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V.J.B Hall Report

By: Noah Thompson

Imagine the best teacher you ever had, then imagine them being sent to war. That was what it was like for the students of New Plymouth Boys High School in 1914. Vincent John Baird Hall was the most beloved teacher of New Plymouth Boys, and before long he was on the fronts of Gallipoli, Egypt and the Balkans. So, how exactly did he end up there?

Vincent John Baird Hall was born on November 3rd 1891, to Thomas and Helen Baird Hall. He was the first of two sons. Both the boys were born in Penrose, Auckland. Vincent was born into a New Zealand European family. His hometown is somewhere between Epsom and Remuera. His family were Anglican and attended St. Mark’s Church in Remuera. Vincent had dark hair and hazel eyes. When he grew up he attended Napier Boys High School, and soon went on to study at Victoria College, so how did he end up in the mishap of WW1?

At Victoria College, Vincent received a M.A. in languages, which was very unusual for someone of his age. He soon became a Teacher at New Plymouth Boys High. Vincent quickly became the most beloved teacher in the school!  At New Plymouth Boys, he developed a love for shooting and athletics. He became the coach of the shooting team, and before long they were the best team known. Then the war came to town, and Vincent enlisted for battle. When he broke the sad news to the students they said “We hope your poor eyesight will stop you from being sent to the front”, but Vincent had no choice. Still, Vincent taught right up until the day he left for Trentham. Trentham (in New Zealand) was likely to be where Vincent was trained. After Vincent was fit and ready for service he was issued the service number: 10/651. He was officially a member of the Wellington Infantry Battalion. Now how did Vincent end up in Gallipoli?

Vincent left aboard a troopship by the name of: Mokoia. He served in three locations throughout Europe, being Gallipoli, the Balkan region, and Egypt. Just before he left (or after) he was given a medical test. This test confirmed he was free from any mental or physical defects. He was ready, but he never knew Gallipoli would be his last fight. On the 5th May 1915, at the Dardanelles, Vincent took a wound to the thigh. Even through his agony he still laughed, and even cracked jokes. He said to a medic “There are wounded soldiers that need to be taken care of before me!”. Vincent soon passed away, On the 2nd June 1915. “As he lived, so has he died”.

Vincent John Baird Hall made the ultimate sacrifice to serve his country. Now we live in freedom thanks to men like him. He was brave enough to run at enemy soldiers. World War One may have been terrible, but it brought out bravery. Thank you Vincent for your service. Lest we forget.

If you want more info check out my Google Doc

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RSUtlJjI8gtKRrLSYGDTeaDe0mMcAWAiuSdI3S8HJug/edit?usp=sharing

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(I am going to be posting my report here . . . when I have written it in the holidays).
Meanwhile, here's what will be happening for handing  in your INQUIRY ASSIGNMENT . . .

Hi Nikau . . .this is where we are going to be posting our reports/essays on the PERSON we have been researching.

There will be a DIFFERENT format for sharing our learning around our TWO open-ended questions

TO HAND IN YOUR REPORT ABOUT YOUR WW1 NEW ZEALANDER

Please actually COPY your text and PASTE it straight into the large sticky note.
MAKE SURE YOUR WORK IS FULLY AND ACCURATELY PROOFREAD BEFORE YOUR PASTE IT IN.

GET SOMEONE AT HOME TO PROOFREAD YOUR WORK AFTER YOU HAVE PROOFREAD IT, SO THAT ANY ERRORS YOU HAVE MISSED CAN BE CORRECTED BEFORE YOU POST

To attach your image, you will need to LINK it to the Padlet  (from its internet source) OR  upload your own file (you may need to convert your image to a PDF or JPEG file before it will be accepted - ONLY upload an image you KNOW FOR SURE is legally useable - you cannot UPLOAD a copyrighted image onto our website!!!) although you can LINK to any image on the internet

if you need instructions for doing this I will have a go at making a video and putting this on the NIKAU QUESTION BOARD

You will find that the postings will be attached BELOW each other. This is because I have formatted THIS Padlet in the STREAM layout  (last weeks poetry Padlet was formatted in SHELF layout).

