Embedded Files
Private Charles William Lachlan Campbell
Year of Birth: Unknown
Date of Death: Died of war wounds on 2/01/1917
Age: Unknown
Nationality: British
Regiment: Otago Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
Family: Father- Neill Campbell Mother- Ann Campbell
Occupation: Sheep shearer
As they sailed off to war, the Ngatimoti recruits caught a glimpse of iconic Ngatimoti landmark, White Rock Hill, a last poignant reminder of home. [Motueka & District Historical Association 1980. Fergus Holyoake Collection, 774/1].
The Otago Regiment, was formed in August 1914 from the existing four territorial regiments of the Otago Military District. This battalion was formed from three other Provinces - Canterbury, Auckland and Wellington and together four made up the New Zealand Infantry Brigade. The force sailed on 14 October 1914, carrying 34 officers and 1,076 other ranks. They sailed to Alexandria, Egypt. On 3 December and in January 1915 the brigade was moved down to the Suez Canal which the Turks were preparing to attack. On the Western Front the New Zealand Division was an elite formation and the regiment was involved in most of the major operations - the Somme, Messines, Third Ypres and the battles of 1918.
New Zealand's Roll of Honour: Non-commissioned officers and men, killed, wounded, and missing in the world struggle for freedom. Roll of honour for the First World War showing from left to right; Trooper J A Linton (Canterbury Mounted Rifles, wounded), Trooper Frank Clark (Auckland Mounted Rifles, missing), Private P McLaughlin (Canterbury Infantry Battalion, died of wounds), Trooper Ben Mitai (Auckland Mounted Rifles, wounded), Private T Peneamene (Maori Contingent, wounded), Private Timutimu Tioke (Maori Contingent, wounded), Corporal D G Malcolm (Otago Infantry Battalion, wounded), Trooper D Thompson (Wellington Mounted Rifles, wounded). Taken from the supplement to the Auckland Weekly News 28 October 1915, p40. Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19151028-40-1. Image has no known copyright restrictions.
Creative Writing Task
Creative Writing Task
William Arthur Ham was the first New Zealander to die in combat during World War 1. Following a decisive victory at the Suez Canal, New Zealand’s Minister for Defence, James Allen, hoped that it would be of some consolation to William Ham's parents that their son was:“the first upon the roll of honour of the New Zealanders to die in action for their King and country in upholding justice and right.”
- Recreate the letter he might have written to William Ham's parents
- Create a letter his parents might have written back to James Allen
- Recreate a letter James Allen might have written to Charles Campbell's parents, following three years of warfare and many New Zealand deaths.
Things to think about
- How different would life in Otago be to the bustling city life in Cairo, or the trenches of World War One?
- The conditions on the ships, especially as the journey would have took 48 days to get to Egypt - What was life like on the ships?
“When I got the medal I was disappointed to find that I was the only New Zealander to get one at Gallipoli, because hundreds of Victoria Crosses should have been awarded there. All my mate ever got was a wooden cross”. Corporal Cyril Bassett
- Why do you think New Zealanders chose to fight in World War One?
- Do you think we adequately recognise the contribution of those who gave their lives during World War One outside of 'The Western Front'?
Ship departing for World War One
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