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Private William Scoltock
Description
TitlePrivate William ScoltockSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionWilliam was born at Oldham, Lancashire on 25 January 1895, younger son of Charles and Alice Scoltock. He came to New Zealand with his parents in 1911 and his father leased land at Greenpark. He worked first for Mr Arthur Chamberlain, Ellesmere, then on his father's farm at Greenpark and prior to enlisting was working for Mr James Kimber, Greenpark as a ploughman. He was 5ft 7½ in tall with a dark complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair.
William enlisted 26th July 1916 and was assigned to the 19 Reinforcements of the Canterbury Infantry Regiment. He embarked 15 November 1916 from Wellington on board the Maunganui, arriving in England on 29th January 1917 and marched into Sling Camp the same day. He was sent to the 4th Reserve Brigade at Codford on 30 March and became a member of the champion football team of the 4th Brigade. On 2nd April he was posted to the 3rd Battalion Canterbury Regiment, 13th Company at Codford. He left for France on 28 May but was evacuated to Hospital from the field on 15 August by No.4 NZ Field Ambulance, with diarrhoea. He was discharged and re-joined his unit on 20 August. He was gassed in September, and had only been back in the trenches about a week when he was killed. He was killed in action with the 3rd Battalion on 4th October, aged 22. His body was not found or recognised and his name is inscribed on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing, Ypres. In New Zealand William is remembered on the Greenpark War Memorial.
A memorial service was held in St. Mark's Church, Greenpark on 4 November 1917 where the vicar, the Rev. F. B. Redgrave, preached to a crowded congregation. The altar was draped with the New Zealand ensign, and beautifully decorated with white arum lilies. At the close of the service the “Dead March” was played by the organist.
Pictured right is Private William Scoltock's headstone at Greenpark Memorial.First NameWilliamLast NameScoltockFamilySingleSon of Charles and Alice ScoltockDate of Birth25 January 1895Place of BirthOldham, Lancashire, EnglandDate of Death4 October 1917Place of DeathYpres, BelgiumCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death22
William enlisted 26th July 1916 and was assigned to the 19 Reinforcements of the Canterbury Infantry Regiment. He embarked 15 November 1916 from Wellington on board the Maunganui, arriving in England on 29th January 1917 and marched into Sling Camp the same day. He was sent to the 4th Reserve Brigade at Codford on 30 March and became a member of the champion football team of the 4th Brigade. On 2nd April he was posted to the 3rd Battalion Canterbury Regiment, 13th Company at Codford. He left for France on 28 May but was evacuated to Hospital from the field on 15 August by No.4 NZ Field Ambulance, with diarrhoea. He was discharged and re-joined his unit on 20 August. He was gassed in September, and had only been back in the trenches about a week when he was killed. He was killed in action with the 3rd Battalion on 4th October, aged 22. His body was not found or recognised and his name is inscribed on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing, Ypres. In New Zealand William is remembered on the Greenpark War Memorial.
A memorial service was held in St. Mark's Church, Greenpark on 4 November 1917 where the vicar, the Rev. F. B. Redgrave, preached to a crowded congregation. The altar was draped with the New Zealand ensign, and beautifully decorated with white arum lilies. At the close of the service the “Dead March” was played by the organist.
Pictured right is Private William Scoltock's headstone at Greenpark Memorial.First NameWilliamLast NameScoltockFamilySingleSon of Charles and Alice ScoltockDate of Birth25 January 1895Place of BirthOldham, Lancashire, EnglandDate of Death4 October 1917Place of DeathYpres, BelgiumCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death22
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageGreenpark War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph
Military Service
Memorial or CemeteryTyne Cot Memorial to the MissingGreenpark War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingPloughmanRegiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry Regiment, 3rd BattalionEnlistment Details26th July 1916Service Number32391Rank Last HeldPrivateEmbarkation15th November 1916Place of EmbarkationWellingtonTransportMaunganui
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. Seaton
Private William Scoltock. Selwyn Stories, accessed 18/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/479