs Rachel Turner, Glenbrook as his next of kin.
James was posted to the 24th Reinforcements, A Company as a Private.

Service Abroad
James entered camp on 3 January 1917 and was posted to A Company but transferred to J Company
the following week then six weeks later to J Company, 23rd Reinforcements. Before he left New
Zealand James was transferred to C Company, 5th Reserve Battalion in the New Zealand Rifle Brigade
as a rifleman. He left Wellington on HMNZT 82 Pakeha on 14 April 1917 which returned to port three
days later. On 26 April 1917 he re-embarked to sail for Plymouth, Devon via a stop at Sydney for a
week, arriving 29 July.
Once in England, he marched to Sling Camp and then proceeded to France on 14 September 1917
where he joined C Company 2nd Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade on 8 October. Between
26 January 1918 and 4 February James had time in hospital sick.
On 12 September 1918 he suffered a gunshot wound in the right arm and hand. Initially he was
hospitalised in France but was transferred to No 2. General Hospital in Walton, England a week later.
From there he was sent to Hornchurch Convalescent Home.
On 30 May 1919 James was again hospitalised, but this time with mumps. He returned to New Zealand
on the S S Matatua and was discharged from service on 5 September 1919, after spending 2 years and
105 days overseas.
James received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Post-war
In 1919 James Robert was working as a farmhand in Waiuku. He married Agnes Lawrence SMITH on
15 June 1927 at the Anglican Church in Waiuku. Agnes was born on 2 January 1903 at Waiuku and
was the daughter of Henry Walter Smith (1866-1943) and Agnes Elizabeth Ann OLSEN (1875-1949).
James and Agnes had two daughters, Dawn and Pat. James was a keen sportsman and particularly
enjoyed playing cricket, rugby and hockey. In 1928 James Robert and Agnes were farming at
Te Kohanga.
James died on the 23 September 1934 and was buried in the Waiuku Cemetery in Row 1, Plot 20.
In 1936 Agnes married Albert John HONE (1907-1973) and they had six children.
Agnes died on 21 August 1966 at Waiuku and was buried in the Waiuku Cemetery Row 1, Plot 16. Her
second husband is buried with her.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery Row 1 Plot 20.
Glenbrook Section, Waiuku Memorial Board.

Sources
Archives NZ, Military Records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Ancestry – various family trees
Papers Past: Wounded, Dominion 26 Sept 1918, Birth of daughter,

NZ Herald 1 Sept 1928; Obit, NZ Herald 1 Oct 1934

Researched by Barbara Raven

Richard Alexander Duncan TURNER

Service Number: 19689* (Military record)
Regiment: Maori Pioneer Battalion
Last Known Rank: Private
Died: 4 November 1965
Age: 78 Years
Cemetery: Awhitu Central Row M Plot 001

*Service number differs from plaque.

Pre-war
Richard Alexander Duncan TURNER, known as Dick, was born on 11 February 1887 at Parnell,
Auckland and lived most of his life at Porohau Valley, now known as Wattle Bay at the Manukau
Heads.
Dick’s mother was born Elizabeth WATSON in Aberdeen, Scotland, and at the age of 12 came to New
Zealand in 1880 on the ship British Empire.
Dick’s father was Hone TANA, known as John TURNER, and was a respected government interpreter
and a guide. Dick and a sister were born in Auckland, then the family left to take up land at Awhitu
Gully where eight more children were born.
School for Dick was the Manukau Heads School – up the hill – and had been held in a house before
the school was built.
He spent a lot of his time with his father attending hui at Ngaruawahia and meeting with family at Te
Kuiti and Kaipiha. While the men were busy the boys would go canoeing, swimming, and fishing in
the Waipa River and one day Dick caught his biggest eel. Weighing 40 lbs, it was huge. As a young
man Dick served as a member of the crew of the SS Weka plying between Onehunga and Waiuku
and calling at the wharves en route.

Enlistment and Training
Dick enlisted on 6 March 1917 and named his father,
John TURNER, Manukau Heads, as his next of kin. This address
was later changed to Onehunga.
Dick was now a farmer and owned a farm. He was an Anglican,
single and was described as 5 feet 10 inches tall (178cms), 182 lbs
(82kgs), with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair.
He was posted to the 17th reinforcements of the Maori Battalion.

Service Abroad
Dick embarked from Wellington on the HMNZT 84 Turakina on
26 April 1917 and disembarked at Devonport, England on 20 July
1917. He marched into Sling camp and then proceeded to France
on 5 September 1917, where he joined the Pioneer Battalion 11
days later.
The Pioneer Battalion was created after some issues arose
following the Gallipoli campaign. Initially the Maori contingent
was divided up between several platoons, but the troops protested about this separation after
fighting so closely together.

Another restructure resulted in the formation of the Pioneer Battalion.
These men were a military labour force trained and organised to work on engineering duties, digging
trenches, building roads and railways. It was an essential and dangerous work often carried out
under enemy fire.
On 21 September 1917 Dick was evacuated to a field ambulance with bronchitis. He spent time in
hospital and then convalescing and it wasn’t until 4 January 1918 that he re-joined the Pioneer
Battalion.
In September 1918 he spent more time in hospital and at the end of 1918 he caught influenza and
was sent back to England on 23 January 1919. On 28 February 1919 he embarked from Liverpool on
the Westmoreland for New Zealand and was discharged from service on 4 May 1919. Dick had
served a total of 2 years 60 days, 78 days in New Zealand and 1 year 346 days overseas.

