Edwin Royden WELLS

Regimental number9/1381
Date of birth20 May 1887
Place of birthChristchurch
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationArchitect
AddressAlbert House, St Clair, Dunedin
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation27
Height5' 11"
Weight169 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Agnes Wells, 232 Papanui Road, St Albans, Christchurch
Previous military serviceVolunteer Force
Enlistment date18 May 1915
Place of enlistmentTrentham Camp, Upper Hutt
Rank on embarkation2nd Lieutenant
Enlistment statusVolunteer
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, Otago Mounted Rifles Regiment, 6th Reinforcement
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 28 Tofua on 14 August 1915
Final rankLieutenant
Final unitOtago Mounted Rifles Squadron, XXII Corps Mounted Regiment
FateCommenced return to New Zealand
Medals

Military Cross

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading his party through heavy shell fire in an attempt to gain information. Finding it impossible to take his men further owing to machine gun fire, he went forward alone, gaining valuable and definite information, and by his fine leadership and good judgement finally withdrawing his troop with very few casualties.
Source: 'London Gazette'
Date: 17 September 1917

Discharge date23 July 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Mudros, Western Front, Mesopotamia, Persia

Attached to Dunsterforce 1918.

Medals: Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death30 August 1950
Age at death63
Place of burialKarori Cemetery (Niche Section, Plot 34, Div C1), Wellington
SourcesNominal Roll Vol. 1: Otago Mounted Rifles/Sixth
Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805