C_W_Kennedy Posted 8 June , 2009 Share Posted 8 June , 2009 Hello all, I am researching my Great-great Uncle Michael John Mulvaney, a soldier in the New Zealand Rifle Brigade during WW1. So far I have found his details on the Auckland Museum Cenotaph database which lists his Number, Reinforcements Body & Next of Kin. However I seem to have hit a bit of a dead end. Im looking for whereabouts I could get a photo & any other information. I have had a read through other posts of this nature, and seeing the wealth of knowledge available here am really looking forward to finding out as much as I can. I am eventually looking forward to making a memorial board for him. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Kind Regards Craig Kennedy P.S I hope I have done this right, any other information I have I will put here as soon as I find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZackNZ Posted 8 June , 2009 Share Posted 8 June , 2009 Craig Surname MULVANEY Given Name Michael John Category Nominal Roll Vol. 2 Regimental Number 29966 Rank Rifleman Next of Kin Title Mrs E Next of Kin Surname MULVANEY Next of Kin Relationship Mother Next of Kin Address Mahitahi South Westland Roll 43 Page 25 Occupation Roadman Source: Nominal Roll You’ve seen this: http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/C...5&Ordinal=4 His personal file is at Archives NZ: http://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?OID=7853983 In terms of a photo - difficult because he survived the war and unless he was wounded and had his photo in a local newspaper it would be a bit like hunting for a needle in haystack. If you are not in a rush I will take a look at his file for you. Zack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZackNZ Posted 9 June , 2009 Share Posted 9 June , 2009 It's a bit confusing when there are two postings on the same soldier! Zack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_W_Kennedy Posted 9 June , 2009 Author Share Posted 9 June , 2009 It's a bit confusing when there are two postings on the same soldier! Zack Hi Zack, I apologize for that, This is the first posting I did. Then I found out he had been awarded the DCM. From now on i will use this thread as the one I respond too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_W_Kennedy Posted 9 June , 2009 Author Share Posted 9 June , 2009 Once again, If you could have a look at his file for me Zack that would be gretly appreciated. Regards Craig Kennedy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Nelson Posted 9 June , 2009 Share Posted 9 June , 2009 Hi Craig, I have also found these references to Mulvaney in the NZRB Official History. This quote is in relation to fighting on the 8th of October 1918 4 miles south of Cambrai. Now the barrage lifted and the advance was resumed. The 1st Battalion's companies had become somewhat intermingled, but they pressed steadily up the spur, the centre line of their advance leading directly towards the Mill on the sky-line. For the most part the enemy's resistance was easily overcome; the Mill was enveloped, and this position, as well as the greater part of the objective along the road, fell speedily into our hands. Most of the casualties sustained were caused by machine-gun fire from the flanks, particularly from Esnes, which lay close to our right, and from which those of our sections clearing the banks and tracks and sunken roads on the steep southern slope were clearly visible and within short range. On the right of the objective the enemy had a strongly-wired trench system projecting from the village and looping across the road. Three machine-guns firing from this temporarily held up the right flank. Here Rifleman M. J. Mulvaney, who was in charge of a Lewis gun section, set to work to relieve the situation. Taking up a position on a point of vantage, he opened fire to cover a flanking movement, thus drawing fire upon himself. Marking down the nearest gun and watching his opportunity he succeeded in killing the crew. Soon afterwards he silenced the second gun in the same way, and then forced the crew of the third to take cover. Now, without a moment's hesitation, he dropped his gun, seized a rifle, and with one of his men dashed forward into the trench. A few minutes' exercise with the bayonet sufficed to complete his work, and the remainder of the garrison of the trench surrendered. The 1st Battalion was thus in possession of the whole of its allotted section of the objective. Consolidation was at once proceeded with, and a defensive flank formed facing the north-west of Esnes till the 2nd Brigade troops should come up. Once again over the next couple of days I will try to find the Citation for his MM. Regards