Matthew Laurie CRAIGHEAD

Regimental number6/4016
Date of birth28 November 1894
Place of birthAshburton
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationPlumber
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Height5' 8.5"
Weight152 lbs
Next of kinFather, H C Craighead, Cameron Street, Ashburton
Previous military serviceServed in C Company, 2nd (South Canterbury) Regiment.
Enlistment date17 November 1915
Rank on embarkationPrivate
Enlistment statusVolunteer
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, 10th Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, C Company
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on board Willochra on 4 March 1916
Discharge date21 November 1917
Family/military connectionsBrother: 21799 Hugh CRAIGHEAD
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Disembarked Suez, 10 April 1916.

Relinquished appointment as Cook, Tel el Kebir, 29 May 1916.

Embarked Alexandria, 29 May 1916; disembarked Devonport, England, 9 June 1916. Taken on strength, Canterbury-Otago Training Bn, Camp Sling, 17 June 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 26 September 1916; joined 1st Bn, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, in the field, and posted to 2nd Company, 13 October 1916.

Wounded in action, 7 June 1917 (gun shot wound, legs), and admitted to 77th Field Ambulance. Transferred to 14th General Hospital, Wimereux, 8 June 1917; to England, 11 June 1917, and admitted to No 2 NZ General Hospital, Walton-on-Thames, 11 June 1917.

Classified 'Unfit', and placed on NZ Roll, 6 July 1917.

Commenced return to New Zealand from Avonmouth on board 'Marama', 19 July 1917; discharged (no longer physically fit for War Service on account of wounds received in action), 21 November 1917.

Total war service: 2 years 5 days (of which 1 year 176 days was abroad)

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death30 April 1955 Ashburton
Age at death60
SourcesNominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 26, p. 14
Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805

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