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(Soldiers Cross) 1/570 Tpr. L J Billett, Samoan Advance, d 18 March 1924, a. 28.
In Loving memory of Ethel Adelaide, Beloved Wife of Sidney R Billett, Died 26 June 1909, Aged 40
Also Our Dear Children|
Frank Wilton
Died in Melbourne 3 November 1923, Aged 29
Leonard Johns
Died 18 March 1924, Aged 28
Harold Sidney
Died 13th April 1912, Aged 13
Vivian Albert
Died 29th October 1907 Aged 25
And Florence Irene
Died in Melbourne 29th November 1900 Aged 8 weeks.
And their daughter Clarice Elizabeth
Wife of Philip Alan Jennings
Died 16th November 1928, Aged 27
And their son Alan W R Jennings
Born 1926, Died 21st August 1927
In Loving Memory of Bertha Billett, died 10th February 1933, also Sydney Richards Billett, died 27th June 1935, aged 74 years. "Till We Meet on That Beautiful Shore."
Historical information
Just a matter of days after New Zealand entered World War I, it was suggested by the British Government that New Zealand should send troops to occupy Western Samoa, then a German territory. By 11 August, 1413 men plus six nursing sisters had been recruited, equipped and gathered together to comprise the Samoa Advance Party, of the (3rd) Auckland regiment (Countess of Ranfurly's Own). The troops, including Private Leonard Johns Billett, travelled from Auckland to Wellington by train, and on 14th August (a public holiday) marched through Wellington streets to the Basin Reserve, past cheering crowds lining the streets. At the Basin Reserve, there was a final farewell from the Governor, the Earl of Liverpool, then they left Wellington on 15 August 1914 on the Monowai and the Moeraki. The journey to Samoa was uncertain in terms of safety: battleships of the German Pacific Squadron were thought to be in the area The Samoan Advance Party landed, unopposed, at Apia on 29 August 1914. Among the first tasks for the New Zealanders was securing the wireless station at Apia, which had been left booby-trapped by the departed German forces. Aside from that, the troops were involved during the first weeks with establish camps, digging defences, and repairing roads and bridges, as well as fortifying the wireless station.
The Samoa Relief Force took over from March 1915.
It isn't known how much longer Private Billett was in service, but if he remained with the 3rd Auckland regiment, that regiment, as part of the great Auckland Regiment, served at Gallipoli, France and Egypt.
MR L J BILLETT.
A returned soldier, named Leonard John Billett, died at the hospital annexe on the 18th inst., and the interment took place yesterday at the Presbyterian Cemetery, Avondale. Deceased was only 28 years old and a married man. He was the second son of the late Mr. Sidney Richard Billett, of Archhill, and belonged to the Federated Seamen's Union. Mr L J Billett served with the contingent at Samoa, and upon returning to Auckland left again for service with the 22nd reinforcements. The Pensions Department and also the Federated Seamen's Union were represented at the funeral.
(Auckland Star, 21 March 1924, p. 7)
He was the second son of Sidney Richards Billett of 12 Dean Street, Archhill, and husband of Jennie. (Death notice, NZ Herald, 19 March 1924, p. 1)
MR S R BILLETT.
Mr Sidney Richards Billett, whose death occurred recently after a residence of 35 years in Auckland, was born at Shoreham, Sussex, England, in 1861. He was a prominent member of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade, having attended classes in the London-Brighton railway workshops three years prior to the charter being granted by Queen Victoria. Coming to Australia at the age of 21, he was associated with ambulance work in both Queensland and Victoria until 1900, when he came to New Zealand, taking up his residence in Auckland. Upon the formation of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade in Auckland, he was one of the first members to volunteer, gaining in after years the rank of sergeant and his medallion and long service medal and maintaining a keen interest in the affairs of the brigade up to the time of his death. He was also keenly interested in wrestling, being one of the oldest members of the Auckland Wrestling Association, attending the earliest matches held in the concert chamber of the Town Hall, and following the fortunes of the association through to the present day.
(Auckland Star 9 July 1935, p. 8)
Sidney R Billett was a retired builder. (Auckland Star, 31 July 1935, p. 11) Image courtesy Leigh Carpenter.
Leonard Johns Billett died 18 March 1924, and was buried at St Ninian's Cemetery on 20 March. He was the second son of Sidney Richards Billett who, during World War I, worked as a carpenter at the Auckland Mental Hospital in Pt Chevalier. Both of L J Billett's parents, Sidney R Billett and his wife Bertha, are buried at the Billett family plot at St Ninians.See also:
http://timespanner.blogspot.co.nz/2011/03/trooper-billett-of-samoan-advance-1914.html
(Image courtesy Leigh Carpenter)
Row C, Plot 10: Billett family
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