Pte Joseph Bamford Hazlett

Joseph Bamford Hazlett was a young man who originated from Moneydig, Aghadowey, Garvagh, Co. Londonderry, Ireland. He was born on 23rd September 1887 and after emigrating with his family to New Zealand found himself volunteering and enlisting into the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in 1915. Sadly he was to be Killed in Action on the Somme battlefield on 15th September 1916, aged 28.

[Photo courtesy of the Lennon Wylie website, Robert Thompson Garvagh section]

[Photo courtesy of TBA]

Joseph was born on 23rd September 1887 and was the 7th child from a family of 10 children of Samuel Hazlett and Nancy Hazlett (nee Knox) of Moneydig, Aghadowey, Garvagh, Co. Londonderry, Ireland.

Samuel Hazlett was a farmer and also a local Justice of the Peace (J.P.). The family church was Moneydig Presbyterian Church and he was baptised there on 4th December 1887.

[Moneydig Presbyterian Church]

School for the family was Moneydig National School. Joseph entered school on 3rd August 1897 along with his brother, Hugh Brown Hazlett. Moneydig National School would later be known as Moneydig Public Elementary School (circa 1908), then Moneydig Primary School before finally closing in June 1991.

[Moneydig National School (1920's) - Photo courtesy of James McIlfatrick, 'The Fairy Thorn Revisited - 0 948154 98 5 published 1996]

[Moneydig National School (post closure) - Photo courtesy of Google Earth - Streetview]

Following his education, Joseph became a farm labourer, probably working on the family farm.

At some stage, probably around 1910, a few of the children, including Joseph emigrated to New Zealand. He lived in an area known as Forty Trees.

War was declared by the United Kingdom on 4th August 1914.

Joseph volunteered and enlisted with his period of service from 18th October 1915 'to end of war'. His Service Number was 8/3623.

His description, on enlistment is as follows:

• Age: 27
• Height: 5 feet 10 inches
• Weight: 154 lbs
• Complexion: Fair
• Eyes: Blue
• Hair: Light brown
• Religion: Presbyterian

The medical examination recorded everything normal with no 'slight defects' and was 'signed off' by the Medical Officer on 12th July 1915.

His New Zealand Expeditionary Force 'Attestation Form' dated 29th October 1915 included the following details:

• Born: County Derry, Ireland
• Trade: Farming
• Education: Fourth Educational Standard or its equivalent
• Address: Mr. Smith, Forty Trees

His unit was the 9th Reinforcements, 'D' Company, 2nd Battalion Otago Infantry Regiment, part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

Following training, his regiment sailed aboard the ship, T.S.S. Maunganui (*) from Wellington, New Zealand on 8th January 1916 and reached Suez, Egypt on 8th February 1916. He embarked for France on 9th April 1916 from Alexandria.

(*) T.S.S. Maunanui was built in Govan, Scotland in 1911 and was

employed as a troop ship in the Great War and in World War II (see video).

Joseph was initially reported on a 'Casualty Form - Active Service' form dated 28th September 1916 as being 'wounded in action' on 15th September 1916. Two days later, on 30th September 1916, Joseph was confirmed as 'Killed in Action' on 15th September 1916,

Joseph is remembered on the Caterpillar Valley (New Zealand) Memorial Wall, Somme, France. His actual grave is known only to God.

[Images courtesy of the CWGC Photographic Project]

Following the end of the war, Joseph was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His medals, the 'next of kin' memorial plaque with scroll were sent to his father, Samuel Hazlett, Moneydig, Garvagh, Co. Derry, Ireland on 22nd July 1921.

There is a note on his army form 'History Sheet' in the 'Mentioned in Despatches' section re London Gazette with a date of 1st September 1927. [No detail has yet has been identified in the LG].

Joseph is also remembered on the Roll of Honour (Fallen) of Masonic Lodge 16, Kilrea, Co. Londonderry.

His name is also recorded on 'Ireland's Memorial Record'.