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Private George Stapleton
Description
TitlePrivate George StapletonSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionGeorge was born at Dunsandel on 28 October 1890, eldest son of George and Mary Stapleton, Dunsandel. He was educated at the Dunsandel School and was for a number of years in the employ of Mr F. Lill. He was then an attendant and clerk at the Burnham, Industrial School before starting business with his uncle, Mr A. McPherson, as a butcher. George was a keen footballer and tennis player, and for a time was captain of the Dunsandel Club. He was 6ft 2in tall with a darkish complexion, greyish brown eyes and dark hair.
George enlisted on 30 May 1916 and was assigned to the 17th Reinforcements of the Canterbury Infantry Battalion, C Company. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 19 September 1916 just before going overseas. He embarked with them on 23 September 1916 from Wellington on board the Pakeha for Devonport, England arriving on 18th November. He marched into Sling Camp the same day and then left for France on 9th December being taken on strength at Base Depot, Etaples the next day. On 7 January 1917 he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Infantry, and was promoted as temporary Lance Corporal, a rank he had lost whilst a Sling camp. He was sent to hospital with mumps on 10 April and then again with inner ear infection on 11 May 1917. George re-joined his unit on 28 May 1917. He was killed in action on 13 June 1917, aged 26, in the last days of the battle for Messines. The 2nd Canterbury Battalion had left Crucifix Camp at 7 p.m. and relieved the 35th Battalion Australian Imperial Force, the relief being completed by 1.40 a.m. on the 13th. Unfortunately they later came under a barrage of heavy gunfire and suffered severe casualties. His body was not found or identified and his name is inscribed on the Messines Memorial to the Missing. George is remembered on the Irwell Plaque of the Ellesmere County War Memorial, the Dunsandel War Memorial and the Southbridge School Roll of Honour.
First NameGeorgeLast NameStapletonFamilySingleEldest son of George and Mary Stapleton, DunsandelDate of Birth28 October 1890Place of BirthDunsandelDate of Death13 June 1917Place of DeathMessines, Belgium Cause of DeathKilled in action Age at Death26
George enlisted on 30 May 1916 and was assigned to the 17th Reinforcements of the Canterbury Infantry Battalion, C Company. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 19 September 1916 just before going overseas. He embarked with them on 23 September 1916 from Wellington on board the Pakeha for Devonport, England arriving on 18th November. He marched into Sling Camp the same day and then left for France on 9th December being taken on strength at Base Depot, Etaples the next day. On 7 January 1917 he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Infantry, and was promoted as temporary Lance Corporal, a rank he had lost whilst a Sling camp. He was sent to hospital with mumps on 10 April and then again with inner ear infection on 11 May 1917. George re-joined his unit on 28 May 1917. He was killed in action on 13 June 1917, aged 26, in the last days of the battle for Messines. The 2nd Canterbury Battalion had left Crucifix Camp at 7 p.m. and relieved the 35th Battalion Australian Imperial Force, the relief being completed by 1.40 a.m. on the 13th. Unfortunately they later came under a barrage of heavy gunfire and suffered severe casualties. His body was not found or identified and his name is inscribed on the Messines Memorial to the Missing. George is remembered on the Irwell Plaque of the Ellesmere County War Memorial, the Dunsandel War Memorial and the Southbridge School Roll of Honour.
First NameGeorgeLast NameStapletonFamilySingleEldest son of George and Mary Stapleton, DunsandelDate of Birth28 October 1890Place of BirthDunsandelDate of Death13 June 1917Place of DeathMessines, Belgium Cause of DeathKilled in action Age at Death26
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageDunsandel War MemorialLeeston and Ellesmere County War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph
Military Service
Memorial or CemeteryMessines Memorial to the MissingDunsandel War Memorial Ellesmere County War MemorialSouthbridge School Roll of HonourOccupation before EnlistingButcher Regiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry BattalionEnlistment Details30th May 1916Service Number26329 Embarkation23rd September 1916Place of EmbarkationWellington TransportPakehaReinforcement17th ReinforcementsCountryNew Zealand
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. Seaton Taken FromPhoto taken from Auckland War Memorial Cenotaph. Please refer to this site for the photo’s copyright license
Private George Stapleton. Selwyn Stories, accessed 06/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/253