'This NCO having joined the Battalion at the outbreak of the war has served practically continuously as one of the Medical Orderlies with the greatest bravery and the utmost devotion to duty. On Gallipoli, at Armentieres, on the Somme, at Fleurbaix, at Messines, Ploegsteert and Gravenstafel, at Waterloo Farm (where he was wounded but declined to allow himself to be evacuated until his Battalion was relieved) and at the Polygon de Zonnebeek he carried out his duties often in circumstances of extreme danger. At Messines from the 7th to the 10th June 1917, the regimental aid post was established in a shell hole close to the village where he worked continuously night and day attending on the wounded notwithstanding extraordinarily heavy shell fire which necessitated constant changes of position. His courage, skill and extreme devotion to duty have been a constant example and incentive to his comrades and have undoubtedly been the means of saving many lives.'
Source: 'London Gazette' 4th Supplement
Date: 12 July 1918

Regimental number	10/450
Date of birth	5 February 1892
Place of birth	Marton
Religion	Presbyterian
Occupation	Chemist's assistant
Address	PO Box 2, Marton
Marital status	Single
Age at embarkation	22.6
Height	5' 6"
Weight	128 lbs
Next of kin	Father, James McChesney, Marton
Previous military service	Served in A Company, 7th Regiment, Territorial Force; still serving at time of NZEF enlistment.
Enlistment date	18 August 1914
Place of enlistment	Wanganui
Rank on embarkation	Private
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	Corporal
Final unit	Wellington Infantry Regiment
Fate	Commenced return to New Zealand 18 January 1919
Medals	Croix de Guerre (Belgium) 'This NCO having joined the Battalion at the outbreak of the war has served practically continuously as one of the Medical Orderlies with the greatest bravery and the utmost devotion to duty. On Gallipoli, at Armentieres, on the Somme, at Fleurbaix, at Messines, Ploegsteert and Gravenstafel, at Waterloo Farm (where he was wounded but declined to allow himself to be evacuated until his Battalion was relieved) and at the Polygon de Zonnebeek he carried out his duties often in circumstances of extreme danger. At Messines from the 7th to the 10th June 1917, the regimental aid post was established in a shell hole close to the village where he worked continuously night and day attending on the wounded notwithstanding extraordinarily heavy shell fire which necessitated constant changes of position. His courage, skill and extreme devotion to duty have been a constant example and incentive to his comrades and have undoubtedly been the means of saving many lives.' Source: 'London Gazette' 4th Supplement Date: 12 July 1918
Discharge date	28 March 1919
Other details	War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Commenced return to New Zealand on board HT 'Zealandic', 18 January 1919; discharged (termination of period of engagement), 28 March 1919. Medals: Croix de Guerre, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal Also served in World War II (Home Guard).
Miscellaneous details	Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Wellington Infantry Batln/Main Body
Sources	Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 24170181