Ernest John BEDFORD

Regimental number34011
Date of birth17 June 1883
Place of birthGrimsby, Lincolnshire, England
ReligionBaptist
OccupationWaterside worker
Marital statusMarried but separated for 5 years
Age at embarkation31
Height5' 9.5"
Weight147 lbs
Next of kinFriend, Mrs Gowland, 267 Aberdeen Road, Gisborne
Previous military serviceServed for 3 years in the Lincolnshire Rifles; time expired; not serving in any military unit at time of NZEF enlistment.
Enlistment date17 September 1916
Place of enlistmentTrentham
Rank on embarkationPrivate
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, 21st Reinforcements, F Company
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on board Waitemata on 19 January 1917
Final rankPrivate
Final unit3rd Battalion, Canterbury Infantry Regiment
FateKilled in Action 12 October 1917
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsTyne Cot Memorial (New Zealand Apse, Panel No 2), Zonnebeke, Belgium
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Wellington, 19 January 1917; disembarked Devonport, England, 28 March 1917, and marched into Sling Camp.

Marched out to 4th Brigade, Codford, 2 May 1917, and taken on strength, 3rd Bn, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, and posted to 13th Company.

Proceeded overseas to France, 28 May 1917.

Reported missing, 12 October 1917.

Court of Enquiry, 11 April 1918, concluded that 'soldier is missing from the night of 11/12th October 1917. Killed in action, 12 October 1917.'

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNominal Roll Vol. 3: Roll 52, p. 20
Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 22274101