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Private Kenneth David Wilson
Description
TitlePrivate Kenneth David WilsonAlternative NameKenneth David Clark SummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionKenneth was born 8 September 1894 at Rakaia, youngest son of Kenneth and Jane Wilson. His father, also named Kenneth, arrived in New Zealand in 1867 on the "Glenmark" and was clerk to the South Malvern Road Board from 1875-1882. He then became water-race surveyor for the Hororata and Selwyn districts for seventeen years. For 32 years he was also connected with the Selwyn Plantation Board and was chairman of the Selwyn County Council. Before enlisting Kenneth was a farm hand for Mr K. Wilson at Rakaia. He had previous Military experience with the 2nd (South Canterbury) Regiment. He was amongst the tallest of soldiers at 6ft 2in with a fair complexion, grey eyes and fair hair.
Ken enlisted on 28 June 1916 at Trentham. In August 1916 whilst in training at Trentham he contracted influenza and was granted sick leave to go home. He recovered and embarked for Europe on 11 October 1916 on board the Tofua. He arrived in England just after Christmas on 29 December 1916 and went on to Sling Camp. After time at Sling Camp he was sent to France on 11th February 1917 and joined the Base Depot at Etaples. However his ill health was not over for this time he was admitted to hospital at Camiers on 25 March 1917 with mumps. He had only joined his unit, 2nd Battalion Canterbury Infantry, on 3 June 1917 just before the battle for Messines began. Ken was killed in action, aged 22, on 13th although officially it was the 14th. On the 13th the 2nd Battalion had been sent into action again at 9pm to capture a number of buildings and a trench system known as Unchained Trench. However as the troops were assembling they were fired on and shelled by the German defenders and there were heavy casualties. A court of enquiry was told that Ken was with the 13th Company and was killed near Ploegsteert, south of Messines. The officer who found him reported that he was killed on the 13th and that he had found the body the following morning. He reported that Ken had been killed by a piece of shell which had caught him on the back of the head and that death would have been instantaneous. The officer assumed that he had later been buried but did not know where. However his body was not found or identified and his name is inscribed on the Messines Memorial to the Missing. In New Zealand Kenneth is remembered on the Hororata and the Ashburton War Memorials.
First NameKenneth DavidLast NameWilsonFamilySingleDate of Birth8 September 1894Place of BirthRakaiaDate of Death14 June 1917Place of DeathMessines, BelgiumCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death22
Ken enlisted on 28 June 1916 at Trentham. In August 1916 whilst in training at Trentham he contracted influenza and was granted sick leave to go home. He recovered and embarked for Europe on 11 October 1916 on board the Tofua. He arrived in England just after Christmas on 29 December 1916 and went on to Sling Camp. After time at Sling Camp he was sent to France on 11th February 1917 and joined the Base Depot at Etaples. However his ill health was not over for this time he was admitted to hospital at Camiers on 25 March 1917 with mumps. He had only joined his unit, 2nd Battalion Canterbury Infantry, on 3 June 1917 just before the battle for Messines began. Ken was killed in action, aged 22, on 13th although officially it was the 14th. On the 13th the 2nd Battalion had been sent into action again at 9pm to capture a number of buildings and a trench system known as Unchained Trench. However as the troops were assembling they were fired on and shelled by the German defenders and there were heavy casualties. A court of enquiry was told that Ken was with the 13th Company and was killed near Ploegsteert, south of Messines. The officer who found him reported that he was killed on the 13th and that he had found the body the following morning. He reported that Ken had been killed by a piece of shell which had caught him on the back of the head and that death would have been instantaneous. The officer assumed that he had later been buried but did not know where. However his body was not found or identified and his name is inscribed on the Messines Memorial to the Missing. In New Zealand Kenneth is remembered on the Hororata and the Ashburton War Memorials.
First NameKenneth DavidLast NameWilsonFamilySingleDate of Birth8 September 1894Place of BirthRakaiaDate of Death14 June 1917Place of DeathMessines, BelgiumCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death22
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageHororata War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph
Military Service
Memorial or CemeteryMessines Memorial to the MissingAshburton War MemorialHororata War Memorial Occupation before EnlistingFarm HandEnlistment Details28th June 1916 at TrenthamService Number28929Embarkation11th October 1916TransportTofuaCountryNew Zealand
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. Seaton
Private Kenneth David Wilson. Selwyn Stories, accessed 20/05/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/386