Profile

CAMERON, Robert Brown
(Service number 6/3720)

Aliases Bob
First Rank Private Last Rank Corporal

Birth

Date 01/06/1891 Place of Birth Otepopo

Enlistment Information

Date 25/08/1915 Age 24
Address at Enlistment Queen Street, Waimate
Occupation Watchmaker
Previous Military Experience
Marital Status Single
Next of Kin Mrs H. Cameron, mother, Timaru Rd, Waimate
Religion Presbyterian
Medical Information

Military Service

Served with NZ Armed Forces Served in Egypt and France
Military District

Embarkation Information

Body on Embarkation 8th Reinforcements
Unit, Squadron, or Ship Canterbury Infantry Battalion
Date 13/11/1915
Transport Willochra
Embarked From Wellington Destination Suez, Egypt
Other Units Served With Trench Mortar Battery
Last Unit Served With

Military Awards

Campaigns
Service Medals
Military Awards Military Medal

Award Circumstances and Date

Cameron, Robert Brown, 6/3270, M.M.: Corporal 1st Battalion Canterbury Regiment attached No. 2 Light Trench Mortar Battery "For bravery and devotion to duty on August 24th 1918 during the attack on Bapaume. Corporal Cameron was N.C.O. in charge of a section of 2 guns of a Light Trench Mortar Battery. The teams had to advance over very difficult ground which was subjected to a heavy shell and machine gun barrage. Corporal Cameron succeeded in keeping his men together until one of the gun teams was blown out. He then made excellent use of the mortar and ammunition remaining at his disposal. Later during the withdrawal from the forward positions he showed great coolness and leadership and was in constant touch with the Infantry. Throughout the operation his courageous and decisive action was an inspiring example to his men." (London Gazette, 13 March 1919, p3452 Rec No 2659)

Prisoner of War Information

Date of Capture
Where Captured and by Whom
Actions Prior to Capture
PoW Serial Number
PoW Camps
Days Interned
Liberation Date

Discharge

Date Reason

Hospitals, Wounds, Diseases and Illnesses

Post-war Occupations

Death

Date 18/03/1970 Age 78
Place of Death Waimate
Cause Heart Failure & Chronic Bronchitis
Notices Obituary – Timaru Herald March 1970: "The death occurred last week of Mr Robert Brown Cameron, 78, who had been a watchmaker and jewellery business in Waimate for more than 30 years. Born in Herbert, he attended school there and at Hakataramea before completing his education at Waimate. He then served his watchmaker and jewellery apprenticeship with Mr W. Coltman in a shop adjacent to the Waimate Post Office. Gallantry in action with the First N.Z.E.F. in France during the first World War earned him the Military Medal. On his return to Waimate, Mr Cameron was employed for many years by the jewellery firm of E. Stewart Mills, before opening a business on his own account in High Street. He retired several years ago when the business was taken over by his son, Evan. He was associated with many district bodies, being a life member of the Waimate Bowling Club and a representative miniature rifle shooter for many years and a member of the Knox Presbyterian Church. Mr Cameron is survived by his daughter and son."
Memorial or Cemetery Waimate Old Cemetery
Memorial Reference
New Zealand Memorials

Biographical Notes

Sources

External Links

Related Documents

Researched and Written by

Paula Wells, SC branch NZSG

Currently Assigned to

PW

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