Information about birth

Date of birth:
31/07/1887

General information

Profession:
Butcher

Army information

Country:
New Zealand
Force:
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Rank:
Private
Service number:
40808
Enlistment date:
14/10/1916
Enlistment place:
Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Units:
 —  Canterbury Regiment, 3rd Bn.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
16/12/1917
Place of death:
Polygon Wood, Zonnebeke, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
30

Cemetery

Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood
Plot: IX
Row: AA
Grave: 17

Distinctions and medals 2

Points of interest 2

#1 Enlistment place
#2 Place of death (approximate)

My story

Private William Harry served in the Canterbury Regiment, Third Battalion, 4th New Zealand Brigade. He was the son of Mrs. M. J. Harry, of 39, Durham St., Sydenham, Christchurch, New Zealand.

After the Third Battle of Ypres the New Zealand Division held the line in and around Polygon Wood. In early December the Division wanted to improve its positions and tried to take the heights round Polderhoek Chateau. The Division’s battalions relieved each other in the Polygon Wood sector, the main work being improving defenses, repairing trenches and wire. The landscape was water-filled shell holes. The Germans had observation over much of the area so any movement was shelled or machine-gunned.

The 2nd Brigade was replaced by the 4th Brigade on the night of 15/16 December; In this, the 3rd Battalion of the Canterbury Regiment replaced the 1st Canterbury. It was during this period that William was killed, on the 16th of December 1917. He is now in a special memorial grave at Buttes New British Cemetery at Polygon Wood, Plot IX, Row AA, Grave 17.

Files 1

Sources 4

"The History of the Canterbury Regiment, N.Z.E.F. 1914 - 1918", Ferguson D., Withcombe and Tombs Ltd, sd, page 218 - 213
Sources used
Archwayrecord
http://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE20248386
Sources used
Auckland Cenotaph
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C6486?n=harry%20%2F%2040808&ordinal=0&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fsearch
Sources used
CWGC
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/480272/harry,-william/
Sources used