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Kā Kōrero o Waikirikiri Selwyn Stories

Private Robert Matthew Harney

Description

TitlePrivate Robert Matthew HarneySummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionRobert was born on 31 September 1880, the fourth son of Robert and Ellen Harney, Southbridge. He was born at Southbridge and educated at the District High School. For a number of years he played football for the Southbridge Club. Before enlisting he was working in Masterton as a labourer for H. G. Toogood. He was 5ft 6½in tall with a fair complexion, blue eyes and red hair.

He enlisted on 6 January 1915 at Trentham and was assigned to B company, 4th reinforcements. He joined his unit on the 9 June 1915 in Gallipoli. He was admitted to hospital in Mudros with Pneumonia on 12 July 1915 and was discharged almost a month later on 2 August 1915. He was sent back to Gallipoli on 3 August 1915 but conditions were so bad that he was again admitted to hospital in Mudros on 29 September, this time with diarrhoea. He spent some time at the convalescent depot at Mudros from 17 October but was then sent to England on board the Aquitania on 25 November 1915. He was admitted to the 2nd London General Hospital at Chelsea 4 December 1915. He must have been very unwell for it was not until 8 February 1916 that he was attached to the strength at Hornchurch before re-joining his battalion at Ismalia, Egypt on 13 March 1916. It was during the re-organisation of troops at Ismalia that he was transferred to 2nd Wellington Infantry Battalion 8 April 4 1916.

He embarked for France from Port Said 13th April and joined the Battalion in the field 17th May. However on 9th Nov 1916 he was posted to the Machine Gun Corps in the field. He was with the Machine Gun Corps when he was severely wounded during the battle for Messines. The task of the Machine Gunners was to create a formidable creeping barrage to protect the advancing infantry and to keep them covered after they had consolidated their objectives. His record reports that he died of gunshot wounds to neck and spine, received in action on the 8 June. Robert was admitted to the 77th Field Ambulance, then taken to the 53rd clearing station and entrained on the No.11 Ambulance train at Baileul. Ambulance trains, complete with medical staff, were used to treat and evacuate the wounded. The train’s destination was the No 10 General Hospital in Rouen but sadly he died from his wounds at 2.30 am on board the train. He is buried at the St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen. In New Zealand Robert is remembered on the Southbridge Plaque of the Ellesmere County War Memorial and the Southbridge School Roll of Honour.

During the First World War, Commonwealth camps and hospitals were stationed on the southern outskirts of Rouen. A base supply depot and the 3rd Echelon of General Headquarters were also established in the city. Almost all of the hospitals at Rouen remained there for practically the whole of the war. They included eight general, five stationary, one British Red Cross and one labour hospital, and No.2 Convalescent Depot. A number of the dead from these hospitals were buried in other cemeteries, but the great majority were taken to the city cemetery of St. Sever. In September 1916, it was found necessary to begin an extension, where the last burial took place in April 1920.First NameRobert MatthewLast NameHarneyFamilySingleSon of Robert and Helen Harney, Southbridge, Canterbury, New ZealandDate of Birth31 September 1880Place of BirthSouthbridge, Canterbury.Date of Death9 June 1917Place of DeathFranceCause of DeathDied of wounds

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Leeston and Ellesmere County War Memorial

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Rifleman Daniel Joseph Harney

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CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OnePersonRifleman Daniel Joseph HarneyImageLeeston and Ellesmere County War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryEllesmere County War MemorialSouthbridge School Roll of HonourOccupation before EnlistingLabourerEnlistment Details6th January 1915 at TrenthamService Number10/1839 ReinforcementB company, 4th ReinforcementsCountryNew Zealand

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Private Robert Matthew Harney