Arthur Harold Gifford
Date Of Birth:
13-05-1884
Service Number:
46182
His Life Before War:
Arthur, very commonly called Harold, lived in Rapaura. He went to Rapaura School along with his 7 siblings. Their father, William, was on the school committee. When Harold got older he became a farmer on their farm, farmed sheep, and traditional crops.
Family:
His parents were William.G an Esther.E Gifford. He had 8 siblings, George, Harry, Howard, Fred, (Francis who died at 7 years old) Alfred, Ernest, and the only girl, Nora.
When He Went To War:
Arthur was in the 25th Reinforcements, in the Canterbury Infantry. He went to fight in Somme, France, in 1914. He travelled over on the ship, The Turakina. He fought in The Battle of Somme. He was a Private in the war.
Death:
His parents are buried in the Rapaura cemetery, and there is a memorial for Arthur on their head stone. He was killed in action, 23rd April 1918. He was 34 years old, and was single. He is buried at Colincamps, communal cemetery, Somme, France.
The Battle Of Somme:
The Battle of the Somme, also known as the Somme Offensive, was a battle of the First World War fought by the armies of the British and French Empires against the German Empire. Comprising the main Allied attack on the Western Front during 1916, the Battle of the Somme is famous chiefly on account of the loss of 58,000 British troops (one third of them killed) on the first day of the battle, 1 July 1916, which to this day remains a one-day record. The attack was launched upon a 30 kilometer front, from north of the Somme river between Arras and Albert, and ran from 1 July until 18 November, at which point it was called off.
To learn more about the Battle of Somme, click the link below to watch an explanation video.
The Battle of Somme Video: From History Channel
13-05-1884
Service Number:
46182
His Life Before War:
Arthur, very commonly called Harold, lived in Rapaura. He went to Rapaura School along with his 7 siblings. Their father, William, was on the school committee. When Harold got older he became a farmer on their farm, farmed sheep, and traditional crops.
Family:
His parents were William.G an Esther.E Gifford. He had 8 siblings, George, Harry, Howard, Fred, (Francis who died at 7 years old) Alfred, Ernest, and the only girl, Nora.
When He Went To War:
Arthur was in the 25th Reinforcements, in the Canterbury Infantry. He went to fight in Somme, France, in 1914. He travelled over on the ship, The Turakina. He fought in The Battle of Somme. He was a Private in the war.
Death:
His parents are buried in the Rapaura cemetery, and there is a memorial for Arthur on their head stone. He was killed in action, 23rd April 1918. He was 34 years old, and was single. He is buried at Colincamps, communal cemetery, Somme, France.
The Battle Of Somme:
The Battle of the Somme, also known as the Somme Offensive, was a battle of the First World War fought by the armies of the British and French Empires against the German Empire. Comprising the main Allied attack on the Western Front during 1916, the Battle of the Somme is famous chiefly on account of the loss of 58,000 British troops (one third of them killed) on the first day of the battle, 1 July 1916, which to this day remains a one-day record. The attack was launched upon a 30 kilometer front, from north of the Somme river between Arras and Albert, and ran from 1 July until 18 November, at which point it was called off.
To learn more about the Battle of Somme, click the link below to watch an explanation video.
The Battle of Somme Video: From History Channel
Photos
Arthur's Death Medal |
Their Family's House In Rapaura |
|
|
Their Family Photo |
The ship Arthur went over to France on |
|
|
Arthur's grave, in Somme
|
Arthur's farm
|
William (Arthur's father) |
A class photo of him and Some of the other eight soldiers |