Post-war
Dick went back farming. Only a few cows were needed, and the cream was separated and sold.
He had a big garden and a big orchard. In the late 1940s he bought a Gravely mower with all the
modern fittings making gardening easier and ideal for
grubbing blackberries, rushes, and thistles on the
farm.
Dick had a big wagon, which was pulled by two
horses, so to supplement his income he would cut
manuka firewood and haul it from the bush down to
the beach on the wagon where it was loaded onto
barges and towed to Onehunga. He also helped a
brother-in-law on the ship Te Toa.
Fish and shellfish were plentiful. Dick loved fishing
and would row out to the channel to fish.
He was involved in community activities and was an
excellent horseman; horses being the mode of
transport then. In 1950 “Te Kauri”, the family home
at the beach, was made into a boarding lodge which
sister Molly ran and Dick lived there.
Later Dick stayed in a small cottage built for him in the
gardens. In his old age he would sit and chat with the
lodgers, filling them in on the history of the district.
Dick died on 4 November 1965 aged 78 was buried
next to his parents at Awhitu Central.

In Memoriam
Awhitu Cemetery Row M Plot 001.
Awhitu First World War Memorial – pictured.
Roll of Honour, Matakawau War Memorial Hall.
Awhitu Section, Roll of Honour, Waiuku War Memorial Hall.

Sources

Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Family information/photo: ‘The Turner Family’ by Richard Brownlee
Women of Franklin 1893
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Ancestry – Coss Family Tree - photo
NZHistory – Pioneer Battalion

Researched by Barbara Raven and Penny Prescott

James Henry WALKER

Service Number: 35752
Regiment: Auckland Mounted Rifles
Last Known Rank: Lance Corporal
Died: 6 September 1987
Age: 100 years
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 31 Plot 007

Pre-war
James (Jimmy or Jim as some knew him) Henry WALKER was born on 13 December 1886 at Papakura,
the eldest of six children of James Walker (1861-1944) and Esther Rae McLEAN (1865-1945). James
Snr was born in Inverness and travelled with his parents on the Viola to New Zealand and arrived on
5 April 1865 at Clevedon/Wairoa. They were settled on land at Kirikiri, Papakura. His wife, Esther was
born a couple of months after her parents arrived in New Zealand on the same ship. Her family settled
at Clevedon. In 1911 and 1914 James Jnr was a farmhand working in Opaheke, probably for his father
and his brother. He had been in the Franklin Mounted Rifles for five years when he enlisted.

Enlistment and Training
James enlisted on 23 September 1916 and named his
next of kin as his father, Mr. J WALKER, Kelvin Grove,
Papakura. He was a Presbyterian, single and was
described as 5 feet 10 inches tall (178 ms), with a fair
complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. He was first
posted to the 22nd New Zealand Mounted Rifles and
then in November to the 22nd Machine Gun Section.
During his time in training in Trentham, James had his
appendix removed. Two of James’ brothers also went
to war, Alexander (36021) and Hector (L/15631).

Service Abroad
James embarked from Wellington on the Moeraki on
15 February 1917. His best friend Frank Parker
(brother of future wife Ivy) sailed with him. He sailed
to Sydney where he disembarked on 19 February and
then on the 10 May sailed from Melbourne on the
Boorara, arriving in Suez on 20 June. From there he
marched to Moascar and was posted to his unit, the
22nd reinforcements of the Mounted Rifles Specialist
Company, Machine Gun Section. He spent most of his
army time in the Sinai/ Palestine region. It is said that
James always felt he owed his life to Richard (Dick) Percy RENALL because he could always keep a
machine gun firing to protect his mates.

James was always very concerned for the welfare of the horses and had had a horse since the age of
six. Between December 1917 and early February 1918 James had several admissions to hospitals with
malaria. On 20 April 1918 he attended the School of Instruction at Zeitoun to learn about the use of
the Vickers Gun. In October he was back in hospital again with malaria. In early November James was
well enough to return to duty again. James sailed for New Zealand on the Ulimaroa embarking from
Suez on 30 June 1919. He was discharged from service on 5 September after spending 2 years and
175 days overseas.

Post-war
James returned to his work as a farmhand
for his father at Papakura.
On 16 June 1920 he married Ivy Hilda
PARKER, the fourth of seven children of
William Johnson Parker (1843-1933) and
his second wife Annie Elizabeth
HENDERSON (1851-1928).
After their marriage, James and Ivy had a
short time sharemilking at a property on
Old Tongue Road, Matakana. In 1925
James bought about 80 acres of land on
Morley Road, Waiuku on which he milked
cows. Some of this land is still owned by a
family member.
James was involved in bowls and was the
Patron of the Papakura Bowling Club. He
was a member of the RSA and a patron and
founding member of the Papakura Pipe Band which led his funeral. He was regarded as a very good
rugby player and was a member of the Pukekohe Masonic Lodge.
On 10 August 1939 Ivy died. James brought up his young family with the help of his daughter, and
they were always a very closely knit family, with James accompanying his children to local events. He
continued farming on the land he had bought until 1954 when he moved to Clarke Road, Papakura to
retire but he still came back weekly to help on the farm. In his final years James returned to Morley
Road to be cared for by family and then moved in to the Franklin Memorial Hospital, Waiuku in 1984.
James died on 6 September 1987 aged 100 years. The family still proudly have the telegram he
received from the Queen on his 100th birthday. He is remembered by family members as a real
character who loved to “tell a yarn or two” and as a man who enjoyed the company of others.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery Row 31 Plot 007.

