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Private James Edwin Gemmell
Description
TitlePrivate James Edwin GemmellSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionJames was born at Dunsandel on 9th January 1892, eldest son of Robert and Margaret Gemmell. He was educated at the upper Selwyn School and upon leaving school he worked with his father on his farm and also as a road contractor. He had previous military experience with the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, 1st Mounted Rifles. He had previously been rejected for service because of varicose veins but seems to have had them treated although he still had a slight varicose vein below the knee of his right leg. He was 5ft 11in tall with a ruddy complexion, brown eyes and brown hair.
James enlisted on 10th March 1917 and was assigned to the 27th Reinforcements, E Company. He was promoted to Lance corporal on 10th April 1917 and then to full Corporal on 16th May. He embarked from Wellington 12th June 1917 and arrived in England and on to camp at Sling on 16th August where he duly reverted to Lance Corporal. He left for France 23rd September, reaching Etaples three days later. From there he marched out to the Division in the field on 7th October and joined 16th Company, 3rd Battalion Auckland Regiment on 9th. A day later at his own request he relinquished his rank as Lance Corporal becoming a simple private again. He was killed in action on 21st November 1917, aged 25. He was buried at the rear of Polygon wood, described as being close to Dead Mule Gully with a cross on the grave. However his body was not recovered or identified after the war and his name is inscribed on the Buttes New British Cemetery (NZ) Memorial, Polygon Wood. It commemorates 378 officers and men of the New Zealand Division who were killed in the vicinity and have no known grave. In New Zealand James is remembered on the Dunsandel War Memorial.
First NameJamesLast NameGemmellFamilySingleEldest son of Robert and Margaret GemmellDate of Birth9 January 1892Place of BirthDunsandel, CanterburyDate of Death21 November 1917Place of DeathYpres, BelgiumCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death25
James enlisted on 10th March 1917 and was assigned to the 27th Reinforcements, E Company. He was promoted to Lance corporal on 10th April 1917 and then to full Corporal on 16th May. He embarked from Wellington 12th June 1917 and arrived in England and on to camp at Sling on 16th August where he duly reverted to Lance Corporal. He left for France 23rd September, reaching Etaples three days later. From there he marched out to the Division in the field on 7th October and joined 16th Company, 3rd Battalion Auckland Regiment on 9th. A day later at his own request he relinquished his rank as Lance Corporal becoming a simple private again. He was killed in action on 21st November 1917, aged 25. He was buried at the rear of Polygon wood, described as being close to Dead Mule Gully with a cross on the grave. However his body was not recovered or identified after the war and his name is inscribed on the Buttes New British Cemetery (NZ) Memorial, Polygon Wood. It commemorates 378 officers and men of the New Zealand Division who were killed in the vicinity and have no known grave. In New Zealand James is remembered on the Dunsandel War Memorial.
First NameJamesLast NameGemmellFamilySingleEldest son of Robert and Margaret GemmellDate of Birth9 January 1892Place of BirthDunsandel, CanterburyDate of Death21 November 1917Place of DeathYpres, BelgiumCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death25
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageDunsandel War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph
Military Service
Memorial or CemeteryDunsandel War Memorial Buttes New British CemeteryOccupation before EnlistingFarmer and road contractor Regiment or ServiceAuckland Infantry RegimentEnlistment Details10th March 1917Service Number51714Rank Last HeldPrivateEmbarkation12th June 1917Place of EmbarkationWellington TransportTahitiReinforcement27th ReinforcementsCountryNew Zealand
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. Seaton
Private James Edwin Gemmell. Selwyn Stories, accessed 04/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/394