Late March, 1918 saw the New Zealand Rifle Brigade in positions near Colincamps, in the Somme area of France. The Brigade had been deployed
The "Kaiserschlacht" was in full force and action was more or less constant. Night reconnaissance by both sides was frequent.
The "Kaiserschlacht" was in full force and action was more or less constant. Night reconnaissance by both sides was frequent.
On the evening of April 4 the Brigade held a 3000 yard front with three Battalions; 3rd, 4th and 1st from left to right. The night was relatively quiet, the only incident being the discovery of a German patrol in front of the wire of a 1st Battalion machine gun post. The Lance-corporal in charge did his best to take the German officer prisoner but, encountering resistance, used his pistol. The rest of the patrol were seen off with the machine gun.
At 5am German artillery opened up. Heavy shelling continued for three hours, reaching back to support areas. There was no doubt that something big was developing. All signal wires were cut by the barrage.
At 8.30am the barrage lifted from the front line and moved back to the rear lines. Advancing German soldiers were soon seen coming through the smoke and haze. The Germans were using new tactics in their advance, not pressing the attack where the resistance was strong and moving in where it was weak. They lost many men to the NZ Rifles while advancing over open ground before groups managed to reach trenches where the fighting was close, with grenade and machine gun. By noon the commander of the centre company of the 1st Battalion was able to report: “We have beaten off two attacks by the Hun and are wanting him to put in a third.” He was not, states the Official History, to have his wish gratified.
The First Battalion of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade reported two officers and 26 men killed on that day, the Fourth reported one officer and 25 men killed. The Third Battalion's casualties were reported as "Slight."
From my list, the 1st Battalion's losses included Rifleman John Findlay McArthur from Gore, Southland; Corporal Thomas Milne from Raes Junction, Otago; Rifleman George Francis Burnett, from Peebles, Otago.
The 4th Battalion's losses included Rifleman Benjamin Fox from Fortrose and Lieutenant Thomas John Hirst Drysdale from Port Chalmers who died of wounds on April the sixth.
Although described as "slight," the 3rd Battalion's losses included Rifleman Harry Gill, from Hastings, whose parents lived in Oamaru.
47028 Rifleman John Findlay McArthur, 14/10/1892-5/4/1918.
was born and raised in Dunedin. Before enlisting he was a painter and tinsmith, working for Farra Bros. and played for the Zingari-Richmond rugby club. He died at 25.
was born and raised in Dunedin. Before enlisting he was a painter and tinsmith, working for Farra Bros. and played for the Zingari-Richmond rugby club. He died at 25.
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| from Archives NZ |
53393 Corporal Thomas Andrew Milne 20/12/1896-5/4/1918
Thomas came from Rae's Junction, Otago. His records show that he was promoted before joining a front line unit, reverted to Rifleman, then was promoted while in the line. His death was announced in the "Tuapeka Times" on April 27: "reported killed-in-action in France on 5th April, was the fourth son of Mr and Mrs John Milne, very old and highly respected residents of Raes Junction. The deceased, who was born and educated in that district, was 21 years of age, and volunteered for service immediately he reached his 20th year, leaving New Zealand with the 27th Reinforcements. On arrival in England he was almost immediately transferred to France. All his life prior to going on active service was spent in the Raes Junction district, where his genial and manly disposition made him a great favourite with everyone in the district, and in their sorrow Mr and Mrs Mine and family have the sincere sympathy of a very wide circle of friends throughout Tuapeka."
His 1919 "In Memoriam":
MILNE. — In loving memory of Corporal Thomas Andrew Milne, killed in action in France on 5th April, 1918, in his 21st year.
Thomas came from Rae's Junction, Otago. His records show that he was promoted before joining a front line unit, reverted to Rifleman, then was promoted while in the line. His death was announced in the "Tuapeka Times" on April 27: "reported killed-in-action in France on 5th April, was the fourth son of Mr and Mrs John Milne, very old and highly respected residents of Raes Junction. The deceased, who was born and educated in that district, was 21 years of age, and volunteered for service immediately he reached his 20th year, leaving New Zealand with the 27th Reinforcements. On arrival in England he was almost immediately transferred to France. All his life prior to going on active service was spent in the Raes Junction district, where his genial and manly disposition made him a great favourite with everyone in the district, and in their sorrow Mr and Mrs Mine and family have the sincere sympathy of a very wide circle of friends throughout Tuapeka."
His 1919 "In Memoriam":
MILNE. — In loving memory of Corporal Thomas Andrew Milne, killed in action in France on 5th April, 1918, in his 21st year.