Sources

Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Auckland Museum Cenotaph
Family members, information, Pam and Diane
Photo - Cenotaph
Archives New Zealand, Probates
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
New Zealand BDM
Ancestry

Researched by Barbara Raven

John Henry Richard WALLEN

Service Number: 5/363
Regiment: Army Service Corps
Last known Rank: Corporal
Died: 18 January 1934
Age: 48 years
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 19 Plot 009

Pre-war
John Henry Richard WALLEN was born on 31 July 1885 to John Thomas WALLEN (c.1855-1929) and
Ellen BUSHELL (1864-1911). He was known as Jack and was the eldest in a large family. Both
parents had been born in Auckland and while his mother’s parents were English, his father’s family
were early settlers at Pakuranga. Jack grew up at Whitford on a farm and his father was also
employed in road contracting. By 1911 Jack was living in Tobin Street, Pukekohe and was a painter.

Enlistment and Training
Jack enlisted on 5 May 1916 and was immediately assigned to the Army Service Corp as a Driver. He
was almost 30 years of age. Jack had a total of 38 days training before he embarked for Suez, Egypt
on 13 June 1915 as part of the 5th Reinforcements.

Service Abroad
A three-vessel convoy departed Wellington with some 2,299 troops aboard, being the 5th
Reinforcement and No.2 Stationary Hospital, and they arrived in Suez on 1 August 1915. Jack was
amongst these troops and was taken on strength to the Army Service Corp on 7 August 1915 at
Zeitoun Camp. On 25 January 1916 he was placed with the No.1 Field Bakery and by early April he
left Egypt for France and soon after was appointed Baker.

At the end of May Jack earned promotion to Lance
Corporal while based at Rouen. In September 1916
he fell sick and was treated at hospitals in Rouen
and Etaples before being attached to the Base
Hospital Depot and made available for base details
in late November. Each time Jack entered hospital
he was required to relinquish his position as Baker
and on re-joining his unit he would be reappointed.
On 4 December Jack re-joined his unit so again
became a Baker with the 1st Field Bakery, in
Rouen.
In early July 1917 Jack was promoted to Corporal.
Two weeks leave was granted shortly after. In early October Jack was evacuated for short stay
hospital/convalescence in Rouen. He returned to his unit in the middle of October.
From March 1918 to June, Jack was transferred to several units and in late August he had two weeks
leave in England. On his return he was admitted to hospital through illness. He was discharged at
the end of September for duty as a Stretcher Bearer while convalescent. In late October Jack
marched into Base Depot, Etaples where he stayed for a period before re-joining the Headquarters
Divisional Train.

In early February 1919 Jack was detached to Brocton, England and from Brocton he marched to
Larkhill Camp to await a ship. On 28 March he embarked for New Zealand aboard the
Northumberland and it berthed in Wellington on 10 May. He had served a total of 4 years and 34
days, 69 days in New Zealand and 3 years 331 days overseas and was discharged on 7 June 1919.
Jack received the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Post-war
In July 1919 a banquet was held for the men who returned and Jack, now back at Tobin Street and
painting, was invited.
On 5 June 1922 he married Mary McDONALD, who was from a large farming family that lived on
what is now Forestry Road, Maioro. Mary’s Irish parents, John Martin McDONALD (1840-1914) and
Catherine DEANE (1850-1932) had arrived in New Zealand in the mid-1860s. Jack and Mary settled
into life on their 100-acre property between Forestry and Wilsons Roads, further up in the hills of
Maioro. Their days revolved around farm work, milking cows, caring for calves and the upkeep of
the land. Special for Mary were church activities. The Catholics of Maioro assembled at McDonald’s
residence for Mass, and it was there the priest stayed, as the house was most central.
Sadly, Jack and Mary had no children but there was a lot of family nearby. All her seven brothers
became farmers. Mary’s nephew, John McDONALD, helped work on the farm until he married and
took on a property himself.
Illness made life difficult for Jack and he put a
notice in the paper in 1925 giving thanks for
help received. Jack became an active member
of the Waiuku RSA, being elected as a member
in 1925. It was at the Soldiers’ Club that Jack suddenly died on 18 January 1934.

Part of his obituary read: “His health was
affected by a series of operations, necessitated
through illness and wounds suffered during the
war”.

Mary continued farming and she later bought a property in Waiuku on the corner of Queen Street
and Valley Road near the Catholic Church. Mary became the owner of a large amount of property
including farms and houses in Waiuku and Auckland. She would use the services of a taxi to visit
these estates. Mary died on 18 October 1966 aged 85 and was buried in Waiuku Cemetery.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery: Row 16 Plot 009.
Whitford War Memorial, Whitford Sports Pavilion.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military records
Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph
Flotilla-Australia
Alexander Turnbull Library (Ref: 1/2-013362-G) 1st NZ Field Bakery Photograph
New Zealand History – Supply and Administrative Units – ASC, NZ Field Bakery – War Diary
Women of Franklin 1893, Ancestry
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
New Zealand BDMs
Paperspast: Illness, NZ Herald, 31 Oct 1925; Death notice, NZ Herald 19 Jan 1934; Obituary, NZ Herald 27 Jan 1934

