Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Walter Guilford was born at Pleasant Valley near Geraldine on 30 December 1883, the seventh son of William and Annie (née Benbow) Guilford, of Geraldine. William and Ann who married in New Zealand in 1866, had a large family of their own (18), all born at Pleasant Valley, plus two grandchildren whom they adopted. Three of the children who died young are buried at Geraldine. In the 1860s after their marriage, William Guilford had a hotel at Pleasant Valley; later he was a sawyer. William Guilford was elected to the Pleasant Valley School committee in April 1877; chairman in 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883; on committee 1876 – 1895. Thus, Walter, Robert and Cecil, and their siblings, would have been educated for some time at Pleasant Valley School. In mid-1902 the family moved from Pleasant Valley to Tarata. Walter, however, stayed in South Canterbury, a farm hand at Pleasant Valley. He went farming at Tarata in 1908 but was back at Temuka by 1911. Walter was best man when his brother Robert married Ethel Kazia Annals on 9 April 1916 at Temuka.

W. Guildford [sic] handed in his name for active service in March 1916 at Temuka. He was medically examined at Temuka on 10 April 1916. He stood at 5 feet 9½ inches, weighed 180 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 36-39 inches, with a fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. His sight, hearing, colour vision and teeth were all good, his limbs and chest well formed, and his heart and lungs normal. He was mostly free from diseases, just some skin disease on his back, was vaccinated, and was in good bodily and mental health. Walter Guildford married Jane (Jeannie) Helen Love, of Ophir, Central Otago on 17 April 1916 at the Post Office, Dunedin. Their son Edwin was born – on 23 October 1916 at Invercargill - after Walter had embarked. Shortly after his wedding, Walter was best man for his brother Robert at Temuka.

In mid-April 1916 the National Mortgage and Agency Co. held a clearing sale on account of Mr Walter Guilford, prices for everything being satisfactory. It would appear that the farm could not be maintained in his absence. He had registered at the Timaru Defence Office on 12 April. Walter was one of 15 recruits for the 16th Reinforcements who were farewelled at a standing room only gathering at the Temuka Drill Shed in early May 1916. A most enjoyable concert programme was given. They were commended for their patriotism and fine spirit, and were wished a safe return after victory. Supper was provided by the Patriotic Entertainment Committee. At the conclusion all sang the National Anthem and cheered the recruits. The recruits left Timaru by the express for Trentham on 3 May 1916, after being entertained in the Stafford Tea Rooms by the Timaru Ladies Patriotic committee, then falling in and being addressed at the Drill Shed, some sadly not to return. Walter was likely one of the men who marched through Temuka to the railway station, school children and a very large number of townspeople taking part in the procession. The recruits were enthusiastically cheered as they boarded the train. When Walter enlisted at Trentham on 3 May 1916, he was farming his own land at Temuka. Now married and Methodist, he named his wife as next-of-kin – Mrs J. Guilford, C/o H. Ferguson, 84 Sherborne Street, St Albans, Christchurch. Their only child, Edwin, was born at Invercargill on 23 October 1916, two months after his father embarked for the Front, father and son never to meet.

Walter was admitted to Wairarapa Hospital on 2 June 1916 suffering from influenza. Initially posted to the 16th Reinforcements, Private Guilford was transferred to Trentham Details on 9 June 1916, then back to the 16ths in August. Rifleman W. Guilford embarked with the 3rd Battalion of the 16th Reinforcements, leaving Dunedin on 20 August 1916 and then from Wellington per the “Mokoia” on 21 August 1916. Disembarking at Devonport, England on 24 October, he marched into Sling. He then proceeded for overseas (France) on 15 November and marched into camp at Etaples the next day. Rifleman Guilford joined his Battalion in the Field on 3 December 1916. Having gone to the Railway Construction Gang on 8 January 1917, he rejoined his Battalion on 9 March. Then attached to the 2nd Anzac Cable Burying Party on 12 March, he again rejoined his Battalion on 5 April and was attached to the New Zealand Working Battalion just over two weeks later. He again rejoined his Battalion on 15 May 1917 – from hospital, no explanation or date for hospitalization given. Guilford went to the 2nd Army Rest Camp on 2 October 1917 for 12 days before rejoining his Battalion.

Walter went on leave to the UK on 6 January 1918. He had not long rejoined his Battalion in the Field (23 January 1918) when he was killed in action at the Somme – on 27 March 1918, aged 34 years. He was buried in Auchonvillers Military Cemetery at the Somme, France, as reported by the chaplain. In a cheery letter to a friend, reported the Temuka Leader of 31 May 1917, Bombardier W. F. Evans, who was still in France, had mentioned that he had seen quite a lot of Temuka boys lately, and he asked his friend if he were to see the relatives of any of these boys to let them know that they were well, in good spirits, and ready for the fray, and that they hoped to settle old Fritz before the end of the year. One of the boys mentioned was W. Guilford. He remarked how pleased he was to meet so many of the Temuka boys. W. Guilford’s good fortune had not lasted, however. Mrs Guilford, of Tarata, received word in mid-April that her son Private Walter Guilford, had been killed in action. (“His wife lives in the South Island.”) Word was received by Mrs Walter Guilford last week of the death of her husband at the front, reported the Temuka Leader on 30 April 1918. “The late Private Guilford was well-known in the Geraldine and Temuka districts. He was a son of Mr S. [sic] Guilford, formerly of Pleasant Valley, but now of Inglewood, North Island. He was about 36 years of age, and at the time he enlisted was farming at Winchester. He was a steady, hardworking man, much respected by all who know him, and great sympathy will be felt for his widow and little child. He left with the 18th [sic] Reinforcements.”

