Herbert Henry Christophers

Four brothers in four years died in WW1.

• Rank: Captain
• Service No: 24/7
• Date of Death: 02/06/1916
• Age: 27
• Regiment/Service: New Zealand Rifle Brigade 2nd Bn. 3rd
• Grave Reference: I. B. 7.
• Cemetery: CITE BONJEAN MILITARY CEMETERY, ARMENTIERES
• Additional Information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Christophers, of Invercargill, New Zealand; husband of Mary L. Christophers, of Ohakune, Waimarino, New Zealand.

Obituary

Saturday's "Southland Times" has the following:-The many friends of Mr and Mrs A. Christophers, Tweed street, will learn with deep regret that they have suffered the loss of another son while on active service. Yesterday morning the promotion of Lieutenenat Herbert Henry Christophers to the rank of captain was announced, but he was not long to enjoy the honour he had won. Advice was received yesterday morning that Captain Christophers had been killed in action. The late Captain Christophers was twenty-seven years of age. Born at Invercargill, he was educated at the Middle and High Schools, and after leaving school entered the Railway Engineers's office. When the war broke out he was at Ohakune, and at once enlisted and went on active service to Samoa. On his return to New Zealand he enlisted in the Rifle Brigade and left New Zealand with the rank of lieutenant, gaining promotion to a captaincy soon after the arrival of the Brigade in France. He was a prominent athlete, playing both for the Invercargill Football and Cricket Clubs. After returning from Samoa Captain Christophers married Miss Mamie Dodds, daughter of Mr Marshall Dodds, fruit farmer, of Paraparaumu, near Wellington. Captain Christophers was the fourth son of Mr and Mrs Christophers, who in May last lost their second son, when Private Victor Christophers was killed in action at the Dardanelles.

Source: Press, Volume LII, Issue 15614, 12 June

Headstone Inscription

Saint Johns Cemetery, Invercargill, New Zealand

In loving memory of Anthony Christophers Who died 7th May 1926 Aged 83 years And of his wife Juliet Mary Christophers Who died 1st December 1934 Aged 79 years Peace perfect peace Also in loving memory of their four sons Reginald, Julian Victor and Herbert Who lost their lives in the Great War 1914 - 1918 Chris Christophers Died 2.4.87 Safely home

Documents:

• Military Personnel File Links:
• Cenotaph Record
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission Record
• New Zealand War Graves Record
• The Southland Times - Brothers in arms
• 100 NZ World War One Memorials 1914-2014