Herbert Stewart CREE

Regimental number40890
Date of birth11 June 1891
Place of birthOamaru
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationFarm labourer
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation25
Height5' 6"
Weight135 lbs
Next of kinFather, J Cree, Otekaieke, North Otago
Previous military serviceServed in G Company, 10th (North Otago Rifles) Regiment, Territorial Force.
Rank on embarkationPrivate
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, 23rd Reinforcements, Otago Infantry Regiment, D Company
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT Ruapehu on 14 March 1917
Final rankPrivate
Final unit10th (North Otago) Company, 1st Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment
FateKilled in Action 3 December 1917
Age at death from cemetery records26
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsButtes New British Cemetery (New Zealand) Memorial, Polygon Wood, Belgium
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: James and Margaret Cree, of Otekaike, North Otago, New Zealand
Family/military connectionsBrother: 40891 Pte James CREE, 10th (North Otago) Company, 1st Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment, killed in action, 12 October 1917
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Wellington, 14 March 1917; disembarked Devonport, England, 21 May 1917, and marched in to Sling Camp.

Proceeded overseas to France, 21 June 1917; marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples, 23 June 1917.

Joined 1st Bn, Otago Infantry Regiment, in the field, and posted to 10th (North Otago) Company.

Reported missing in action, 3 December 1917.

Court of Enquiry, 3 January 1918, confirmed fate as killed in action, 3 December 1917.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsParents: James (b. Scotland) and Margaret (b. New Zealand) Cree
SourcesNominal Roll Vol. 3: Roll 57, p. 14
Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 21898898