Aaron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZackNZ Posted 10 June , 2009 Share Posted 10 June , 2009 Mulvaney, Michael John 29966 DCM Corporal, 1st BN, NZ Rifle Brigade LG space 18 February 1919, p2423 Citation, LG 10 January 1920, p482 For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the 8th October, 1918, near Crevecoeur. On reaching the final objective it was found that the enemy, about fifty strong, was holding a strongly wired fence with three machine guns. He was immediately singled out by an enemy machine gun, but with his second burst of fire he killed the Nos. 1 and 2; a moment later he disposed of the second machine gun in the same way. MN Corporal, 1st BN, NZ Rifle Brigade LG 17 June 1919, p7700, Rec No 3222 For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Le Quesnoy on the 4 November 1918. During the attack on this date Corporal Mulvaney was in charge of a Lewis gun section. On coming to the railway line he encountered an enemy machine gun which was holding up the advance of the Company on his right. Ordering his No. 1 to engage the gun he himself worked round to a flank and alone rushed the post-capturing the machine gun and four of the enemy. By his prompt action and disregard of danger he undoubtedly saved is Battalion a great many casualties. Throughout the action he led his section with dash and set a fine example to his men. Source: Honours and Awards to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Great War 1914 - 1918 by Wayne McDonald page 229 Zack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZackNZ Posted 10 June , 2009 Share Posted 10 June , 2009 Craig - no problem - I will get back to you. Zack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_W_Kennedy Posted 11 June , 2009 Author Share Posted 11 June , 2009 Thank you all so much for the information, from what we have heard in the family we know that he was awarded a medal. Didn't think it was both the DCM & the MM. A tragic postscript to his story is he survived the war virtually unscathed and settled in Ross, South Westland NZ. He was a runholder on a farm, and whilst crossing a river on horseback was drowned. That was in 1921. I have found what would be a quite useful NZ website called papers past, where you can search old NZ newspapers up to 1920. I found this about him - http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/p...-1+Mulvaney-all No luck with a photo however. Seems a tragic end, especially when he survived the horror of the western front. As for his medals, we seem to think they disappeared around the time he died. Once again thank you all for the information so far. Regards Craig Kennedy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_W_Kennedy Posted 30 July , 2009 Author Share Posted 30 July , 2009 Hi Folks, NZ Archives Have digitized a copy of his service file, which is great news - http://www.archives.govt.nz/docs/?pid=archives:18511 However due to my inexperience with all of this, I am having some trouble deciphering what is written. Was he in the 3rd Auckland Regiment at one stage? Also when he enlisted was he put into the Wellington regiment?. I see that he was in the 18th Reinforcements, however on the cenotaph website it says he was in the 12th Reinforcements. If I read correctly he was in hospital at one point?. Its a bit confusing to an amateur, if anyone has any advice I would be greatly appreciative. Kind Regards Craig Kennedy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jpe Posted 31 August , 2010 Share Posted 31 August , 2010 Hi Craig I'm researching Mulvaney as my great aunt is Michael's mother Elizabeth Burns; my gran's sister (1of13). I have photos of the Mulvaney family including Michael, he is posted on Michael is my great uncle. As you may see from my post this was/is my brickwall! If the link does not work go to rootschat New Zealand Mulvaney should be near the top If you want to PM I'll send you what I've got. Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 31 August , 2010 Admin Share Posted 31 August , 2010 Joe Craig hasn't been active on here for some months- you might be better off emailing him. Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jpe Posted 31 August , 2010 Share Posted 31 August , 2010 Joe Craig hasn't been active on here for some months- you might be better off emailing him. Michelle Michelle I think the 5 post rule appiles as I can't get access to his pm. Is it possible admin could forward the reply? joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(nzef) Posted 31 August , 2010 Share Posted 31 August , 2010 Hi there, I've emailed Craig (via his profile) your post. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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