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Private William James Beddis

Description

TitlePrivate William James BeddisSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionWilliam was born in Glenroy on 8th June 1891, second son of John William and Elizabeth Emma Beddis. He attended Glenroy School before leaving to work as a labourer for Mr W. Hall at Hororata. He had previous military experience having spent 12 months with the territorial forces. He was 5ft 10in tall with a dark complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair. He also had two moles on his left side.

He enlisted on 10 June 1915 and was assigned to the Canterbury Regiment. He embarked on 9th October with the 7th Reinforcements on the Aparima destined for Suez and arrived on 18 November 1915. He joined the second Battalion at their base at Moascar near Ismailia. From here he embarked for France on 7 April 1916. On 22 September 1916 he suffered a gunshot wound to his left thigh and shoulder. This was the last day of the battle for Flers in which the New Zealand Division was involved. He was admitted to No 45 Casualty Clearing Station but died of his wounds on 30th September aged only 25. He was buried in the Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme. In New Zealand he is remembered on the Glenroy War Memorial and with a Memorial in Hororata Church.

First NameWilliam JamesLast NameBeddisFamilySingleSecond son of John William and Elizabeth Emma BeddisDate of Birth8 June 1891Place of BirthGlenroy, CanterburyDate of Death30 September 1916Place of DeathFranceCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death25

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CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OnePlaceGlenroy Last edited by: Sarah Davy

Hororata

ImageWar Memorial Glenroy/WindwhistleMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryDernancourt Communal Cemetery ExtensionGlenroy War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingLabourer Regiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry Regiment Enlistment Details10th June 1915 Service Number6/2932Embarkation9th October 1915TransportAparimaCountryNew Zealand

Attribution

Researched ByL. M. SeatonTaken FromPhoto taken from Auckland War Memorial Cenotaph. Please refer to this site for the photo’s copyright license

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Private William James Beddis