Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Albert Ernest Kraiger was born 9 January 1887 at Waimate, South Canterbury, the second son of John (Johann) and Grace Ackerley (née Oates) Kraiger. His birth was registered as Albrecht Ehreustein Kraiger, and he was known as Bertie or Bert. He was baptised Roman Catholic - Albrecht Ehrenstein Kraiger - at Timaru on 10 April 1887. Johann Kraiger, from Fritzlar, Hesse, Germany, and Grace Ackerley Oates, from St Just, Cornwall, England, married on 2 December 1879 at Timaru, New Zealand, and raised a family of three sons and three daughters. All six children were born in South Canterbury – at Timaru, Waimate and Geraldine. The family resided in the Waimate district for some time in the mid-1880s. Mr Kraiger gave a song at the Waihao district school prize presentation in January 1884 and was in the borough of Waimate in May 1884. Mr and Mrs Kraiger were residing on Grey Road, Timaru, when all three daughters (born in 1882, 1884 and 1888) were baptised on 25 March 1890 at St Mary’s Anglican Church, Timaru. Bertie started his schooling at the Timaru Catholic School (Sacred Heart Boys), where his older brother William (Willijus) was admitted in 1888 and left in 1893 for work. Bertie transferred to Timaru Main School in September 1895, the family living in Beach Road. His three sisters also attended Timaru Main, Loundia having spells also at Albury, St Andrews and Springbrook in the custody of Mrs Hoskins or Mr Chas T. Hosking (her aunt and uncle). Mary left Timaru Main for the North Island at the end of 1895. Elizabeth Sophia also left Timaru Main at the end of 1895. In the mid-1890s John and Grace Kraiger and family settled at Kawhatau.

One of the Timaru wharf labourers, J. Kraiger, known as “the Baker,” met with an accident on the morning of 9 July 1890, by some means or other falling down the hold of the Fifeshire. He was unconscious for some time, but after removal to his home and being attended to by a doctor, he recovered, and was soon able to walk about without assistance. As of August 1892, John Kraiger was still a wharf labourer at Timaru. He was one of ten men who, having been selected from among the unemployed to form a bush settlement in the Rangitikei district, left Timaru in June 1894. While three of the men took family members with them, John and the others left their families for the time being. On 28 February 1895 the Wellington Land Board granted John Kraiger permission to reside on the Government Reserve next the Kawhatau Settlement until his section was fit for occupation. By May 1896 he was a member of the committee to oversee the progress of the small Kawhatau Valley settlement. The school was getting on well. “The Sunday services were also well kept up, and, taking all in all, the settlers do not regret leaving Timaru.” Mr Kraiger was, it seems, the postmaster by 1899, and he was letting the grazing on his section.

Among the “letters from places beyond the colony” received in the postal district of Timaru in December 1899 and unclaimed on 28 February 1900 was one for Mrs G. A. Kraiger, Timaru. The Kawhatau bachelors’ ball was held in Kraiger’s Hall on 19 October 1906 and was a most successful function. “Mr Kraiger, the courteous and obliging mailman, who carries the mail through the Kawhatau, has met with the usual winter obstacles. Last trip he had to sit on his horse and watch the roaring waters of the Poungaki for a while and then return. It is time those in charge of that locality erected a bridge, otherwise some plucky adventurer will lose his life in trying to cross this swift stream when in flood.” [Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, 4 May 1907.] “The mailman Mr B. Kraiger, had a very trying time on Wednesday, travelling through dense smoke and falling timber, and he is deserving of much praise from the settlers for the manner he carries out his contract under such adverse circumstances, but the genial Bert seems to battle through fire and water alike.” [Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, 15 February 1908.] William Henry Kraiger, the eldest of the family, was the founder of the Timaru settlement near Mangaweka, having “migrated” with his family in 1894. There they made their home and made their way in life. “No one ever wanted to return to Timaru,” he said in an interview when visiting Timaru in early 1949.