Researched by Penny Prescott and Lois Hopping

Earl WESTHEAD

Service Number: 56203
Regiment: Otago Regiment
Last Known Rank: Private
Died: 12 September 1956
Age: 71 years
Cemetery: Kohe Kohe Row 5 Plot 004

Pre-war
Earl WESTHEAD was born on 1 September 1885, the son of Joseph WESTHEAD (1853-1923) and his
wife Emily GILLOTT (c.1864-1936). Both the WESTHEAD and GILLOTT families came to New Zealand
on the immigrant ship Matoaka which arrived in Auckland early January 1865. Joseph was 11 years
old and it is understood that Emily was one of the six births during the voyage.
The Westheads had lived in the English village of Brinnington, Stockport living at Number 7 Hanover
Street. The families were allocated sections of 10 acres of land at Kohe Kohe, the Westhead family
getting section number 68. In the late 1860s they spent a year at the goldfields in Thames, before
coming back to continue farming at Kohe Kohe. Earl was the second son in a family of eleven
children, eight sons and three daughters.
Earl attended both Kohe Kohe and Karioitahi schools with the original admission date of 2 February
1891 and his last day of 2 November 1899 with the destination, home.
At the age of 23 years in 1908 he was a blacksmith’s striker at Ohinemuri until 1911, where he briefly
lived at Onewhero as a navvy and where three of his brothers were also working. Their father
having a bush farm at Klondyke, Onewhero. With the opening of land there was a ballot of 36
sections of Crown Land and Earl was the successful applicant for sections 234,235,258, 321, 322 in
the Waipipi Parish, comprising 206 acres, occupation with a right of purchase. Earl bought his farm
at Te Toro on 28 November 1911.
Earl married Ruth MURRAY (1896-1956) on 27 February 1917.
Ruth had been born in Feilding and was the youngest daughter
of local Kohe Kohe Farmers, James MURRAY (1854-1940) and
his wife Mary Ann SMITH (1857-1920). Earl and Ruth lived on
his farm on Te Toro Wharf (Beach) Road in a small dwelling.

Enlistment and Training
Earl’s attestation paper, signed in Auckland on 15 March 1917,
stated he was a self-employed Farmer, aged 30 years, religion
Wesleyan, his next of kin Mrs R.M. Westhead (wife), Kohe Kohe
and his father for correspondence. He was posted to F
Company 29th Reinforcements as a Private on 30 May 1917.

Service Abroad
Earl embarked on HMNZT92 Ruahine sailing from Wellington on
15 August 1917 arriving in Glasgow, Scotland on 2 October. The
next day being marched into Sling Camp, then proceeding
overseas to France on 20 November.

Earl joined 14th (South Otago) Company, 3rd Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment in the field on 11
December. On 22 January 1918, Earl was sick and five days later admitted to hospital. In February
he then embarked for England and was again admitted to hospital and in March he was admitted to
Hornchurch Hospital with rhinitis and then transferred to Larkhill in April. In September he was back
at Sling Camp and detailed for a course of Instruction at Tidworth. Earl embarked from London for
New Zealand on the Waimana on 10 May 1919, disembarking in Auckland on 23 June 1919. He had
served 1 year 313 days overseas and 181 days in New Zealand, a total service of 2 years 129 days.

Post-war
Earl joined Ruth on their farm at Te Toro and set about building a proper home which was built
during 1919. Earl received a gold pendant as a “Token of Honour from the Kohe Kohe residents,
Great War 1919”.
Earl and Ruth welcomed their only child Marion Joyce on 13 July 1920. They bought a beach section
at Te Toro on May 27, 1932, where many happy family times were spent near the farm.
Earl was elected to the newly constituted Kohe Kohe-Pollok District Rabbit Board in 1933. At the
next election, Earl was once again successful. In 1935 Earl requested of Council an extra 5 chains of
metal be undertaken and pointed out that
he had recently paid £26 5s towards the
work – this was deferred.
On 31 July 1939 Earl and Ruth announced
the engagement of their daughter Joyce to

Allan Vincent the third son of Mr and Mrs
J. W. SMITH of Whiri Whiri. The couple
married on 22 February 1941 and in due

course giving Earl and Ruth two
grandsons.

Earl milked around 60 cows and also reared free range pigs. He enjoyed fishing and frequently put
the net across the creek getting up to 100 flounder which he often gave away.

Both Earl and Ruth passed away in 1956, Ruth on 28 March aged 60 years, and Earl on 12 September
aged 71 years. A grandson and great grandson are still living and working on the family farm.

