Soldiers who returned - their stories

William Robert Teaze

William Robert Teaze was born on the 9 March 1890. He was a joiner before he joined the army and lived at 36 Harrison Street with his brother John. On joining, he was 5’ 7” tall, weighed 142 pounds and had brown eyes and hair. He volunteered with the 20th reinforcements and took HMNZT 71 to Devon, England. He fought in France in the Infantry and was wounded twice in his right arm but obviously not seriously as he continued to serve. He was discharged on 11 April 1919 after serving for 2 years, 234 days. He died in Wellington on 24 May 1967.

John Scott

John Scott was one of the many men who fought for their King and country in World War 1. Before he was sent to war he was a grocer. He lived at 23 Dorking Road in Brooklyn and went to Brooklyn School in 1895. He was born on the 12th of August 1889 in Wellington. He was married to Mrs J. Scott. His mother Helen Scott was born in Dunedin. His father William Scott was born in Kilmarnock in Scotland. John was 140 kg and 5 feet tall when he went to war. He had blue eyes and fair hair. He died after the war.

Gilbert Richardson Helliwell

Woodworking machinist Gilbert Richardson Helliwell, lived at 16 Charlotte Avenue. He had a brother, Harold Calvert Helliwell who also went to war. His mother M.E Helliwell was his next-of-kin. Gilbert around the age of 22, embarked on the Willorca on the 23rd April 1914 and went to Suez. He survived the war and came back and arrived in Auckland on the 26th of October 1918. He died after the war.

Harold Calvert Helliwell

Harold Calvert Helliwell was one of the many soldiers who fought for their King and country in WW1. He fought alongside his brother Gilbert Richardson Helliwell. He lived at 16 Charlotte Avenue. He was a painter. Harold served in the war for a total of one year and 121 days but was overseas for a total of one year and four days. His next of kin was his mother, M.E Helliwell. He was born on the 28 May 1893 so he was around 25 when he went to war.

John Scott

John Scott was one of the many men who fought for their King and country in World War 1. Before he was sent to war he was a grocer. He lived at 23 Dorking Road in Brooklyn and went to Brooklyn School in 1895. He was born on the 12th of August 1889 in Wellington. He was married to Mrs J. Scott. His mother was Helen Scott, she was born in Dunedin. His father, William Scott was born in Kilmarnock in Scotland. John was 140 kg and 5 feet tall when he went to war. He had blue eyes and fair hair. He died after the war.

Charles Alfred Cooper

Charles Alfred Cooper was a driver who served in World War 1. He lived at 219 Jefferson St and went to Brooklyn School. His next of kin was his father (J.Cooper). He had blue eyes, brown hair and was 5 ft 7 ins tall and he was 23 years and 9 months when he went to war. He was a bread carter (a person who drives bread around to shops) before he went to war.

Alfred Hart

Alfred Hart lived at 36 Holmwood Road, Brooklyn. He fought in western Europe for 2 years and 88 days. He had brown hair, grey eyes and dark skin. His mother was Emma Hart who was born in England and his father, Henry Hart, was also born in England. Alfred was born on the 8th of November 1896 and lived in New Zealand all his life. He was 20 years when he went to war. He weighed 140 kilos and was 5 foot 6 inches tall.

Walter Wakeling

Walter Wakeling lived at 119 Ohiro Road Wellington. He served as a sailor and then when war came he trained in New Zealand for 83 days. Walter left New Zealand on the 14th December 1914 to fight in Egypt. He went overseas for 4 years and 133 days. He was awarded a Military Medal.

Eric Winton Heath

Eric Winton Heath lived at 7 Clarence Street Brooklyn and served at war for only 1 year and 199 days. He was 20 years old and 5 foot 2 when he was sent to war. He was born on the 17 of November 1897 in Australia, and was a salesman. When he was at war he was a private. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs A. Heath. His service number was 75631.

Herbert Tudor Brewer

Herbert Tudor Brewer last lived at 85 Todman Street, Brooklyn and his service number in the war was 80732. He was a carpenter and joiner before the war. Mrs LM Brewer was his wife. He died of sickness.

William Colenso Drummond

William’s last rank was a captain of the New Zealand rifle brigade. Before he joined the war he was a mechanic. William’s last address was at Allardice Street in Dannevirke but he was born in Ongaonga Hawkes Bay on the 3rd of September 1880. His wife’s name was Mrs Maude Drummond. He had one child. William was 38 when he died on the 20th November 1918. He died of the flu and pneumonia. William was a Christian. He won two medals, a Victory medal and a British war medal.

Albert Victor Evelyn Moffitt

Occupation: Farmer.
Rank: Gunner.
Last NZ address: Vogeltown, Wellington.
Periods of Service: 44 days in New Zealand and Overseas 4 years and 226 days in total 4 years and 303 days.
Albert Moffitt got two medals, a British War Medal and a Victory Medal.