Jump to content
Free downloads from TNA ×
The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Major new project & I need your help


John_Hartley

Recommended Posts

John

All the best with the project. If you need anything on 16th KRRC - I have the War Diary and Chronicle - just yell.

Bob :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

John, Who are the 2 NZers?

Christine

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Christine

Apologies for not responding sooner - I've been away.

The two NZs are:-

Lt Alan Hurst Preston , 10/910, 5 Coy, NZ MGC, DOW 7/6/17

Sgt Sydney Willshaw, 12/4554, 2nd Bn , Auckland Rgt, 6/9/18

Any info or pointers in the right direction greatly appreciated.

John

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Surname PRESTON

Given Name Allan Henry

Category Nominal Roll Vol. 1

Regimental Number 10/910

Rank Private

Body or Draft Main Body

Unit or Regiment Wellington Infantry Batln

Marital Status S

Last NZ Address Makauri Gisborne

Next of Kin Title James W

Next of Kin Surname PRESTON

Next of Kin Address Westbourne Devonport Stockport England

Surname WILLSHAW

Given Name Sydney

Category Nominal Roll Vol. 2

Regimental Number 12/4554

Rank Private

Next of Kin Title W

Next of Kin Surname WILLSHAW

Next of Kin Relationship Father

Next of Kin Address High Lane near Stockport Cheshire England

Roll 28

Page 7

Occupation Labourer

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Christine

Thanks very much for this info. I've spotted, on another thread, links to request service papers so I've now whizzed off an email to them.

John

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Probate records

Sydney Willshaw

Gisborne

woolclasser

court- Wellington

Archives reference AAOM 6029 28094

probate number 28094

filed date 20 November 1919

Archives NZ- Wellington

Allan Hurst Preston

Makauri

Station hand

court Wellington

Archives reference AAOM 6029 24455

probate number 24455

filed date 30 Sept 1918

Archives NZ Wellington

Archives NZ

http://www.archives.govt.nz/doingresearch.html

NZDF Military Archives

Both their personnel records are still available at Military Archives

personnel.archives@nzdf.mil.nz

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Christine

The Gisborne memorial has nearly 600 names. Do you know how big the borough might have been at the time? I know the population is about 45K now so, I assume, much smaller then.

I'm wondering what the likelihood was that they might have known each other.

John

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The only figures I can find are that the population of Gisborne increased by 600% between 1891 and 1921. Apparently farming areas grew quickly with the influx of British immigrants in the 1890s

The population of Gisborne (province)in 1891 was approximately 5000, so that makes it about 30,000 in 1921.

But remember that at least half of these were Maori- the East Coast was the the most Maori of all provinces, and still is, which makes about 15,000 non-Maori, most in the town of Gisborne, but many out farming in smaller settlements.

Makauri, where Preston lived, is a small settlement inland from Gisborne City, now really a suburb, but in 1917 a separate place

However they were both involved with farming, one as a stationhand, and one as a wool classer, who sorted and graded wool after it was shorn, so could easily have come across each other in their work.

post-554-1120356306.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

John,

Quite a project, congratulations and well done. Not sure if you need anything from my neck of the woods, if so just ask.

Andy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Christine

I've emailed the town's Local History Library to see if they have any useful info on the guys and also if they can confirm if they are on the memorial. Good pointers - many thanks.

John

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
When you get time send me the new "King's Own" list. If my old email address doesn't work send me a PM.

Andy.

Hi John

I don't know if it will be of any help, but I shall be visiting Stockport in a few weeks time, as I promised another "Pal" photos of the war memorial. I shall be there for the day, so I don't mind doing any look-ups or photographs.

Kind regards

Margaret

(As you probably know, the hard part for me has been posting the photos, but am getting the hang of it now!!)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi John

I have a Digital pic of David Farringtons grave if you need it?

Who are the other 3 Black Watch?

Fred

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Andy/Fred - I've had an enforced couple of weeks off-line and am only just back on today. I have had 'orrible technical problems and am still not sure if my PC is fully healthy. As such I don't want to load any data back onto the machine. I'll get back to you in a few days. Many thanks.

Margaret - I live in Stockport so have problem with piccies or local research - but many thanks for the offer. I assume you are visiting the memorial to photo certain names? If so, can I recommend that you pop into the Local Heritage Library to see if there were any newspaper obituaries. The Library is 5 minutes walk back towards the town centre from the Memorial. If the chaps served with the Cheshires, I can let you have the info directly - PM me if necessary.

John

Link to comment
Share on other sites

John

Just to say congratulations and good luck with your project. Your site inspired me to create my own,this new project has definitely got me thinking ;)

You know where I am if you need any info from my area of the country.

Regards Doug.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...