Sergeant William Percival ABRAHAM (1893-1915).

NZEF # 7/152; Sergeant, Canterbury Mounted Rifles, 10th (Nelson) Company, Main Body, New Zealand Expedionary Forces (NZEF).

Born 28 February 1893 - at Kaikoura, Marlborough Region, South Island, New Zealand.

William was the 2nd son of Edward & Mary (nee McVicer) Abraham - of Kaikoura.

William Abraham attended Kaikoura Suburban Primary School - and Kaikoura District High School.

After leaving Kaikoura District High School William Abraham applied to the Civil Service (New Zealand Government)  - for employment.

For 2 years William Abraham was employed by the New Zealand Post Office - at Kaikoura.

On 1 February 1911 William Abraham started work with the Bank of New Zealand- at Kaikoura. He was employed at the Bank of New Zealand, Kaikoura Branch, for 4 years - until he enlisted for war service in August 1914.

At the outbreak of World War One William Abraham was one of the first of Kaikoura's men to enlist for war service. Several of his friends enlisted, for war service, with William, on the same day.

William Abraham enlisted for war service - on 17 August 1914 - at Nelson, South Island, New Zealand. He was 21 years of age.

At enlistment William Abraham was posted as a Sergeant-Trooper with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, Main Body, NZEF.

On 16 October 1914 Sergeant Abraham left New Zealand for overseas war service - with the Main Body NZEF - aboard HMNZ T11 "Athenic" - from Port of Wellington, North Island, New Zealand.

Sergeant Abraham disembarked from his transport ship from New Zealand - on 3 December 1915 - at Suez, Egypt.

In April 1915 Sergeant Abraham left Egypt to serve - with the ANZAC (Australian & New Zealand Army Corps) troops - at Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey.

Arriving at Gallipoli Sergeant Abraham was posted to the 10th (Nelson) Company, Canterbury Mounted Rifles, NZEF.

Sergeant William P. Abraham continued to serve, with the 10th (Nelson) Company, until he was killed in action during a night attack - on 6 August 1915 - at Bauchop Hill, Chunuk Bair, Gallipoli, Turkey - during the August 1915 Offensive. He was 22 years of age.

Sergeant Abraham's body was recovered, by his comrades, from the battle at Bauchop Hill, Chunuk Bair - for burial.

Sergeant William P. Abraham is buried at the 7th Field Ambulance Cemetery, Gallipoli, ANZAC, Turkey (Grave ref: 11.B.7).

Sergeant William P. Abraham is commemorated on the Chunuk Bair (New Zealand) Memorial, Chunuk Bair Cemetery, Gallipoli, ANZAC, Turkey.

Sergeant William P. Abraham is also remembered at his hometown in New Zealand - on the Kaikoura War Memorial (1914-1918) - at Kaikoura, Marlborough Region, South Island, New Zealand.

Sergeant William P. Abraham is also remembered by the Bank of New Zealand - on the BNZ World War One Memorial Plaque, Harbour Quay, Wellington City, North Island, New Zealand.

For Sergeant William P. Abraham's full military record refer to New Zealand Online Cenotaph : www.aucklandmuseum.com

Ref (1) : Papers Past (National Library of New Zealand); Evening Star; Issue 15900; 4 September 1915.

Ref (2) "New Zealanders Buried at Gallipoli" : ANZAC.Govt.NZ

Photo Credit: Sergeant W.P. Abraham : Marlborough Provincial Museum (Photo record ref: 2007.031.0001).

Photo Credit: Kaikoura War Memorial : Ministry of Culture & Heritage; New Zealand Government.

Photo Credit: Kemal Ataturk (Turkey) Memorial to the ANZACs - at Gallipoli, ANZAC Cove, Turkey : Auckland War Memorial Museum (Auckland, New Zealand).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenifer Everett