Gnr
Robert Roderick Crighton Corbett McFarland

Information about birth

Date of birth:
16/09/1895
Place of birth:
Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

General information

Profession:
Clerk

Army information

Country:
New Zealand
Force:
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Rank:
Gunner
Service number:
12811
Enlistment date:
08/02/1916
Enlistment place:
Trentham, Wellington, New Zealand
Units:
 —  New Zealand Field Artillery, 15th Bty. 1st Bde.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
31/10/1917
Place of death:
No. 3 Australian Casualty Clearing Station, Brandhoek, Belgium
Cause of death:
Died of wounds (D.O.W.)
Age:
22

Cemetery

Nine Elms British Cemetery
Plot: VIII
Row: D
Grave: 14

Distinctions and medals 2

Points of interest 2

#1 Place of birth
#2 Enlistment place

My story

Gunner Robert McFarland served in 15th Battery of 1st Brigade, New Zealand Field Artillery.
The New Zealand Division, apart from the field artillery, was withdrawn from the front line near Passchendaele from 16 October 1917.
The N.Z. Field Artillery, in the vicinity of the Winnipeg crossroads, remained to support the Canadian Corps and especially the 3rd Canadian Division which now occupied the ground vacated by the New Zealand Division. It supported the Canadian attack on 26 October and over the next five days the batteries were heavily shelled at night by German guns of all calibres.
It was on the night of 29/30 October that Robert McFarland received his wound, probably prior to the 5.50am start of the next Canadian attack of 30 October towards Passchendaele. He was wounded in both legs, with left femur fractured. He was taken to 8th Canadian Field Ambulance and evacuated to 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station near Poperinge. He died of wounds there on 31 October 1917 and was buried in the nearby Nine Elms Cemetery.

Connection to other soldiers 1

Files 1

Sources 1

Byrne J.R., New Zealand Artillery in the Field 1914-1918, (Eastbourne, Antony Rowe Ltd), 1920), pg. 190-200.
Sources used

More information 5