Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Edward Henry Peterson, known as Ted, was born – as Edward Hans Petersen - on 26 May 1896 at Orari, near Timaru. He was the second son of Andrew (Anders) and Elizabeth Mary (also known as Mary and Lizzie, née McCabe) Petersen. Anders Petersen, who was born in Denmark, came to New Zealand and settled in South Canterbury in 1875. He married Irish-born Elizabeth Mary McCabe in 1895 at Timaru. Two sons had been born before their marriage, both born McCabe: Andrew William McCabe, born in 1893, later became Peterson, probably in 1918; while Joseph, born in 1894, remained McCabe. Another son and two daughters were born to Anders (known as Andrew in New Zealand) and Elizabeth Mary. Elizabeth Mary Peterson, of Orari, died in December 1901. She was just 31 years old and left five young children, the youngest 8 months old. Her son Joseph McCabe was probably in the custody of his maternal grandmother. Edward attended Orari School, transferring to Temuka in February 1906, for how long is not recorded. His guardian was Hans Peterson, probably his grandfather.

E. H. Peterson was one of the men who, having volunteered and been accepted for service in the New Zealand forces, were given a very hearty send-off on 11 June 1915 before they left Timaru for Trentham. After assembling at the Drill Shed, they were entertained to afternoon tea. Following the roll call, they marched to the station, headed by the Band of the 8th South Canterbury Mounted Rifles. The Mayor congratulated the men and expressed gratitude for the sacrifices they were making. “He hoped they would be truthful, honest, fair and square to one another wherever they went, . . . .” But it was 29 June 1917 when Edward Henry Peterson enlisted at Hawera. He was a blacksmith residing at Somerset House, Hawera. Single and Presbyterian, he named his father as next-of-kin – Andrew William [sic] Peterson, Orari, South Canterbury. He was still serving with the 8th South Canterbury Mounted Rifles. Corporal E. H. Peterson embarked with the Mounted Rifles Brigade of the 37th Reinforcements, leaving Wellington for Southampton, England per the “Willochra” on 23 April 1918.

While serving overseas Ted’s young sister died at the Timaru Hospital on 21 September 1919, aged 18 years, having fallen victim to the Spanish flu.

After nearly a year's service overseas, Edward was invalided home, embarking at Suez on 6 March 1919 for home per the “Kaikoura”. This Draft No.230 of 1114 men from Egypt and Palestine was due about 17 April. His intended address was Orari, South Canterbury, but as of May 1920 he was at the Military Sanatorium, Cashmere Hills, Christchurch. He was suffering from tubercle of the lung and was permanently disabled. He was discharged on 28 April 1920, no longer physically fit for war service on account of illness contracted on active service. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his time in Egypt.

Edward Henry Peterson married Ivy Amelia Berryman in 1935 at Christchurch. His father died on 14 June 1928 at his older daughter’s Geraldine residence. Edward himself died on 1 September 1977 at Fairhaven Hospital, Christchurch, aged 81 years, his funeral service being held at the Harewood Crematorium Chapel. Members of Crown Lodge No. 138 were requested to attend his funeral. He was survived by Ivy, who died in 1983, two sons and grandchildren.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [05 December 2022]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [5 December 2022]; School Admission record (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [05 December 2022]; Timaru Herald, 13 December 1901, 14 June 1915, 2 April 1919, 22 September 1919, 15 June 1928, Temuka Leader, 4 December 1901, Sun, 31 March 1919, Press, 1 April 1919, 3 & 5 September 1977, Star, 16 June 1928 (Papers Past) [16 December 2014; 17 January 2015; 02, 05 & 06 December 2022]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file
• Other military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.