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ALEXANDER CRAIG AITKEN: MUSIC IN THE TRENCHES

by Katie Smilde

Alexander Craig Aitken was one of the 100,444 New Zealanders who participated in World War One. But what was so special about him? And what about his gifts helped him and his fellow soldiers in the first world war? How did he make his mark in history? What was his life like before the war, during the war, and after the war?

Alexander Aitken’s life before the war:

Alexander Craig Aitken was born on the 1st of August 1895, on 71 Albany Street, Dunedin, New Zealand. He was the eldest of seven children of Elizabeth Towers and William Aitken. He was of Scottish descent but a New Zealander by birth. As a boy, Alec was educated at the Otago Boys' High School, where he became the School Dux in 1912 at the age of 17. He also won a scholarship to the University of Otago. He studied languages and mathematics at the University, and would later go to the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Alexander also met his future wife at the University of Otago, Mary Winfred Betts Aitken Alexander Aitken’s studies were abruptly interrupted by the war. At the age of 19 in 1914, like most men, Alexander wanted to enlist himself but was told that he could only join the war at the age of 20. So at the age of 20, Alexander Aitken enlisted himself in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and set off on a journey that would change his life.

Alexander Aitken’s life during the war:

In April 1915 Alexander, or 8/2524, joined the New Zealand army. Like many young men, Alexander thought that this was a chance for adventure. But like many, his dreams dropped like a bomb. But one ray of light shone through the darkness. Alexander’s violin. Alexander Aitken had been given a violin from a friend, who had won the violin from a raffle on board a ship to Egypt. But what Alexander did not know was that the violin would give comfort and peace to the troops in Gallipoli and France. Almost every night in the trenches Alexander would play a piece of music, which would always bring hope. Each night, when weary from fighting, the soldiers could expect to have a piece of soothing music played for them. Alexander always tried his hardest to keep his violin, as he was transported to many countries. He once wanted to throw the violin case off his back, as the soldiers were on rough terrain, and additionally to his heavy pack, he had to carry his violin. He also had to face nerve-wracking experiences when he had to sneak his violin away from sight from the inspectors while the inspections. But no matter what, all the men were encouraged by the music that was played. Whilst his adventures in the Somme, he was wounded by bullets that shot him in the hand and foot. He was sent to a hospital in Chelsea, London, and remained there for three months until he was sent back to New Zealand on the 21/4/1917. His total amount of service in the New Zealand army was two years and 66 days. However, his time in the army would always be in his mind after the war ended.

Alexander Aitkens’ life after the war:

When Alexander was sent back to New Zealand in 1917 at the age of 21, he was not only physically wounded, but emotionally wounded. Unlike most men after their time in the war, Alexander married Mary Wilfred Betts Aitken, a  New Zealand botanist and the first female lecturer at the University of Otago in 1920 who he had met whilst his time in the University of Otago. Soon after he married, the couple had a son and daughter. He received a DSc degree in 1925 lecturer in Actuarial Mathematics & Statistics from 1925 to 1936. After living for a total of an age of 72, Alexander Craig Aitken died on 3 November 1962 in his beloved homeland Edinburgh, Scotland.

Alexander Craig Aitken was an extraordinary man with an extraordinary talent. To play his delightful violin. Ludwig van Beethoven himself said, “Life would be flat without music...”. In my opinion, Beethoven was right. I think that when Alexander played his violin, he played hope. Alexander Aitken in his own way was a hero. A hero who did not save lives, but who played music in the trenches.

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by Eden Taylor

Victor James Gallie

On 08-08-1914 Victor James Gallie was discharged to join the army and fight in World War 1. He was about 23 years old when he joined the army. He had a pretty standard life before the war, and his legacy is more intriguing than his brother’s, he had a high standard in the military, and his death was different to his brother’s as well!

