Pte
Arthur Walter Bee

Informatie over geboorte

Geboortedatum:
14/04/1890
Geboorteplaats:
Mohaka, Hawke's Bay, Nieuw-Zeeland

Algemene Informatie

Beroep:
Schapenboer

Informatie legerdienst

Land:
Nieuw-Zeeland
Strijdmacht:
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Rang:
Private
Service nummer:
34012
Dienstneming datum:
18/09/1916
Dienstneming plaats:
Trentham, Wellington, Nieuw-Zeeland
Eenheden:
 —  Canterbury Regiment, 3rd Bn.  (Laatst gekende eenheid)

Informatie over overlijden

Datum van overlijden:
28/12/1917
Plaats van overlijden:
Polygoonbos, Zonnebeke, België
Doodsoorzaak:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Leeftijd:
27

Begraafplaats

Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood
Plot: XII special memorial
Rij: AA
Graf: 6

Onderscheidingen en medailles 2

British War Medal
Medaille
Victory Medal
Medaille

Points of interest 3

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

Mijn verhaal

Arthur Walker Bee was born on 14 April 1890 in Mohaka, Hawke's Bay. By the time he enlisted in September 1916 he was a self employed sheep farmer in Putorino, Hawke's Bay. He joined the 21st Reinforcement, enlisting at Trentham Camp.

He embarked from Wellington on 19 January 1917 on the troop ship Waitemata. He remained in a reinforcement camp until he was posted to 3rd Battalion, Canterbury Infantry Regiment in May 1917.

The New Zealand Division was in the Polygon Wood area after the end of the Third Battle of Ypres. Much of the time was spent in wiring, repairing crumbling trenches and improving defences. The landscape was covered with waterlogged shellholes. The right of the New Zealand position was enfiladed from Polderhoek and a decision was made to capture the spur on which the ruins of Polderhoek Château and German pillboxes sat.

After the unsuccessful attack on Polderhoek on 3 December, the various battalions took turns in the line and in reserve. Neither the New Zealand Division history or that of the Canterbury Regiment give detailed information for the December 1917-February 1918 period so it is impossible to say with any certainty how Arthur died on 28 December 1917. The opposing German forces generally held higher ground and movement in the New Zealand lines was often observed and shelled or machine-gunned. On the 28th of December five men of the 3rd Canterbury Battalion, including 27-year-old Arthur Bee, were killed in action.

Bronnen 1

Ferguson David, The history of the Canterbury Regiment, NZEF 1914-1919 (Auckland, Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd, 1921) , pg. 218-223.
Gebruikte bronnen

Meer informatie 5