Rifleman George GRIFFITHS (1895-1918).

Service # 25/540; Rifleman, 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade, New Zealand Expeditionary Forces (NZEF).

Born 8 March 1895 - at Auckland, North Island, New Zealand.

George was the son of Mrs G. Miller (formerly Griffiths) - of Hope, Murchison District, Nelson Region, South Island, New Zealand.

Prior to enlistment for war service George Griffiths was a Farmer - at Hope, Murchison District, Nelson Region.

George Griffiths enlisted for war service - on 11 October 1915 - at Nelson. He was 20 years of age.

At enlistment George Griffiths was posted as a Rifleman with the New Zealand Rifle Briagde, NZEF.

On 5 February 1916 George Griffiths left New Zealand - for overseas war sevice - aboard HMNZ either T42 "Ulimaroa" or T43 "Mokoia" or T44 "Navua" - from Port of Wellington, North Island, New Zealand.

Five weeks later - on 13 March 1916 - Rifleman Griffiths disembarked from his transport ship from New Zealand - at Suez, Egypt.

On 7 April 1916 Rifleman Griffiths left Egypt - aboard HT "Alaunia"  for active war service - at France & Belgium.

Rifleman Griffiths served at France & Belgium 1916 & 1917.

Rifleman Griffiths was twice wounded in action - at France (1916) & Belgium (1917).

On 14 July 1916 Rifleman Griffiths was wounded in action - at France. He was medically evacuated, by Hospital Ship "Brighton" - on 17 July 1916 -  from France to England.

Arriving at England Rifleman Griffiths was admitted to the 2nd London General Hospital, London. He was then transferred to Brockenhurst Hospital, at Hampshire, England.

Rifleman Griffiths was discharged from Brockenhurst Hospital, England, in 1917 - and he re-joined his unit on 15 May 1917 - at France or Belgium.

On 7 June 1917 Rifleman Griffiths was, again, wounded in action - during the Battle of Messines, at Ypres, Belgium.

He was admitted, firstly, to the 77th Field Ambulance - in the field, at Messines, Belgium. He was then transferred to the No 1 Canadian General Hospital - on 9 June 1917 - at Etaples, France.

On 10 June 1917 Rifleman Griffiths was medically evacuated, by sea aboard the HM Hospital Ship "Stad Antwerpen" - from France to England.

At England Rifleman Griffiths was admitted to the No 2 (New Zealand) General Hospital - at Walton on Thames, England.

Four months later - on 3 October 1917 - Rifleman Griffiths was assessed by an NZEF Medical Board, at England, and he was "Classified Unfit for further war service - because of wounds received in action".

On 21 November 1917 Rifleman Griffiths embarked from England -  aboard HT "Marama"  - to return home to New Zealand.

After arrival in New Zealand, Rifleman Griffiths was, again, assessed by an NZEF Medical Board - on 22 March 1918.

After being assessed by the Medical Board Rifleman George Griffiths was discharged from further military service, with the NZEF,  "As (he was) no longer physically fit for war service - on account of wounds received in action".

Rifleman Griffiths returned to Hope, Murchison District, in the Nelson Region - after discharge from war service - with  the NZEF.

On 17 November 1918 Rifleman George Griffiths died of sickness (Influenza) - during the Influenza Epidemic of 1918 - at Murchison, Nelson Region, South Island, New Zealand. He was 21 years of age.

Rifleman George Griffiths is buried at Murchison Cemetery, Murchison, Tasman District, Nelson Region, South Island, New Zealand.

For Rifleman George Griffiths's full military record refer to New Zealand Online Cenotaph : www.aucklandmuseum.com

Photo Credit : Rifleman George Griffiths : Auckland War Memorial Museum (Auckland, New Zealand).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenifer Everett