James Robert was working as a carpenter when he enlisted in the Army in November, 1914. He was with the Otago Infantry Regiment during an attempted advance in the Cape Helles region of the Gallipoli Peninsula.
The Official History of the Otago Regiment has this to say about James' Company, the 14th, on the day of his death: "It was in support of this last effort of the day that Otago Battalion was called upon. In the early afternoon 4th and 8th Companies had moved forward in support of Auckland Battalion, and an hour later 10th and 14th Companies moved up, but more to the left towards Wellington Battalion, each exposed to enemy fire as it hurriedly crossed the short stretches of level fields, to be remembered as 'Daisy Patches'; but not such bloody patches as that crossed by Auckland Battalion."
James was found to be "missing, presumed killed" by a Court of Enquiry held after the Otagos had returned to Egypt.
Albert Roberts was a 40 year old labourer when he joined the 29th Reinforcements for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. In France, he was posted the the 10th Company of the 1st Battalion of the Otago Infantry Regiment.
On April 5 the German Army made a furious attack, with a heavy artillery bombardment, on the Otago Regiment's position. The Otagos held, with heavy casualties on both sides. Albert Roberts was killed uin action on that day.
Southern Cemetery, Dunedin.
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