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Kā Kōrero o Waikirikiri Selwyn Stories

Private Francis James Page

Description

TitlePrivate Francis James PageAlternative NameFrankSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionFrancis James was born 15 September 1896 at Springston, son of James and Mary Page, of Tai Tapu. He was known as Frank. He was educated at the Ellesmere and Halswell Schools and after leaving school he worked as a farm labourer for Mr G. Maugilds at Tai Tapu. He had previous military experience with the Territorials in the 13th Regiment. He was 5ft 10in tall with a fair complexion, hazel eyes and light brown hair.

Frank enlisted at Trentham on 20 December 1914. Newspaper reports state that he was eighteen and his birth registration confirms this, however on his enlistment form he gives 1890 as his birth year, so he appears to have lied about his age. He left with the 3rd Reinforcements on 14 February 1915 arriving in Suez 26th March. He joined the Canterbury Infantry Battalion at Gallipoli on 9th May 1915 and survived the fighting until falling ill at Gaba Tepe. He was sent to the hospital ship Dunluce Castle on 20th June 1915 sick with enteric fever, another name for typhoid. He was sent to hospital at Alexandria on the 3rd July then transferred to the convalescent camp at Port Said on 7 August. After a Medical Board found him unfit he was invalided home to New Zealand on board the Tofua on 23rd September. He arrived back in Springston in early November 1915, along with R. Humphries and both were welcomed with cheers, speeches and songs, followed by a dance and supper.

Frank faced a medical board in October 1915 and was given two months home leave. He returned to duty 30 January 1916, this time with the 10th Reinforcements of the Canterbury Infantry leaving with them on 4 March. He disembarked in Suez on 10 April just in time to embark for France on 13 April on board the Kinfauns Castle with the NZ Infantry Battalion. He was taken on strength at Etaples on 24 April and he joined the 2nd Battalion Canterbury Regiment at Armentiers on 18 May. He was wounded in action 21 September, suffering a gunshot wound to his left forearm. He was admitted to No.11 Stationary Hospital at Rouen on 23rd and a few days later sent to England on board the HS Aberdonian. From there he was admitted to the No1 New Zealand Hospital at Brockenhurst on 27 September. After almost three months, including time at the convalescent depot at Hornchurch, he was sent to No 3 NZ General Hospital at Codford, Salisbury Plain on 22 January 1917. After another three months he was discharged on 28thApril and two months later he was well enough to be attached to the 4th Reserve Battalion at Sling Camp. He finally arrived back in Etaples on 27 July and re-joined his unit in the field on 11 August. Seven weeks later he was killed in action on 29 September 1917 near Ypres, aged 21. He was buried in the Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Belgium. In New Zealand Francis is remembered on the Tai Tapu and Springston War Memorial.

First NameFrancis JamesLast NamePageFamilySingleSon of James and Mary Page, of Tai Tapu Date of Birth15 September 1896Place of BirthSpringstonDate of Death29 September 1917Place of DeathYpres, BelgiumCause of DeathKilled in action

Connections

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

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryYpres Reservoir CemeterySpringston War Memorial Tai Tapu War CemeteryOccupation before EnlistingLabourerEnlistment Details20th December 1914 at Trentham Service Number6/1683 Rank Last HeldPrivateEmbarkation14th February 1915Place of EmbarkationWellington TransportTofuaCountryNew Zealand

Attribution

Researched ByL. M. Seaton

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Private Francis James Page