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Kā Kōrero o Waikirikiri Selwyn Stories

Private James Finlay

Description

TitlePrivate James FinlaySummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionJames was born at Courtenay on 3rd February 1886, son of William and Marjory Finlay. Before enlisting he was farming at Courtenay. It was at the Courtenay school that he was given a farewell in August 1916. After dancing, recitations and a bountiful supper he was given a wrist watch, soldier's hold-all, soldier's knife, and a money-belt. He was 5ft 10in tall with a ruddy complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. The medical officer noted that a distinguishing mark was a deformed right thumb. As usual given the concern about soldiers eating he was held back to have work done on his teeth.

James enlisted on 30th May 1916 and was assigned to the 17th Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Battalion, C Company. He embarked from Wellington on 23rd September 1916 on board the Pakeha and arrived in Devonport and on to Sling camp on 8th November. He left for France a month later on 9th December with the Reserve group and was attached to the strength at Etaples the next day. He joined 2nd Battalion Canterbury Regiment in the field on 7th January 1917. Like many in the days before general inoculation he fell ill with what we would consider a childhood disease. He was sent to No 7 General Hospital at St Omer on 23rd February with mumps and finally discharged on 15th March and re-joined his unit on 18th. However all was not well and James was given 5 days of Field punishment No 2 on 25th April for being absent from parade. This was not the first time as he had overstayed leave in early December 1916 whilst at Trentham and had been docked 7 days pay. He was missing after the battle on 7th June although it was not cabled to HQ or his family. Rightly it seems, for he was admitted to No 20 General Hospital at Camiers, just north of Etaples, from a field ambulance with a gunshot wound to his face and hand. He was discharged on 24th June but was admitted again after only 4 days with scabies. He finally re-joined the Battalion in the field on the 20th July. On 15th September he was detached to the transport unit. He re-joined the 2nd Battalion on 27th September and was killed in action on 12th October 1917, aged 30, during the first Passchendaele action. This battle in terms of lives lost on a single day, was the greatest disaster in New Zealand’s history. The death toll was 45 officers and 800 men killed with left more than 2,700 wounded, all within the space of a few hours. James was one of the seventeen Selwyn men that day. James was buried near where he fell on Bellevue Spur but his grave was not found or his body identified and his name is inscribed on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing, Panel 2. In New Zealand James is remembered on the Malvern County War Memorial.
First NameJamesLast NameFinlayFamilySingleSon of William and Marjory FinlayDate of Birth3 February 1886Place of BirthCourtenayDate of Death12 October 1917Place of DeathPasschendaele, FranceCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death30

Connections

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

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryTyne Cot Memorial to the MissingMalvern County War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingFarmerRegiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry Regiment Enlistment Details30th May 1916Service Number26256Embarkation23rd September 1916Place of EmbarkationWellington TransportPakehaReinforcement17th ReinforcementsCountryNew Zealand

Attribution

Researched ByL. M. Seaton

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Private James Finlay