Pte
Andrew Bidgood
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 15/02/1896 |
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Place of birth: Poverty Bay, Gisborne, New Zealand |
General information
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Last known residence: East Tamaki, Auckland, New Zealand |
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Profession: Farmhand |
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Religion: Presbyterian |
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: 44691 |
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Enlistment date: 15/11/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand |
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Units: — Wellington Regiment, 3nd Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 04/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Aisne Farm, Saint-Julien, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 21 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: IV Row: D Grave: 8 |
Points of interest 5
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) | ||
| #5 | Sterfteplaats |
My story
Andrew Bidgood, a former Farmhand, was born on the 15th of February 1896 in Poverty Bay, Gisborne in New Zealand. He was the son of William Edmund and Maggie Bidgood.
Andrew enlisted on the 15th of November 1916 in The city of Auckland, New Zealand on would later serve as a private in the the 3rd Battalion, Wellington Regiment, part of the 4th New Zealand Infantry Brigade, of the New Zealand Division.
During the first weeks of October 1917, the 3rd Battalion, Wellington Regiment, part of the 4th New Zealand Infantry Brigade, played a crucial role in the New Zealand Division’s attack on the Passchendaele ridge, particularly on October 4th.
The 3rd Wellington Battalion was part of a combined assault alongside other New Zealand brigades aimed at securing Gravenstafel Spur, a key position on the Broodseinde Ridge. At 5:25 AM, the battalion advanced from their starting position, crossing difficult terrain and the Hanebeek, while facing strong German resistance. Although the conditions were challenging, particularly with heavy mud, the Wellingtonians made significant progress.
The initial phase of the attack saw the 3rd Wellington Battalion encountering heavy fire from German pillboxes, which delayed their advance. However, they overcame these strongpoints and continued to push forward, reaching and securing the Berlin farm area. As the battalion moved on, they encountered further opposition from additional pillboxes and dugouts near Korek, but these were eventually cleared under the cover of British artillery fire.
By the end of the day, the New Zealand Division had advanced over 1,000 meters, taking Gravenstafel Spur. Despite the success, the attack came at a heavy cost, with the division suffering 1,600 casualties, including about 500 killed or mortally wounded. The 3rd Wellington Battalion played a key role in this hard-fought battle, securing important positions and contributing to the overall success of the assault.
However, the victory on October 4th led to miscalculations by British command, which set the stage for the failed attack on Passchendaele just days later.
Private Bidgood, aged 21, was Killed In Action on the 4th of October 1917. He was initially buried near Aisne farm, St Juliaan at 28.D.13.c.4.7. His remains were later exhumed and interred at The Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot IV, Row D, Grave 8.
Andrew enlisted on the 15th of November 1916 in The city of Auckland, New Zealand on would later serve as a private in the the 3rd Battalion, Wellington Regiment, part of the 4th New Zealand Infantry Brigade, of the New Zealand Division.
During the first weeks of October 1917, the 3rd Battalion, Wellington Regiment, part of the 4th New Zealand Infantry Brigade, played a crucial role in the New Zealand Division’s attack on the Passchendaele ridge, particularly on October 4th.
The 3rd Wellington Battalion was part of a combined assault alongside other New Zealand brigades aimed at securing Gravenstafel Spur, a key position on the Broodseinde Ridge. At 5:25 AM, the battalion advanced from their starting position, crossing difficult terrain and the Hanebeek, while facing strong German resistance. Although the conditions were challenging, particularly with heavy mud, the Wellingtonians made significant progress.
The initial phase of the attack saw the 3rd Wellington Battalion encountering heavy fire from German pillboxes, which delayed their advance. However, they overcame these strongpoints and continued to push forward, reaching and securing the Berlin farm area. As the battalion moved on, they encountered further opposition from additional pillboxes and dugouts near Korek, but these were eventually cleared under the cover of British artillery fire.
By the end of the day, the New Zealand Division had advanced over 1,000 meters, taking Gravenstafel Spur. Despite the success, the attack came at a heavy cost, with the division suffering 1,600 casualties, including about 500 killed or mortally wounded. The 3rd Wellington Battalion played a key role in this hard-fought battle, securing important positions and contributing to the overall success of the assault.
However, the victory on October 4th led to miscalculations by British command, which set the stage for the failed attack on Passchendaele just days later.
Private Bidgood, aged 21, was Killed In Action on the 4th of October 1917. He was initially buried near Aisne farm, St Juliaan at 28.D.13.c.4.7. His remains were later exhumed and interred at The Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot IV, Row D, Grave 8.
Sources 9
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Ancestry : Andrew Bidgood Sources used |
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Ancestry : Military Records https://www.ancestry.com/search/categories/39/?searchOrigin=navigation_header Sources used |
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Archives New Zealand : Collections Search https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search#/entity/aims-archive/R22276123/bidgood%2C-andrew---ww1-44691---army?q=Andrew+Bidgood&source=aims-archive Sources used |
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Common Wealth Wargraves Comission https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/ Sources used |
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New Zealand History : 1917: Arras, Messines and Passchendaele https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/western-front-1917#heading5 Sources used |
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New Zealand History : Infantry units https://nzhistory.govt.nz/page/wellington-infantry-regiment Sources used |
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Passchendaele : The Day By Day Account Sources used |
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The Long, Long Trail : New Zealand Division https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/new-zealand-division/ Sources used |
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tMapper : WW1 Mapper https://www.tmapper.com/ Sources used |