| Regimental number | 26256 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Courtenay |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Age at embarkation | 27 |
| Height | 5' 10" |
| Weight | 143 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, W Finlay, 58 Avonhead Road, Riccarton, Christchurch |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Trentham |
| Rank on embarkation | Private |
| Enlistment status | Volunteer |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 17th Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Battalion, C Company |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on board Pakeha on |
| Final rank | Private |
| Final unit | 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Infantry Regiment |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | Tyne Cot Memorial (New Zealand Apse, Panel No 2), Belgium |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Mr & Mrs William Finlay, 58 Avonhead Road, Riccarton, Christchurch |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Wellington, 23 September 1916; disembarked Devonport, England, 18 November 1916, and marched in to Sling Camp. Proceeded overseas to France, 9 December 1916; joined 2nd Bn, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, in the field, 7 January 1917. Admitted to 3/2 West Lancashire Field Ambulance, 23 February 1917 (mumps); discharged to duty, 15 March 1917; rejoined Bn, in the field, 18 March 1917. Found guilty, 25 April 1917, of being absent from 8.15 pm parade, 21 April 1917: awarded 5 days' Field Punishment No 2. Reported missing, 7 June 1917; admitted to 77th Field Ambulance, 7 June 1917 (gun shot wound, face and hand); transferred to 20th General Hospital, Camiers, 8 June 1917; to No 6 Convalescent Depot, Etaples, 22 June 1917; discharged to Base Depot, 24 June 1917; rejoined Bn, in the field, 20 July 1917. Detached to Pack Transport Company, 15 September 1917; rejoined Bn, 27 September 1917. Killed in action, 12 October 1917. Handwritten note on Statement of Service: 'Buried Passchendaele'. Grave subsequently lost. Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | Nominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 41, p. 12 Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 21002803 |