Francis McHALE

Regimental number8/258
Date of birth22 December 1888
Place of birthBlenheim
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationLabourer
AddressRedwood Town, Blenheim
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation25
Height5' 7"
Weight150 lbs
Next of kinFather, Francis McHale, Redwood Town, Blenheim
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date15 August 1914
Place of enlistmentMilton
Rank on embarkationPrivate
Enlistment statusVolunteer
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, Otago Infantry Battalion
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on 16 October 1914
Members of the Otago Infantry Battalion, Main Body, left Wellington on 16 October 1914 on two ships, HMNZT 9 'Hawke's Bay' and HMNZT 5 'Ruapehu'. From the Nominal Roll it is not possible to determine on which ship an individual embarked.
Discharge date16 February 1920
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 12 April 1915, and attached to Transport Section.

Admitted to NZ General Hospital, Cairo, 23 November 1915 (bruised thigh); discharged to Base Details, Zeitoun, 27 December 1915; rejoined Bn (Transport), Moascar, 1 January 1916.

Embarked Egypt to join the British Expeditionary Force, France, 6 April 1916.

Transferred from 14th Company to Headquarters Transport, 2 November 1916.

On leave to United Kingdom, 17 February 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 6 March 1918.

Admitted to No 3 NZ Field Ambulance, 29 June 1918 (myalgia); discharged to NZ Details, 3 June 1918, and rejoined unit same day.

Commenced return to New Zealand from Plymouth on board HMNZT 'Ulimaroa', 7 November 1918; discharged, 17 January 1919.

Re-enlisted in Samoan Garrison, 30 September 1919; disembarked from SS 'Talune', 19 June 1917, and posted to Mounted Infantry.

Transferred to Military Police, 24 November 1919; appointed Temporary Corporal as from 1 December 1919

Total war service: 4 years 296 days (of which 4 years 166 days were abroad)

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsNominal Roll Vol. 1: Otago Infantry Batln/Main Body
SourcesArchives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series18805