| Regimental number | 24/1776 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Gisborne |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 22.9 |
| Height | 5' 7.5" |
| Weight | 136 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs A Paulson, Waerengaahika, Gisborne |
| Previous military service | Served in D Company, 9th Regiment, Territorial Force; still serving at time of NEF enlistment. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on embarkation | Rifleman |
| Unit name | New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 1915, 3rd Reinforcements of 2nd Battalion, F Company |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on board Tahiti on |
| Final rank | Corporal |
| Final unit | 2nd Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 24 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | Tyne Cot Memorial (New Zealand Apse, Panel No 3), nr Ieper, Belgium |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Alfred and Mary Paulson, Gisborne |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During the attack on the Belle Vue Ridge on 12th October 1917 Corporal Paulson was wounded early in the attack, but remained on duty and showed great skill and contempt for danger in pushing his Lewis Gun well up under the enemy fire, and keeping a continuous stream of bullets on the enemy "Pillboxes" and machine gun emplacements in the shell-holes.'
Source: 'London Gazette' Date: |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Wellington, 8 January 1916; disembarked Suez, 8 February 1916. Joined 2nd Bn, Otago Infantry Regiment, Reserve Camp, 10 March 1916, and posted to 4th Company. Admitted to NZ Stationary Hospital, Moascar, 5 April 1916 (measles); date of discharge not recorded. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, France, 10 May 1916; attached to NZ Base, Etaples, 21 May 1916; rejoined Bn, in the field, 15 June 1916. Appointed Lance Corporal, 10 March 1917. Promoted Corporal, 28 May 1917. Admitted to No 1 NZ Field Ambulance, 4 October 1917 (cause obscured on file); rejoined Bn, 8 October 1917. Wounded in action, 12 October 1917. Statement, 9/1207 Pte E.A. MILLIS, 4th Company, 2nd Bn, Otago Infantry Regiment: 'I was with Corporal Paulson during operations at Belle Vue Spur on the morning of 12th Oct. He was hit twice during the advance & told me that he would go back to take cover. He crawled back a little way in my sight. I have not seen him since. In going back to the dressing station he would have to cross ground that was being shelled.' Court of Enquiry, 19 November 1917, concluded: 'Missing believed killed during operations at Belle Vue Spur on 12th October 1917.' War service: 361 days (of which 278 days were abroad) Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | Nominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 15, p. 9 Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 20799660 |