Open/Close Toolbox
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 New Zealand License
Format: Person
Linked To
Copyright
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 New Zealand LicenseThis licence lets you remix, tweak, and build upon our work noncommercially and although your new works must also acknowledge us and be noncommercial, you do not have to license the derivative works on the same terms.
- People
- Places
- Themes
- Surprise Me!
Menu
- People
- Places
- Themes
- Surprise Me!
Corporal William Bryce Chamberlain
Description
TitleCorporal William Bryce ChamberlainSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionWilliam was born 5 January 1895, youngest son of Arthur and Jane Bryce Chamberlain, Thongsleigh, Ellesmere. He was educated at Brookside and Irwell Schools, then Christchurch Boys High School. A few weeks before his death he had played football for the Old Boys senior team in Christchurch. He was also a prominent athlete and played football and cricket with the Irwell senior teams. He had prior military experience as he was a bugler in the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry. He was a farmer and was 5ft 8in tall with grey eyes and brown hair.
William enlisted on 27 June 1916 and was assigned to the New Zealand Training Unit, 20th Reinforcements, G Company. He was a non-commissioned officer in the 21st Reinforcements and it was noted that he had undergone an operation so that he would be fit for service. Sadly he died in training on 14 August 1916 whilst in Trentham Military Hospital of pneumonia after measles, aged 21. It should be remembered that, in the days before vaccines and antibiotics, measles spread through groups with speed and complications often killed. He was buried in Brookside Cemetery, Selwyn after a military funeral. The cortege extended over a mile, and in addition to the horse-drawn vehicles there were about forty motor cars. The Canterbury Mounted Rifles supplied the firing party, which fired three volleys, and three trumpeters played the Last Post. High ranking officers attended including Colonel the Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes as well as returned soldiers, Territorials, Cadets and members of the Springston Patriotic Committee. Other soldiers from Trentham sent the sum of £4 to be spent in the purchase of a memorial tablet or an inscription to be placed over the grave. It was reported that Corporal Chamberlain was very popular with the boys in camp and throughout his severe illness was bright and cheerful. The following Sunday a memorial service was held in the Ellesmere Methodist Church by the Rev. W. B. Scott. William is remembered on the Ellesmere Plaque of the Ellesmere County War Memorial and the Springston War Memorial.
First NameWilliam BryceLast NameChamberlainFamilySingleyoungest son of Arthur and Jane Bryce Chamberlain, Thongsleigh, EllesmereDate of Birth5 January 1895Place of BirthBrookside, CanterburyDate of Death14 August 1916Place of DeathWellingtonCause of DeathDied of sicknessAge at Death21
William enlisted on 27 June 1916 and was assigned to the New Zealand Training Unit, 20th Reinforcements, G Company. He was a non-commissioned officer in the 21st Reinforcements and it was noted that he had undergone an operation so that he would be fit for service. Sadly he died in training on 14 August 1916 whilst in Trentham Military Hospital of pneumonia after measles, aged 21. It should be remembered that, in the days before vaccines and antibiotics, measles spread through groups with speed and complications often killed. He was buried in Brookside Cemetery, Selwyn after a military funeral. The cortege extended over a mile, and in addition to the horse-drawn vehicles there were about forty motor cars. The Canterbury Mounted Rifles supplied the firing party, which fired three volleys, and three trumpeters played the Last Post. High ranking officers attended including Colonel the Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes as well as returned soldiers, Territorials, Cadets and members of the Springston Patriotic Committee. Other soldiers from Trentham sent the sum of £4 to be spent in the purchase of a memorial tablet or an inscription to be placed over the grave. It was reported that Corporal Chamberlain was very popular with the boys in camp and throughout his severe illness was bright and cheerful. The following Sunday a memorial service was held in the Ellesmere Methodist Church by the Rev. W. B. Scott. William is remembered on the Ellesmere Plaque of the Ellesmere County War Memorial and the Springston War Memorial.
First NameWilliam BryceLast NameChamberlainFamilySingleyoungest son of Arthur and Jane Bryce Chamberlain, Thongsleigh, EllesmereDate of Birth5 January 1895Place of BirthBrookside, CanterburyDate of Death14 August 1916Place of DeathWellingtonCause of DeathDied of sicknessAge at Death21
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageSpringston War MemorialLeeston and Ellesmere County War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph
Military Service
Memorial or CemeteryEllesmere County War MemorialSpringston War Memorial Occupation before EnlistingFarmerService Number28580CountryNew Zealand
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. Seaton
Corporal William Bryce Chamberlain. Selwyn Stories, accessed 19/07/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/344