As long as life and memory last
We will remember thee.
— Inserted by his loving Parents, Brothers and Sisters.
23/86 Rifleman George Francis Burnett, 19/11/1892/5/4/1918.
George Burnett grew up at Peebles, in the Waitaki Valley, his occupation on enlistment was Shepherd. He enlisted in 1915 and saw action in Egypt and France. He was slightly wounded by a bullet in the neck in June of 1917.
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| Papakaio Cemetery, Waitaki Valley |
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| Papakaio Cemetery |
53171 Rifleman Benjamin Fox, 10/5/1892-5/4/1918.
Benjamin Fox was born and raised at Fortrose on the south coast of the South Island of NZ. He was 25 when he was killed.
Benjamin Fox was born and raised at Fortrose on the south coast of the South Island of NZ. He was 25 when he was killed.
Fortrose Cemetery
4/95A Second Lieutenant Thomas John Hirst Drysdale, ?/2/1882-5/4/1918.
Originally from Port Chalmers, Otago, and the son of a Glaswegian doctor, Drysdale lived in Port Chalmers and was a distiller's clerk. He enlisted in the NZ Army in September 1914 while in the UK at the age of 31. He was wounded in the left foot in 1915 as a Sapper in the NZ Field Engineers. In August of 1917 he went on an Officer Training Course and was assigned to the NZ Rifle Brigade.
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| Port Chalmers Cemetery |
38153 Rifleman Harry Gill, 16/12/1883-5/4/1918.
Harry Gill was born in Oamaru and was a consistent Dux in each of his school years. His friends and family believed him destined for a literary career but he became an auctioneer in Oamaru. He was a keen sportsman. Harry's literary promise can be judged by this passage, published two weeks after his death in the Hastings Standard - his brother lived in Hastings and is the probable source of it:
Harry Gill was born in Oamaru and was a consistent Dux in each of his school years. His friends and family believed him destined for a literary career but he became an auctioneer in Oamaru. He was a keen sportsman. Harry's literary promise can be judged by this passage, published two weeks after his death in the Hastings Standard - his brother lived in Hastings and is the probable source of it:
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| Oamaru Cemetery |
"ON TREK."
(By the "Late HARRY GILL")
And the night shall be filled with musicAnd the cares that infest the day
Shall fold their tents like Arabs,
And as silently steal away
-Longfellow
To the strains of music from the band, the clatter of hammers, and the singing o£ men, we began to shift camp as darkness approached. Tents, packs, equipment were loaded on the waggons. The camp was cleared up. Then with Mother Earth for our couch, and the sky for counterpane we slept. At midnight the rain came — heavier and still heavier. The whole aspect of the camp changed. Stillness gave place to much talk, and some profanity. Forms were flitting about in the darkness, looking for shelter. We breakfasted in the darkness and the rain. Then came the order "Fall in!" At 2 a.m. we swung out on the march that was to take us to our new home. From village to town, from farmhouse to shop, we went —singing! On we trekked, one hour marching between an avenue of tall trees, the next past fields of ripened corn. One wondered why the nations in such a beautiful world should fight. Thus from place to place we trekked — birds singing, church bells ringing, peasants — mostly old men and women and children — wending their ways to Mass. The sun came out, and all the world was bright and joyous. At the end of another day we were in billets. A wash, a meal, and then sleep again — the sleep that only those who have toiled in the fresh air can sleep. Then off again in the morning sunlight, through the smiling French landscape. Our band plays, the men whistle or sing in chorus. The villagers come to their doors and windows to see us pass, and there is much "Bon jour, madame!" as well as greeting for monsieur, and many a smile from mademoiselle. The cheery children follow at the Column's side. And so to our new home. It will not be our home for long. The soldier of to-day stays not long in one place. He is in and out of the line. Here to-day, gone to-morrow. Grumble! Of course we did; but taking it all in all, we were cheery and happy. The soldier can never forget that he has come to this land for a purpose — to win the war. And so the cares of the day fold their tents like the Arabs, and as silently steal away. Later will come the thunder of the guns, the dull explosions of bombs, the cackle of the machineguns ; and perhaps death, or wound, or sickness. And. at intervals, through it all, like sparkling glimpses of sunshine on running stream, thoughts of the dear Homeland in far away New Zealand. You. too. in the Land of the Long White Cloud, will have a thought for us, hoping to see us back some day. But many of us will have folded our tents for the Last Trek.
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