NAM.2001-06-88-1

Typescript letter sent to Mr Richard John Ellen, father of Private William Henry Ellen, by the High Commissioner for New Zealand, Sir Christopher James Parr, 30 Mar 1928. With photographs, not present, of the memorial and cemetery in Caterpillar Valley, Somme, France at which 23307 Pte William Henry Ellen, 1st Bn Auckland Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, is commemorated. In 1912, aged 18, William left London bound for Wellington, recording his occupation as a farmer. Four years later he embarked with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade on 27 May 1916 destined for England. Ellen was killed in action on the Somme, 27 September 1916, and is recorded on the memorial to the missing at the Caterpillar Valley (New Zealand) Memorial, Somme, France. With typescript printouts relating to Pte Ellen from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website. Associated with World War One, Western Front (1914-1918).