What Commonwealth soldier was this soldier from?

[Jean-Loup]

Thanks a lot for this info. I will try sending in a request.
Regarding the proof of death, there is an egg versus chicken problem. There is no way I can find out if "K. Williams" has died or not without knowing where he was from, his name, etc... And this is the very infomation I will be requesting from those who will not give me that info unless I can prove he has died.
In any case, I will try sending in a request and see what happens.

JL

[Jean-Loup]

I sent in my request, explaining the name was written on a WWII item, detailling that the man had been a POW in Italy, etc, and had the pleasure of receiving this stupid response. I responded accordingly and hope they will manage to get it right this time


Good Morning
Thank you for your enquiry relating to K Willams who fought in World War 1.
Unfortunately we no longer hold WW1 records – they have been transferred to Archives New Zealand and the majority of files will be available to download online for free. If the file you need is not yet digitised you may order a copy from Archives New Zealand for a fee. The attached document provides you with the details on how to go about searching for information about a WW1 serviceperson using the Archives NZ website (www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ ) and it provides information on other sources of information that may be useful.

All the best for your research.

Kind Regards

[Jean-Loup]

I am pleased to say that although the email I recevied from the NZ archives was completely inapropriate, I did end up receiving the soldier's file anyhow, via snail mail.

I would now like to ask people familiar with the NZEF, or with performing research in NZ for help.
The soldier's full name was Kenneth Llewellyn Williams, born 5 june 1909, died on 24 july 1980. He lived at 6 Melrose Crescent in Wellington. He was married to a Clare Cecilia and had one son.
Is there any way of tracking down the son's current adress, or of locating an obituary for either Kenneth Williams or his wife?
Is there any way to find out what unit he served in as I cant see to find that info in the copy of his file.

Thanks for any leads.

JL

[Jean-Loup]

Not sure where my eyes were yesterday, but looking at this again this morning I immediately see that he was apparently posted with the 22nd NZ Btl at the time he was reported missing.
Any more specific info would be welcome however.
With the MIA date being 28 June, I suspect he may have been captured at Minqar Qaim.

JL

[BrentNunns]

Interesting Records JL, The 22nd Battalion was a Wellington Battalion and along with the 21st (Auckland) Battalion and 23rd (Canterbury) Battalion were part of the 2NZEF 2nd Divisions 5th Infantry Brigade (Middle East).

It appears Williams was indeed captured at Minqar Qaim after being encircled by the 21st Panzer Division. If your interested the following is the link to the Official History of the 22nd Battalion (Chapter 5 page 148).
http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz//tm/scho...-WH2-22Ba.html

Sorry cant help with son's current address.

Brent

[Jean-Loup]

I had also found that link. The NZ histories are very easy to find online, which is practical.
Do you know if there are any historians specialised in the 22nd, that could have copies of the unit casualty lists, archives, etc?

JL

[Jean-Loup]

Once again, google proves its worth: http://www.22battalion.org.nz/war-diary/1942-june.htm