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- New Zealand WW1 British War Medal 50964 Dvr. F. C. Sawyer N.Z.E.F. - Sole Entitlement
New Zealand WW1 British War Medal 50964 Dvr. F. C. Sawyer N.Z.E.F. - Sole Entitlement
A single, full size, silver British War Medal to 50964 Driver Frederick Charles Sawyer, New Zealand Expeditionary Force.
Fred's details are correctly impressed to the rim of his medal.
He was a Undertaker, prior to his service in WW1, and lists his address of Victoria St, in Cambridge (in the Waipa District of the Waikato Region of the North Island of New Zealand). He lists a friend as next of kin, also in Cambridge and was born in London, England.
Fred starts his service on the 28th of June 1917, and is part of numerous reinforcement drafts, initially in the 32nd Army Service Corps Reinforcements Draft, but is transferred to the 34th, 36th, and then leaves NZ with the 35th. He goes on to serve 296 days oversea's in the UK with the New Zealand Army Service Corps.
Fred arrived in the UK on the 15th of May 1918 and was marched into Sling Camp.
He reported sick on the 22nd of May, with Rheumatism, but was discharged and assigned to Larkhill Camp for duties. He joined his unit, the N.Z.A.S.C at Sling on the 6th of July 1917.
Sadly on the 11th of July, he was again admitted to Hospital (Rheumatism) at Codford.
On the 19th of Aug, 1918 he was classed as unfit for for further active service and was sent home on the 6th of Nov 1918.
He was discharged from the Army on the 21st of Feb 1919.
It is interesting to note that he was rejected twice before for the Army, due to a debility with his left thigh.
Fred passed away in Palmerston North, 25th of Jan 1951.
This is Fred's sole entitlement, but he was also awarded a Silver War Badge, numbered NZ13827, which sadly I do not have.
His medals is in good, but very dark toned condition and has a length of what appears to be original ribbon attached.
Fred appears to not have married, as in 1951, when he passes, there are issues finding his Will and next of kin, and they go back to his WW1 Army records to find a beneficiary. His service file and story is here: