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Lance Corporal Robert Arthur Scrimshaw
Description
TitleLance Corporal Robert Arthur ScrimshawAlternative NameArchibaldSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionHis official name was Robert Arthur, however he was seemingly known in Irwell by his nickname of Archibald, perhaps to differentiate him from his father.
He was born 8 September 1889 in Petone, son of Robert Arthur and Emily Scrimshaw. His last employer was R. Duff of Irwell, where he was working as labourer. He was a member of the Irwell Football Club and was included on their Roll of Honour. He was 5ft 5 1/2in tall with a dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair.
Robert enlisted 19 April 1915 at Trentham and was assigned to the Canterbury Infantry. He had previously been rejected for the 3rd Reinforcements, possibly because of an enlarged vein, but had been operated on to solve the problem. He sailed with the 6th Reinforcements on 14 August 1915 for Suez. They disembarked at Suez on the 19th September 1915 but then went on to Mudros Harbour on Lemnos Island. Here the NZ Infantry Brigade was resting after the months at Gallipoli. Unfortunately Robert was taken ill and after time in hospital he re-joined his unit on Gallipoli on 31 October 1915. They then embarked for France from Port Said on 6 April 1916. He must have been a capable soldier for on 27 August he was appointed Lance Corporal. In September of 1916 the New Zealand Division were taking part in actions around the town of Morval. Robert was wounded and set out with another wounded soldier about 11.30am for the Dressing Station at the town of Flers but he did not arrive and was declared wounded and missing on 27 September 1916. A court of enquiry was told that both the trench and route to the dressing station were under heavy fire and it was concluded he had been killed and his body undiscovered. His name is recorded on the Caterpillar Valley Memorial to the Missing. In New Zealand he is remembered on the Ellesmere County War Memorial, Irwell plaque.First NameRobert ArthurLast NameScrimshawFamilySingleSon of Robert A. and Emily ScrimshawDate of Birth8 September 1889Place of BirthPetone, WellingtonDate of Death27 September 1916Place of DeathMorval, FranceCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death28
He was born 8 September 1889 in Petone, son of Robert Arthur and Emily Scrimshaw. His last employer was R. Duff of Irwell, where he was working as labourer. He was a member of the Irwell Football Club and was included on their Roll of Honour. He was 5ft 5 1/2in tall with a dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair.
Robert enlisted 19 April 1915 at Trentham and was assigned to the Canterbury Infantry. He had previously been rejected for the 3rd Reinforcements, possibly because of an enlarged vein, but had been operated on to solve the problem. He sailed with the 6th Reinforcements on 14 August 1915 for Suez. They disembarked at Suez on the 19th September 1915 but then went on to Mudros Harbour on Lemnos Island. Here the NZ Infantry Brigade was resting after the months at Gallipoli. Unfortunately Robert was taken ill and after time in hospital he re-joined his unit on Gallipoli on 31 October 1915. They then embarked for France from Port Said on 6 April 1916. He must have been a capable soldier for on 27 August he was appointed Lance Corporal. In September of 1916 the New Zealand Division were taking part in actions around the town of Morval. Robert was wounded and set out with another wounded soldier about 11.30am for the Dressing Station at the town of Flers but he did not arrive and was declared wounded and missing on 27 September 1916. A court of enquiry was told that both the trench and route to the dressing station were under heavy fire and it was concluded he had been killed and his body undiscovered. His name is recorded on the Caterpillar Valley Memorial to the Missing. In New Zealand he is remembered on the Ellesmere County War Memorial, Irwell plaque.First NameRobert ArthurLast NameScrimshawFamilySingleSon of Robert A. and Emily ScrimshawDate of Birth8 September 1889Place of BirthPetone, WellingtonDate of Death27 September 1916Place of DeathMorval, FranceCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death28
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OnePlaceIrwell
ImageLeeston and Ellesmere County War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph
ImageLeeston and Ellesmere County War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial CenotaphMilitary Service
Memorial or CemeteryCaterpillar Valley (New Zealand) Memorial, Longueval, Somme, FranceEllesmere County War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingLabourerRegiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry RegimentEnlistment Details19th April 1915Service Number6/2750Rank Last HeldLance CorporalEmbarkation14th August 1915Place of EmbarkationWellingtonTransportWillochraTofuaTheatre of WarGallipoliSomme, FranceCountryNew Zealand
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. Seaton
Lance Corporal Robert Arthur Scrimshaw. Selwyn Stories, accessed 16/05/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/481