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Kā Kōrero o Waikirikiri Selwyn Stories

Private Charles Cornish Kelland

Description

TitlePrivate Charles Cornish KellandSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionCharles was born at Geraldine on 3 February 1874, son of William and Mary Kelland. He was a widower having married Amelia nee Kelland in Christchurch in 1906 and they had two children Annie Elizabeth May and Charles Albert. Sadly both his wife and son had died in 1907, his son at five weeks. His daughter Annie was living in Linwood, Christchurch presumably with friend or family and was his listed next of kin. He had considerable military experience having served for 14 months in the South African Campaign with the 7th New Zealand Contingent. Before enlisting for The great War he was farming at Annat. He had previously been rejected for service because of a varicose vein but had been operated on. He was 5ft 10½in tall with a fresh complexion, brown eyes and brown hair.

Charles enlisted 31 June 1916 and was assigned to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 17th Reinforcements, J Company. He embarked from Wellington on 25 September 1916 and arrived in Devonport on 21 November 1916, marching into Sling on the same day. He left for France on 7th January 1916 and marched in to Etaples two days later. He was posted to the 1st Battalion, Canterbury Regiment in the field on 6th February, where he was attached to the 2nd Light Trench Mortar Battery. He was then sent to the No.2 Anzac Reinforcement Camp, perhaps to train others. On 5 June 1917, whilst at Reinforcement Camp he was awarded Field Punishment No.2 although his papers do not indicated why. Time at camp over he was re-attached to the Light Trench Mortar Battery in the field in 14 July. Two months later he was evacuated to hospital on 25 September with an injury to his neck. He was admitted to hospital firstly at St Omer on 25 September, then to Trouville on 6 October. He was released to duty and attached to the strength at Etaples on 20th November and then he joined the 1st Battalion Canterbury Regiment in the field on 5 January 1918 being re re-attached to the Light Trench Mortar Battery. He was evacuated again with a sprained knee as the result of an accident which occurred when he was playing football and collided with another player according to a notation on his record. He was admitted to the 4th Stationary Hospital at Arques on 27 March and then to the Convalescent Depot at Ecault near Boulogne on 4th April. He was considered fit again and he marched into Etaples on 13 April and again re-joined the 1 Battalion Canterbury Regiment, 2nd Company in the field on 18th April. Ten days later he was dead, killed in action on 28 April, aged 44. He was initially buried in an isolated grave 20yrds from west side of Souastre Hebuterne however after the war he was gathered in and is now buried in Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps, Somme. In New Zealand Charles is remembered on the Malvern County and Sheffield War Memorials.
First NameCharles CornishLast NameKellandFamilyWidowerSon of William and Mary KellandDate of Birth3 February 1874Place of BirthGeraldineDate of Death28 April 1918Place of DeathSomme, FranceCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death44

Connections

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

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryEuston Road CemeteryMalvern County War MemorialSheffield War MemorialRegiment or ServiceNew Zealand Expeditionary ForceEnlistment Details31st June 1916Service Number27307 Embarkation25th September 1916Place of EmbarkationWellingtonReinforcement17th ReinforcementsCountryNew Zealand

Attribution

Researched ByL. M. Seaton

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Private Charles Cornish Kelland