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Private Arthur Gower
Description
TitlePrivate Arthur GowerSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionArthur was born at Battle, Sussex on 18 January 1891, second youngest son of Henry Joseph and Emma Jane Gower. In 1911 he was working as a nursery gardener in Plumpton, and appears to have come to New Zealand in 1913. Prior to enlisting he was working as a farm labourer for A. Holmes of Bangor. He was 5ft 4in tall with a dark complexion, hazel eyes and dark brown hair.
He enlisted on 27 June 1916 at Trentham and was assigned to the 19th Reinforcements, Specialist Machine-Gun Section. He embarked with them on 15 November on board the Tahiti or Maunganui. He arrived at Devonport and went on to Sling camp on 29 January 1917 and was attached to the Reserve Battalion. He was taken on the strength at the Machine Gun Depot at Grantham on 22 February. He left for France on 5 June and marched into camp at Camiers a day later. It was only four days later that he marched out to the New Zealand Division, assigned to No.1 Machine Gun Corps. However he was injured, a sprained left ankle and taken to the field ambulance on 25 June. He did return to his to unit in early July but a few days later on 13 he was admitted again with the same ankle problem. After time at a Rest Camp he re-joined his unit, on 13 August. He was killed in action 12 October 1917, aged 26, during the disastrous and brief first Battle of Passchendaele. His body was not found or identified and his name is inscribed on the Tyne Cot Memorial, N.Z. Apse, Panel 9. In New Zealand Arthur is remembered on the Malvern County War Memorial. In England he is remembered on the Battle War Memorial.First NameArthurLast NameGowerFamilySingleSecond youngest son of Henry Joseph and Emma Jane GowerDate of Birth18 January 1891Place of BirthBattle, SussexDate of Death12 October 1917Place of DeathPasschendaele, France Cause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death26
He enlisted on 27 June 1916 at Trentham and was assigned to the 19th Reinforcements, Specialist Machine-Gun Section. He embarked with them on 15 November on board the Tahiti or Maunganui. He arrived at Devonport and went on to Sling camp on 29 January 1917 and was attached to the Reserve Battalion. He was taken on the strength at the Machine Gun Depot at Grantham on 22 February. He left for France on 5 June and marched into camp at Camiers a day later. It was only four days later that he marched out to the New Zealand Division, assigned to No.1 Machine Gun Corps. However he was injured, a sprained left ankle and taken to the field ambulance on 25 June. He did return to his to unit in early July but a few days later on 13 he was admitted again with the same ankle problem. After time at a Rest Camp he re-joined his unit, on 13 August. He was killed in action 12 October 1917, aged 26, during the disastrous and brief first Battle of Passchendaele. His body was not found or identified and his name is inscribed on the Tyne Cot Memorial, N.Z. Apse, Panel 9. In New Zealand Arthur is remembered on the Malvern County War Memorial. In England he is remembered on the Battle War Memorial.First NameArthurLast NameGowerFamilySingleSecond youngest son of Henry Joseph and Emma Jane GowerDate of Birth18 January 1891Place of BirthBattle, SussexDate of Death12 October 1917Place of DeathPasschendaele, France Cause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death26
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageMalvern War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph
Military Service
Memorial or CemeteryTyne Cot Memorial Malvern County War Memorial Occupation before EnlistingNursery GardenerRegiment or ServiceSpecialist Machine-Gun SectionEnlistment Details27th June 1916 at TrenthamService Number29615Embarkation15th November 1916 TransportTahitiMaunganui
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. SeatonTaken FromPhoto taken from Auckland War Memorial Cenotaph. Please refer to this site for the photo’s copyright license
Private Arthur Gower. Selwyn Stories, accessed 15/05/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/329