Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Alfred Edward Staples was born on 30 June 1897 at Gore, the fifth and youngest son of Thomas Seamore and Mary Jane (née Smithson) Staples. He attended Gore School. His father died in 1909 at Gore. He was called up in September 1917. When he enlisted on 10 October 1917 at Timaru, both he and his mother – his nominated next-of-kin - were living at 7 Brunswick Street, Timaru. Mrs Mary Jane Staples later moved to Mataura Island, Southland, and by 1919 was with a son at Musselburgh, Dunedin. It appears that the family may have lived in South Canterbury at an earlier date, as his oldest brother, John Thomas Staples who served in the South African War, was said to have been born at Waimate in 1880.

Alfred Staples was a basketworker for Hedges Bros, Timaru, single and of Church of England affiliation. He was serving with the 2nd South Canterbury Territorials. Private A. E. Staples embarked with the New Zealand Medical Corps, 37th Reinforcements, departing for Liverpool, England, on 9 May 1918 per the “Maunganui”. 3/3974 A. E. Staples, of Musselburgh, embarked per the "Geissen" at Plymouth on 23 June 1919 for his return to New Zealand, arriving on 28 August. His intended address was initially Timaru, but changed to Mataura Island. He was discharged on 24 September 1919, on the termination of his period of engagement, and awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service in Western Europe.

Albert Edward Staples married Gladys Wretha Williamson in 1928. He died on 22 September 1937 at the Invercargill Hospital, aged 40 years, and was buried in the Soldiers section of Eastern Cemetery, Invercargill. He was survived by his wife, his mother and all his siblings but Richard James. Two brothers also served in World War One – Samuel Walden Staples and Richard James Staples.

“The death occurred at Invercargill on Wednesday of Mr Albert Edward Staples, who was a member of an early Gore family. Mr Staples was born at Gore in 1898, and received his education at the Gore Primary School. When the Great War broke out he enlisted as a member of the New Zealand Medical Corps. Some two years ago he took over a farm at Gorge road, near Invercargill, which was formerly occupied by his late brother, Mr James Staples. Mr Staples was of a retiring disposition and did not take an active part in public affairs. He is survived by his mother, Mrs T. Staples, who resides at Invercargill, three brothers — Messrs William (Gore), John (Lower Hutt), and Samuel (Gore) — and four sisters — Mesdames E. Saunders (Wellington). J. Brougham (Christchurch), G. Sullivan (Gore), and Miss R. Staples (Dunedin).” [Otago Daily Times. 25 Sep 1937.]

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [30 January 2023]; Timaru Herald, 2 October 1917, NZ Times, 3 July 1919, Evening Post, 23 September 1937, Otago Daily Times, 25 September 1937 (Papers Past) [30 & 31 January 2023]; Eastern Cemetery, Invercargill, headstone image & burial record (Invercargill City Council) [30 January 2023]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

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