GEAR, Orlando Fedele Lucio

Son of Charles Gear & Sophia Ann Bates Moore
b. 1892 NZ - d. 1965 NZ

World War I, 1914-1918
Serial No.: 18903
First Known Rank: Sergeant
Occupation before Enlistment: Warehouseman
Next of Kin: Mrs O F Gear (wife), care of R R Lewis, Mataura Road, Waihi, New Zealand
Body on Embarkation: New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Embarkation Unit: 15th Reinforcements Auckland Infantry Battalion, A Company
Embarkation Date: 26 July 1916
Place of Embarkation: Wellington, New Zealand
Vessel: Waitemata or Ulimaroa
Destination: Devonport, England

France (1916-18)
Orlando enlisted on 8 February 1916 at Trentham, Upper Hutt, Wellington, aged 23 years. He was recorded as being 5', 11" tall with a fair complexion, brown hair and blue eyes. He has previous military service in the Auckland 3rd Regiment. His last address was Alexander Street, Glenmore (Westport). At the time of enlistment his next of kin was his brother Alexander Gear, Alexander Street, Glenmore. After marriage his next of kin was Mrs O F Gear (wife), 14 Sunnyside Road, Mt Eden, Auckland. He was promoted from corporal to sergeant on 25 April 1916.
In France on 19 January 1919 he had a haemorrage of the lungs.
He served a total of 3 years 266 days, of which 2 years 357 days were served overseas. He was discharged on 31 October 1919 in consequence of being no longer fit for war service.

Source: Military documents