In Memoriam
Kohe Kohe Cemetery South Row 5 Plot 4.
Waiuku Roll of Honour, Waiuku War Memorial Town Hall.
Kohe Kohe and Te Toro Roll of Honour, Te Toro Hall.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Family knowledge and photos –Laurence Smith, grandson
“West of the Manukau” –Ben Westhead
Waiuku Museum
New Zealand Electoral rolls
Papers Past: Section ballot, Akl Star 31 March 1911; Marriage, NZ

Herald 7 Mar 1917; Rabbit Board, Franklin Times 20 Oct 1933; Metal,
Franklin Times 24 May 1935

Researched by Gillian Conroy

Earl on left with brothers William & James

Laurence WESTHEAD MM

Service Number: 12/3502
Regiment: Auckland Regiment
Last Known Rank: Driver
Died: 3 November 1940
Age: 53 years
Cemetery: Waipipi Plot 080

Pre-war
Laurence WESTHEAD was born on 21 July 1887, the third son of Joseph WESTHEAD (1853-1923) and
his wife Emily GILLOTT (1864-1936). Both the Westhead and Gillott families came to New Zealand
on the immigrant ship Matoaka, which arrived in Auckland early January 1865. Joseph was 11 years
old and it is understood Emily was one of the six births during the voyage.
The families were allocated sections of ten acres of land at Kohekohe, the Westhead’s obtaining
section number 68. In the late 1860s, they spent a year at the goldfields in Thames, before coming
back to continue farming at Kohekohe. Joseph and Emily had eleven children, eight sons and three
daughters. Laurence’s name is often noted as Lawrence in records, and he was known as Laurie.
Laurence attended Kohekohe School with an original admission date of 15 August 1892 with his last
day being 14 July 1902, the destination, home.
Laurence was a blacksmith in Pukekohe in 1908 and in 1911 he was living at Onewhero and still a
blacksmith until 1914. Three of his brothers were
also working in Onewhero. Later in 1914 he was in
Kohekohe as a farmer. He took part in the Waiuku
Rifle Club competition on 1 April 1915 and was one
of forty who qualified as Marksmen and was one of
the men that were the nearest to securing a
Marksman’s badge.

Enlistment and Training
A report in the Pukekohe & Waiuku Times of
4 June 1915, stated recruiting was brisk in the
Waiuku District with Laurence Westhead being
enrolled. He was in a draft of 481 men into the
8th Reinforcements and had orders to proceed to
the training camp on 18 June in preparation to
leaving for the front.
Laurence signed his Attestation papers at
Trentham on 23 August 1915. His date of birth is
recorded as 14 July 1887, a farmer, his present
employer James HAMILTON of Awhitu, unmarried,
belonging to the Waiuku Mounted Rifle Club. He
was 28 years old, Presbyterian, his next of kin was
his father, J. Westhead and he had been inoculated against typhoid.

Service Abroad
Laurence embarked in Wellington on
13 November 1915 on either
HMNZT35 Willochra or HMNZT36
Tofua, disembarking at Suez on 30
December 1915. By 21 February
1916 he had been transferred to
No.5 Company of the Army Service
Corps at Zeitoun. He then embarked
for France from Egypt on 9 April. In
October he was transferred to No.2
Company in the field as a Driver at
Rouen, on the Somme, then
detached to Headquarters 1st New
Zealand Infantry Brigade on 25 May
1917. He proceeded on leave to England on 10 August, re-joining his company on 23 August. On 11
March 1918, one of the mules tethered to the horse-lines had been rolling and it was necessary to
cut it loose, to allow it to get up. When the animal was clear, it got up and kicked, hitting Laurence
in the abdomen. Notes state the soldier was in performance of military duty and in no way to
blame. Disciplinary action was not required as he was “accidently injured”. He was admitted to a
field hospital with a fractured left rib. He was discharged for duty on 7 April 1918 and reattached to
Headquarters 1st New Zealand Infantry Brigade. By late August he was in England on leave until
early September.
In October Laurence was awarded the Military Medal.
He embarked for New Zealand on 8 March 1919 from Southampton on the NZT Willochra arriving in
Wellington on 15 April, and was formally discharged on 13 May 1919, total service of 3 years 264
days, 110 days in New Zealand and 3 years 154 days overseas and an intended address of Kohekohe.

Post-war
Laurence married Elsie Jane BRAMBLEY (1906-1998) on 6 July 1932 at Waiuku. Elsie was the
daughter of James TRUST (1872-1934) and his wife Jane (1874-1968). Elsie was a very talented
pianist and marvellous cook. Laurence and Elsie’s only child, a son, Lindsay Laurence Guy was born
on 17 April 1933. They continued to farm, however Laurence suffered ill health for twelve months
before passing away on 3 November 1940. He is buried along with his parents and other family
members at Waipipi cemetery. A fitting epitaph on his headstone – “Kept by the Power of God”.

In Memoriam
Waipipi Cemetery Plot 080.
Waiuku Roll of Honour, Waiuku War Memorial Town Hall.
Te Toro and Kohekohe Roll of Honour, Te Toro Hall.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military Records
Family knowledge and photos – Granddaughter Michelle Westhead
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
New Zealand BDM’s
‘Honours & Awards to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Great War 1914-1918 –compiled by

Wayne McDonald – Page 275

Papers Past –Pukekohe & Waiuku Times - Waiuku Rifle club 1 April 1915 page1

Researched by Gillian Conroy

Arthur WRIGHT

Service Number: 52521
Regiment: Auckland Regiment
Last known Rank Private
Died: 12 March 1945
Age: 57 years*
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 14 Plot 029

*Age at death differs from headstone.

