Rifleman Edgar Lewis ACKERS (1888-1916).
NZEF Service # 26/655; Rifleman, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 4th Battalion, New Zealand Expeditionary Forces (NZEF).
Born 1 July 1888 - at Makarewa, North Invercargill District, South Island, New Zealand.
Edgar was the son of Oliver & Rebecca Ackers - of Tuatapere, South Island, New Zealand.
Prior to enlistment for war service Edgar Ackers was a Bushman - at Nydia Bay, Havelock, Pelorus Sound, Marlborough Region, South Island, New Zealand.
Edgar Ackers enlisted for war service - on 13 October 1915 - at Trentham Military Training Camp, Wellington Region, North Island, New Zealand.
At enlistment Edgar Ackers was posted as a Rifleman with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 4th Battalion, NZEF.
On 5 February 1916 Rifleman Ackers left New Zealand for overseas war service - aboard HMNZ T44 "Navua" - from Port of Wellington, North Island, New Zealand.
Five weeks later - on 15 March 1916 - Rifleman Ackers disembarked from his transport ship, from New Zealand - at Suez, Egypt.
On 7 April 1916 Rifleman Ackers left Alexandria, Egypt - aboard HT "Alaunia" - for active war service at France & Belgium.
Two months later - on 13 July 1916 - Rifleman Ackers was admitted, sick with measles, to the No 7 General Hospital - at St Omer, France.
On 22 July 1916 Rifleman Ackers re-joined his unit - at France.
Rifleman Edgar L. Ackers continued to serve at France until he was killed in action - on 15 September 1916 - at the Somme, France. He was 27 years of age.
Rifleman E. L. Ackers is commemorated on the Caterpillar Valley (New Zealand) Memorial, Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, Somme, France.
Rifleman Edgar L. Ackers is also remembered at his hometown in New Zealand - on the Rai Valley District War Memorial (1914-1918) - at Rai Valley, Nelson/Marlborough Region, South Island, New Zealand.
Rifleman Acker's name also appears on the name tablet of the Invercargill War cenotaph (1914-1918) - at Invercargill, Southland, South Island, New Zealand.
For Rifleman E.L. Acker's full military record refer to New Zealand Online Cenotaph: www.aucklandmuseum.com
Photo Credit: Rifleman E.L. Ackers "Weekly News 25 January 1917" : From the Auckland Library Heritage Collection (Auckland, New Zealand).
Photo Credit: Rai Valley War Memorial : Ministry of Culture & Heritage; New Zealand Government.
Jenifer Everett