Kete Horowhenua

The photo at left shows Harold Neils Christiansen in his uniform - known as Chris to his family.

Rifleman Christiansen fought at Gommecourt on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916. From over 1,000 men only 198 remained alive the next day.

His medals are shown in the photo at right.

On 16 July 1916 Rifleman Christiansen suffered a bayonet injury and faced a Court of Enquiry to investigate the circumstances under which he was wounded.

The army records contain transcripts from the enquiry where Rifleman Christiansen was found to have been wounded accidentally.

Herewith proceedings of Court of Enquiry
held on 16/7/16 to investigate the circumstances under which No. 3937 Rfn H.M. Christiansen, 16th Londonswas wounded.

Rfn. Christiansen was on his way with a message to his Company Headquarters in the trenches.
To facilitate matters he walked along the parapet
until he arrived at a Fire Bay. He then jumped into
the trench, slightly deviating from his original
course in order to avoid a man. His arm caught on a bayonet. He had his arm bound and delivered his message.
He will be unable to perform his military duties for about one month. He was on duty at the time.

I am of opinion that Rfn. Christiansen was wounded accidentally, and that he was not to blame.

[signed] Lieutenant General.
Commanding VII Corps.
20/7/16

John Christiansen has his belt that his father wore during the war. It has badges given to him by the mates he fought alongside:

One end of the belt was damaged when a box of ammunition Chris was carrying blew up.Here are links to the photos of the individual badges (just click on the picture for a larger view):


Royal Fusiliers 1st Regiment of City of London	Belgian Army Coat Buttons	Royal Artilliary

Gloucester Regiment	Rifle Brigade	Cheshire Regiment

New Zealand Mounted Rifles	Auckland Mounted Rifles	Army Ordinance Corps

The "Ox and Bux"	Australia Commonwealth Military Forces	Army Ordinance Corps

Small Australia Commonwealth Military Forces	Norfolk Regiment