Pre-war
Arthur WRIGHT was born on 23 March 1887 at Grange Farm, Kempston, Bedford Borough,
Bedfordshire, England. He was the third of four children in the family of William John WRIGHT
(1858-1938), born in Lutton, Long Sutton, Lincolnshire, a farmer and his wife Mary COOK (c.1855-
1932), who were married on 20 September 1884 in Shillington, Bedford.
Arthur is on the 1891 England census as a four year old with his parents and his brother Richard G.
On the 1901 census he is recorded as being with his grandparents William and Ellen and his uncle
Richard Marham WRIGHT, at Lutton, Sutton, St Nicholas, Lincolnshire, aged 14 years, a scholar.
Arthur may have immigrated to New Zealand after his brothers and his farewell is noted on a flyleaf
of the family prayer book - “Presented to Arthur Wright by his uncle Richd. M. Wright on his leaving
England for New Zealand on March 22nd 1906. With all Good Wishes & God Speed. Marrowbone
Hall, Lutton Long Sutton, England.”
Arthur settled on a farm in Waipipi, as his parents also did when they arrived a year later.
On both the 1911 and 1914 Electoral Rolls Arthur is a farmer of Waipipi. Both Arthur and his father
were members of the building committee for St Marks Anglican Church at Waipipi.

Enlistment and Training

Arthur had been medically examined for service in Waiuku in May
1916 but had been rejected as he had previously had a kick from a
horse. Re-applying in 1917 he attested on 3 February 1917 and
stated he was 29 years old and he had had pneumonia four years
previously and had been in New Zealand 11 years, his parents ten
years. A farmer in his own employ and single with no
dependents. He also belonged to the Waiuku Rifle club. He was
initially posted to the 28th Reinforcements but then transferred to
the 27th E Company as a Private on 28 April 1917.
On the evening of Wednesday 30 May 1917, a farewell social was
held at Waipipi School in honour of Privates Arthur Wright and
Walter Craig.
The soldiers were presented with a cheque each. Both recipients
feelingly returned thanks, and said they thought it was their duty
to go and do their bit. Private A. Wright was a settler of some 10 years standing. (Pukekohe & Waiuku

Times 15 June 1917)

Service Abroad
Arthur embarked from Wellington on the troopship HMNZT 87 Tahiti on 12 June 1917. While at sea
he was in hospital for three days. He disembarked at Devonport on 16 August 1917 and marched
into Sling the next day. He was admitted to hospital for an abscess of an ear. Over the next few
months, he was admitted to hospital a number of times. Arthur marched out for France on
10 September 1918 from Larkhill arriving at Etaples three days later, having joined the 2nd Battalion,
Auckland Regiment on 16 September. Arthur was wounded on 30 September 1918, receiving
gunshot wounds to his right shoulder and lower right leg and was admitted to the General Hospital
in Etaples before being transferred back to England, first to Southwark, then Hornchurch.
Arthur embarked home for New Zealand on the Port Melbourne from London on 25 January 1919.
While at sea, he still had an aching foot although his wounds had healed and still had pins and
needles in his right upper arm and his right leg ached. He arrived back in New Zealand on 8 March
1919 and he travelled by train to Onehunga, then steamer to Waipipi.
Arthur served 1 year, 269 days overseas and 144 days in New Zealand a total service of 2 years 48
days.
He was discharged as “no longer physically fit for war service on account of wounds received in
action.” He received a NZEF Demobilization Certificate stating: “Served with Honour and was
disabled in the Great War, Honourably Discharged on 27th May 1919.”

Post-war

Arthur came home to continue farming at Waipipi. Arthur married Jessie Louisa LOWE (1885-1968),
the daughter of John and Kate Maria LOWE on 12 October 1921 at Holy Trinity church in Waiuku.
Jessie was a schoolteacher of Waiuku. They had a family of three children: Kathlyn Mary b.1922,
Dorothy Muriel b.1925, John Arthur b.1927.
Arthur purchased a farm on Glenbrook Beach Road c.1919, Lot 41, 144 acres. He had a fine Jersey
cow herd and bred pedigree Tamworth pigs. Until the late 1920s the road was just a track and
Arthur received a shipment of fertiliser to a prominent point on his farm via the Waiuku River.
Arthur and other residents were the ‘Kahawai deputation’ to the Franklin County Council regarding
ongoing shelling of Kahawai Road in Glenbrook.
Noted in the Franklin Times of 1939 and 1940, Arthur was a Judge for the “calves class” for the
Patumahoe School, also for Best Homemade Cover – the first prize being a cover donated by Arthur.
At the Glenbrook Calf Club Day 1939, the prizes were presented by Mr A. Wright, the Chairman.
Arthur was involved with the Home Guard in WW2, was a member of the Franklin Agricultural &
Pastoral Society, a member of the Franklin Jersey Breeder’s Club and a Franklin Calf Club judge.
At the age of 16 (1943) Arthur’s son Jack left his schooling at Mt Albert Grammar School to farm the
family farm as Arthur was ill and continued to suffer from his war injuries. He spent time in
Greenlane Hospital prior to his death in March 1945, just shy of his 58th birthday*.

In Memoriam

Waiuku Cemetery Row 14 Plot 029.
Waiuku Roll of Honour, Waiuku War Memorial Hall.

Sources

Archives New Zealand, Military Records
‘Faith and Work’ Glenbrook School centenary publication
Wright Family personal sources
Road delegation, Franklin Times 20 January 1932
New Zealand Electoral Rolls

Researched by Gillian Conroy

John Herbert Newlyn King WRIGHT

Service Number: 56394
Regiment: Auckland Regiment
Last known Rank: Private
Died: 22 December 1935
Age: 45 years
Cemetery: Waiuku Row 21 Plot 039

Pre-war

John Herbert Newlyn King WRIGHT was born in Whitianga on 16 February
1890. He was the eighth child of ten, born to Charles William Nicol
Wright (1851-1920) and Margaret PHILLIPS (1850-1920), and had five
sisters and four brothers. Charles was a carpenter and a Justice of the
Peace and shifted his family to Auckland about 1904. John was on the
1911 electoral roll living with his parents in Walters Road, Kingsland and working as a shop assistant.
By 1914 he was living in Waiuku and working as a grocer’s assistant.

