23/746 Rifleman Ernest Eriksen 1st Battalion, 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade
NZEF Pair - 23/746 Eriksen (Wounded)
The British War Medal and Victory Medal issued to 23/746 Rifleman Ernest Eriksen, who was wounded during the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
Ernest Eriksen claimed to have been born in 1892, but it would appear he was born in 1889 as William Ernest Eriksen, son of John Alfred Eriksen, a Norwegian-born mariner and his wife Clara Jenkinson. Ernest also went into marine employment, and was serving as a marine engineer when he attested for service with the NZEF in October 1915. Ernest served with C Company, 1st Battalion, NZ Rifle Brigade during the Senussi Campaign of 1915-16 before transferring to the Western Front. During the Battle of Morval, on 22nd Septmber 1916, Ernest suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. He was evacuated to the UK, and in March 1917 was embarked for return to New Zealand. He was discharged in January 1918 due to his wound recieved in action.
Both medals are correctly impressed, with the BWM being impressed 23/746 RFLM. E. ERICKSEN. N.Z.E.F. and the VM being impressed 23/746 RFLM. E. ERIKSEN. N.Z.E.F. Ernest was also issued the 1914/15 Star, the whereabouts of this is unknown.