| Regimental number | 9/1109 |
| Address | Parawa |
| Marital status | Single |
| Next of kin | Father, Thomas Shirley, Parawa, Southland |
| Rank on embarkation | Trooper |
| Enlistment status | Volunteer |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 5th Reinforcements, Otago Mounted Rifles |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on |
| Members of the 5th Reinforcement, Otago Mounted Rifles Regiment, departed New Zealand on board two ships, HMNZT 7 'Limerick' and HMNZT 10 'Arawa'. It is not possible from the Nominal Roll to determine on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'Operations: Switch Trench, South east of High Wood, 15th September. Grid Trench, West of Flers, 1st October 1916. This non commissioned officer was with his platoon right through both of the above actions. On both occasions he displayed
conspicuous coolness and initiative, cheered the men on continually when they were falling under heavy shell fire, and during the work of consolidation moved up and down his trench, showing an absolute contempt for the enemy's fire. He took the place of the senior NCOs who were casualties. On both these days every officer was a casualty early in the engagement and Corporal Shirley together with Sergeant Bellamy (already recommended) displayed exceptional gallantry.'
Source: London Gazette Date: |
| Miscellaneous details | Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Otago Mounted Rifles/Fifth |