James Devon's certificate of Discharge is dated 14 September 1919.

His number was 48189, Rank: Private and Unit: Canterbury Infantry Regiment

It states that he served for 2 years 119 days.

He is described as:

Age: 20½ years

Height: 5 feet 6½ inches

Complexion: dark

Eyes: Brown

Hair: Dark Brown

Trade or occupation: Storeman

This violin was brought back from WWI by James Devon. He mounted it in the display case.

This photo of James Devon and another soldier has these words written across the bottom corner:

'Fond love from your soldier son'

A copy of this postcard was provided by James Devon.

The message reads:

'The Queen and I wish you God-speed, and a safe return to your homes and dear ones.

A grateful Mother Country is proud of your splendid services characterized by unsurpassed devotion and courage.'

This attestation certificate completed on 27 February 1917 contains the following details:

1. What is your name?


James Aloysius Devons 2. Where were you born? Lanarkshire Scotland 3. Are you a British subject? Yes 4. What is the date of your birth? 17/1/97 5. What are the names of your parents? Father: Patrick Devons
Mother: Katherine Devons 6. Where were your parents born? Father: Newry, Ireland
Mother: Scotland 7. If your parents are of alien origin, when and where were they naturalized?


8. How long have you been resident in new Zealand?


2 years


9. How long have your parents been resident in New Zealand?


Father: Never
Mother: Never


10. What is your trade or calling?


Storeman


11. Are you an indentured apprentice? If so where, and to whom?


No


12. What was the address at which you resided?


33 Owen St Newtown Wgtn, N.Z.


13. Have you passed the Fourth Educational Standard or its equivalent


Yes


14. What is the name and address of your present or last employer?


Dunlop Rubber Co Wgtn, N.Z.

15. Are you single, married, widowed, divorced, or legally separated
from your wife?

Single


16. If married, widowed, divorced, or legally separated from your
wife, how many children under sixteen years of age have you?


------


17. If single, how many people are absolutely dependent on you?


None


18. Have you ever been sentenced to imprisonment by the Civil
power? If so, when and where? No 19. Do you now belong to any Military or Naval Force? If so, to
what corps?


No


20. Have you ever served in any Military or Naval Force? If so,
state which and cause of discharge.


No


21. Have you truly stated the whole (if any) of your previous service?


Yes


22. Have you ever been medically examined for service with the
New Zealand Expeditionary Force. If so, when and where?


No


23. Have you been registered for compulsory military training under
the Defence Act, 1909. Is so, where?


No


24. Have you ever been rejected as unfit for the Military or Naval
Forces of the Crown? Is so, on what grounds?


No


25. Are you willing to be vaccinated or revaccinated or innoculated?


- 26. Are you willing to serve in the New Zealand Expeitionary
Force in or beyond the Dominion of New Zealand for the
duration of the present war with Germany and six months
thereafter, if your service is so long required?


27. For which Reinforcement draft do you volunteer?

From Timeframes: http://digital.natlib.govt.nz/get/78541?profile=access

This photo is on Timeframes: http://digital.natlib.govt.nz/get/45921?profile=access

It is described:

Group portrait of staff, Balmer Lawn Section, No 1 NZ General Hospital, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, England, during World War I. Nurses in front row: Miss J Moore (Matron), Ingram, M Mitchell, F Wilson, and Ida Grace Willis. Photograph taken between 1914-1919 by an unidentified photographer.

From Timeframes: http://digital.natlib.govt.nz/get/11002?profile=access

Taken by Qualis Photo Company during World War I.

This scroll photograph was brought into the Levin Library by Jill Pettifer (daughter of Mrs Babs Leckie).

Jil provided the following details:

'Here is what I can remember of this photo, which unfortunately is not much!

It is of the first New Zealand division on their return from the war in France.

They were stationed at Brockenhurst New Forest Hampshire, England. After being pulled out of France, they were rested here with the wounded until being sent home to New Zealand.

My mother, 'Mrs Babs Leckie', nursed there as a VAD (Voluntary Auxiliary Division(, and got to know a lot of them very well - I remember her telling me that my grandfather, Mr P.D. Leckie used to send the car on Sundays so that she could take a few that could go for a drive through the new Forest and then enjoy afternoon tea at 'Buskets' my gradfather's Estate at 'Lyndhurst'.

'Buskets' has long since gone and I had always thought the First Division had been stationed at 'Lyndhurst', however, according to the photo they weren't.

If anyone has any recollections of this photo - I would be most interested and very glad to hear from them.'

I beg to say that No. 3937 Rfn H.D. Christiansen who had the ¬misfortune to accidently wound himself last night, Statement of Court of Inquiry attached is a very good soldier, he behaved very well indeed in the action at GOMMECOURT on July lst and his Company Commander speaks very well of him as a stout and good, soldier who has no fear of shell or bullet.
I am satisfied that he is not a man who would ever intentionally wound himself, & further that in his case there was culpable negligence but pure bad luck & while he was in the execution ¬of his duty.
The trench was so knocked about that he had to get out of it in order to get along to report to his Officer & in getting in again it was really in the endeavour to avoid jumping onto a man whom he did not at first see in the dark that the accent happened.
I am satisfied he is in no way to blame.
No disciplinary action has been taken, as I do not consider it necessary. The accident was in the execution of his duty.

16/7/16.
(Sd) R. Shoolbred Lt Col
Commanding 1/Queens Westminster Rifles.

Herewith proceedings of Court of Enquiry
held on 16/7/16 to investigate the circumstances under
which No. 3937 Rfn H.M. Christiansen, 16th Londons
was 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 by Lieutenant General.
Commanding VII Corps. 20/7/16

Harold Neils Christiansen, Rifleman or Private, Number 551320, survived a dreadful battle at Gommecourt on 1 July 1916 when from over 1,000 men only 198 men survived.

Many of our people served in WWII and some of their memories are here.

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month is universally associated with the remembrance of those who died in the First World War.

The date marks the moment when hostilities ceased on the Western Front in 1918, with the signing of the Armistice.

This topic will gather together memories of our people relating to World War I.

I was motivated to create this topic by a person bringing into the library an old photo scroll showing the staff of the No. 1 New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst March 1917.

James Aloysuis Devon was born in Scotland in 1897. After only 2 years in New Zealand, he joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in February 1917.

The young Chris Christiansen in his uniform.

This is the belt that Chris Christiansen wore during WWI. On it he kept the badges given to him by the mates he fought alongside.