Funnell NZEF message at Bellevue Passchendaele

[Havrincourt]

Here is a picture of a message on display in the Cheese museum at Waterloo [bellevue] Passchendaele

The photo was unreadable so I have re-typed over the photograph to highlight the text

I wonder if anyone might have any information on the attack by the New Zealanders on the 12th Oct 1917

I would also be interested in any messages or letters such as this one - who was this message for?

Andy

[alliekiwi]

Hi, Andy

I'm about to dash out the door so I can't reply in full. However, October 12 1917 was our worst day in military history. Needless to say there's quite a bit written about it, although the public here are far more au fait with Gallipoli than things that happened in F&F. Rcently there's been an attempt to try and educate people about Passchendaele and the losses on October 12th.

Allie

[ZackNZ]

Andy

As Allie says there is heaps of information available on 12 Oct - If you can I suggest you read Glyn Harper's Dark Journey (Harper Collins 2007). Harper concludes: "The New Zealand attack of 12 October 1917 was an intensely emotional and bitter experience for those who survived…….the battle did leave an indelible mark on New Zealand, as if made by a red-hot iron.” Page 107.

Nominal roll details for George Funnell:

Surname FUNNELL

Given Name George William

Category Nominal Roll Vol. 1

Regimental Number 9/1170

Rank Trooper

Body or Draft Sixth

Unit or Regiment Otago Mounted Rifles

Marital Status S

Last NZ Address 408 Cumberland St Dunedin

Next of Kin Title W F

Next of Kin Surname FUNNELL

Next of Kin Relationship Father

Next of Kin Address St Andrews Blenheim

Roll of Honour details:

Reg no: 9/1170

Rank: Pte

Name: Funnel, George William

Unit: Otago Infantry Regiment

Particulars of casualty: killed action France, 12/10/17

The Auckland Cenotaph site has some information on him and a photo from the Auckland Weekly News. Details:

http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/c...OriginalID=5240

Zack

[ZackNZ]

I also meant to add that the message about Funnell is likely to be one that was collected at the time of the Court of Inquiry into his death. All deaths had to be investigated and eye witness commentary (as evidenced in the message) collected to assist the COI reach an official decision about a man's death.

Zack

[Captain Dave]

Just wanted to add that Zack is spot on regarding the statement for the Court of Inquiry. That the informant also states he does not know what happened to his body implys that the body was never recovered (hence the need for the COI.) A quick search of the CWWGC confirms that he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...casualty=847542

Interesting that the statement was left behind in theatre instead of being recovered back to NZ, or destroyed. I always assumed that this sort of stuff was collected, filed and eventually shiped back to NZ.

[Havrincourt]

Allie, Zack , Dave

Thank you for your replies. I follow the operations of the West Yorkshires , on the 9th October our boys were attacking to the left of Bellevue - most of the German supporting machine gun fire came from there and the attacks failed - so the position had to be taken , a hard task indeed , no wonder the New Zealanders lost so many, if you take a look at my other posts or on Pauls Ypres site I have photographs and maps of the area.

Putting a face to the name along with the next of kin details always makes these enquiries more personal, thank you lads

I wonder what has happened to all those evidented messages , was it something that the NZEF did?

Would there be any details of the attack online?

Andy

[ZackNZ]

Andy

There are 19 pages on file on George William Funnell, 9/1170 with six items of interest. The following is a brief summary. Note that the file is very clear as to which transport he left New Zealand on i.e HMNZT No 28 (Tofua) on 14 August 1915. (The Auckland Cenotaph site records two transports.)

1 Attestation

Name Funnell George

Unit: D Squadron, 6th Reinforcements

Born: Wellington

Date of birth: 14 August 1886

Last New Address: 408 Cumberland St, Dunedin City

Last employer: Mr Busited (?) Wairanga

Next of kin: Mr William Funnell (Father)

2 Description on enlistment

Apparent age: 28 years

Occupation: Shearer

Height: 5 feet 6 inches

Weight: 140 lb

Chest measurement: minimum: 32 inches; maximum 36 ½ inches

Complexion: Dark

Colour of eyes: Brown

Colour of hair: Black

Religious Profession: English

Teeth: Satisfactory

Remark: Fit

Dated 16 March 1915

Signed: Alex Falconer Lt Col, MO

3 Service

New Zealand from 17 April 1915 to 13 August 1915

Foreign: 14 August 1915

Left New Zealand on HMNZT No 28 (Tofua) on 14 August 1915 with the 6th Reinforcements (2,363) OC Troops: Major Studholme; Ship’s master: D Todd. Arrived Suez 19 September 1915

Service reckons from 17 April 1915

Inoculated against typhoid 2 and 9 May 1915

4 Conduct Sheet

At Zeitoun: absent from 14 Feb 1916 until 17 Feb 1916. Punishment: Forfeits 2 days pay and 7 days confined to barracks

At Zeitoun: absent from defaulters roll call. Punishment: 7 days No 2 Field Punishment

At Zeitoun: On 26 Feb 1916 failing to comply with an order given by an officer. Punishment: 7 days No 2 Field Punishment

In the field on 29 May 1916: (1) absent from 8.30 p.m till apprehended in town at 9.25 pm (2) giving wrong name and number (3) refusing to show pay book and refused when called upon to do so. Punishment: 14 days No 2 Field Punishment

5 Casualty Form Record

Enlisted: 14.4.15

Service reckons from 17.4.15

3.10.15: Posted to unit Mudros

25.12.15: Disembarked Alexandria from Anzac

11.3.16 Transferred from OMR to NZFA Divisional Ammunition Col at Moascar

22.3.16: Transferred from NZFA to Battalion and posted to 8th Coy at Moascar

9.4.16: Embarked for France from Alexandria per ‘Llandovery Castle’

29.5.16: Awarded 14 days FP No 2 in the field

5.6.17: Detached to Reinforcement Camp in the field

11.6.17: Rejoined Battalion in the field

1.7.17: Detached top Summer Rest House in the field

16.7.17: Rejoined Battalion in the field

12.10.17: Killed in action in the field Belgium

6 PLAQUE AND SCROLL

Soldier’s name: George William Funnell

Reg No: 9/1170

Roll No: 50443

Scroll despatched (Date): 11 June 1921

Plaque: 16 Feb 1922

Recipient and address: Mr William Funnell (Father) South Street Blenheim

Zack

[Havrincourt]

Zack , superb detail, thank you. I have been reading a personal war diary from one of the men in the West Yorkhire battalion, the impression of the men in the 9th October attacks was to help out the New Zealanders on their right in front of Bellevue!. I can post photographs and maps of the area for you kiwi's

"4 Conduct Sheet"

At Zeitoun: absent from 14 Feb 1916 until 17 Feb 1916. Punishment: Forfeits 2 days pay and 7 days confined to barracks

At Zeitoun: absent from defaulters roll call. Punishment: 7 days No 2 Field Punishment

At Zeitoun: On 26 Feb 1916 failing to comply with an order given by an officer. Punishment: 7 days No 2 Field Punishment

In the field on 29 May 1916: (1) absent from 8.30 p.m till apprehended in town at 9.25 pm (2) giving wrong name and number (3) refusing to show pay book and refused when called upon to do so. Punishment: 14 days No 2 Field Punishment

Fascinating!!

Andy