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Rifleman James Johnston Cule

Description

TitleRifleman James Johnston CuleSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionJames was born in Glamorgan Wales on 11 August 1889, son of George Griffiths and Elizabeth Cule. The family later came to New Zealand and his father was the Baptist minister at Greendale until February 1915. James stayed on in the district after his family moved to Wanganui, he was a member of the Foresters Lodge and the Cricket club. He was accorded a farewell gift of a safety razor along with other soldiers leaving for the front in July 1916. He was a farm labourer, his last employer G Cullen of Greendale. James was 5ft 4 ½in tall with a dark complexion, brown eyes and brown hair.

He enlisted 6 November 1915 and was assigned to the New Zealand Rifle Brigade. He sailed for Suez on 4 March 1916 and then on to France on 13 April 1916. He was killed 15 September 1916 aged 27 when a shell landed on his trench whilst on duty, killing him instantly. The 15 September was the opening of the renewed offensive, which is generally referred to as the third phase of the first Battle of the Somme. As was common at the time he was buried at that back of the trench. Commonwealth War Graves Commission later reburied him in the Cere Road Cemetery, Somme. James is remembered on the Malvern County and Greendale Memorials.

First NameJamesLast NameCuleFamilySingleSon of George Griffiths and Elizabeth CuleDate of Birth11 August 1889Place of BirthGlamorgan, WalesDate of Death15 September 1916Place of DeathSomme, FranceCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death27

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

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryCere Road CemeteryGreendale War MemorialMalvern County War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingFarm LabourerRegiment or ServiceNew Zealand Rifle BrigadeEnlistment Details6th November 1915Service Number23/1960Embarkation4th March 1916CountryNew Zealand

Attribution

Researched ByL. M. Seaton

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Rifleman James Johnston Cule