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Private Alexander Duncan
Description
TitlePrivate Alexander DuncanSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionAlexander was born at Annat on 7 February 1893, son of James and Mary Ellen Duncan. He was well and favourably known as sheep-drover bringing sheep from Canterbury through to Kumara. He was described as being of an extremely quiet nature but endearing himself to all. He noted that three people were dependent on him, two partially. This may be why his attestation papers note that he was willing to serve but appeals. He had previous military experience with the 13th Regiment for five years. He was 5ft 10in tall with a medium complexion, blue eyes and dark hair.
Duncan enlisted at Greymouth on 21 February 1917 and was assigned to C Company, 25th Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Regiment. He embarked with them on 26 April 1917 from Wellington on board the SS Turakina, arrived in Devonport on 20th July 1917 and marched into Sling Camp the same day. He left for France 2 months later on 23 September and arrived in Base Depot at Etaples on 26 September. He marched out to the Division in the field on 7 October and was posted to the 1st Company, 3rd Battalion Canterbury Regiment on 9 October. A short while later on 18 October he was gassed in a shell attack, probably chlorine gas. Taken up by No.3 Australian Field Ambulance he went from the No.3 Canadian Casualty Clearing station to No.8 Stationary Hospital at Wimmeraux where he was admitted on 21 October. Six days later he was sent to England on board the hospital ship Staadt Anterwerpen. On 28 October he was admitted to the City of London General hospital in Clapham and from there to Hornchurch almost a month later on 20 November. It was more than a month later on 28th December that he was well enough to be attached to the strength again at Codford. He was transferred to the 5th Reserve Battalion at Sling and left for France again on 20 March arriving in Etaples on 24 March. Once there he was attached to the No.2 Entrenching Battalion and joined them in the field on 28th March. He was killed in action 14 April 1918, aged 25 and buried in Meteren Military Cemetery. A report in the paper at the time explains "All the New Zealand reinforcements in France were, in last February, on the absorption of the Fourth Brigade, organised into three entrenching battalions and are now so organised. On April 12 the No.2 Entrenching Battalion with a strength of 22 officers and 1130 of other ranks, were moved hurriedly by motor buses from Abeele to St. Jean Capel to fill up a gap near Meteren, and were attached to the 19th Division. They rendered excellent service and fought well. The casualties totalled 251. Duncan was presumably one of these casualties. He was buried in Meteren Military Cemetery, France plot III.D.638. In New Zealand Duncan is remembered on the Malvern County and Sheffield War memorials.
First NameAlexanderLast NameDuncanFamilySingleSon of James and Mary Ellen DuncanDate of Birth7 February 1893Place of BirthAnnat, CanterburyDate of Death14 April 1918Place of DeathFranceCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death25
Duncan enlisted at Greymouth on 21 February 1917 and was assigned to C Company, 25th Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Regiment. He embarked with them on 26 April 1917 from Wellington on board the SS Turakina, arrived in Devonport on 20th July 1917 and marched into Sling Camp the same day. He left for France 2 months later on 23 September and arrived in Base Depot at Etaples on 26 September. He marched out to the Division in the field on 7 October and was posted to the 1st Company, 3rd Battalion Canterbury Regiment on 9 October. A short while later on 18 October he was gassed in a shell attack, probably chlorine gas. Taken up by No.3 Australian Field Ambulance he went from the No.3 Canadian Casualty Clearing station to No.8 Stationary Hospital at Wimmeraux where he was admitted on 21 October. Six days later he was sent to England on board the hospital ship Staadt Anterwerpen. On 28 October he was admitted to the City of London General hospital in Clapham and from there to Hornchurch almost a month later on 20 November. It was more than a month later on 28th December that he was well enough to be attached to the strength again at Codford. He was transferred to the 5th Reserve Battalion at Sling and left for France again on 20 March arriving in Etaples on 24 March. Once there he was attached to the No.2 Entrenching Battalion and joined them in the field on 28th March. He was killed in action 14 April 1918, aged 25 and buried in Meteren Military Cemetery. A report in the paper at the time explains "All the New Zealand reinforcements in France were, in last February, on the absorption of the Fourth Brigade, organised into three entrenching battalions and are now so organised. On April 12 the No.2 Entrenching Battalion with a strength of 22 officers and 1130 of other ranks, were moved hurriedly by motor buses from Abeele to St. Jean Capel to fill up a gap near Meteren, and were attached to the 19th Division. They rendered excellent service and fought well. The casualties totalled 251. Duncan was presumably one of these casualties. He was buried in Meteren Military Cemetery, France plot III.D.638. In New Zealand Duncan is remembered on the Malvern County and Sheffield War memorials.
First NameAlexanderLast NameDuncanFamilySingleSon of James and Mary Ellen DuncanDate of Birth7 February 1893Place of BirthAnnat, CanterburyDate of Death14 April 1918Place of DeathFranceCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death25
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageMalvern War MemorialSheffield War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph
Military Service
Memorial or CemeteryMeteren Military CemeteryMalvern County War MemorialSheffield War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingSheep-droverRegiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry Regiment Enlistment Details21st February 1917 at GreymouthService Number47550Embarkation26th April 1917Place of EmbarkationWellingtonTransportTurakinaReinforcement25th Reinforcements
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. Seaton
Private Alexander Duncan. Selwyn Stories, accessed 11/02/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/284
