Rfn
Frank Tate
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 01/12/1886 |
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Place of birth: Cambridge, Waikato, New Zealand |
General information
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Profession: Driver |
Army information
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Country: New Zealand |
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Force: New Zealand Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Rifleman |
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Service number: 46402 |
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Enlistment date: 13/12/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Newmarket, Auckland, New Zealand |
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Units: — New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 4th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 24/11/1917 |
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Place of death: Butte, Polygon Wood, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 30 |
Cemetery
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Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood Plot: II Row: C Grave: 5 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place |
My story
Frank Tate was born in 1886 in Cambridge, Waikato, New Zealand. Frank lived in Newmarket, Auckland. He worked as a driver prior to enlisting. He enlisted in December 1916 and arrived in France October 1917. Frank was posted to the 4th Battalion, of the, 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade.
The New Zealand Division was in the Polygon Wood area, after the end of the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 15th of November, the 1st and 4th Battalions proceeded into the front line at Reutel. Headquarters of the front-line battalions were located in German tunnels beneath the Butte in Polygon Wood. The artificial hill was a prominent landmark in the barren landscape and it was frequently subjected to shellfire. On the night of the 19th/20th November the 2nd and 3rd Battalions relieved respectively the 4th and 1st Battalion in the front line. The Brigade Headquarters continued to be subjected to heavy bombardment in particular on the 20th. On the night of the 26th of November the 2nd and 3rd Battalions were relieved by 1st Wellingtons and 3rd Otagos.
Frank Tate was killed in action on 25 November 1917. According to a report in Frank’s service record he was killed near the Butte in Polygon Wood. He was buried in the nearby cemetery (J.10.a.65.80.). His remains were interred in Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood after the war. Frank’s brother Lance in the Otago Infantry Regiment, had died of wounds in August 1915.
The New Zealand Division was in the Polygon Wood area, after the end of the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 15th of November, the 1st and 4th Battalions proceeded into the front line at Reutel. Headquarters of the front-line battalions were located in German tunnels beneath the Butte in Polygon Wood. The artificial hill was a prominent landmark in the barren landscape and it was frequently subjected to shellfire. On the night of the 19th/20th November the 2nd and 3rd Battalions relieved respectively the 4th and 1st Battalion in the front line. The Brigade Headquarters continued to be subjected to heavy bombardment in particular on the 20th. On the night of the 26th of November the 2nd and 3rd Battalions were relieved by 1st Wellingtons and 3rd Otagos.
Frank Tate was killed in action on 25 November 1917. According to a report in Frank’s service record he was killed near the Butte in Polygon Wood. He was buried in the nearby cemetery (J.10.a.65.80.). His remains were interred in Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood after the war. Frank’s brother Lance in the Otago Infantry Regiment, had died of wounds in August 1915.
