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Rifleman George Henry Clarence Wilcox

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TitleRifleman George Henry Clarence WilcoxSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionHe was born 20 December 1894 at Riccarton, second son of William and Emily Willcox. He attended school in Christchurch and in Queenstown where his parents later lived. At the age of 15, he joined the railway staff as a cadet and was a very popular member of the Dunsandel Railway staff at the time of enlisting. He was due to have been promoted to a clerkship. He had previous military experience with the Canterbury Regiment and was also a keen rifleman and a prize winning swimmer. He was 5ft 2in tall, with a medium complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair.

George enlisted at Dunsandel on 13 October 1915 and was assigned to the New Zealand Rifle Brigade. He was accorded a hearty send-off with other local lads who left at the same time. He embarked on the Ulimaroa with the Rifles on 5 February 1916 for Suez. He sailed for France on the RMS Alaunia leaving Alexandria on 7 April 1916. In France he was attached to the Light Trench Motar Battery on 15 May 1916. George was killed in action 19 July 1916 aged 21. A notation on his record states that he was buried where he fell in the front trench, 2 ½ miles from Arnemtieres. However the Somme battlefield was much fought over and such burials were sometimes lost and his name is inscribed on the Cite Bonjean Memorial, Armentieres. This commemorates 47 officers and men of the New Zealand Division who died in the neighbourhood of Armentieres and have no known grave. In New Zealand George is remembered on the Dunsandel War Memorial.
First NameGeorge Henry ClarenceLast NameWillcoxFamilySingleSon of William and Emily WillcoxDate of Birth20 December 1894Place of BirthRiccartonDate of Death19 July 1916Place of DeathFranceCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death21

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CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageDunsandel War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryCite Bonjean MemorialDunsandel War Memorial Occupation before EnlistingRailway staff member Regiment or ServiceNew Zealand Rifle BrigadeEnlistment Details13th October 1915 at DarfieldService Number25/1027 Embarkation5th February 1916TransportUlimaroaTheatre of WarWestern FrontCountryNew Zealand

Attribution

Researched ByL. M. Seaton

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Rifleman George Henry Clarence Wilcox