Interesting Information

Victor was born into a family of 9, 6 siblings, the name of these siblings being, Ivy Myrtle Tullock; Clyo Strathallen Gallie; John Gallie; Capt. Oscar Eugene Gallie, DSO, MC; Calton Leith Gallie; and Irene Zoe Gallie. He also had 2 parents, John Gallie and Mary Gallie. His school before he went to war was Wellington college, who are the ones who have the Gallie brother’s memorial shield. (Awarded for good character, paying attention to rules and book work, and games participation, characteristics that both the Gallie brothers showed.) An interesting fact about Victor is there are no photos as far as people know of Victor Gallie, I myself could only find what might have been drawings or bad quality photos.

Military Information

Some things to do with Victor’s military information are, Victor’s Identification code in the army was 2/5. This was how the people high in the ranks of the army could identify their soldiers. When you joined the army you were no longer a person, you were just a number on a piece of paper. Pretty degrading right? Victor’s last known rank was a Sergeant, which as you probably already know, was a very important and respected role. Victor and his brother Oscar, both served in the New Zealand occupation of German Samoa, he was part of the Advance Party, (A small group of soldiers who go ahead of the main body of troops to prepare the way for their arrival) He also was awarded two medals for is service, Distinguished Service Order, awarded for something very successful and worthy of praise, and the French Croix de Guerre, earned by doing heroic acts during fights (Could be awarded individually or for a group) He was able to receive these medals and treasure them for about 12 years, before his tragic death.

His Death

Victor James Gallie died at the age of 37 just days before his 38th birthday. His death was a result of his war wounds. Luckily he was able to die in his hometown, Wellington, New Zealand, on July 21, 1929.

Victor is a mysterious, war veteran. You can find almost nothing about him, which makes us wonder if he was a very private man. I kind of understand his privacy, his return from the war would’ve made him either popular, if his emotional scars were not too deep, or looked down upon, if he had developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Life after the war would’ve been hard, his wounds would’ve hurt him, and the death of his brother would’ve taken a toll. All in all he was a pretty average man before the war, and his legacy is more intriguing than his brother’s, he had a high standard in the military, and he died after his brother.

Oscar Eugene Gallie:

On 08-08-1914 Oscar Eugene Gallie was discharged to join the army and fight in World War 1. He was about 26 years old when he joined the army. He had a pretty standard life before the war, and there is more to know about him than his brother Victor James Gallie! He had an interesting standard in the military, and his death was different to his brother’s as well!

Interesting Information

Oscar was born into a family of 9, 6 siblings, the name of these siblings being, Ivy Myrtle Tullock; Clyo Strathallen Gallie; John Gallie; Capt. Oscar Eugene Gallie, DSO, MC; Calton Leith Gallie; and Irene Zoe Gallie. He also had 2 parents, John Gallie and Mary Gallie. His school before he went to war was Wellington college, who are the ones who have the Gallie brother’s memorial shield. (Awarded for good character, paying attention to rules and book work, and games participation, characteristics that both the Gallie brothers showed.) An interesting story about Oscar. When Oscar’s Battery (Unit of guns, mortars etc.) was under heavy fire he never gave up, but he kept encouraging his men and putting out fire, showing true courage and heroism.

Military Information

Some things to do with Oscar’s military information are, Oscars’s Identification code in the army was 2/90. This was how the people high in the ranks of the army could identify their soldiers. When you joined the army you were no longer a person, you were just a number on a piece of paper. Pretty degrading right? Oscar’s last known rank was a Gunner. Oscar and his brother Oscar, both served in the New Zealand occupation of German Samoa, Oscar served his role as a Gunner here, apparently he may not have been needed, as the was quote, “and took control of German Samoa, on behalf of Great Britain, fortunately without a shot being fired.” I was also able to find his troop ship (A troopship is a ship used to carry soldiers, either in peacetime or wartime), it was either Moeraki or Monowai. He also was awarded two medals for his service, Distinguished Service Order, awarded for something very successful and worthy of praise, and the Military Cross, because of his devotion to service. Sadly he was not able to treasure these medals after the war as he was killed in action.

