Format: Person

Linked To

Collection

Image

Malvern War Memorial

Recollections

Add

no stories yet

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 New Zealand License

This licence lets you remix, tweak, and build upon our work noncommercially and although your new works must also acknowledge us and be noncommercial, you do not have to license the derivative works on the same terms.

Tools

Download Add to My Collection Contact us about this Citation for this item

Kā Kōrero o Waikirikiri Selwyn Stories

Private William Fleming

Description

TitlePrivate William FlemingSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionWilliam was born in Victoria, Australia, 4 June 1884, eldest son of William and Bessie Fleming who settled in Christchurch. He came to New Zealand only a few years before the war. Until the time of his enlistment with the 14th Reinforcements he was in the employ of Mr Sandford, of Greendale. He was an active member of the local Cricket Club, holding the position of treasurer until he left on active service. He was also a member of the Court Richard Stephens, Ancient Order of Foresters being a Past Chief Ranger of that Court. The Ancient Order of Foresters was a Friendly Society first registered in 1834 for “the best and purest purposes; the visitation and relief of their sick members, the decent interment of the dead, and the relief of the industrious poor”. He was 5ft 7 3/4in tall with a fair complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair. His distinguishing features were scars on his right knee and tibia.

William enlisted on 7 March 1916 and was assigned to the 14th Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Battalion, C Company. He was placed in isolation at Featherstone camp on 8 June 1916 because of illness. He was promoted to Lance Corporal 20 June 1916. A Lance Corporal was responsible for a section or a tent or other small group of men. He was then posted to the Canterbury Regiment and embarked on 26 June 1916 from Wellington arriving in Devonport and Sling Camp on 22 August 1916. As was usual he then reverted to the ranks. He left for France on 19 September and was at Base Depot Etaples on 20th, joining his unit on 3rd October in the field. He was sent to No.7 General Hospital at St. Omer sick with mumps on 25 April and only returned to his unit on 14 May, three weeks later. A few weeks later 8 June he was wounded, a gunshot wound to the neck. He was admitted to the No.11 Casualty Clearing station and then to the No.14 General Hospital at Wimereux on 8 June. The wound was slight and he was sent to convalesce at Boulogne before joining the reserves at Base Depot Etaples for a couple of weeks, re-joining his unit again on 25 July. He was killed in action 16 August 1917 as New Zealand forces captured and attempted to hold La Basseville under heavy artillery bombardment and sniping. As the weather was very wet trenches became filled thigh deep with mud. As his body was not found or identified his name is inscribed on the Messines Memorial to the Missing. In New Zealand William is remembered on the Malvern County and Greendale War Memorials. First NameWilliamLast NameFlemingFamilySingleEldest son of William and Bessie Fleming who settled in ChristchurchDate of Birth4 June 1884Place of BirthVictoria, AustraliaDate of Death16 August 1917Place of DeathYpres, BelgiumCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death33

Connections

CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageMalvern War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryMessines Memorial to the MissingGreendale War MemorialsMalvern County War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingGrocerRegiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry BattalionEnlistment Details7th March 1916Service Number15078 Embarkation26th June 1916Place of EmbarkationWellington TransportMaunganuiTahitiReinforcement14th 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

Menu

Private William Fleming