| Regimental number | 17/56 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Waimate |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | Carlton House, Masterton |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 23.2 |
| Height | 5' 8" |
| Weight | 154 lbs |
| Next of kin | Brother, W Fitzgerald, Waimate, South Canterbury |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Trentham |
| Rank on embarkation | Trooper |
| Enlistment status | Volunteer |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 2nd Reinforcements, New Zealand Veterinary Corps |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on |
| The 2nd Reinforcements, New Zealand Veterinary Corps, left New Zealand on board three ships (HMNZT 13 'Verdala', HMNZT 15 'Willochra', and HMNZT 15 'Knight of the Garter'). It is not possible to determine from the Nominal Roll on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Final rank | Private |
| Final unit | 2nd Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 26 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | Tyne Cot Memorial (New Zealand Apse, Panel No 3), Belgium |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: John and Johannah Fitzgerald, Waimate, Timaru |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Admitted to NZ General Hospital, Cairo, 25 December 1915 (conjunctivitis); discharged to Base Depot, Ghezireh, 15 January 1916. Admitted to NZ General Hospital, Cairo, 19 February 1916 (corneal ulcer); transferred to EC Hospital, Zeitoun, 4 March 1916; discharged to duty, 14 March 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, France, 20 May 1916; joined 2nd Bn, Otago Infantry Regiment, Houlines, 27 June 1916, and posted to 8th Company. Admitted to 3rd NZ Field Ambulance, 9 August 1916 (accumulation of wax in ear); rejoined Bn, 14 August 1916. Found guilty, 20 August 1916, of being drunk in billets at 2 pm, 19 August: awarded 14 days' Field Punishment No 2, and forfeited 14 days' pay. Admitted to No 3 NZ Field Ambulance, 2 November 916 (venereal disease: gonorrhoea), and transferred to No 2 Australian Casualty Clearing Station; to 51st General Hospital, Etaples, 4 November 1916; discharged to Base Details, 15 December 1916; rejoined Bn, in the field, 22 December 1916. Found guilty, 9 May 917, of being absent from billet, 11.15 pm, 7 May 1917: awarded 7 days' Field Punishment No 2. Attached to Reinforcements Camp, 5 June 1917; rejoined Bn, 19 June 1917. Killed in action, 12 October 1917. War service: 2 years 359 days (of which 1034 days were abroad) Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Miscellaneous details | Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Veterinary Corps/Second |
| Sources | Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 21003179 |