“One of the most miraculous escapes from death we (Mangaweka Settler) have been called upon to report in this district, occurred on Saturday evening to Mr Kraiger, sen., and his son whilst driving home to the Kawatau. Just as they were passing under the steep papa cliffs, on the edge of the Rangitikei river, a huge slip came down a few yards in front of the horse. The terrified animal made a plunge, and before the occupants had time to realise their danger, the vehicle, horse and occupants were precipitated into the river below. Mr Kraigor and his son were thrown out of the vehicle as it toppled over, and rolled into the river. The latter was in flood., and it was with great difficulty both men managed to regain the shore, Mr Kraiger, sen., being almost exhausted. The horse drowned and the vehicle washed down stream, and, with the exception of the wheels, smashed to pieces.” [Manawatu Standard, 13 May 1908.] “Mangaweka. On Friday a terrific gale was blowing in this part of the district, and a number of trees were blown down, making traffic rather dangerous where bush abounds on the road side. Mr Kraiger, the popular Te Awatau mailman, had an arduous task getting through with the mail, being blocked on several occasions through dry trees falling across the bush tracks which he has to traverse.” [Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, 26 April 1909.] Mr Bert Kraiger, the popular mail carrier in the Kawatau, relinquished his contract at the end of 1909. During the nine years he had been on the road, he was an obliging friend to the settlers in the “waybacks,” and they recognised his courteous manner by presenting him with a purse of sovereigns and other tokens of the esteem in which he was held throughout the district. Albricht Kraiger was a witness to the marriage of his older brother, Willijus Henry Kraiger, on 5 April 1910 at Kawhatau. Charles John Kraiger, the youngest of the family of John and Grace Kraiger (Kawatau), died on 9 April 1913 at Hamilton Hospital, aged just 22 years. A bright and happy young man, he contracted typhoid fever while working on his brother-in-law’s farm at Te Kuiti. In late April 1913, Mr Kraiger, senior, met with a serious accident while driving a loaded trap which dropped into a stream and pinned him across a log.

As of January 1914, when the sixteenth annual sports meeting was held, B. Kraiger was serving on the committee of the Mangaweka Athletic Club. Come August 1916 and A. E. Kraiger went into camp with the Infantry of the Twentieth Reinforcements. “Two years of war finds the country just as responsive in sending along its quotas of men as in those first few months of the great upheaval.” On 21 August the recruits assembled at Palmerston, where they were treated to a send-off function in the Empire Hall, being wished well and speeded on their way. Cheering for the men and the singing of the National Anthem concluded a very successful and enjoyable function. The men then fell in and marched to the Showgrounds, where they were billeted for the night. So it was on 22 August 1916 that Albert Edward Kraiger enlisted at Featherston. He was 5 feet 10½ inches tall, weighed 147 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 32¼-35 inches. He had a fair complexion, grey eyes and black hair. His sight, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal, his limbs and chest well formed, but his teeth bad. Without illnesses and diseases, and vaccinated, he was in good bodily and mental health, and was assessed fit. A farm labourer for R. R. Johnston at Woodville, single and of Church of England affiliation, he named his mother as next-of-kin – Mrs G. A. Kraiger, Mangaweka. Private Kraiger was admitted to Wairarapa Hospital from Trentham Camp on 28 September 1916, suffering from influenza, and was discharged on 4 October. After training at Featherston, Private A. E. Kraiger embarked with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 14th Reinforcements, 2nd Battalion, departing from Wellington for Plymouth, England on 30 December 1916 per the “Athenic”, and disembarking at Devonport, he marched into Sling on 3 March 1917.

A month later he marched out to Codford where he was taken on Strength. Private Kraiger proceeded overseas to France with the Canterbury Regiment on 28 May 1917. Albert Kraiger, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, was wounded on 12 October 1917 at Flanders. Admitted initially to No. 1 New Zealand Field Ambulance, he was admitted to No. 3 Australian Casualty Clearing Station and then to No 14 General Hospital at Wimereux on 13 October. He had suffered a mild gunshot wound to his left leg. On 17 October he was transferred to the Convalescent Depot at Wimereux in France and on 22 October to the Base Depot, rejoining his unit on 9 November. From 17 March 1918, he was attached to the 2nd Entrenching Battalion afterwards rejoining the Canterbury Infantry Regiment. Following leave in the UK from 28 August 1918, Albert rejoined his battalion on 14 September.

Having contracted influenza on 20 November 1918, Albert was sent to hospital, sick. He was admitted to the NZ Field Ambulance on 21 November, then to the Casualty Clearing Station, and finally to the General Hospital at Etaples, France, on 23 November. He was transferred to the UK and admitted to the Military Hospital at Dulwich, England, on 15 December 1918, then to Hornchurch on 18 December. The Medical Board assembled at Hornchurch on 7 February 1919 determined that he had suffered debility following the influenza as a result of infection, but he was then feeling well, and his general condition was good.

In February 1919, after recovering from his brush with influenza, Albert was able to visit his uncle John Oates (his mother’s brother) at his farm in Cornwall while on leave. His great-niece has shared the lovely postcard Albert sent to his sister Louinda Bisman. What a thrill for both uncle and nephew and reassuring for Bert’s family in New Zealand to know that he was “doing alright . . . . and hoping to be home soon.”

