The 1914/15 Star trio issued to 1/798 Thomas Venables, who served during the capture of Samoa in August 1914, and on the Western Front during the winter of 1917/18.

 

Nothing Thomas's early life has been determined. He attested for service with the Samoan Expeditionary Force the day before the force sailed in August 1914, and served during the recapture of Samoa with 3rd (Auckland) Regiment. He returned to New Zealand and was discharged in April 1915. He married Edith Maud Hurle in 1915, and in April 1916, re-enlisted for service.  He served in New Zealand as an NCO with various reinforcement drafts throughout 1916 and into 1917.

 

Venables, now holding the rank of sergeant, embarked in March 1917, arriving in the UK in May 1917. Dropping a rank, to corporal, he deployed to France with B Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd (NZ) Rifle Brigade in November 1917. He was evacuated, sick, back to the UK in February 1918, where he remained until embarking for New Zealand three days before the end of the war in November 1918.

 

All medals correctly impressed 1/798 CPL. T. VENABLES. N.Z.E.F.