Pte
Oscar Steers
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 01/03/1893 |
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Place of birth: Taumarere, Bay of Islands, Northland, New Zealand |
General information
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Profession: Chainman Railway |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: New Zealand |
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Force: New Zealand Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 24073 |
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Enlistment date: 05/02/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Trentham, Wellington, New Zealand |
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Units: — Auckland Infantry Regiment, 2nd Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 04/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Calgary Grange, 's Graventafel, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 24 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: XIV Row: A Grave: 8 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Oscar Steers was the son of Rasmus and Augusta Steers. He was born on 1 March 1893 in Taumarere, Bay of Islands. Before the war he worked as a railway foreman. Oscar enlisted in the New Zealand Army in May 1916, where he served in the 2nd Battalion Auckland Regiment (1st New Zealand Infantry Brigade, New Zealand Division).
Oscar died on 4 October 1917 during the Battle of Broodseinde, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. Two attacks were planned that day for the New Zealand Division: the 1st and 4th Brigade, which included Oscar’s battalion, were tasked with capturing Graventafel and Abraham Heights, after which the 2nd and 3rd Brigade would move past them to push on to the foot of the Bellevue Spur.
The attack on Graventafel and Abraham Heights consisted of two phases. A first group was to cross the Hannebeek and take the German fortified positions and trenches up to the top of the ridge. Afterwards, a second group, including the 2nd Battalion Auckland Regiment, would pass them and advance to the foot of the Bellevue Spur.
During the night of 3 to 4 October, Oscar’s battalion occupied shell holes in the Canvas-Capricorn system. Until the morning of 4 October, German artillery fire was intense. The first group succeeded in reaching its objective. On top of the ridge, however, was the strongly defended German Korek Bunker. The 2nd Battalion Auckland Regiment soon became embroiled in the fighting for that bunker. One section pushed further forward and suffered casualties from rifle fire. Others managed to encircle the German troops, who then surrendered. The New Zealand forces advanced along the ridge towards their second objective, the Bellevue Spur.
The attack was considered a success and consolidation of the captured positions began. German artillery remained active, but no counterattack followed. The next day, 5 October, the shelling continued to be heavy. During the night of 5 to 6 October, the troops were relieved.
Losses for the 2nd Battalion Auckland Regiment were considerable: 41 men were killed, 179 were wounded, and 40 were missing. Oscar also lost his life on 4 October at the age of 24. His body was recovered after the war near Calgary Grange, ‘s Graventafel. His remains were reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, where he still rests.
Oscar died on 4 October 1917 during the Battle of Broodseinde, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. Two attacks were planned that day for the New Zealand Division: the 1st and 4th Brigade, which included Oscar’s battalion, were tasked with capturing Graventafel and Abraham Heights, after which the 2nd and 3rd Brigade would move past them to push on to the foot of the Bellevue Spur.
The attack on Graventafel and Abraham Heights consisted of two phases. A first group was to cross the Hannebeek and take the German fortified positions and trenches up to the top of the ridge. Afterwards, a second group, including the 2nd Battalion Auckland Regiment, would pass them and advance to the foot of the Bellevue Spur.
During the night of 3 to 4 October, Oscar’s battalion occupied shell holes in the Canvas-Capricorn system. Until the morning of 4 October, German artillery fire was intense. The first group succeeded in reaching its objective. On top of the ridge, however, was the strongly defended German Korek Bunker. The 2nd Battalion Auckland Regiment soon became embroiled in the fighting for that bunker. One section pushed further forward and suffered casualties from rifle fire. Others managed to encircle the German troops, who then surrendered. The New Zealand forces advanced along the ridge towards their second objective, the Bellevue Spur.
The attack was considered a success and consolidation of the captured positions began. German artillery remained active, but no counterattack followed. The next day, 5 October, the shelling continued to be heavy. During the night of 5 to 6 October, the troops were relieved.
Losses for the 2nd Battalion Auckland Regiment were considerable: 41 men were killed, 179 were wounded, and 40 were missing. Oscar also lost his life on 4 October at the age of 24. His body was recovered after the war near Calgary Grange, ‘s Graventafel. His remains were reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, where he still rests.
Sources 5
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Burton O.E., The Auckland regiment N.Z.E.F. 1914-1919. Being an account of the doings on active service of the first, second and third battalions of the Auckland Regiment, (Auckland, Whitcombe & Tombs, 1922), pg 165-181. Sources used |
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Gray John H., First, second and third battalions the Auckland Regiment New Zealand Expeditionary Force at the Battle of Broodseinde (Third Ypres) : 4 october 1917, (Christchurch, NZ, via Mail, 25/8/2009), pg 1-3, 16-19. Sources used |
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McCarthy C., Passchendaele: The Day-by-Day Account, (London, Arms & Armour Press, 1995), pg 112-114. Sources used |
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New Zealand Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives New Zealand, Wellington (ANZ), R7820992). https://www.archives.govt.nz/ Sources used |
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Stewart H., The New Zealand Division 1916 - 1919, (Auckland, Whitecombe & Tombs, 1921), pg 248 - 275. Sources used |
More information 6
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/464757 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=47876ef5-3a35-419a-875e-c7068da7eae7 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7183523 |
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The NZEF Project (UNSW Canberra) https://nzef.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=243073 |
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The NZEF Project (UNSW Canberra) https://nzef.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=243074 |
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Online Cenotaph (Auckland Museum) https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/c14943 |