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Private David McClelland

Description

TitlePrivate David McClellandSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionDavid was born at Lakeside on 27 August 1884, son of David and Elizabeth McClelland. Before enlisting was he was farming in partnership with his brothers at Southbridge, where he had resided most of his life. He was described as being very popular in the district. He was 5ft 4½in tall with a medium complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.

He enlisted at Christchurch on 31 May 1917 and was assigned to C Company, 31st Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Regiment. Whilst in camp he overstayed his leave on 17 September 1917 and forfeited nine day’s pay. He embarked on board the Tahiti from Wellington on 16 November 1917 and arrived in Liverpool on 7 Jan 1918. Within a month he was sent to Tidworth Hospital sick on 6 February and then into quarantine when he was diagnosed the very contagious Rubella i.e “German Measles”. He was finally released to march into Sling Camp on 2 March and left from there for France on 20 March. He arrived in Etaples four days later and, like most reinforcements at that time, was attached to an Entrenching Battalion. He joined No.2 Entrenching Battalion in the field on 28 March and was killed in action on 8 May 1918, aged 33. His obituary notes that he had been in the firing line just a month when he met his death. He was buried along with James Lowe and five other soldiers from the Entrenching battalion in Klein-Vierstraat Cemetery, 6km south of Ypres. 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 NameMcClellandFamilySingleSon of David and Elizabeth McClellandDate of Birth27 August 1884Place of BirthLakesideDate of Death8 May 1918Place of DeathFranceCause of DeathKilled in action Age at Death33

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

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryVierstraat CemeteryEllesmere County War MemorialSouthbridge School Roll of HonourRegiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry Regiment Enlistment Details31st May 1917 at Christchurch Service Number60971Rank Last HeldPrivateEmbarkation16 November 1917Place of EmbarkationWellington TransportTahitiReinforcement31st ReinforcementsCountryNew Zealand

Attribution

Researched ByL. M. Seaton

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Private David McClelland