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Lance Corporal William David Gold

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TitleTrooper William David GoldSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionWilliam was born 21 February 1892 at Dunsandel, eldest son of William and Johnanna Gold. He was educated at the Kowai Bush School. Being of a happy and genial disposition, he was extremely popular in the whole district. Before enlisting he was working as a labourer for C. H. Johnson at Kowai Bush. He had previous military experience having served with the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry. He was 5ft 8in tall with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. His distinguishing feature was a mole on the left side of his chest.

He was the first in the district to enlist, and remarked, when war was declared, that he would be ready to go in half an hour. The day of his death, 14 August, was the third anniversary of his enlistment. William enlisted on 20 August 1914 at Addington and was assigned to the Canterbury Mounted Rifles. He embarked with the Main Body on 16 October 1914 bound for Suez on board Transport No.4. He arrived at Alexandria on 3 December 1914, after 50 days at sea. He joined the fighting on Gallipoli on 9th May 1915 and was wounded in the hip in fighting on Walkers Ridge on 8 July. He was evacuated by hospital ship Gascon to Tigne Hospital in Malta. During the First World War, Malta served as a "Nurse of the Mediterranean" caring for 2500 officers and 55,400 troops from the Gallipoli campaigns. He returned to the advanced base at Mustapha on board the Ionian on 9 September and then re-joined his unit on Mudros on 15 September. However he fell ill with influenza and was admitted to the casualty Clearing Station and then the 15 Stationary Hospital there on 17 October with enteritis. He was finally well enough to leave Mudros and arrived in Alexandria on 10 January 1916 on board the Ansonia. He re-joined his unit at Zeitoun the next day. He was posted to 1st Mounted Rifles at Hagley Park Camp on 9 March 1916. However his ill health was not over and he had a bad reaction to an inoculation and was sent to hospital at Kantara on 14 July but was back to his unit on the 17th. Next he had a bout of influenza on 5 April but was treated in the field. He was promoted Lance Corporal on 10 May 1917. Sadly only three months later he died of gunshot wounds to his abdomen and left arm received on 12 August. He died on 14 August at the 65th Casualty Clearing station at Rafa, aged 25, and was buried at Rafa by Chaplain Hayes. After the war his body was removed to the Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Suez. In New Zealand William is remembered on the Kowai Bush War Memorial.

First NameWilliam DavidLast NameGoldFamilySingleEldest son of William and Johnanna GoldDate of Birth21 February 1892Place of BirthDunsandelDate of Death14 August 1917Place of DeathPalestineCause of DeathDied of woundsAge at Death25

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CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageKowai Bush War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryKantara War Memorial CemeteryKowai Bush War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingLabourerRegiment or ServiceCanterbury Mounted RiflesEnlistment Details20th August 1914Service Number7/335 Embarkation16th October 1914TransportTransport no. 4CountryNew Zealand

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Researched ByL. M. Seaton

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Lance Corporal William David Gold