Rfn
Malcolm Wright Nielson

Informatie over geboorte

Geboortedatum:
14/01/1892
Geboorteplaats:
Opotiki, Bay of Plenty, Nieuw-Zeeland

Algemene Informatie

Beroep:
Stalknecht

Informatie legerdienst

Land:
Nieuw-Zeeland
Strijdmacht:
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Rang:
Rifleman
Service nummer:
47071
Dienstneming datum:
09/01/1917
Dienstneming plaats:
Hamilton, Waikato, Nieuw-Zeeland
Eenheden:
 —  New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 1st Bn.  (Laatst gekende eenheid)

Informatie over overlijden

Datum van overlijden:
07/12/1917
Plaats van overlijden:
Polderhoek, België
Doodsoorzaak:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Leeftijd:
25

Begraafplaats

Polygon Wood Cemetery
Plot: /
Rij: F
Graf: 4

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

Malcolm Neilson served in the 1st Battalion, 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade, New Zealand Division.

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 shell holes. The opposing German forces generally held higher ground and movement in the New Zealand lines was often observed and shelled or machine-gunned.

The Division relieved the 21st Division from 13th November, when the 3rd (NZ Rifle Brigade) and 4th NZ Infantry Brigades took over the front line. On 1st December the NZ Rifle Brigade relieved the 4th Infantry Brigade in the Becelaere Sector, with the 1st Battalion ( Malcolm’s unit) relieving the 3rd Otago Battalion. The brigade headquarters was at the Polygon Butte.

On 3 December part of 2nd Brigade attacked Polderhoek Chateau, with limited success and heavy casualties. The Rifle Brigade history does not offer much detail on this period so it is difficult to say how Malcolm died on 7 December 1917. There were heavy snow storms during the time.

His body was recovered and he, along with others from the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, is buried at Polygon Wood Cemetery. He is in Row F, Grave 4.

Bestanden 2

Bronnen 6

"The Official History of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade (The Earl of Liverpool's Own)", Austin W.S., The Naval & Military Press Ltd., 2007 , page 255 - 258
Gebruikte bronnen
Auckland cenotaph
https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C11365?n=Neilson%2047071&ordinal=0&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fsearch
Gebruikte bronnen
CWGC
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/480051/neilson,-malcolm/
Gebruikte bronnen
NZEF project
https://nzef.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=187992
Gebruikte bronnen
Service Records
http://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19794685
Gebruikte bronnen
The long,long Trail
https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army
Gebruikte bronnen