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Kā Kōrero o Waikirikiri Selwyn Stories

Private John Ira Howells

Description

TitlePrivate John Ira HowellsAlternative NameBrownSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionJohn was born to John Henry Brown and Sarah Ann Howells on 31 January 1877 at Blaenavon, Monmouthshire. Before emigrating to New Zealand via Australia in 1913 he worked in the Big Pit, Blaenavon, as a timberman and was for some years a member of Broad-street Baptist Chapel. When he left he was presented with a valuable travelling bag and a Bible by the members and friends, by whom he was held esteem. Prior to enlisting he was working for New Zealand railways at Coalgate. He was 5ft 7½in tall with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair.

John enlisted on 25 July 1916 and was assigned to the 19th Reinforcements Canterbury Infantry Battalion, C Company. His training at Trentham was eventful being hospitalised for 4 days with an attack of food poisoning in August and then a further two days in early November after an epileptic fit. However he still embarked for England on 15th November and arrived in Devonport and Sling Camp on 29 January 1917. He embarked for the front in France on 1 March 1917 and marched into camp at Etaples on 3rd. He was posted to 13th Company, 1st Battalion, Canterbury Infantry and joined them in the field on 25 May, where he would have served alongside Peter Campbell who was also killed. He was killed in action on 2nd October 1917, aged 30.

The Regimental history reports that the 1st Canterbury Battalion left Coulomby early on the 25th and arrived at 4 p.m. on the 28th in the Ypres North area, to the west of the town and close to the Ypres-Poperinghe railway. The following night the 1st Canterbury and 1st Otago Battalions took over the right subsector of the front line, the 1st Canterbury Battalion having its headquarters in Pommern Castle, a thousand yards south of the Wieltje-Gravenstafel road. The history notes that the brigade held the line, but with some casualties. His body was not found or identified and his name is inscribed on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing. In a letter to a relative his Lieutenant wrote: 'I wish to say he was of the best men I had in my platoon, and was an excellent soldier. Although we shall all miss him we must be consoled by the fact that he died fighting for the cause of right and justice, and that his name will be placed alongside all our heroes who have made the supreme sacrifice for those they hold so dear.' In a strange coincidence his brother, Constantine Charles Brown, who had joined the British Navy was also killed on the same day. He was serving on the HMS Drake when the ship was torpedoed. In New Zealand John is remembered on the Malvern County and South Malvern War Memorials.

First NameIra JohnLast NameHowellsFamilySingleSon of John Henry Brown and Sarah Ann HowellsDate of Birth31 Jan 1887Place of BirthBlaenavon, MonmouthshireDate of Death2 October 1917Place of DeathYpres, BelgiumCause 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 MissingSouth Malvern War MemorialMalvern County War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingTimbermanRegiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry Regiment Enlistment Details25th July 1916Service Number31504Embarkation15th November 1916Reinforcement19th ReinforcementsCountryNew Zealand

Attribution

Researched ByL. M. Seaton

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Private John Ira Howells