Enlistment and Training

John enlisted at Waiuku on 3 March 1917 and entered camp at Trentham a few months later. He
was posted to A company of the 29th Reinforcements and promoted to Lance Corporal on 6 July and
further promoted to Corporal on 27 July. He was described as single, Anglican, 5 feet 8 inches
(172cms), 126 lbs (57kgs), with fair complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair.
He gave his next of kin as his father Charles Wright of 48 Walters Road, Kingsland, Auckland and
gave his occupation as grocer’s assistant working for W McCONNELL in Waiuku.

Service Abroad

John embarked from Wellington on 13 August 1917 on HMNZT 91 Mokoia, disembarked in Glasgow
on 2 October and marched into Sling Camp four days later. In a little over three weeks, he embarked
for France and joined the 2nd Battalion of the Auckland Infantry Regiment. On 11 November John
relinquished his appointment and reverted to rank. On 30 March 1918 he suffered a gunshot wound
to his right leg and was admitted to #3 Canadian Stationary Hospital, then transferred to the
#1 Canadian General Hospital and a week later transported back to England and admitted to Walton
on Thames Hospital. Six weeks later he was transferred to Hornchurch Hospital and four months
later was discharged to Codford Depot. John embarked 19 May 1919 from Plymouth on the Ruahine
arriving back to New Zealand on 8 July. He had served a total of 2 years 67 days and was discharged
on 5 August 1919.

Crowds wait at Auckland Station to welcome home the troops from the Ruahine July 1919

Post-war
John gave his discharge address as c/- Wallace Supplies, Waiuku, where he worked as a grocer.
On 18 August 1920 he married Elizabeth Evelyn GREENHEAD, the daughter of Charles Henry
Greenhead (1854-1936), a farmer of Waiuku and Elizabeth Annie HOLMES (1856-1943).
They had three children, two daughters and a son who was killed while serving with the RNZAF in
1942.
John and Elizabeth lived in Mellsop Avenue and then France Street, Waiuku until John died in
Auckland Hospital on 22 December 1935 of tuberculous meningitis.
Elizabeth remarried in 1943 to Eric REYNOLDS and died in 1962.

In Memoriam
Waiuku Cemetery Row 21 Plot 039.
Waiuku Memorial Board, Waiuku Memorial Hall.

Sources
Archives New Zealand, Military record
New Zealand BDM
New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Papers Past: Train arriving, Auckland Star 12 July 1919
Photo Wallace Supplies – Waiuku Museum

Researched by Heather Maloney

First five to leave Waiuku for WW1

Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections Footprints 04686

The five men in this photograph were the first to leave Waiuku for WW1. Here they pose outside
the Kentish Hotel on 17 August 1914, before leaving for camp with the 3rd Auckland Mounted Rifles.
Three of the men are dressed in the uniform of the Waikato Mounted Rifles.
Captain John Henry Herrold on the far left is accompanied by Troopers Frank Knight, Robert William
(Bob) Hammond, Alexander Glass and Henry Eisenhut.
All five men survived the war although Frank Knight was wounded at Gallipoli in 1915.
Henry Eisenhut was awarded the DCM for gallantry in action at Beersheba, Palestine, in 1917.
Captain Herrold, later Major Herrold, was wounded and awarded the DSO in Palestine in 1918.

The Waiuku War Memorial

Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection Footprints 04672

Waiuku’s war memorial was unveiled on 9 June 1921. The ceremony was led by Maxwell Aldred,
president of the Waiuku RSA, with Rev. J. C. Fussell offering a blessing and C. Motion of the Franklin
Borough Council speaking. The ceremony included hymns and the laying of wreaths and concluded
with the Last Post.

Orders, Decorations and Medals

as noted in this book

British Gallantry, Distinguished and Meritorious Service

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

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

This decoration was instituted by Queen Victoria by Royal Warrant dated
6 September 1886 as “the means of adequately rewarding the distinguished
services of officers in our Naval or Military Services who have been honourably
mentioned in despatches”.

The Warrant was amended in August 1916 to provide for subsequent awards,
designated by a silver bar and was further amended in 1943 to remove the
requirement to have previously been mentioned in despatches. The DSO was
replaced by the New Zealand Gallantry Star in 1999.

There were 149 awards made to the NZEF during WW1, including 8 second
award bars. Awards were promulgated in the London Gazette.

Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)

The DCM was instituted in 1854 recognising acts of gallantry in the field in the
face of the enemy. It was awarded to those below commissioned rank and was
second only to the Victoria Cross. A bar carrying the date of a subsequent deed
could be added until 1916 when the bar was changed to a laurel wreath.

There were 400 awards made to the NZEF during WW1, including 4 second
awards bars. Awards were promulgated in the London Gazette.

