Pte
William Nankervis

Informatie over geboorte

Geboortedatum:
17/09/1875
Geboorteplaats:
Launceston, Tasmania, Australië

Algemene Informatie

Beroep:
Schilder

Informatie legerdienst

Land:
Nieuw-Zeeland
Strijdmacht:
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Rang:
Private
Service nummer:
27139
Dienstneming datum:
03/06/1916
Dienstneming plaats:
Trentham, Wellington, Nieuw-Zeeland
Eenheden:
 —  Auckland Infantry Regiment, 1st Bn.  (Laatst gekende eenheid)

Informatie over overlijden

Datum van overlijden:
22/10/1917
Plaats van overlijden:
Wolf Farm, Passendale, België
Doodsoorzaak:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Leeftijd:
42

Gedenkplaats

Onderscheidingen en medailles 3

British War Medal
Medaille
Military Medal
Medaille — 17/12/1917
Victory Medal
Medaille

Points of interest 3

#1 Geboorteplaats
#2 Dienstneming plaats
#3 Plaats van overlijden (bij benadering)

Mijn verhaal

Private William Nankervis served in the Auckland Regiment 1st Battalion, “A” Company, part of the 1st New Zealand Brigade, of the New Zealand Division. The Division participated in the Third Battle of Ypres. It was involved in the Battle of Broodseinde on the 4th of October 1917 and attacked the ‘s Graventafel Spur. The 1st Aucklands cleared and consolidated a series of pill-boxes round Aviatik Farm and Dear House. Private William Nankervis went into the attack as a Company stretcher-bearer. He won a Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry in the field. From the 4th October until the Battalion was relieved on the 6th instant he worked ceaselessly evacuating wounded at all times and under the heaviest fire. Furthermore he saved many lives by his prompt and skillful bandaging of the wounded. His work throughout was of the very highest standard, and was carried out at great personal risk. He showed conspicuous devotion to duty and the greatest possible praise is due to him for his work, which showed he is possessed of steadfast courage, splendid endurance and cool organization.
The Division once more attacked on the 12th of October, the First Battle of Passchendaele. It attacked in Wolf Copse and Wolf Farm near the Belle Vue Crest with the 2nd New Zealand and the 3rd New Zealand (Rifle) Brigade. The attack was a failure and the New Zealanders suffered a huge amount of casualties. The shattered and battered Battalions were relieved as quickly as possible. On the 16th of October the 1st Auckland relieved the 2nd Otago in the support lines. Three days later the 1st Auckland took over the left front sector with their Battalion Headquarters at Krönprinz Farm. The weary Battalion remained in the line till they were relieved by men of the 3rd Canadian Division in the night of the 23rd-24th of October 1917.
Private William Nankervis was killed in action on the 22nd of October 1917, while the 1st Auckland was in the line on the left of the Divisional sector, at Wolf Farm. He possibly fell due to German shellfire on the New Zealand positions. Private William Nankervis remains weren’t recovered and he is remembered on the New Zealand Apse of the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Bronnen 6

"The Auckland Regiment N.Z.E.F. 1914-1918", Burton O.E., Christchurch, Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd., 1922, pg. 177-181.
Gebruikte bronnen
"The Third Ypres Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account", McCarthy C., London, Arms & Armour Press, 1995, pg. 99-101 & 114-116.
Gebruikte bronnen
Auckland Cenotaph
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C11314?n=nankervis&ordinal=2&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fsearch
Gebruikte bronnen
CWGC
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/847981/NANKERVIS,%20WILLIAM
Gebruikte bronnen
NZEF-project
http://nzef.adfa.edu.au/search
Gebruikte bronnen
The Long, Long Trail
http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/
Gebruikte bronnen