The Murrell family of Manapouri, New Zealand

Leslie Alexander Murrell

World War I Service

Biographical Details

According to his History-Sheet, his occupation was Farm Hand, last employed by R Murrell, last New Zealand address was Manapouri, his religion was Anglican and his birth-date was 17 December 1892.

His next of kin was listed as Robert Murrell, Father, of Manapouri.

His Attestation was dated 28 August 1914, at Invercargill. His birth-place was Manapouri, on 17 December 1892. He was a British subject, his trade or calling was given as Farm Hand. He had passed the Fourth Educational Standard. His last employer is given as Robert Murrell, at Manapouri. He was not married, and hadn't been imprisoned.

His physical description is given as: 22 years, 5 foot 9 1/4 inches, 142lbs, chest measuring 34 - 38 inches, Fresh complexion, Blue eyes, Fair hair. His religion was Anglican. His vision and hearing were normal.

Service Details

Leslie's service number was 9/603, and he was (eventually) assigned to the NZ Divisional Ammunition Column.

He was assigned the rank of Private on 28 August 1914
He embarked for the Dardanelles on 12 April 1915
He was admitted to Hospital at Lemnos on 12 July 1915, and then transferred to Base on 13 July 1915
He disembarked at Malta on 16 July 1915, and later that day admitted to Imtarfa Hospital on Malta with Dysentery (annotated as 'serious'!)
He was next admitted to Military Hospital at Fulham on 15 September 1915
He returned to Egypt from England on 16 February 1916
Then at Moascar he was transferred from Otago Mounted Rifles on 1 March 1916 to 1st Battery NZ Field Artillery
On 6 April 1916 he Embarked for France from Egypt, where, on 29 April 1916 he was attached to Trench Mortar Battery
He was transferred to the Divisional Ammunition Column on 14 August 1916, and then promoted Bombardier on 2 February 1917
Proceeded on Leave in France on 2 September 1917, from which he returned on 13 September 1917
On 27 November 1917 he was promoted to Corporal
Sent to Hospital and then admitted on 12 December 1917 with Appendicitis, and then transferred to England (sick) on 15 December 1917, being admitted to Bethnal Green Hospital, London, on 15 December 1917
He was transferred to the Convalescent Hospital at Hornchurch on 4 January 1918, and then to No2 General Hospital at Walton on 12 January 1918
He was transferred to Dysentery Depot at Barton on 15 March 1918, and then transferred to the NZ Convalescent Hospital at Hornchurch on 24 April 1918
He was discharged ex Hornchurch to Codford on 18 May 1918
Granted Agricultural Leave (!) to Swindon for the period 13 June to 4 July 1918
He was admitted to No 3 NZ General Hospital at Codford on 30 July 1918 suffering Bronchitis , and then attached to strength at the Depot on 16 August 1918
He marched in to NZ Field Artillery Reserve Depot at Aldershot on 17 September 1918
Marched out to NZ Discharge Deport for return to NZ on tour duty on 28 November 1918
He Returned per "Briton", duty "furlough" on 23 December 1918

He is listed as serving 78 days in New zealand, 4 years 105 days overseas for a total 4 years 183 days, which commenced on 28 August 1914 and ended with his discharge on 26 February 1919. He served in Egypt through 1914, 1915, and into 1916, consisting of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in 1916, and in the Balkans (Gallipoli) in 1915, and then in Western Europe from 1916.