81368 Trooper Herbert Sydney Tod, (27/2/1914-18/11/1943). "we will remember"

Herbert Tod was working as a cook when his name was drawn from the ballot and he enlisted in the 19th Battalion.  He was killed during their first engagement in Italy, and their first as an armoured unit.  The battle was a messy one, complicated by the presence of more German armour than expected and an order for radio silence, which was made to prevent the New Zealand accent coming over the air to German ears.

Sgt Moody’s tank was knocked out by a direct hit from an 88 mm A/T Gun. The shot penetrated the left side of the turret exactly where the Wireless Operator Geof. White was sitting and he was killed outright. The projectile then hit Sgt Moody on the opposite side of the turret and then penetrated the right-hand side of the turret. (In one side and out the other.)

The Gunner Bert Tod was not wounded by this first shot and endeavoured to climb out of the turret through the top hatch. He was … [hit] by a shot which bored across the top of the turret, taking the complete periscope (cupola) ring and Tod with it. -Official History of the 19th Battalion.

PRIVATE H. S. TOD. 

Private Herbert Sydney Tod, who has been killed in action, was 29 years of age and was the second son of Mr and Mrs C. E. Tod, of Tinwald. He was born at Barford, Ashburton, and was educated at the Tinwald School. Private Tod left New Zealand at the end of last year. Private Tod worked mostly in the Mayfield district, his last position being with the late Major A. N. Grigg, of Surrey Hills. He was a prominent member of the Loyal Mayfield Lodge, M.U.I.O.O.F.  -Ashburton Guardian, 9/12/1943.

TOD — In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Trooper Herbert Sydney (Bert), killed in action in Italy, November 18, 1943. 

His duty nobly done. 

— Inserted by his loved ones. 

TOD — In loving memory of Tpr. H. S. Tod (Bert), killed in action in Italy on November 18, 1943. 

Memories of you and us together 

Will linger in our hearts forever; 

Some may forget you now you are gone, 

But we will remember, no matter how long.

— Inserted by Mr and Mrs Harvey, Baden, Janet, Jim (overseas).   -Ashburton Guardian, 19/11/1944.

Ashburton Cemetery.