| Regimental number | 10/873 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Pukerua |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | Waitara |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 21.9 |
| Height | 5' 9" |
| Weight | 164 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, J N Soffe, Waitara |
| Previous military service | Volunteer and Territorial Force (still serving) |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Awapuni |
| Rank on embarkation | Private |
| Enlistment status | Volunteer |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 11th Reinforcements, Wellington Infantry Battalion, B Company |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on |
| The Infantry component of the 11th Reinforcements left New Zealand on board two ships ('Maunganui' and 'Tahiti'). It is not possible from the Nominal Roll to determine on which ship an individual embarked. The Nominal Roll gives the date of departure as 1 April 1916; harbour records indicate that the actual date of embarkation was 2 April 1916. | |
| Final rank | Driver |
| Final unit | New Zealand Machine Gun Corps |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal On the 5th November 1918 at Forresters House Private Soffe who was driving machine-gun limber and advancing with the forward Company displayed exceptionally gallant conduct. Whilst under a very heavy bombardment, he cut a track through the undergrowth in the Foret de Mormal handling his team in a most efficient and creditable manner. He overcame apparently insurmountable difficulties, bringing up the guns to their required location with a display of courage of which was most inspiring to all. Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Commenced return to New Zealand |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Ex Main Body, returned to New Zealand after being wounded at Gallipoli (see second record for 10/873 George SOFFE). Returned to duty, 8 March 1916. Embarked Wellington, 1 April 1916; disembarked Suez, Egypt, 3 May 1916. Appointed Temporary Corporal, 9 May 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, France, 10 May 1916; marched into NZ Infantry and General Base Depot, Etaples, 22 July 1916. Taken on strength of 2nd NZ Machine Gun Company, in the field, 27 September 1916, and reverts to the rank of Private the same day. Admitted to No.109 Field Ambulance, 2 March 1917 (rheumatism); discharged to duty, 7 March 1917, and rejoined unit the same day. Admitted to No.1 NZ Field Ambulance, 17 October 1917 (myalgia), and transferred to No.2/1 Lancs Field Ambulance the same day; to No.12 Canadian Field Ambulance, 22 October 1917; to No.3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, 24 October 1917; to No.9 General Hospital, Rouen, 26 October 1917; to No.2 Convalescent Depot, Rouen, 1 November 1917. Admitted to No.1 Stationary Hospital, Rouen, 23 December 1917 (venereal disease; gonorrhoea); tranferred to No.51 General Hospital, Etaples, 25 December 1917; discharged, 11 January 1918; marched into Machine Gun Corps Base Depot, Camiers, 12 January 1918. Rejoined unit, in the field, 23 January 1918. On leave to United Kingdom, 26 January 1918; rejoined unit,, 10 February 1918. Admitted to No.3 NZ Field Ambulance, 15 April 1918 (scabies); discharged, 21 April 1918, and rejoined unit the same day. Admitted to hospital, 9 July 1918 (sick); rejoined unit, 13 July 1918. On leave to United Kingdom, 31 January 1919; marched it Wellington Provincial Detachment, England, 3 March 1919. Commenced return to New Zealand from Tilbury on board HMT 'Pakeha', 12 April 1919; appointed cook, 25 April 1919; relieved to cook appointment, 30 April 1919; disembarked Wellington, 30 May 1919; discharged (termination of period of enlistment), 27 June 1919. Total war service: 4 years 307 days (of which 4 years 71 days were abroad). Military Medal, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal. admitted to N discharged, 26 June 1919. Total war service: 4 years 307 days (of which 4 years 71 days were abroad). Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Date of death | |
| Sources | Nominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 28, p. 9 Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 7819789 |