His Death

On December 07, 1917 in Ypres, Belgium Oscar Eugene Gallie died aged 28. He was not as lucky as his brother who died 12 years after service and died in Wellington.He is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

Oscar’s story starts off interesting and heroic, and ends with his cataclysmic death. I do wonder what might’ve been, if he had lived. All in all he was a pretty average man before the war, and his legacy is heroic and inspiring, he had an interesting rank in the military, and he died before his brother.

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ATHOL HUDSON

By Lois Walton

Athol Hudson may not be a name that you know. Even so, he was still a part of ww1. There are many people who will remember him as a great soldier who helped in the war effort. Athol died before the peace celebrations occured. On the days of the peace celebrations, Athol was remembered by those who knew him. For some, the peace celebrations were a day of full joy, but for others, the day was a mixture of sadness and joy.

Before the war

Athol Hudson was born in Nelson in 1894. His father was Dr James Hudson. His mother was Beatrix Jane. Athol had an older sister called Effie Hudson. He also had an older brother called William Hudson. He had another brother called Frank Hudson. He had four other siblings. Before the war, Athol went to Waitaki boys’ high school. There he was a Dux and a champion sportsman. He also went to Victoria university, where he won awards in boxing, swimming, and running. Then Athol enlisted in the army. In a few of the last records before Athol died it was found that Athol had blue eyes, white hair, weighed approximately 63

Life in the war

Shortly after Athol enlisted in the army, he was called up. He was sent to Samoa to serve in the expeditionary force there. Upon his return, he received a Rhodes scholarship. He then was sent to the Western front to serve as an intelligence officer. Sadly, a few months later he was killed in action.

Death

Athol Hudson was killed while attempting to cross enemy lines to secure information. He died on 14 Jul 1916 in France. The news was passed on to his mother through a friend of Athol’s: Cyril Rout. Athol is now buried in  Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

Athol Hudson will be remembered by all those who knew him. Even though he died, he still played a part in the war effort. On the peace celebration days, men like Athol were remembered. It was a day of happiness, yet sadness. The peace celebration ‘soldiers’ day’ was celebrated in Masterton using a big float that looked like the HMS  New Zealand. There was also a celebration called ‘Children's’ day.’ For entertainment in this particular celebration, there were sports, games, picture shows, concerts, lunches and afternoon teas. Even in celebrations like these, Athol will still be remembered as a man who fought with bravery.

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Henry Edmund Stratford
by Peter Campbell

Henry Edmund Stratford was born in Blenheim on 8.11.1892 to Edmund Hill Stratford (father) and Sarah Amelia Stratford (mother). He had 8 other siblings in his family. He had dark brown hair, his eyes were brown and complexion dark. He became a wool expert before being called up for war.

Henry was now a fit man trained for war.  He was 5ft 10 half inches high and weighed 168 pounds.  He served at Gallipoli in 1915, Egypt in 1916 and Western Europe in 1917.  Altogether 3 years 108 days overseas.  His rank was sergeant then he became Second Lieutenant. He was thrice wounded.  On his third wound in 13/1/18 his left arm was so badly wounded that he became unfit for service and came back on the Maheno and had to stay for 12 months.

After the war he married Winifred May Stratford, 1920.  His medal action was completed 13 May 1924.  He died on December 4th 1969 at the age of 69 and is buried in Richmond cemetery, Richmond, Tasman, New Zealand.

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Alexander Aitken

Introduction

Alexander Aitken was a great man, who served during WW1. He was not a conscientious objector or a socialist objector. He was great at maths, but during the war he was known for something else; this was his violin.

