'During the period 28th February to 20th September 1917 this NCO has served as Sgt Shoemaker and has been untiring in the performance of his duties. He has always shown extraordinary energy and devotion to duty. During the Messines operations he was frequently called upon to carry out his duties in the forward area and under heavy shell fire. When the Battalion has been in the trenches he has frequently volunteered for and taken charge of ration parties proceeding to the front line. This NCO has been continually with the Battalion since August 1914 with his present rank. He served throughout the Gallipoli campaign. In the operations on the Somme, owing to the heavy casualties, he volunteered for and took charge of the Battalion ration parties and nightly led them to the village of Flers, showing marked courage in the performance of this most dangerous duty.'
Source: London Gazette
Date: 1 January 1918

Regimental number	10/600
Date of birth	14 July 1885
Place of birth	Leicester, England
Religion	Church of England
Occupation	Farmer
Address	Kumeroa
Marital status	Single
Age at embarkation	29.1
Height	5' 8"
Weight	168 lbs
Next of kin	Brother, John Griffin, 76 Bagrave Street, Leicester, England
Previous military service	Served in the Leicester Yeomanry; not serving in any military unit at time of NZEF enlistment.
Enlistment date	19 August 1914
Rank on embarkation	Sergeant
Enlistment status	Volunteer
Unit name	New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, Wellington Infantry Battalion
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 10 Arawa on 16 October 1914
Final rank	Sergeant
Final unit	1st Battalion, Wellington Infantry Regiment
Fate	Commenced return to New Zealand 7 September 1918
Medals	Meritorious Service Medal 'During the period 28th February to 20th September 1917 this NCO has served as Sgt Shoemaker and has been untiring in the performance of his duties. He has always shown extraordinary energy and devotion to duty. During the Messines operations he was frequently called upon to carry out his duties in the forward area and under heavy shell fire. When the Battalion has been in the trenches he has frequently volunteered for and taken charge of ration parties proceeding to the front line. This NCO has been continually with the Battalion since August 1914 with his present rank. He served throughout the Gallipoli campaign. In the operations on the Somme, owing to the heavy casualties, he volunteered for and took charge of the Battalion ration parties and nightly led them to the village of Flers, showing marked courage in the performance of this most dangerous duty.' Source: London Gazette Date: 1 January 1918
Discharge date	13 December 1918
Other details	War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Commenced return to New Zealand from Liverpool on board HT 'Remuera', 7 September 1918; discharged (termination of period of engagement), 13 December 1918. Medals: Meritorious Service Medal, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Miscellaneous details	Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Wellington Infantry Batln/Main Body
Sources	Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 16789077