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Leeston and Ellesmere County War Memorial

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Kā Kōrero o Waikirikiri Selwyn Stories

Lance Corporal David Howatson

Description

TitleLance Corporal David HowatsonAlternative NameDavid McCullochSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionDavid was born at Southbridge on 21 August 1890, son of William and Margaret Howatson. He was educated at Southbridge School and subsequently followed agricultural pursuits. For some years after leaving school he was employed by Mr John McMillan, at Beachcroft, and later on worked for Miss Cryer and Mr W. Lochhead. He played football for the Milltown Club for several seasons and was well known as a steady young fellow. He was 5ft 10in tall with a dark complexion, brown eyes and dark hair. He already had an upper plate but whilst in training he had some teeth extracted on 30 December 1915.

David enlisted 18 November 1915 and was assigned to 10th Reinforcements Canterbury Infantry Battalion, C Company and he was promoted to Lance Corporal before leaving New Zealand. He embarked from Wellington on 4 March 1916 and disembarked at Suez on 10 April but then embarked almost straight away from Port Said on board the Kinfauns Castle for France on 13 March. Once landed, he was attached to the strength at Etaples on 24 April. He joined 1st Battalion Canterbury Regiment and was attached to No.12 Company in the field on 23 May. On 19 September he was admitted to the field ambulance and then to No.3 General Hospital in Etaples suffering a gunshot wound to his left buttock. He was sent to England on board the Hospital Ship Staad Antwerpen on 28 September and was admitted to the No.2 London Hospital at Chelsea the next day. He was treated and on 17 October he marched in to the Hornchurch Convalescent Depot. However more treatment was needed and on 11th November he was admitted to hospital again so it was not until 15 January 1917 that he marched into Sling Camp again and joined the Reserve battalion. Whilst at Sling on 7 February he appeared on parade unshaved and spent two days confined to barracks. He was sent on to Codford on 30 March and then transferred to 3rd Battalion, Canterbury Regiment on 3 May being taken on the strength and attached to 12th Company on 2 April 1917. He left for France on 28 May but for some reason it was not until 30 September that he was attached to the strength at the New Zealand Reinforcement Camp in the field. He re-joined his battalion in the field on 1 November At the end the month he went on leave in Paris, returning on 9th December and was appointed Lance Corporal but this was backdated to 1 December. This position was the lowest of ranks, second in command of a section after the corporal. But he must have performed well for on 8 July 1918 he was then sent to Abeele and attached to the NZ Wing 22nd Canterbury Regiment camp. Once there he joined the 2nd Battalion on 22 February and then went on leave, this time to England, returning on 14 April. Three months later he was killed in action on 17 July, aged 28. After a period in reserve, the Division had gone back into the line on 2 July, occupying trenches in front of the town of Hébuterne. The following weeks had been spent carrying out aggressive patrolling and fighting small actions to improve their tactical position. He was buried in Gommecourt Cemetery, France. In New Zealand David is remembered on the Southbridge Plaque of the Ellesmere County War Memorial and the Southbridge School Roll of Honour.

First NameDavidLast NameHowatsonFamilySingleSon of William and Margaret HowatsonDate of Birth21 August 1890Place of BirthSouthbridgeDate of Death17 July 1918Place of DeathFranceCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death28

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Leeston and Ellesmere County War Memorial

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

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryEllesmere County War MemorialSouthbridge School Roll of HonourOccupation before EnlistingFarmer Regiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry BattalionEnlistment Details18th November 1915Service Number6/4064Rank Last HeldLance CorporalEmbarkation4th March 1916Place of EmbarkationWellingtonReinforcement10th ReinforcementsCountryNew Zealand

Attribution

Researched ByL. M. Seaton

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Lance Corporal David Howatson