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Kā Kōrero o Waikirikiri Selwyn Stories

Rifleman George Matthew Lyons

Description

TitleRifleman George Matthew LyonsSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionGeorge was born at Christchurch on 3rd February 1878, son of Matthew and Augustina Lyons. Before enlisting he was working as a farm manager for T. Lawrence of Akaroa but his last New Zealand address was at West Melton. He was 5ft 8 ¾ in tall with a dark complexion, brown eyes and dark hair. Interestingly he reported that he had enteric fever like typoid fever in 1902, which may account for his later ill health.

He enlisted at Christchurch on 15 February 1917 but his service did not begin until 7th March 1917. He was assigned to the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 25th Reinforcements, G Company and embarked with them on board the Turakina from Wellington on 26th April. He arrived in Devonport and Sling on 20th July. He left for France from Tidworth Camp. Sling Camp had become overcrowded, and on August 15th the New Zealand Rifle Brigade reserve troops, about 2,000 strong, moved out and established a canvas camp at Tidworth Pennings, some four miles to the north. He marched into Etaples 9th September and then on to join the Division in the field on 15th September. He was sent to the 4th Battalion, 3rd Rifle Brigade and was posted to D company on 16th September. However all was not well for on 31st October he was sent to No 7 General Hospital at St Omer sick with mumps. Almost a month later he returned to Etaples on 29th November and he re-joined his unit in the field on 12th December. However, he was scarcely back when he was once again admitted to No 8 Stationary Hospital in the field on 27 Dec 1917 and then to No 1 Convalescent hospital at Boulogne on 6 January 1918. He was back to Depot at Etaples on 11th January and then he marched out to NZ Reinforcement Wing at Abeele on 29th January. He re-joined his unit in the field on 24th February, but yet again he was sent to hospital, this time with diarrhoea, on 11th March. He was discharged to re-join his unit on 23 March but sadly he was killed in action, aged 40, on 29 March 1918. The Regimental history records that ‘Though the efforts of the 4th Battalion on the evening of the 28th had resulted in a considerable reduction in the extent of the enemy salient, full success had not been attained, and after daylight next morning an attempt was made to complete the work.” The enemy was holding 1,200 yards of the Hebuterne Road. George was first buried in what was described as “lonely British cemetery No 2, 10yrds from NE side of central avenue, Colincamps, 6 ¾ miles north of Albert”. After the war his body was retrieved and he was reburied in plot III. D. 4. Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps, Somme. In New Zealand George is remembered on the West Melton Roll of Honour.

First NameGeorge MatthewLast NameLyonsFamilySingleSon of Matthew and Augustina LyonsDate of Birth3 Feb 1878Place of BirthChristchurchDate of Death29 March 1918Place of DeathSomme, FranceCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death40

Connections

CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryEuston Road CemeteryWest Melton Roll of HonourOccupation before EnlistingFarm Manager Regiment or ServiceNew Zealand Rifle BrigadeEnlistment Details15th February 1917 at ChristchurchService Number48976Rank Last HeldRifleman Embarkation26th April 1917Place of EmbarkationWellington TransportTurakinaReinforcement25th ReinforcementsCountryNew Zealand

Attribution

Researched ByL. M. Seaton

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Rifleman George Matthew Lyons