Life before the war

Alexander Aitken was born on the 1st of April 1859, he was the oldest of his seven siblings. Alexander Aitkin lived at  71 Albany Street, Dunedin, New Zealand  with his father William Aitkin, and mother Elizahbeth towers. He went to Otago boys high school and was head boy. He won a scholarship for Otago university which he used to study languages and mathematics.  He was not married.

Life during the war

During the war he was in the army. He fought and served in: Gallipoli, Egypt and France. Alexander was known for his violin, which he played during the war. He was injured at the Somme, in no man's land. While he was lying there he noticed a regular pattern in the german shelling, and figured out when it would hit! He managed to drag himself back across no man's land to safety.

He was sent to a military hospital in  Chelsea, London for three months, before being sent back to New Zealand in 1917. He wrote a memoir about WW1. He had a great memory,which caused him depression later on in life, as he remembered lots of awful moments from ww1.

Life after the war

After the war Alexander was a school teacher. He married a woman called Mary, who lectured at Otago university until they left for Edinburgh. He had a son and a daughter.   He studied and got a phd, and was then sent to Edinburgh university, where he worked for the remainder of his life. His interests were mostly to do with maths.

Alexander Aitken wrote several books, one about his war experiences, and several others about math. He was awarded a Fellow of the Royal Society award.  He had an award named after him, this is called the Aitken award and is given to the best student talk colloquium. He was cremated at Warriston Crematorium, Edinburgh Scotland.

Conclusion

Alexander Aitken was described by Eric Fenby as “one of the most accomplished amateur musicians ever”. Alexander Aitken was famous enough to have a joint mathematics and statistics conference, at Otago university one hundred years after his death.

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Thomas Marshall Percy Grace
by Jashen Cooper

Thomas marshal Percy grace
KILLED:8th August 1915

Died: in action

Birth:11th July 1890   NZ

Title: Lieutenant

Service number: 10/127

Waka: Arawa

Other name: Hami

Hami Grace in Ngati Tuwaretoa, was a talented sportsman. He played rugby for New Zealand Maori teams that toured New Zealand in 1911, and Australia in 1913. Hami was also a talented cricket player, he played first-class for wellington. When Hami was enlisted for war he was chosen as a sniper because of his talents…with a rifle. Hami would put his cricket skills to work by taking grenades and sneaking them into the Turkish trenches and throwing them up and down the trenches as if they were cricket balls.

Upon the outbreak of World War 1 in 1914, Hami joined the Wellington Regiment. He was put in the position of second lieutenant under the command of the famous Lieutenant Colonel William Malone.

In 1914-1918 you weren't allowed to say much in your letters home but there was one way that you can record everything without getting it checked… your diary, it won't get checked because it is a diary and it’s private, they would go into the letters and cross out words or sentences, about all the bad stuff that they wrote, so that the people back home would not know about the terrible things going on so they are not worried about what is happening and think that they are going very very well and are winning. Thomas had a diary and now when we read it it is as if we were there and we can hear it.

In 1915 on the 8th August Thomas Grace died from a stray bullet in the second day of Chunuk bair, because Chunuk bair went on in  6th August 1915 - 10th August 1915 and he died on the 8th August 1915, this would mean that he was 25 when he died.

Thomas otherwise known by his Maori name: Hami, was a slave of the Gallipoli campaign, who got destroyed under the deadly control of war as a prisoner. While he was still alive he wrote a diary of the Gallipoli campaign and when we read it it is as if we can hear it! With those kinds of details, you would not be allowed to write that in a letter, without getting into trouble. The grave of Hami Grace is still unknown and how many soldiers that died in the Gallipoli campaign is also unknown.

"IT WAS A SIGHT, AND ONE I SHALL NEVER FORGET"
Hami Grace

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by ???????

Vincent John Barid Hall was a young soldier in WW1. He was a New Zealander who fought and defended with honour and pride. He was a young gentleman who was full of love which he sacrificed his life for all and friends.

