The 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal awarded to 8/2140 Charles Somerville who was twice wounded - Gallipoli and on the Somme.

 

Charles Somerville was born 4th January 1894 at Winton, New Zealand. Son of James and Hannah Millicent Somerville (née Hodgkinson). Following his education at Nightcaps, Somerville worked in the sawmilling industry at Tokanui. He enlisted for service with the NZEF in 1915 and embarked with the 5th Reinforcements, Otago Infantry Battalion in the rank of corporal. On arrival at Gallipoli on 9th August, Somerville was reduced to the ranks and immediately thrown into the battle at Chunuk Bair. He suffered a giunshot wound to the leg on the same day he landed, and was evacuated to Egypt. Upon recovery, Somerville returned to his unit on the peninsula in early October 1915, where he remained until the evacation at the end of the year.

 

Somerville transferred to the Western Front in April 1916, where he served with 1st Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment during the campaign at Armentieres and the Somme. On 27th September 1916 he suffered another wound, this time to the right ankle, and was evacuated to the UK. He was subsuquently declared unfit for further service, and returned to New Zealand for discharge in November 1917.

 

After the war Somerville married Margaret Mary Isabella Nicol, and had at least one child. He died at Invercargill on 28th September 1964 and is buried in Invercargill's Eastern cemetery.

 

All medals are correctly impressed 8/2140 PTE. C. SOMERVILLE. N.Z.E.F. The group also comes with Somerville's cap and collar badges (8th Southland) and a Gallipoli 1915 stick pin.

Service file held at Archives New Zealand