George Stewart STEER

Regimental number10/685
Date of birth11 July 1886
Place of birthBlenheim
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationRailway Surfaceman
AddressPohokura
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation28.1
Height5' 8.5"
Weight156 lbs
Next of kinWilliam Thomas Steer, Pembroke Road, Stratford, Taranaki
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date17 August 1914
Place of enlistmentNew Plymouth
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 rankCorporal
Final unit2nd Battalion, Wellington Infantry Regiment
FateCommenced return to New Zealand
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

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

Admitted to HS 'Valdiva', 30 August 1915 (gastritis); transferred to St Andrew's Hospital, Malta, (diarrhoea); to England, 8 October 1915; to No.1 London General Hospital, Camberwell, 16 October 1915; to Woodcote Hospital, 1 December 1915; discharged, 12 January 1916; marched into NZ Depot, Grey Towers, 31 January 1916.

Found guilty, 12 February 1916, of overstaying leave from 2200 hours, until 2330 hours: awarded 2 days' confined to barracks.

Admitted to Base Depot Hospital, 1 March 1916 (venereal disease); discharged, 5 April 1916.

Found guilty, 6 May 1916, of (1) being absent from Tattoo Roll Call; (2) breaking into camp; (3) being absent without leave from Tattoo Roll Call, 28 April, until 1 May: awarded 5 days' confined to barracks, and forfeits 3 days' pay by Royal Warrant.

Proceeded overseas to France, 6 June 1916; taken on strength of 2nd Battalion, Wellington Infantry Regiment, in the field, France, 14 August 1916.

Admitted to No.2 Australian Casualty Clearing Station, 25 October 1916 (diarrhoea); rejoined unit, 6 November 1916.

Admitted to No.2 NZ Field Ambulance, 21 November 1916 (strained back); rejoined unit, 1 December 1916.

Found guilty, 29 December 1916, of failing to salute: awarded 3 days' Field Punishment No.2.

Appointed Lance Corporal, 6 August 1917.

On leave to United Kingdom, 19 August 1917; rejoined unit, 2 September 1917.

Promoted Corporal, 27 September 1917.

Attached NZ Wing, Reinforcement Camp, 30 September 1917; rejoined unit, 1 November 1917.

Detached to England for duty, 12 November 1917; marched into NZ Infantry & General Base Depot, Etaples, 18 November 1917; proceeded to England, 19 November 1917; attached to 4th Reserve Bn, Wellington Regiment, Sling Camp, 24 November 1917.

Admitted to Lucknow Barracks, 29 November 1917; attached to 4th Reserve Bn, Wellington Infantry Regiment, Sling Camp, 7 December 1917.

With 3rd Reserve Bn, Wellington Infantry Regiment, 4 March 1918.

Attended Musketry Course, 28 January 1918, until 22 February 1918; qualified 2nd Class.

Qualified 2nd Class at Anti-Gas Course, 15 May 1918.

Marched into Durrington Camp, 15 May 1918.

Marched into Sling Camp, 30 June 1918.

Married Martha Johnson, Croydon, 1 October 1918.

Proceeded overseas to France, 10 October 1918; rejoined unit, 17 October 1918.

Detached to United Kingdom, 4 November 1918.

Granted 2 months furlough, 7 November 1918.

Marched into NZ Discharge Depot, Torquay, 20 December 1918.

Commenced return to New Zealand on board HMT 'Athenic', 3 February 1919; disembarked New Zealand, 20 March 1919; discharged (termination of period of engagement), 17 April 1919.

Total war service: 4 years 255 days (of which 4 years 156 days were abroad).

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsNominal Roll Vol. 1: Wellington Infantry Batln/Main Body
Date of death1 October 1942, Palmerston North
Age at death56
SourcesArchives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 7820979

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