'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the night of the 1st/2nd October 1917, as stretcher-bearer during operations in the Wieltje Sector, a portion of our sector was heavily barraged by the enemy's Heavy Artillery, four men were killed and three wounded. He at once went to this area, displaying the greatest contempt for danger, looking for injured and attending to the wounded; whenever a shell burst near a trench he at once went to the spot to make sure that any injured were being attended to. His cheerfulness and courage are an example to all ranks. He has saved many lives.'
Source: 'London Gazette'
Date: 17 December 1917

Regimental number	9/924
Date of birth	1 July 1879
Place of birth	Bagdad, Tasmania, Australia
Religion	Presbyterian
Occupation	Bushman
Address	Victoria Hotel, Auckland
Marital status	Single
Age at embarkation	35.4
Height	5' 11"
Weight	172 lbs
Next of kin	Brother, John Espie, Yorks Plain, Tasmania, Australia
Enlistment date	15 December 1914
Place of enlistment	Trentham
Rank on embarkation	Trooper
Enlistment status	Volunteer
Unit name	New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 4th Reinforcements, Otago Mounted Rifles
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Wellington on board Waitomo on 17 April 1915
Final rank	Private
Final unit	2nd Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment
Fate	Killed in Action 12 October 1917
Place of burial	No known grave
Commemoration details	Tyne Cot Memorial (New Zealand Apse, Panel No 3), Belgium
Medals	Military Medal 'For bravery in the field.' Source: 'London Gazette' Date: 16 August 1917 Bar to Military Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the night of the 1st/2nd October 1917, as stretcher-bearer during operations in the Wieltje Sector, a portion of our sector was heavily barraged by the enemy's Heavy Artillery, four men were killed and three wounded. He at once went to this area, displaying the greatest contempt for danger, looking for injured and attending to the wounded; whenever a shell burst near a trench he at once went to the spot to make sure that any injured were being attended to. His cheerfulness and courage are an example to all ranks. He has saved many lives.' Source: 'London Gazette' Date: 17 December 1917
Other details	War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Embarked Egypt to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipolu, 3 August 1915. Admitted to NZ General Hospital, Cairo, 1 September 1915; rejoined unit at Gallipoli, 17 September 1915. Disembarked Alexandria, 26 December 1915 (general Gallipoli evacuation). Joined 2nd Bn, Otago Infantry Regiment, Moascar, 11 March 1916, and posted to 14th Company. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, France, 9 April 1916. Admitted to No 3 NZ Field Ambulance, 21 October 1916 (venereal disease: gonorrhoea), and transferred same day to No 2 Australian Casualty Clearing Station; discharged to No 1 Convalescent Depot, Boulogne, 24 October 1916; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 4 days; rejoined unit, 25 May 1917. Awarded Military Medal. Wounded in action, remained at dyty, 13 August 1917. Reported missing, 12 October 1917. Court of Enquiry, 19 November 1917, reported 'No further information'. Awarded Bar to Military Medal. Now, 8 January 1918, reported 'Killed in action, 12 October 1917.' Note on file: 'Killed in action in the field in Belgium. Burial reported by Canadian Corps Graves Registration Officer'; grave subsequently lost. War service: 2 years 302 days (of which 2 years 179 days were abroad) Medals: Military Medal & Bar, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous details	Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Otago Mounted Rifles/Fourth
Sources	Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 21001204