Private Vincent Irvine McNabb (1890-1916).

NZEF Service # 8/2683, Private, Otago Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 6th Reinforcements, New Zealand Expeditionary Forces (NZEF).

Born 2 February 1890 - at Riwaka, Tasman District, Nelson Region, South Island, New Zealand.

Vincent was the 3rd son of Edward & Phoebe McNabb - of Motueka, Tasman District.

5 McNabb brothers - and sons - served in World War One :

(1) Private Roy A. McNabb (1894-1915) : NZEF Service # 10/830, of the Wellington Infantry Regiment, Main Body, NZEF - who was killed in action on 16 May 1915 - at Walkers Ridge, Gallipoli, Turkey (aged 19 years);

(2) Private Cyril H. McNabb : NZEF Service 10/819, of the Wellington Infantry Regiment, Main Body, NZEF - who was killed in action on 30 April 1915 - also at Walkers Ridge, Gallipoli, Turkey (aged 21 years).

Two other McNabb brothers served in World War One. They both survived war service.

Prior to enlistment for war service Vincent McNabb was employed as a Carpenter - by Lye & Sons - at Auckland, North Island, New Zealand.

Vincent McNabb enlisted for war service - on 17 April 1915 - at Auckland. He was 25 years of age.

At enlistment Vincent McNabb was posted as a Private with the Otago Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 6th Reinforcements, NZEF.

On 14 August 1915 Private Vincent McNabb left New Zealand for overseas war service - with the 6th Reinforcements NZEF - aboard HMNZ transport ship T28 'Tofua' - from Port of Wellington, North Island, New Zealand.

Five weeks later - on 19 September 1915 - Private McNabb disembarked from his transport ship from New Zealand - at Suez, Egypt.

On 1 October 1915 Private McNabb joined his unit - the 2nd Battalion of the Otago Infantry Regiment NZEF - at Sarpi Camp, Mudros - on the Greek Island of Lemnos.

Soon after Private McNabb left Egypt, with his unit, to serve with the ANZAC (Australian & New Zealand Army Corps) forces - at Gallipoli, Turkey.

In late April and mid May 1915 - two of Private McNabb's brothers - Privates Cyril and Roy McNabb - of the Wellington Infantry Regiment NZEF had both been killed in action - at Walkers Ridge, Gallipoli.

On 15 November 1915 Private McNabb was wounded in action -  at Chailek Dere (in the valley of Chunuk Bair) Gallipoli.

The next day - 16 November 1915 -  Private McNabb was admitted to the HM Hospital Ship HS 'Somali' - and he was medically evacuated, from Gallipoli to Egypt.

At Egypt - on 23 November 1915 - Private McNabb was admitted to the New Zealand General Hospital - at Cairo.

Five weeks later - on 28 December 1915 - Private McNabb was discharged, from hospital, to the NZEF Base - at Gizeh, Egypt.

On 9 April 1916 Private McNabb left Alexandria, Egypt - aboard HMT 'Llandovery Castle' - for war service at France & Belgium.

At France Private McNabb was posted to serve - with the 2nd Battalion of the Otago Infantry Regiment NZEF -  in the Somme Sector, Armentieres, France.

Private McNabb served at the Somme Sector - with the 2nd Battalion of the Otago Infantry Regiment NZEF - until he was killed in action - on 12 July 1916 - at the Somme, Armentieres, France. He was 26 years of age.

Private Vincent I. McNabb is buried at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France (Grave ref: 11.D.8).

Private Vincent I. McNabb - and his 2 brothers Private Cyril H. & Private Roy A. McNabb - are remembered at their hometown in New Zealand - on the Motueka War Memorial (1914-1918) - at Motueka, Tasman, Nelson Region, South Island, New Zealand.

For the full military records of Privates Vincent, Cyril & Roy McNabb - refer to New Zealand Online Cenotaph : www.aucklandmuseum.com

Photo Credit : Private Vincent I. McNabb : Auckland War Memorial Museum (Auckland, New Zealand).

Photo Credit : Motueka War Memorial, Motueka, Tasman, New Zealand : Ministry of Culture & Heritage; www.nzhistory.govt.nz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenifer Everett