Format: Person

Linked To

Place of Birth

Dunsandel

Collection

Image

Collection

Person

Recollections

Add

no stories yet

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 New Zealand License

This licence lets you remix, tweak, and build upon our work noncommercially and although your new works must also acknowledge us and be noncommercial, you do not have to license the derivative works on the same terms.

Tools

Download Add to My Collection Contact us about this Citation for this item

Kā Kōrero o Waikirikiri Selwyn Stories

Rifleman Cordiner Newlove

Description

TitleRifleman Cordiner NewloveSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionCordiner Newlove was born 4 February 1887 at Dunsandel, eldest son of Mark Henry and Margaret Newlove. He was educated at the Dunsandel School and for many years he worked on his father's farm then in Southland. He also owned a team and did contract work in the Rakaia and Methven, districts. Two years before enlistment he bought a farm at Lauriston but, responding to the call of duty, he sold his farm for the purpose of joining the Sixteenth Reinforcements. He was notable locally for his height, as it was reported that he stood 6ft 2in in his stockings. In 1944, in a farewell speech to Cordiner’s departing airman nephew, Mr Sheat referred to Rifleman Cordiner Newlove, and commented that he had been held back from serving in the trenches in the war on account of his height but had persisted in his endeavours to serve in the front line and eventually made the supreme sacrifice for king and country at Messines on June 7, 1917.

His medical report lists his height at 6ft 4in with medium complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. Cordiner enlisted at Trentham on 3rd May 1916 and was assigned to the Rifle Brigade, 7th Reinforcements. He embarked on 20th August on board the Mokia at Dunedin bound for England and disembarked at Devonport on 24th October 1916 and marched into Sling Camp the same day. He left for France a few weeks later on 15 November and reached base depot at Etaples the next day. He was posted to A Company on 8th December 1916. He was killed in action on 7th June 1917 with the 4th Battalion, aged 31, in the battle for Messines. In New Zealand he is remembered on the Southbridge Plaque of the Ellesmere County War Memorial as well as the Dunsandel and Ashburton War Memorials.
His death was even more tragic for it appears he had given up the chance of wife and family. His will makes the bequest of money to Hilda Clinton, daughter of James Clinton of Lauriston and in turn she inserted an In Memoriam notice in 1919 remembering him “There is a link death cannot sever, Sweet remembrance lasts forever.”

Messines (now Mesen) was considered a strong strategic position, not only from its height above the plain below, but from the extensive system of cellars under the convent known as the 'Institution Royale'. The village was taken from the 1st Cavalry Division by the German 26th Division on 31 October-1 November 1914. An attack by French troops on 6 -7 November was unsuccessful and it was not until the Battle of Messines on 7 June 1917 that it was retaken by the New Zealand Division. On 10-11 April 1918, the village fell into German hands once more after a stubborn defence by the South African Brigade, but was retaken for the last time on 28-29 September 1918.

First NameCordinerLast NameNewloveFamilySingleEldest son of Mark Henry and Margaret NewloveDate of Birth4 February 1887Place of BirthDunsandelDate of Death7 June 1917Place of DeathMessines, BelgiumCause of DeathKilled n action Age at Death31

Collection

Connections

CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageDunsandel War MemorialLeeston and Ellesmere County War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryAsburton War MemorialDunsandel War Memorial Ellesmere County War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingFarmer Regiment or ServiceNew Zealand Rifle BrigadeEnlistment Details3rd May 1916Service Number21877Rank Last HeldRiflemanEmbarkation20th August 1916Place of EmbarkationDunedin TransportMokoia Theatre of WarWestern FrontCountryNew Zealand

Attribution

Researched ByL. M. Seaton

Menu

Rifleman Cordiner Newlove