Military Medal (MM)

The Military Medal was instituted by Royal Warrant dated 25th March 1916,
creating a silver medal “to be awarded to non-commissioned officers and men
for individual or associated acts of bravery on the recommendation of a
Commander-in-Chief in the Field”. It was intended as a lesser award to the
DCM, and was back-dated to cover acts prior to the medal’s institution.
Subsequent awards are designated by the awarding of a silver bar, as shown.

There were 2129 awards made to the NZEF during WW1, including 62 second
award bars. Awards were promulgated in the London Gazette.

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

1914-1915 Star

The 1914-15 Star was issued to all ranks of the British and Imperial Forces who
served between the commencement of the war on 5 August 1914 and
31 December 1915 provided they had not first qualified for the 1914 Star. It is
identical to the 1914 Star except the centre scroll bears the dates “1914-15”
and the two small scrolls bearing “Aug” and “Nov” are omitted.

Recipients of this medal also received the British War Medal and Victory
Medal - it was never awarded singly. The members of the Samoan
Expeditionary Force who landed in Samoa on 29 August 1914 qualified for the
medal. Service in Samoa after this date did not qualify.

British War Medal

This medal was instituted in 1919 to recognise the service of all ranks who
rendered service between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918. All ranks of
the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and Dominion and Colonial naval forces
(including reserves) were required to have completed 28 days mobilised
service.

The medal was later extended to cover 1919-20 for mine-clearing at sea as well
as participation in operations in North and South Russia, the eastern Baltic,
Siberia, the Black Sea, and the Caspian.

The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service.
This was the most numerous of the First World War medals.

Victory Medal

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

Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration (VD)

This decoration was instituted by Royal Warrant dated 18 May 1899 to be
awarded to officers of the ‘Auxiliary Forces’ who had completed twenty
years of commissioned service. It was authorised for award in New Zealand
on 1 May 1902 in New Zealand Gazette No. 33. It was also stipulated that
half the time served in the ranks of said Auxiliary Force would count as
qualifying service.
All awards were engraved on the reverse with the rank, name and unit of
the recipient. Over 420 were issued in New Zealand before it was replaced
by the Efficiency Decoration in 1931.

Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal
The Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal was instituted by
Queen Victoria in a Royal Warrant on 18 May 1899 and amended by
further Warrants dated 3 August 1902 and 25 January 1923. It was
authorised in the New Zealand Gazette No. 33 on 1 May 1902. It was
awarded to officers and other ranks of the New Zealand Volunteer
Force, and later the New Zealand Territorial Forces, who had completed
20 years of service. The award was superseded on 23 September 1931
by The New Zealand Efficiency Medal.

New Zealand Long and Efficient Service Medal

The New Zealand Long and Efficient Service Medal was the earliest medal
awarded in New Zealand for long and efficient services, being issued between
1 January 1887 to 22 September 1931.

Eligibility for the medal changed over time and, from 1920, could be issued to
all members of the New Zealand Military Forces for 16 or 20 years of service
(active service between 5 August 1914 and 28 January 1919 counted as double
qualifying time).

New Zealand Territorial Service Medal

The New Zealand Territorial Service medal was instituted in 1911 on the
formation of the Territorial system of military training. It was awarded for 12
years in the Territorials, with active service during the First World War counting
as double qualifying time.
This medal was superseded in 1931 by the Efficiency Medal.

Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953

This medal was awarded as a personal souvenir from the Queen to members of
the Royal Family and selected officers of state, members of the Royal
Household, government officials, mayors, public servants, local government
officials, members of the navy, army, air force and police in Britain, her
colonies, and Dominions. It was also awarded to members of the Mount
Everest expedition, two of whom (Sir Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay)
reached the summit four days before the coronation. It was struck at the Royal
Mint and issued immediately after the coronation.

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

Wikipedia

Camps, Depots and Hospitals

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

New Zealand
England
France
Egypt

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

New Zealand Camps

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

Trentham camp
In 1900 land had been purchased as a rifle range for the army, chosen for its location and proximity
to railway lines. It was to this land that 3,000 recruits and huge quantities of camp equipment and
supplies arrived in October 1914. Men were housed in tents; the only buildings were those
associated with the rifle range. It was not until March 1915 that huts were erected – 50 initially but
this grew to over 300 buildings of which 160 were huts, or barracks. By this time there were over
8,000 men in camp and because of unsanitary health conditions emergency camps were set up at
Rangiotu, Tauherenikau and Waikanae.
It was not until July 1915 that roads and proper drainage were completed. The camp had its own
electricity plant, a complete postal and telegraph system, huge storage sheds as well as numerous
clubhouses. A cottage hospital was established with 20 beds which had to be rapidly enlarged to
cope with the need.
Once Featherston was established, Trentham was used as a camp for final training and a base for
mobilization. Troops marched over the Rimutaka Hill before being sent to Wellington by train to
embark.
More than 55,000 troops passed through Trentham Camp during World War One.

Trentham Camp 1915 –Alexander Turnbull Library.

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

Wairarapa Archive (00-038-074)

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

New Zealand Camps, Hospitals and
Depots in England

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

Brocton Camp

The camp of the New Zealand Rifle

Brigade was situated on the northern

edge of Cannock Chase, County

Staffordshire, 8kms from Stafford and

43kms north of Birmingham. The

village of Brocton and the railway

station were only 500 meters away.

The camps (Brocton and adjoining

Rugeley) could hold up to 40,000 men

at one time.

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

about 100 acres. Various schools of

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

subjects.

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

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

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

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

The guard house to the barracks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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