Guest OnwardFitness Posted 30 December , 2015 Share Posted 30 December , 2015 Hi all, My first post and I'm cutting to the chase. William is my great-grandfather and he died on 27 June 1917 (my eldest brother was born on 27 June coincidentally) I have records of where he was laid to rest. Strand Military Cemetery in Belgium. What I am trying to find out is how he died. I've searched the records of Strand Military Cemetery and out of everyone buried there he's the only one who died on that date. There are a few other NZ gunners who died a week earlier. Intriguing. I've always been told he died in France but why then would he be buried in Belgium? Also he was with the NZFA but his title was Driver so am I right in assuming he was attached to the Field Artillery as a Driver or was he a Gunner who drove? So many questions. I'm lucky that I know where he rests and when he died but as the only military representative of my family (both sides) since my grandfather I have a deep desire to know why? Any help in the right direction would be gratefully appreciated. Regards. Dave O Ex 2/1bn RNZIR 2001-2010 "Onward" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helpjpl Posted 30 December , 2015 Share Posted 30 December , 2015 His service records are here: OKEBY, William George - WW1 11/1842 - Army Image 3 records that he was serving as a gunner with 1st Brigade 3rd Battery NZFA on 01.12.1916 and Image 7 that he was with 1st Brigade when killed in action on 27.6.17. Photo here: William George Okeby - Online Cenotaph - Auckland War Memorial Museum Archibald Luke Donnelly (Corporal, Div. Ammunition Col. NZFA) was posted to 3rd Battery on 7.3.17. He was also KIA 27.6.17 in France or Belgium and is commemorated on the Messines Ridge (NZ) Memorial. JP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Mackenzie Posted 1 January , 2016 Share Posted 1 January , 2016 Dave Welcome to the Forum. My relatives thought my great-uncle was killed in 'France' but he was killed outside Ypres - so the confusion was not unusual. Have a look at the Long Long Trail site - this link is to the New Zealand Division page: http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/new-zealand-division/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest OnwardFitness Posted 6 January , 2016 Share Posted 6 January , 2016 To JP, Thank you beyond words mate. I knew he couldn't be KIA in France. The timeline doesn't match. So supposedly a few days out from the 3rd Battle of Ypres - what could that mean? Enemy artillery? But then why only him. So many questions. For one thing I can't comprehend how small he was. Different era I guess. Once again thanks for taking an interest. Dave Neil, Thanks mate. I'm kicking myself that in all my years service I never took an interest as I do now. I'll get to his grave. What a great website. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helpjpl Posted 6 January , 2016 Share Posted 6 January , 2016 Papers Past — Evening Post — 27 June 1918 — NEW ZEALAND'S ROLL OF HONOUR. IN MEMORIAM. JP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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