| Regimental number | 4/515 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Auckland |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Clerk |
| Address | 26 Burleigh Street, Mount Eden, Auckland |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 22 |
| Height | 5' 5" |
| Weight | 137 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, T C Bassett, Burleigh Street, Mount Eden, Auckland |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on embarkation | Sapper |
| Enlistment status | Volunteer |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, New Zealand Field Engineers |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on board Maunganui on |
| Final rank | Lieutenant |
| Final unit | Divisional Signal Company |
| Promotions |
2nd Lieutenant Promotion date: |
| Fate | Commenced return to New Zealand |
| Medals |
Victoria Cross 'For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the Chunuk Bair ridge in the Gallipoli Peninsula on the 7th August, 1915. After the New Zealand Infantry Brigade had attacked and established itself on the ridge, Corporal Bassett, in full daylight and under a continuous and heavy fire succeeded in laying a telephone line from the old position to the new one on Chunuk Bair. He had subsequently been brought to notice for further excellent and most gallant work connected with the repair of telephone lines by day and night under heavy fire.'
Source: 'London Gazette' Date: |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (Gallipoli Campaign), 12 April 1915. Promoted 2nd Corporal, 8 May 1915; appointed Corporal same day. Awarded Victoria Cross. Admitted to HS 'Guildford Castle', 13 August 1915 (debility); transferred to Malta, and admitted to St George's Hospital, 21 August 1915; discharged, 1 September 1915; transferred to England, 16 September 1915, and admitted to 4th Northern General Hospital, Leicester, 24 September 1915. Appointed Temporary Sergeant, 7 February 1916. Proceeded overseas to France, 11 May 1916, and relinquished appointment as Temporary Sergeant, Divisional Signal Company; rejoined unit, in the field, 1 July 1916. Admitted to 3rd NZ Field Ambulance, 29 July 1916 (scabies), and transferred to British Isolation Hospital, Bailleul; to Northumbrian Casualty Clearing Station, 30 July 1916; to 1st Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, 30 July 1916 Promoted Sergeant, 4 August 1916. Discharged to duty, 9 August 1916; rejoined unit, in the field, 10 August 1916. Detached to Divisional School, 20 December 1916; rejoined unit, 13 February 1917. Proceeded to England for training prior to commissioning in the NZEF, 27 April 1917. Detailed for course of instruction at Signal Service Training Centre, Bletchley, 12 May 1917. Appointed 2nd Lt, 21 September 1917. Proceeded overseas to France, 8 October 1917; rejoined Divisional Signal Company, in the field, 9 October 1917. On leave to Paris, 22 January 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 1 February 1918. Wounded in action (second occasion), 28 March 1918), remaining at duty. Admitted to 1st NZ Field Ambulance, 24 April 1918 (debility), transferred to 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital; to St John Ambulance Brigade Hospital, Etaples, 26 April 1918; to England, 3 May 1918; rejoined unit, in the field, 3 June 1918. Marched out to England for return to New Zealand, 1 September 1918. Commenced return to New Zealand from Plymouth on board HT 'Ayrshire', 6 November 1918; discharged, 21 January 1919. War service: 4 years 165 days (of which 4 years 93 days were abroad) Medals: Victoria Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Miscellaneous details | Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Field Engineers/Main Body |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 91 |
| Place of burial | North Shore Cemetery (cremated), Auckland |
| Sources | Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 23513639 |