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Private Francis Redmond
Description
TitlePrivate Francis RedmondAlternative NameThomasSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionThis young man seems to have been known by his family and locally as Thomas but officially as Francis. Thomas was born 27th October 1894 at Leeston, son of Patrick and Sarah Redmond. It was to his mother, Sarah that he left all his possessions in his will. Before enlisting he worked as a baker for Mr Anderson. He had previous military experience having served with the served with 13th Regiment of Territorials. He was also a member of the Leeston Fire Brigade. He was 5ft 5in tall with a fair complexion, grey eyes and fair hair.
He enlisted on 12 June 1915 at Lyttleton and was assigned to the Canterbury Infantry, but caught measles at Trentham camp. He was given leave to return home to recuperate until 5th August. He embarked on 9 October 1915 with the Seventh Reinforcements for Suez and arrived on 11th November. He was transferred to the New Zealand Engineers on 7 March but then transferred back to the Infantry a week later. He joined the Infantry in camp at El Moascar and embarked with the New Zealand Division for France on 7th April 1916. He was killed in action on 21st September, aged 22. This was the penultimate day of the New Zealand Division’s part in the battle for Flers–Courcelette. Thomas is commemorated on the New Zealand Memorial to the Missing in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, near Longueval. Over half the New Zealand Somme dead have no known grave. He is remembered on the Leeston Plaque of the Ellesmere War Memorial under his nickname Thomas.First NameFrancisLast NameRedmondFamilySingleSon of Patrick and Sarah RedmondDate of Birth27 October 1894Place of BirthLeestonDate of Death21 September 1916Place of DeathFranceCause of DeathKilled in action Age at Death22
He enlisted on 12 June 1915 at Lyttleton and was assigned to the Canterbury Infantry, but caught measles at Trentham camp. He was given leave to return home to recuperate until 5th August. He embarked on 9 October 1915 with the Seventh Reinforcements for Suez and arrived on 11th November. He was transferred to the New Zealand Engineers on 7 March but then transferred back to the Infantry a week later. He joined the Infantry in camp at El Moascar and embarked with the New Zealand Division for France on 7th April 1916. He was killed in action on 21st September, aged 22. This was the penultimate day of the New Zealand Division’s part in the battle for Flers–Courcelette. Thomas is commemorated on the New Zealand Memorial to the Missing in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, near Longueval. Over half the New Zealand Somme dead have no known grave. He is remembered on the Leeston Plaque of the Ellesmere War Memorial under his nickname Thomas.First NameFrancisLast NameRedmondFamilySingleSon of Patrick and Sarah RedmondDate of Birth27 October 1894Place of BirthLeestonDate of Death21 September 1916Place of DeathFranceCause of DeathKilled in action Age at Death22
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageLeeston and Ellesmere County War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph
Military Service
Memorial or CemeteryCaterpillar Valley CemeteryEllesmere County War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingBaker
Regiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry Regiment Enlistment Details12th June 1915 at LyttletonService Number6/3135Embarkation9th October 1915Reinforcement17th ReinforcementsCountryNew Zealand
Regiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry Regiment Enlistment Details12th June 1915 at LyttletonService Number6/3135Embarkation9th October 1915Reinforcement17th ReinforcementsCountryNew Zealand
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. Seaton
Private Francis Redmond. Selwyn Stories, accessed 15/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/230