Vincent John Barid Hall was the son of Thomas hall and Helen Barid Hall and was born in November the 3rd in 1891 in Penrose Auckland. He had a brother called Lionel William Barid Hall. He grew up attending St Marks church, Remuera. While he was growing up he attended Napier Boys Highschool, Soon enough he became a teacher in New Plymouth Boys High School. He had interests in shooting for sports dso he became a coach. After a while, he rapidly became students, favourite teacher. He wasn’t married and he lived on 16 George avenue.

Vincent John Barid Hall was a healthy young man it was confirmed on August the 18th 1914 that he had no mental or physical defects and diseases. Since he was the students', favourite teacher, they didn’t want him to fight in the war. Some even hoped that his bad eyesight would’ve stopped him from attending war. The man with the service number 10/651 was promoted from private to corporal, then corporal to lance. But then he got demoted back to corporal - this was because he had bad eyesight so it would be dangerous for him to lead men when he had bad eyesight.  This young man was sent in the troopship called Mokoia and served in Egypt, the Balkans and also in Gallipolli in 1915. In the following month, he had several wounds, especially on the thighs. This gentleman was so generous even sacrificing his life for others. He said that there were other men that had to be taken care of when he was in the same situation. Unfortunately soon enough in June the 2nd 1915 Vincent John Barid Hall passed away because of wounds.

Unfortunately for Vincent John Barid Halls parents, (Thomas Hall and Helen Barid Hall) both Vincent and Lionel Willam Barid Hall died of their wounds. This young man Vincent was buried in the (Chatby) Military and the War Memorial Cemetery at Alexandria in Egypt. This young gentlemen had a funny, humorous sense of humour and was a blessing to others.  He defended his country with love and pride, and till this day we shall remember him.

To sum up, Vincent John Barid Hall was a gentleman who made the most difficult and challenging sacrifices. We can learn from him that even if we don’t want to do something we should always be thankful and do it with love and pride.

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Charles Frederick Alison

LIFE BEFORE THE WAR

Charles Frederick Alison was born to Emma and Tobias Alison in New Zealand on the thirteenth of December 1888. He had eight siblings, John, Harold, Dorris, Stanley, Elaine, Phyllis, and Emma, and Ruby who were twins. Having lived his life before the war in New Zealand, at forty six King Edward Parade, Devonport, Auckland, Charles went to the local Devonport School and then worked as a merchant which is someone involved with wholesale trade of some sort.

LIFE DURING THE WAR

Charles was enlisted to the war in 1916 on the twelfth of February and his army code was 23940. He fought for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in France and Belgium during the second battalion. Charles’ army rank was private although his marine corps rank was Lance Corporal which means his marine corps rank was higher than his army rank.

LIFE AFTER THE WAR

Unfortunately, Charles did not have a life after the war, but was ‘killed in action’ only one year after he was enlisted, when he was only twenty eight years old. On Thursday the seventh of June in 1917, Charles was killed at Messines Ridge on the Western Front in Belgium. Charles Frederick Alison is buried at the Messines Ridge Memorial in Belgium.

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LEONARD TRUSCOTT
by Ailidh

Leonard Truscott lived with his family until he was called to war. He lived with his Mom and Dad, John and Mary D Truscott, and he lived with his brother Reg. When he was little, he went to Kauaeranga Girls' School. Though it was a girl's school they also accepted primary school boys. He went to Waihi District High School for his last years of schooling.

Leonard Truscott was enlisted on the 9th of October 1915.  He died on the 9th October 1916. Leonard  Truscott arrived in Egypt just before Christmas in 1915, he ended in France on the 9th of October 1916. His father, John Truscott, also went to war before him. If you compare John Truscott with Leonard Truscott, you will see that there is quite a difference between the ages when they died. John Truscott died when he was aged 49 and Leonard Truscott died when he was aged 27. We see here that John Truscott lived a longer life than his son.