In mid-April 1919, the Defence Department advised that the “Tainui” with returning draft No. 238 on board, was due to reach Wellington on 28 April. 30237 Private A. E. Kraiger had embarked with that draft at Plymouth on 18 March 1919, but it was not until later in May that he was expected at Mangaweka. All was good at his medical examination conducted on board the “Tainui” on 2 April 1919, his health and physical condition being satisfactory. He was discharged on 28 May 1919 on the termination of his term of engagement and awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service in Western Europe. After the war, Bert returned to his farm labouring work, for some time in the area of Kawhatau - Mangaweka. In the mid-1950s he retired to Mangere.

“Lower Kawhatau did not forget peace. A very pleasant evening was spent with young and old, for there was a big bonfire in a paddock belonging to Mrs Kraiger, sen., and they let off some crackers and rockets, and had all sorts of games, and when the fires went down they adjourned to the Hall for dancing and singing. A lady of the district led the young folks in the dancing, Mr W. Sullivan sang several songs, both comic and otherwise. Mrs Eastlleburg supplied the music. Dancing was kept up till 11 o’clock and there were refreshments. The singing of the National Anthem brought a very enjoyable evening to a close.” [Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, 24 July 1919] There was a large gathering of returned soldiers at an evening at Mangaweka in July 1928 when Mr B. Kraiger was the guest of honour. After the usual toasts and speeches, Mr H. Johnston presented Mr Kraiger with a wallet containing £46 raised by the returned soldiers for their fellow comrade. Mr Kraiger suitably responded. In March 1940, A. Kraiger subscribed 5 shillings to the Kimbolton District list of the Feilding and district Fighting Services Appeal Fund.

Bert’s father, John Kraiger, died on 23 January 1930 at Thames Hospital and was buried at Shortland Cemetery, Thames. For some years he had lived at Ngatea where he established an orchard. In his latter years he had suffered from ill health and was frequently an inmate of the hospital. Mrs Grace Kraiger, meanwhile had remained at Kawhatau, Mangaweka. She died at her Kawhatau residence on 10 September 1936 and was buried at Mangaweka. Mrs Kraiger had been very much a part of the local community. “The Kawhatau ladies had a triumphant day last Thursday, when they conducted the monthly Patriotic Shop, this time in the interests of the Red Cross and the Navy League conjointly. . . . . . Mrs Kraiger attended to the sale of the ‘golly wogs,’ and raised £1 11s.” [Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, 14 May 1918.] Later in the year, she contributed to another successful sale for the patriotic shop. In her Will, dated 30 December 1913, she bequeathed the whole of her estate to her dear son Albricht Ehrenstein Kraiger of Lower Kawatau and appointed him executor.

Albricht Kraiger, who had never married, died on 20 June 1965 in Auckland, aged 78 years, and was cremated at Purewa Crematorium, his ashes scattered. He was predeceased by four of his siblings, his sister Mary dying just over five weeks later. His brother William Henry Kraiger, a roadman of Mangaweka, was listed on the 1916-17 Reserve Rolls; he was a married man with four children. Several nephews served in World War Two – Charles Almond Bisman who was killed in action in the Western Desert, South Africa on 1 December 1941, Robert Albert Bisman, Albert Edward Enright, Ronald Charles Enright, and Richard Seddon Kraiger; while Roy Charles Kraiger served with the military in New Zealand for some years post-war. And two cousins of Albert served in World War One – William Charles Hosking and Robert James Hosking, their mothers being sisters.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [09 September 2013]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5541 0065576) [19 August 2016]; NZ BDM historical records (Department of Internal Affairs) [09 September 2013]; South Canterbury Times, 9 July 1890, 11 June 1894, 28 May 1896, 5 March 1900, NZ Times, 1 March 1895, 30 June 1899, Auckland Star, 28 June 1899, Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, 4 May 1907, 15 February 1908, 26 April 1909, 6 January 1910, 11 & 12 April 1913, 23 January 1914, 22 August 1916, 14 May 1918, 23 December 1918, 24 May 1919, 24 July 1919, Manawatu Standard, 13 May 1908, 3 May 1913, 22 August 1916, Manawatu Times, 22 August 1916, 25 March 1940, Hawera & Normanby Star, 26 October 1917, Marlborough Express, 26 October 1917, Poverty Bay Herald, 26 October 1917, Evening Post, 16 April 1919, Dominion, 16 April 1919, Wanganui Chronicle, 11 July 1928, 11 September 1936, 12 January 1949, Thames Star, 24 January 1930, Hauraki Plains Gazette, 27 January 1930, Waikato Times, 16 September 1936, NZ Herald, 18 September 1936 (Papers Past) [10 September 2013; 17 October 2015; 14 & 15 December 2023]; School Admission records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [10 April 2015]; Purewa Crematorium record (South Canterbury Branch NZSG records) [10 April 2015]; Catholic Baptism record (Christchurch Diocese CD held by South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [01 May 2016]; SCRoll web submission (postcard & message), 27 May 2019; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [14 December 2023]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

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