Pte. Robert McConnell

Robert McConnell was born at Christchurch on 1 November 1888. He was the eldest son of Adam and Elizabeth McConnell (nee Fleming) who later lived in Bunnythorpe, Tauranga and then Katikati. His father purchased 300 acres by Thompson’s Track in Katikati in 1919. Robert spent three years as a Corporal with the 6th (Manawatu) Mounted Rifles Regiment which was a Territorial Force established on 17 March 1911. He was a farmer in Ohauiti and then Katikati. Robert enlisted for service during World War I on 26 July 1916. On 4 August 1916 whilst still at Trentham Military Camp, Robert was hospitalised with influenza, being discharged the following day. He was posted to the Wellington Infantry Regiment NZEF, 9th Company, 2nd Battalion (Service No. 32042) seeing action in France and Belgium. Robert was killed in action in Belgium on 19 June 1917, aged 28. His last rank was Private. He was buried at Strand Military Cemetery, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium (Grave Ref: VI. B. 5.) His younger brother Malcolm was attached to the New Zealand Stationary Hospital and was a survivor of the Marquette disaster. Source: Biography by Debbie McCauley http://tauranga.kete.net.nz/remembering_war/topics/show/2362

McCONNELL, ROBERT

• Rank: Private
• Service No: 32042
• Date of Death: 19/06/1917
• Age: 28
• Regiment/Service: Wellington Regiment, N.Z.E.F. 2nd Bn.
• Grave Reference: VI. B. 5.
• Cemetery: STRAND MILITARY CEMETERY
• Additional Information:Son of Adam and Elizabeth McConnell, of Kati Kati, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.

Documents:

• Military Personnel File Links:
• Cenotaph Record
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission Record
• New Zealand War Graves Record