Francis Leeson SHEPPARD

Regimental number10/520
Date of birth10 August 1892
Place of birthOxford, England
ReligionProtestant
OccupationFarm hand
AddressLevin
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation24
Height5' 9"
Weight154 lbs
Next of kinFrancis Sheppard, Riverside, Osbey, Oxford, England
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date15 August 1914
Place of enlistmentPalmerston North
Rank on embarkationPrivate
Enlistment statusVolunteer
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, Wellington Infantry Battalion
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 10 Arawa on 16 October 1914
Final rankLance Corporal
Final unitWellington Infantry Regiment
FateCommenced return to New Zealand 18 March 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Wellington, 16 October 1914; disembarked Alexandria, Egypt, 3 December 1914.

Embarked Alexandria with unit to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (Gallipoli Campaign), 12 April 1915.

Appointed Lance Corporal, 12 May 1915.

Posted as 'missing in action, 8 August 1915'.

Now, 24 August 1915, reported as 'prisoner of war in hospital, Constantinople (gunshot wound, chin)'.

Reported as being held at Angora, no date stated.

Reported as being held at Vozgard, 9 September 1918.

Disembarked Alexandria, 5 November 1918.

Admitted to No.21 General Hospital, Alexandria, 6 November 1918 (malaria); transferred to No.27 General Hospital, Abbassia, 14 November 1918; to Aotea Convalescent Home, 16 November 1918; discharged to Mounted Rifles Training Regiment, Heliopolis, 4 December 1918.

Proceeded to England, 26 December 1918; disembarked Dover, 10 January 1919.

Reported NZ Expeditionary Force Headquarters, 13 January 1919, and granted leave.

Commenced return to New Zealand from Plymouth on board HMNZT 'Tainui', 18 March 1919; disembarked New Zealand, 30 April 1919; discharged (no longer physically fit for war service on account of illness contracted on active service), 28 May 1919.

Total war service: 4 years 287 days (of which 4 years 197 days were abroad).

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsNominal Roll Vol. 1: Wellington Infantry Batln/Main Body
Date of death24 June 1949, Nelson
SourcesArchives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 7816617