7/511 Lieutenant Leslie Craven MC, 21/3/1894-4/10/1918.

Leslie Craven, a teacher at Grovetown, Marlborough, was one of the first section of volunteers for the New Zealand Army after the beginning of the war in 1914.  He was promoted to the rank of  Sergeant in May, 1916, and then to Lieutenant in March, 1917, "for exceptionally good service in the field."

Local & General News

Mr A. Craven, of Grovetown, received word yesterday that his son, Lieut. Leslie Craven, who has been fighting in Palestine, was reported dangerously wounded on the 19th inst. Lieut. Craven left as a trooper with the Main Body.  -Marlborough Express, 24/4/1917.

The Official History of the NZ Machine Gun Corps describes in full the action which changed Leslie Craven's life for ever: "The section of guns delivered a strong covering fire, and the Wellingtons made a good advance. At 12 noon there was a dangerous gap between the Wellingtons and the Yeomanry, which the Canterbury Regiment was ordered to close. Two sections went forward with the Canterburys and did specially fine work. Unfortunately the section commanded by 2nd Lieut. L. A. Craven suffered severely as it was advancing, from a direct hit by a 5.9 shell. Several men and horses were knocked out. The manner in which Craven dealt with the situation was the same as is seen on the parade ground when a machine gun section is practising 'casualties'; guns and equipment were at once changed from the fallen horses to spares, the killed and wounded men's places were refilled, and with very little loss of time the section was able to again catch up to the Canterbury Regiment.

"With bold handling the guns were pushed forward, engaging many enemy targets at ranges from 1000 to 1600 yards, and inflicting heavy casualties. Craven's work was of particularly high order; he personally reconnoitred the positions for the guns, which enabled them to play such havoc among the enemy. About 3 p.m. he observed a large enemy party advancing through a field in heavy crop. Holding fire until the enemy party was within about 400 yards, he gave the order to open; the waiting gunners did not take a second to respond, and had the extreme satisfaction of wiping out the advancing Turks. Unfortunately, Craven was very severely wounded shortly before the Brigade withdrew. His meritorious work was recognised by the award of the Military Cross."

The citation for his Military Cross reads: "For conspicuous galantry and devotion to duty. He took his guns into action over exposed ground under heavy shell fire, and although suffering heavy casualties, his great coolness and presence of mind enabled him to hold off the enemy's attack under very trying circumstances. He himself was badly wounded during the operations."

Photo from "With the Machine-gunners in France and Palestine."

Leslie lay in hospital in Egypt, dangerously ill, for six month and was eventually taken off the danger list and sent home to New Zealand in November, 1917.

Lieutenant Leslie Alex. Craven died at the Wairau Hospital last week, succumbing to injuries he received at the second battle of Gaza. Palestine. The deceased officer, who was 24 years of age, was the youngest son of Mr A. Craven, of Grovetown. When the war broke out he was a member of the teaching staff of the Grovetown school, and he immediately gave proof of that high sense of duty that was one of the traits of an especially fine character, promptly enlisting and being a member of one of the first drafts to leave Blenheim. He went forward as a trooper with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, included in the main,body of the Expeditionary Force, and he was attached to the machine-gun section. He took part in all the actions of the Mounted Brigade to the evacuation. Then he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and then to his lieutenancy, being given command of a section in August, 1916. He. was given accelerated promotion for further good work in the field, and he was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry in action at the second battle of Gaza, in the Palestine campaign, on which occasion he was disabled by a shrapnel wound in the spine.  -NZ Times, 8/10/1918.

Personalia

The funeral of the late Lieutenant Leslie Craven, M.C., which took place on Saturday afternoon, was one of the most impressive ever witnessed in Blenheim. A large concourse of people watched the cortege pass through town, and there was also a large attendance at the graveside, where the burial service was read by the Ven. Archdeacon York and the Rev; W. W. Bedwell. The mortal remains of the deceased soldier were conveyed to their last resting-place on a gun-carriage covered by a Union Jack, the only wreath on the casket being one from General Sir Edward Chayterr. The machine-gun used by the deceased was also in the cortege. Lieutenant-Colonel H. J. Robinson (officer in charge of the 12th Nelson and Marlborough Regiment), represented the officer commanding the district. Lieutenant Freeth the Mounted Brigade Lieutenant, I. Pritchard the Canterbury Infantry Regiment, and Captain E. W. Fisher, the Rifle Brigade.  -NZ Times, 10/10/1918.

Blenheim Cemetery.