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Private Robert Sutherland
Description
TitlePrivate Robert SutherlandSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionRobert was born at Allandale, Otago on 22 April 1894, second son of John and Elizabeth Sutherland. Before enlisting he was working as a labourer for J. Sutherland at Glentunnel. He had previous military experience having served with the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, only resigning as a the result of an acute bout of nephritis four years before enlisting. He was 5ft 8½in tall with a dark complexion, hazel eyes and dark brown hair. However, as was usual the military fixation with teeth (his were deemed defective) meant that his enlistment was deferred until he had treatment with Christchurch dentist.
Robert enlisted at Trentham on 30 May 1916. However because of the dental treatment it was not until 23 September 1916 he embarked for England arriving at Sling Camp on 18 November 1916. He left for France on 9 December and marched into base depot at Etaples a day later. He joined the 2nd Battalion Canterbury Regiment in the field on 7 January 1917. On 3 February 1917 he was admitted to hospital at Rouen with a septic right thumb involving the tendon sheaths. He had received the injury in the line of duty whilst carrying medium trench mortar bombs. The officers note added he was in no way to blame. He was sent to No.20 Stationary Hospital at Wimeraux on 13 February and then sent on to England on the 15 February. He was admitted to the No.2 General Hospital at Walton on Thames and later transferred to the convalescent camp at Hornchurch on 10 March. Finally he moved on to the Depot at Codford on 6 April. From there he was sent back to France and marched into camp at Etaples on 25 June. He re-joined the 2nd Battalion, 12th Company in the field on 9 July in time for the Ypres battles. He was killed in action at Passchendaele aged 24. At a Court of Enquiry held on 15 November 1917 Private George Bunker, another member of the Canterbury Battalion, stated “As we were advancing I saw Private Sutherland fall in front of me with a groan. After going past about 15 yards I looked back and saw him still lying as he fell”. Not surprisingly the finding was that he had been killed in action. His body was not found or identified and his name is inscribed on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing, N.Z. Apse, Panel 2. In New Zealand he is remembered on the Malvern County and South Malvern War Memorials.
First NameRobertLast NameSutherlandFamilySingleSecond son of John and Elizabeth SutherlandDate of Birth22 April 1894Place of BirthAllandale, OtagoDate of Death12 October 1917Place of DeathPasschendaele, FranceCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death24
Robert enlisted at Trentham on 30 May 1916. However because of the dental treatment it was not until 23 September 1916 he embarked for England arriving at Sling Camp on 18 November 1916. He left for France on 9 December and marched into base depot at Etaples a day later. He joined the 2nd Battalion Canterbury Regiment in the field on 7 January 1917. On 3 February 1917 he was admitted to hospital at Rouen with a septic right thumb involving the tendon sheaths. He had received the injury in the line of duty whilst carrying medium trench mortar bombs. The officers note added he was in no way to blame. He was sent to No.20 Stationary Hospital at Wimeraux on 13 February and then sent on to England on the 15 February. He was admitted to the No.2 General Hospital at Walton on Thames and later transferred to the convalescent camp at Hornchurch on 10 March. Finally he moved on to the Depot at Codford on 6 April. From there he was sent back to France and marched into camp at Etaples on 25 June. He re-joined the 2nd Battalion, 12th Company in the field on 9 July in time for the Ypres battles. He was killed in action at Passchendaele aged 24. At a Court of Enquiry held on 15 November 1917 Private George Bunker, another member of the Canterbury Battalion, stated “As we were advancing I saw Private Sutherland fall in front of me with a groan. After going past about 15 yards I looked back and saw him still lying as he fell”. Not surprisingly the finding was that he had been killed in action. His body was not found or identified and his name is inscribed on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing, N.Z. Apse, Panel 2. In New Zealand he is remembered on the Malvern County and South Malvern War Memorials.
First NameRobertLast NameSutherlandFamilySingleSecond son of John and Elizabeth SutherlandDate of Birth22 April 1894Place of BirthAllandale, OtagoDate of Death12 October 1917Place of DeathPasschendaele, FranceCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death24
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 Memorial South Malvern War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingLabourer Enlistment Details30th May 1916 at TrenthamService Number26331Embarkation23rd September 1916CountryNew 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 Robert Sutherland. Selwyn Stories, accessed 15/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/321