New Zealand WW1 Medal Duo to 24834 Pte. V. E. Griffiths N.Z.E.F - NZ Cyclist Corps, WIA - WW2 N.M.R
A full size WW1 Medal duo to 24834 Private Victor Emmanuel Griffiths of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.
Victor was a Seaman prior to WW1, and lists a Wallis St, Wellington address as where he lived prior to enlisting. His next of kin, a friend, is also at the same address. His Mother is listed as living in West Summebville, Massachusetts, USA. Victor was born in Canada.
He started his service on the 11th of Feb 1916, but has a long and complicated service file.
Initially posted as a private to H Coy, 13th Reinforcements Draft.
Transferred on the 3rd of May 1916 to Featherston, and to the Machine Gun Section.
Appointed to 14th Machine Gun Section at Featherston on the 9th of May 1916.
Transferred to J Coy, 13th Reinforcements on the 25th of May 1916.
Embarked at Wellington on the 31st of May 1916.
Disembarked at Devonport on the 26th of July 1916.
Marched into Sling Camp on the 27th of July 1916 and joined the Reserve Battalion of the Wellington Regiment.
Absent from Camp for 4 days and caught using offensive language on the 14th of Sept 1916. Forfeit 21 days pay and given 21 days detention.
Marched out to Cheseldon on the 27th of Sept 1916.
Left Sling Camp for France on the 30th of Oct 1916.
Attached to NZ General Base Depo Etaples on the 1st of Nov 1916.
Joined the 2nd ANZAC Corps, Cyclist Battalion in the field on the 11th of Nov 1916.
Admitted to No. 9 Cav Field Ambulance, sick, on the 14th of March 1917.
Discharged to duty on the 24th of March 1917.
Rejoined unit in the field on the 26th of March 1917.
Detached from Lewis Gun detachment on the 11th of June 1917.
Awarded 7 days field punishment No.2 for absence from billet after 9pm contrary to orders on the 12th of Aug 1917.
Proceeded to the UK on leave on the 20th of Sept 1917.
Rejoined unit in the field from leave on the 5th of Oct 1917.
Sick to hospital on the 18th of Nov 1917 (Venereal Disease).
Transferred to No.2 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station same day.
Transferred to No.16 Ambulance Train on the 19th of Nov 1917.
Admitted to No. 57 General Hospital Etaples on the 20th of Nov 1917.
Discharged from hospital on the 11th of Dec 1917.
Admitted to No. 6 Convalescence Depo on the same day.
Discharged to NZ General Base Depo Etaples on the 7th if Jan 1918.
Marched out to Abeele (Belgium) on the 29th of Jan 1918.
Joined unit in the field on the 18th of Feb 1918.
Awarded 21 days Field Punishment No. 2 for Absence without leave from Camp and Parades on the 17th of June 1918.
Wounded in action on the 23rd of July 1918.
Admitted to Field Ambulance on the 23rd of July 1918 with a gun shot wound to the left leg.
Admitted to No. 50 Casualty Clearing Station on the same day.
Transferred to A.T. 19. Possible Camp Hospital 19 - US at La Courtine on the 24th of July 1918.
Transferred to British General Hospital No. 9 at Rouen on the 25th of July 1918.
Evacuated to the UK via boat on the 29th of July 1918.
Admitted to No.1 NZ General Hospital Brokenhurst on the 30th of July 1918.
Discharged to NZ Command Depo Codford on the 5th of Sept 1918.
Embarked for New Zealand on the 19th of Dec 1918 from Liverpool.
Admitted to Ships Hospital due to venereal disease on the 22nd of Dec 1918.
Discharged from Ships Hospital on the 21st of Jan 1919.
Discharged from the Army in New Zealand on the 2nd of March 1919 on termination of hostilities.
In WW2, Victor enlisted again, and was part of the National Military Reserve, with a serial number of 2/18/287.
He was 51 by this stage, and a Painter, living at Collage St, Wellington.
Victor was discharged on the 1st of Sept 1948.
Its unclear whether he was issued any medals for his WW2 service. There is a ? by where it should indicate what was issued.
Victor also indicates that he served 2 years with a Canadian Volunteer unit, prior to his WW1 service.
This is Victor's sole entitlement, and both medals are correctly impressed. At some stage after the War, he wrote to the NZ Ministry of Defence, claiming that he had never recieved his two WW1 medals. They wrote back, and said that he had signed for them and they had been sent to his Willis St, Wellington address. Its unclear whether he asked for another set, and whether these are the originals or replacements. They are not marked as such.
Both medals are in good condition, with length of ribbon attached.
Victors long service file can be viewed here:
http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=16789229