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Private William Henry Breeze

Description

TitlePrivate William Henry BreezeSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionBorn at Southbridge 26 May 1894, son of Harry and Ellen Breeze. He lived with his grandparents, John and Marina Hannah, up to the time of going into camp and listed them as his employer. He was very popular in the Southbridge district, and was at member of the Old Oak Lodge of Druids. He had previous military experience with the 13th Regiment and was still serving at time of enlistment. His obituary noted that he had enlisted in the artillery during the first year of the war and after being in camp for some time was discharged as medically unfit. Determined to serve his country, he underwent a serious operation in Christchurch, which was entirely successful. He had been discharged from camp on 28 April 1915, rejected for a goiter but it had been removed leaving only the scar on his neck that was recorded at examination. He was 5ft 10in tall with a medium complexion, grey eyes and brown hair.

William re-enlisted at Leeston on 5 October 1916 and was assigned to the 21st Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Battalion, C Company. Once again he had problems when in camp being admitted to hospital with influenza on 4 and 9 Nov 1916. However he was well enough to embark on 19 January 1917 on board the Ulimaroa and arrived in England on 27 March. He was attached to strength at Sling Camp on same day and joined 3rd Battalion Canterbury Infantry at Codford on 2 May. He left for France on 28 May but he was not attached to the Battalion in the field until 8th February 1918. He went through the Messines battle and other “severe engagements”. In the last letter received by his relatives he stated that he had been nine months in the trenches and was attached to the Lewis machine gun section. He was killed in action 17 April 1918, aged 24 and was serving with No 2 NZ Entrenching Battalion. The NZ Entrenching Group was created when the 4th New Zealand Brigade was disbanded on 7 February 1918. They were essentially a training unit from early 1918, and acted as a feeder unit to replace casualties in the line Battalions. The 2nd Battalion was at Abeele and was rushed south to provide extra troops during the fighting around Meteren. Sadly it seems that his body was not found or identified and his name is inscribed on the Messines Ridge Memorial to the Missing. In New Zealand William is remembered on the Southbridge Plaque of the Ellesmere County War Memorial and Southbridge School Roll of Honour.
First NameWilliam HenryLast NameBreezeFamilySingleSon of Harry and Ellen BreezeDate of Birth26 May 1894Place of BirthAucklandDate of Death17 April 1918Place of DeathFrance Cause of DeathKilled in action Age at Death24

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CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageLeeston and Ellesmere County War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryMessines Ridge Memorial to the MissingEllesmere County War Memorial Southbridge School Roll of HonourRegiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry BattalionEnlistment Details5th October 1916Service Number39595 Embarkation19th January 1917TransportUlimaroaReinforcement21st ReinforcementsCountryNew Zealand

Attribution

Researched ByL. M. Seaton

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Private William Henry Breeze