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Private James Joseph Kavanagh
Description
TitlePrivate James Joseph KavanaghSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionJames was born at Cooladine, Enniscorthy, Wexford, Ireland, on 1st May 1895, son of Patrick and Margaret Kavanagh. He had not come to New Zealand alone for although his parents were still in Ireland his sister Hannah was living in Christchurch. Before enlisting he was working as a farm labourer for Mr P. Morrison at Darfield. He was 5ft 6in (1.68m) tall, with a dark complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair as well as a scar on the back of his left thumb. As usual given military interest in a soldier ability to eat and march, when his teeth were regarded as requiring attention the note was made that he would get dental treatment in camp.
James enlisted on 8 March 1916 and was assigned to C Company, 14th Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Battalion. He embarked on 26 June 1916 on board either the Tahiti or Maunganui. He arrived in Devonport on 22 August and from Sling camp he was posted to the Canterbury Battalion on 23 August. He left for France on 26 September arriving and being attached to the strength at Etaples the next day. He joined 2nd Canterbury Battalion in the field 13 October. Three weeks later he was sent to hospital at Boulogne with severe shell shock on 4 November 1916. From there he was sent to England on board the Hospital Ship St. Denis for treatment firstly in hospitals at Chelsea and subsequently, Hornchurch and Codford throughout November and December.
On leave in early January he then lost two day’s pay for being AWOL. Sadly he was not completely recovered for he was treated for more illness, bronchitis and laryngitis, in January and February 1917 at Codford. Finally he was well enough to go back to France on 9 September 1917 and to re-joined his unit in the field on 16 September. Sadly he was wounded in action on 12 October during the disastrous attack at Passchendaele, suffering a gunshot wound in the back which penetrated through to his chest. Despite being one of the lucky few to reach treatment he died of his wounds on 14 October at the No 3 Australian Casualty Clearing Station. He was buried at Nine Elms British Cemetery, Poperinge. In New Zealand James is remembered on the Malvern County War Memorial.
First NameJames JosephLast NameKavanaghFamilySingleSon of Patrick and Margaret KavanaghDate of Birth1 May 1895Place of BirthCooladine, Enniscorthy, Wexford, IrelandDate of Death14 October 1917Place of DeathBelgiumCause of DeathDied of wounds Age at Death24
James enlisted on 8 March 1916 and was assigned to C Company, 14th Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Battalion. He embarked on 26 June 1916 on board either the Tahiti or Maunganui. He arrived in Devonport on 22 August and from Sling camp he was posted to the Canterbury Battalion on 23 August. He left for France on 26 September arriving and being attached to the strength at Etaples the next day. He joined 2nd Canterbury Battalion in the field 13 October. Three weeks later he was sent to hospital at Boulogne with severe shell shock on 4 November 1916. From there he was sent to England on board the Hospital Ship St. Denis for treatment firstly in hospitals at Chelsea and subsequently, Hornchurch and Codford throughout November and December.
On leave in early January he then lost two day’s pay for being AWOL. Sadly he was not completely recovered for he was treated for more illness, bronchitis and laryngitis, in January and February 1917 at Codford. Finally he was well enough to go back to France on 9 September 1917 and to re-joined his unit in the field on 16 September. Sadly he was wounded in action on 12 October during the disastrous attack at Passchendaele, suffering a gunshot wound in the back which penetrated through to his chest. Despite being one of the lucky few to reach treatment he died of his wounds on 14 October at the No 3 Australian Casualty Clearing Station. He was buried at Nine Elms British Cemetery, Poperinge. In New Zealand James is remembered on the Malvern County War Memorial.
First NameJames JosephLast NameKavanaghFamilySingleSon of Patrick and Margaret KavanaghDate of Birth1 May 1895Place of BirthCooladine, Enniscorthy, Wexford, IrelandDate of Death14 October 1917Place of DeathBelgiumCause of DeathDied of wounds Age at Death24
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageMalvern War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph
Military Service
Memorial or CemeteryMalvern County War MemorialNine Elms British CemeteryOccupation before EnlistingFarm labourerRegiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry BattalionEnlistment Details8th March 1916Service Number14996Embarkation26th June 1916TransportTahitiMaunganuiReinforcement14th Reinforcements
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. Seaton Taken FromPhoto taken from Auckland War Memorial Cenotaph. Please refer to this site for the photo’s copyright license
Private James Joseph Kavanagh. Selwyn Stories, accessed 15/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/568