In Conclusion Leonard was a man who helped in his role in the war.  Though he had a short life he did something to help WW1 end.

(I could not find much on his times at war in his documents)

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by Chris

Thomas Marshal Percy Grace was born in Pukawa, a small town located in the bottom of Lake Taupo. He was a sports man and won several trophies for Wellington college. He joined the Wellington regiment in 1914 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant not really knowing what was ahead of him.

Thomas Marshall Percy Grace and his younger brother (William) both attended Wellington College. Thomas was a very good sportsman; he was particularly good at rugby and cricket. WCOB (Wellington College Old Boys)was Thomas Marshall Percy Grace’s sports club and he was there until he went to war.

Thomas Marshall Percy Grace was in his early 20s and would have missed his home. It was his first time in foreign land where there was a brutal battle. War is not safe. Everyone has to be ready for his last day. His luck did not last longer than a year. He died in Gallipoli on 8th August 1915 at age of 25 by a stray bullet.

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by Nevaeh
Leonard Truscott

Leonard Truscott was just like you and me living happily with his parents and his brother Reg, until on the 9 of August 1915 when advertisements of going to war and standing up for your country came up. Many men thought of this as a great adventure ¨going on the sea and making their country proud of them¨, but they didn’t know the reality of war. The deadliness torture the stress and all the rest of the things that come with you to war.

He was 25 years old when he was approved to go to war and his birthplace was Silverton New South Wales in Waihi. He was born on the 18 of June 1898. His dad’s name was John Truscott and his mum’s name was Mary Truscott he also had a brother called Reg. His occupation before the war was being a miner in Waihi as it is a mining town. He went to a school called Kaueranga Girls (boys were also enrolled) for his primary school and Waihi District High School for his secondary schooling.

Leonard Truscott’s last rank was a being in the New Zealand Rifle brigade he lived for 2 years in the war, arriving in Egypt when he was 25 years old t in 1915 just before Christmas. Buy his parent the silk handkerchief as a souvenir to show that had not forgotten his parents arriving in France in April 1916 and died on the 9th of October 1916 when he was 27 years old. He died because of wounds. Leonard Truscott’s service number is 23/307. Leonard Truscott was  5 ft 6 ¾ and he weighed 11 pounds.

Now all that is left of him is his silk handkerchief and memories that have been passed on. Leonard Truscott’s silk handkerchief is a memory for all of us that many other soldiers just like Leonard Truscott went out to war thinking it would be an adventure and lost their lives. We should always keep these me in our memories of what they did for us. There’s a lot more than you think in War and I learned that too while finding out about Leonard Truscott. If you would ever like to see his memorial it is called Auckland war memorial museum

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By Jessie

Souvenir of Egypt

Leonard Truscott brought a silky handkerchief for his family when he was in Egypt, on the souvenir Leonard wrote “with best love from Len”. Lenorad sent it to his family to show his amazing adventure. Leonard Truscott's message was a personal touch so his beloved family knew he would never forget them during WW1.

Life Before the WW1

Leonard was a miner at the Martha Mine, he worked for the waihi gold mining co. In 1914 waihi was a mining town, and still is today. Len was a young adventurous man who loved to hang out with family. His parents' names are John and Mary Truscott and he had one sibling Mildred Ann Peterson. Leonard was born 28 june 1889. Len lived in Lake Rd., Frankton Junction, New Zealand. Native of Waihi, Thames he enlisted in May 1915.

Life During In WW1

Leonard was a rifleman in the last rank. His serving number was 23/307. Len went to Egypt just before christmas and after that Len arrived in france in april 1916. Len went to Egypt because  It served as a camp for the British and the allies located in the Suez Canal. Len arrived in France 1916 to defend Russia all because of agreements.

