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Private Daniel Joseph Foley
Description
TitlePrivate Daniel Joseph FoleySummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionDaniel was born at Burwood on 2nd August 1889, son of Maurice and Julia A. Foley. Before enlisting he was working as a farm labourer for J. McMullen at Springston. He had previously been rejected for service in July 1916 as he had deformed toes. When examined it was the second toe on his left foot and he claimed it “never troubled him” and that he was desperate to get into camp. This time he was passed fit. He was 5ft 10in tall with a fair complexion, blue/grey eyes and light brown hair.
Daniel enlisted at Christchurch on 22 June 1917 and was assigned to 31st Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, C Company. Whilst in Featherston Camp he overstayed his leave and was docked one day’s pay. He embarked from Wellington on 16 November 1917 and arrived in Liverpool on 7th January 1918. He marched into Sling Camp and was posted to the Canterbury Regiment the next day. He left for France from Sling on 20th March and marched into New Zealand Infantry and General base depot at Etaples on 24th March where he joined the 2nd NZ Entrenching Battalion. From there he was sent to join the 1st Battalion Canterbury Regiment in the field on 28th March. Three days later on 31st March he was posted to 13th Company. Sadly, three days later he was killed in action aged 29 on 3rd September, the last day of the battle of Bapaume when the New Zealand Division was involved in what became the beginning of the Hundred Days Offensive and the turning point in the War. He was initially buried near the railway line near Sunken Road but after the war he was gathered in and now lies in the Beaumetz Crossroads Cemetery. In New Zealand Daniel is remembered on the Malvern County War Memorial and the West Melton Roll of Honour.
Beaumetz-les-Cambrai is a village 1 Km south of the N30, Cambrai to Bapaume road. Beaumetz Crossroads Cemetery lies to the south of the village on the road to Hermies. The village of Beaumetz-les-Cambrai was captured by the enemy on the 22nd March, 1918, after an obstinate defence by the 51st (Highland) and 25th Divisions, and retaken in the middle of the following September. Beaumetz Cross Roads Cemetery was begun by fighting units in March, 1917, and used until February, 1918; these graves are in Row D. The Germans knew it as No.6 (English Military) Cemetery. Further British burials were made (in Rows E and F) in September and October, 1918. After the Armistice graves of 1917-18 were brought in from the surrounding battlefields and the body of one United States soldier was removed to another cemetery. There are now over 250, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, over a quarter are unidentified and special memorials are erected to four soldiers from the United Kingdom and three from Australia, known or believed to be buried among them. The Cemetery covers an area of 1,405 square metres and is enclosed by a flint wall on three sides.First NameDaniel JosephLast NameFoleyFamilySingleSon of Maurice and Julia A. FoleyDate of Birth2 August 1889Place of BirthBurwood, ChristchurchDate of Death3 September 1918Place of DeathHavrincourt, FranceCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death30
Daniel enlisted at Christchurch on 22 June 1917 and was assigned to 31st Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, C Company. Whilst in Featherston Camp he overstayed his leave and was docked one day’s pay. He embarked from Wellington on 16 November 1917 and arrived in Liverpool on 7th January 1918. He marched into Sling Camp and was posted to the Canterbury Regiment the next day. He left for France from Sling on 20th March and marched into New Zealand Infantry and General base depot at Etaples on 24th March where he joined the 2nd NZ Entrenching Battalion. From there he was sent to join the 1st Battalion Canterbury Regiment in the field on 28th March. Three days later on 31st March he was posted to 13th Company. Sadly, three days later he was killed in action aged 29 on 3rd September, the last day of the battle of Bapaume when the New Zealand Division was involved in what became the beginning of the Hundred Days Offensive and the turning point in the War. He was initially buried near the railway line near Sunken Road but after the war he was gathered in and now lies in the Beaumetz Crossroads Cemetery. In New Zealand Daniel is remembered on the Malvern County War Memorial and the West Melton Roll of Honour.
Beaumetz-les-Cambrai is a village 1 Km south of the N30, Cambrai to Bapaume road. Beaumetz Crossroads Cemetery lies to the south of the village on the road to Hermies. The village of Beaumetz-les-Cambrai was captured by the enemy on the 22nd March, 1918, after an obstinate defence by the 51st (Highland) and 25th Divisions, and retaken in the middle of the following September. Beaumetz Cross Roads Cemetery was begun by fighting units in March, 1917, and used until February, 1918; these graves are in Row D. The Germans knew it as No.6 (English Military) Cemetery. Further British burials were made (in Rows E and F) in September and October, 1918. After the Armistice graves of 1917-18 were brought in from the surrounding battlefields and the body of one United States soldier was removed to another cemetery. There are now over 250, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, over a quarter are unidentified and special memorials are erected to four soldiers from the United Kingdom and three from Australia, known or believed to be buried among them. The Cemetery covers an area of 1,405 square metres and is enclosed by a flint wall on three sides.First NameDaniel JosephLast NameFoleyFamilySingleSon of Maurice and Julia A. FoleyDate of Birth2 August 1889Place of BirthBurwood, ChristchurchDate of Death3 September 1918Place of DeathHavrincourt, FranceCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death30
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageMalvern War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph
Military Service
Memorial or CemeteryBeaumetz Crossroads CemeteryWest Melton Roll of HonourMalvern County War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingFarm LabourerRegiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry Regiment Enlistment Details22nd June 1917 at ChristchurchService Number60928Embarkation16th November 1917Place of EmbarkationWellingtonReinforcement31st ReinforcementsCountryNew Zealand
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. SeatonTaken FromPhoto taken from Auckland War Memorial Cenotaph. Please refer to this site for the photo’s copyright license
Private Daniel Joseph Foley. Selwyn Stories, accessed 08/12/2025, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/287
