JACK, E

Erick David Jack, No. 12/771

2nd Auckland Infantry Battalion. Private

Erick David was born on 21st February 1892, to David and Mary Emily Jack nee King who married in 1888 and were farming in Silverdale.

The Kaipara General Roll in 1919 shows the following Jack family members living in Silverdale:

Alexander Henry

Andrew probably father to David

Andrew Jnr

David- farmer

Erick David farmer

Hannah Elizabeth

Hannah Lavinia Rose Upper Orewa, Silverdale , married

Mary Emily mother

William James Davidson Upper Orewa

Erick left school at the age of 15 without passing the matriculation examination.

His father David was born in 1864 to Euphemia nee Davidson and Andrew Jack who were married in 1861. He died on December 15th 1932 and is buried in the Hillsborough Cemetery after a service held in St Andrews Church, Howick. His mother Mary Emily died in August 1944 at the age of 78.

On enlistment his last address was given as Te Awamutu where he was working as a surveyor's assistant to Mr Edward Clark. He gave his religion as Presbyterian and his address as c/- Lands Department, Pongakawa, Bay of Plenty. He also changed his given name to Edward and was referred to by both in his military records at different times. His next of kin was given as David Jack, father and he was single. He was 5feet 9 and a half inches tall with grey eyes, light brown hair and a fresh complexion.

Pre War he had been a member of the 16th Waikato Unit and he registered in Te Awamutu

He commenced duty on 15 August 1914 and embarked on HMT 14, Willochra on 15 December 1914 and was at sea for 45 days, arriving in Suez, Egypt 18 January 1915.

Erick was admitted to hospital at Port de Koubbeh on 27 April 1915 with flu but that diagnosis was changed to cardiac disease.

Erick was discharged on 18 October 1915 because of "valvular disease of the heart" which manifested as a " loud conducted systolic murmur and shortness of breath". He returned home on the "SS Ceramic" and was discharged and struck off the military register in NZ.

In 1921 he was contacted by the military office in Wellington to inform him that there had been a discrepancy in his pay , in his favour as one months service had been paid as Territorial rates rather than as a member of the NZ Expeditionary Force overseas, and he was then paid the difference.

Erick married Gladys Margaret Shippen in 1925. In the 1928 Electoral Roll they are in Hill Street Thames where Erick is a surveyors assistant.

By 1935 they are in Halifax St, Nelson and Erick is an Overseer and in 1946 they have moved to 43 Brock St, Nelson where as an overseer Erick was a General Overseer of roads, bridges etc for Waimea County Council.

Erick had reverted to his given name of Erick when he again enlisted for WW2 and entered Nelson Camp M/1 D.E.S.C. on 30th September 1942.

His Army number was 819176 and he was 50years and 5 months old. This time he gave his religion as Church of England and assigned to RO 14 on 1st October 1942.

He was again declared unfit for active duty because of his heat condition but asked to be in DES C Unit.

Erick Jack died in Marlborough, Nelson in May 1957 aged 64 and is buried in the berm for NZEF. Plot 25 Wakapuaka Cemetery 28 May 1957.

Gladys died on 23 May 1959 and is also buried at Wakapuaka Cemetery.