Sgt. Samuel Pemberton

Tauranga carpenter Samuel Pemberton was killed in action in France on 17 September 1916. Biography by Debbie McCauley: http://tauranga.kete.net.nz/remembering_war/topics/show/2368-samuel...

• Samuel Pemberton
• Hauraki Regiment Volunteer
• 12/439 – Auckland Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion
• Born: Victoria, Australia, 8 May 1893
• Family: Son of Samuel and Mary Pemberton, fiancé Dolly Ridley
• Occupation: Carpenter, Tauranga
• Enlisted: 14 August 1914
• Killed in action: 17 September 1916, France
• Aged: 23
• Cenotaph: http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C...
• Note: Raised by his mother and paternal uncle, Samuel Pemberton.

PEMBERTON Before the Borough Council proceeded to business on Monday night, Cr Brown moved that a letter of sympathy be forwarded to Cr Pemberton, expressing the Council's condolence with him in the loss he has sustained by the death of his son, Sergeant Samuel Pemberton, at the front. Cr Brown said Sergeant Pemberton's death was a very sad loss, not only to his parents and family, but to the country. He had known him for many years and did not know of a finer type of young man. The motion was seconded by Cr Castaing and passed in silence, all councillors standing. The late sergeant S Pemberton, who was 23 years of age, was the youngest son of Mr S Pemberton. Prior to enlisting he was employed by his father He was amongst the first to respond to the Empire's call and left Tauranga on August 13, 1914, joining the main body of the Expeditionary Force. He proceeded to Gallipoli. where he was wounded on May 1. He remained with his unit and was again wounded on May 8. He spent five months in hospital in Malta and again rejoined his unit before it proceeded to France. Apparently he escaped further injury until he was mortally wounded on September 17. The late Sergeant Pemberton was a keen athlete, and was well known as a wrestler, having taken first prize (gold medal.) as champion middle weight wrestler, at Rotorua, when he was only 18 years of age. He spent two years in the Te Puke Mounted Rifles, and later was b member of the Ye Puke Rifle Club. He joined the Territorials upon their establishment. He left New Zealand as a private, and after leaving Gallipoli was made Corporal. Soon after landing in France he was raised to the rank of sergeant. In giving bis life for King, country, and freedom he has made the supreme sacrifice [Bay Of Plenty Times, 11 October 1916, Page 2] [Also Bay Of Plenty Times, 17 November 1916, Page 2]