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Private Edward Claude Tunmer
Description
TitlePrivate Edward Claude TunmerSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionEdward was born at Ellesmere on 9 June 1893, only son of Edward and Mary Ann Tunmer. Before enlisting he was a farm hand for his father on the farm at Ellesmere. He had prior military experience with the 13th Canterbury and West Coast Regiment. He was 5ft 3¾in tall with a fair complexion blue eyes and light brown hair.
Edward enlisted at Trentham on 4 April 1916 and was assigned to C Company, 15th Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Battalion. He embarked with them on 26th July for England, marching into Sling Camp on 3 October. After a brief rest he left for France on 20th October, reaching Etaples the following day. On 8 November he joined the Battalion in the field and was posted to No.13 Company. With the crowded conditions he, like many in the days before inoculation, contracted mumps and was admitted to No.7 General Hospital at St. Omer. He re-joined his company on 20 April 1917 but a month later he was detached to the Reinforcement Camp on 30 May 1917 perhaps for retraining after his long period away. He re-joined the battalion on 19 June and fought with them through the Ypres campaign. He was killed in action 3 December 1917, aged 25. The New Zealand Division were holding the right sector of the front which was overlooked by a spur topped by the ruined Polderhoek Chateau, occupied by the Germans. On 3 December, the 1st Canterbury and 1st Otago Battalions of the 2nd Brigade mounted an attack against the chateau. The attack, launched at midday in an attempt to surprise the Germans. Edward’s body was not found or identified and his name is inscribed on the Buttes New British Cemetery (N.Z.) Memorial to the Missing, Ypres. In New Zealand Edward is remembered on the Springston War Memorial.
First NameEdward ClaudeLast NameTunmerFamilySingleOnly son of Edward and Mary Ann TunmerDate of Birth9 June 1892Place of BirthEllesmereDate of Death3 December 1917Place of DeathYpres, BelgiumCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death25
Edward enlisted at Trentham on 4 April 1916 and was assigned to C Company, 15th Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Battalion. He embarked with them on 26th July for England, marching into Sling Camp on 3 October. After a brief rest he left for France on 20th October, reaching Etaples the following day. On 8 November he joined the Battalion in the field and was posted to No.13 Company. With the crowded conditions he, like many in the days before inoculation, contracted mumps and was admitted to No.7 General Hospital at St. Omer. He re-joined his company on 20 April 1917 but a month later he was detached to the Reinforcement Camp on 30 May 1917 perhaps for retraining after his long period away. He re-joined the battalion on 19 June and fought with them through the Ypres campaign. He was killed in action 3 December 1917, aged 25. The New Zealand Division were holding the right sector of the front which was overlooked by a spur topped by the ruined Polderhoek Chateau, occupied by the Germans. On 3 December, the 1st Canterbury and 1st Otago Battalions of the 2nd Brigade mounted an attack against the chateau. The attack, launched at midday in an attempt to surprise the Germans. Edward’s body was not found or identified and his name is inscribed on the Buttes New British Cemetery (N.Z.) Memorial to the Missing, Ypres. In New Zealand Edward is remembered on the Springston War Memorial.
First NameEdward ClaudeLast NameTunmerFamilySingleOnly son of Edward and Mary Ann TunmerDate of Birth9 June 1892Place of BirthEllesmereDate of Death3 December 1917Place of DeathYpres, BelgiumCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death25
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageSpringston War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial
Military Service
Memorial or CemeteryButtes New British Cemetery Memorial to the MissingSpringston War Memorial Occupation before EnlistingFarm Hand Regiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry BattalionEnlistment Details4th April 1916 at Trentham Service Number15626CountryNew Zealand
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. Seaton
Private Edward Claude Tunmer. Selwyn Stories, accessed 06/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/356