Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

George, second son of William (1841-1920) and Jane Lamont (1854-1890 nee Torrance) Annand, was born in Timaru on 10 September 1882. His parents had both been born in Scotland. George received his education at Timaru Main and Waimataitai Schools, after which he trained as a Blacksmith. When he enlisted on 8 March 1916 at the age of 33, he was working in his trade at the Addington Railway Workshops and still living at home at 17 Reeves Road, Opawa, Christchurch. He was described as being single, Presbyterian, 5 foot 5½ inches tall, chest measuring 34 to 36 ½ inches, of fresh complexion, hazel eyes, black hair, had sound teeth and slight varicose veins in his left leg. He had previously tried to enlist at Christchurch on 21 December 1915, but was rejected as unfit due to his varicose veins. He said at the time he was willing to have an operation to rectify this problem, after which he was passed fit by a further medical board on 3 March 1916. On 26 June 1916 he left from Wellington aboard HMNZT 56 SS Tahiti with the 14th Reinforcements, 3rd Battalion NZ Rifle Brigade, G Company, arriving in Devonport, England, on 22 August. Further training at Sling Camp ensued, before leaving for France on 26 September, where George was posted to C Company on 16 October 1916. At this time the NZ Rifle Brigade was fighting in the Battle of the Somme. On 14 June 1917, near the end of the Battle of Messines, he was reported wounded in action, receiving a gunshot wound to his hand. He was admitted to 3 NZ Field Ambulance, then transferred 14th General Hospital on 16 June, then finally to NZ Stationary Hospital on 1 July. On 14 July he was posted to the strength of the 2nd NZ Employment Company and attached to the NZ Stationary Hospital as a stretcher bearer. On 10 September 1917 he sustained a sprained ankle whilst on duty and admitted to hospital again, before being discharged back to duty on 13 September. He was then transferred back to the 4th Battalion NZ Rifle Brigade on 16 September 1917. On 25 September he reported sick and admitted to 10th General Hospital with a return of his varicose veins. Medically Boarded as Class C, he was sent back to Torquay in England on 11 November 1917. Here he remained until 3 March 1918, until he embarked from Liverpool on SS Willochra for his return to New Zealand. On 16 April 1918, he was discharged from the army as being no longer physically fit for war service (varicose veins). Having served a total of 2 years and 39 days, George was later awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal. After the war he continued in his trade as a Fitter, and up to 1938, he was living at his old home address of 17 Reeves Road, Opawa, Christchurch. From 1938 to 1949 he appears to have moved as he was listed as being at 129 Glandevey Road, Christchurch. George died at Christchurch on 28 December 1949, aged 67 years. Two other brothers also served overseas during World War One: 23/53 Rifleman Archibald Lamont Annand who died of wounds on 10 September 1916, and buried in the Quarry Cemetery, Montauban; and 51321 Private William David Annand (1880-1951), who served with the Canterbury Infantry Regiment.

Sources

Auckland War memorial Museum Cenotaph Database (June 2017); New Zealand ANZACs in the Great War 1914-1918 (University of New South Wales) at http://nzef.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=5967 - NEW ZEALAND ANZACS IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918; 'Recruiting: Eleventh Reinforcements' in the Press 18 December 1915 p12 and 'Casulaties: some personal notes' in the Sun 9 July 1917 p5, aourtesy of Papers Past at https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz; Assorted records at Ancestry at ancestry.com

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Ted Hansen, SC branch NZSG

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.