Conclusion

Sadly Leonard Truscott did not make it through all the war he died at 27 years old on the  9th of october 1916 len was only 27 years old, he died of wounds and was buried at St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, in France.. Lens handkeef became a token of his life and death.

by Jessie

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nkiz.kv

Thomas Harry Kinder

Thomas Harry Kinder was born in 1892,he is the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Kinder, of Arney Road, Remuera.

T.H.Kinder was first educated at King's College, Auckland, In 1904 he moved to

Wanganui Collegiate School for 8 years.While he was at Wanganui College he was one of the best and brightest students and some of his achievements at school was to:-

1. Captain the school 1st XV rugby team 1911

2. Head Prefect for the first term of 1912

3.  First-class rifle-shot

4. Holding the challenge cup for 2 years in a row.

T.H.Kinder then went to Caius College, Cambridge, to continue his studies, and had taken the first half of his degree.While he was there with Mr and Mrs Kinder the war broke out. He joined the 7th. Suffolk Regiment.

During war T.H.Kinder and his troops were in the trenches he contracted scarlet fever and he moved back to England for treatment.  He again departed for the frontline and was promoted to Captain. His elder brother was also serving in the submarine service.

He received the 1915, 1916 star, British war medal and Victory Metal

He was killed while serving for his country and his family on the 3rd of July 1916 age 26 at Somme,France.Further information received by the relatives of Captain T. H. Kinder, leaves no room for doubt that he was killed on July 3, and the War Office officially confirms this.Captain Kinder was the head of his platoon when a shell burst quite close to him, and he was killed instantly.

His name is on the Thiepval Memorial, Authuile, Somme, France His sematary location is also in france.

His name is also included on the St Heliers School memorial and on the King’s College Roll of Honour, and there is a brass memorial plaque in St Mark’s Church, Remuera.

We should all be thankful for the service and the sacrifice that they have made for our country

May they all rest in peace

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Lonneke

Introduction-

Middleton Beckett was a young man desperate to fight for his country in World war 1 but he went to some extreme measures to get accepted. It wasn’t long before his time at war had to come to a halt when he was killed during night shift.

Born and Raised-

Middleton Beckett was born in Norsewood, New Zealand into a fairly large family. He lived with his five siblings, Helen Mary Beckett, Gerald Elley Beckett, Guy Beckett, William Reginald, Maurice Musgrove, and his two parents, Mary Ann Hogg (maiden name) his Mother and William Middleton Beckett his Father.

Early Life-

Before joining the war Middleton Beckett worked as a clerk in the Bank of New South Wales at Napier. During the earlier years of Middleton’s life, before he joined the workforce, he attended Wanganui Collegiate School.

Applying For War-

Middleton was a tall, healthy man who had really wanted to serve his country by joining the war, but when he first applied they wouldn’t accept him because he didn’t meet the age requirement. A couple of months later he moved to Christchurch and decided to try again but this time he knew he would have to lie about his age and that’s exactly what he did, he stated that he was two years older than he actually was.

Checkup-

Before anyone was accepted to join the war they were tested to see what condition their health was in. Of course this applied to Middleton as well, so After being tested to see what condition his eyes, ears, and body were in and filling out lot’s forms they finally accepted him and assigned him to the 2nd battalion, NZ rifle brigade.

Service Number-

When someone Joined the Army they would be given a service number which is like an ID. These service numbers usually contain 5 numbers and a slash somewhere. Middleton's service number is 24/971.

Death-

Middleton Beckett proudly fought in World War one for approximately 9 months before being injured by a shell fragment, which hit him in the back one night during his shift while he was putting up barbed wire in front of the trenches.

Sadly, Middleton was not to recover from this event and later died from his wounds at the young age of nineteen years.

After being so desperate to serve in the war for his country, Middleton Beckett was never to return to his homeland of New Zealand, He was buried in Bailleul Communal cemetery extension, Nord France.

Conclusion-

Middleton was a brave and determined young man prepared to do anything for the good of his country. Despite the fact that he lied to everyone he meant well and is still to be respected for the role he played in World War 1.