Mr F. C. Guilford, of Cattle Valley, Fairlie, also received official advice in late May 1918 “of the death in action of two of his brothers, Private Walter Guilford, and Private Cecil Guilford. The latter, who left New Zealand with the 11ths, died of wounds on May 4, and former, who left with the 16ths, was killed about a month before.” Francis Charles Guilford who was an older brother of Walter and Cecil, was a farmer at Cattle Valley and married with three children when he was listed on the 1917 Reserve Rolls. Like Walter and Robert, he had remained in South Canterbury, moving to New Plymouth only in the 1950s. It was in May 1918 that William John Guilford, quarryman, Lyttelton, was drawn in the ballot. William had previously been recorded on the Reserve Rolls, a married man with one child; as had Edward Benbow Guidford, a ploughman at Gisborne.

Walter’s brother, Cecil, died of wounds just over five weeks later, on 4 May 1918. When Walter's medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal), plaque and scroll (1921) were sent to his widow, she was living back in her hometown of Ophir, running a store. His Will which was received from London had been signed on 31 August 1916 and was made out in favour of his wife, Janie Helen Guilford, bequeathing to her the whole of his estate including the proceeds of life assurance policies. From 6 January 1917, the name of Private W. Guilford (16th Reinforcements) was recorded in the Temuka Leader Active Service List, which was printed regularly, and from June 1918 under the Roll of Honour. His wife inserted a Roll of Honour notice in the Timaru Herald o 27 March 1919 and again on 27 March 1920 – “Though lost to sight to memory dear.”

Walter's name is inscribed on the Winchester War Memorial which was unveiled in a touching ceremony on 23 May 1920. The proceedings opened with the Lord's Prayer, followed by the singing of the hymn “Lead Kindly Light” and the laying of wreathes by the school children as the names were read. Several tributes were paid to these brave men who had given their lives in order that others might live in peace. In July 1920 at the largest gathering ever seen in the Victoria Hall, Winchester, when district soldiers were welcomed home and presented with medals, those who had made the supreme sacrifice were remembered by the presentation of certificates to their next-of-kin - Walter was one of these men. His name is inscribed also on the Temuka Borough memorial which was unveiled in August 1922 before a very large gathering in the domain, including Temuka Territorials and Cadets, Temuka and Geraldine returned soldiers, the Temuka Pipe Band, the Salvation Army Band, the children of the district schools, national and local dignitaries, and local folk. Opening proceedings, the Mayor said “We regret that this occasion has arisen, but having done so we must look back with pride at the actions of those who rose to the call of the Motherland, which was in peril. Many of those brave boys who left these shores did not return, and we have erected this memorial to their memory, . . .” Following hymns and scripture readings, His Excellency the Governor-General formally unveiled the monument and the local M.P. read out the names inscribed thereon. In November 1922, the tablet which was to be placed in St. Andrew’s Church, Inglewood, in memory of the men from that district who gave their lives in the Great War, 1914-19, was completed. The tablet, which was of Italian marble, was ornamented at the top with scrolls, three on either side, bearing the words “France, Belgium, Gallipoli, Egypt, Palestine, Mesopotamia,” while in the centre are the Union Jack and New Zealand flag together with a laurel wreath. The tablet bears the following inscription: — “To the Glory of God and in grateful memory of the men from this district who gave their lives in the Great War, 1914-19.”, and a great many names including Guildford C. and Guildford W. The Inglewood War Memorial - of striking design and standing impressively in the most prominent portion of the town - was unveiled in an impressive ceremony on 21 August 1924. There was a full parade of territorials and senior cadets and the Inglewood band in attendance. The ceremony opened with the playing of the hymn, “Abide With Me,” followed by an address delivered by the Mayor, then the unveiling. After the congregation was led in prayer, the firing party presented arms and “The Last Post” was sounded. The National Anthem brought a very impressive ceremony to a close. Constructed of white Silesian marble, the monument is surmounted by a large life-sized statue of a New Zealand infantryman resting on his arms reversed. Below the inscription: “In remembrance of the men from the Inglewood district who fell in the Great War, 1914-1918,” is a long list of names which includes C. Guilford and W. Guilford. At the base, the words: “Their names live for ever,” are inscribed. An interesting feature of the unveiling ceremony was that one of the large New Zealand ensigns which shrouded the memorial had been used by New Zealand troops at military funerals in France.

His wife Jeannie moved to Timaru by 1928 and ran a shop. Their son Edwin who was admitted to Waimataitai School, Timaru in May 1928, transferred to Timaru West School in June 1929, then went on to the Technical College in 1930. Jeannie who died at a private hospital, Auckland on 17 June 1939, survived by their only child, Eddie, had probably moved there to be closer to Eddie. She was buried in St Andrew’s Churchyard, Hillsborough. Edwin Guildford who served with the New Zealand Forces in World War Two, married LeBenna Rosina Aislabie in 1944 and died at Palmerston North on 29 Nov 1976. As well as his brother Cecil, Robert Guilford, an elder brother of Walter and Cecil, also served in World War One. And as well as his own son (Edwin), several nephews and a niece of Walter Guilford served in World War Two – William Patrick Guilford (son of Robert and Ethel Kazia); Reginald Ernest Guilford, Raymond Benbow Guilford and Edward Albert Guilford (all sons of Gertrude Mary Guilford and her husband Ernest Albert Guilford); Haydn Alexander Benbow Golding (son of Mary Beatrice Guilford and Edward Alexander Golding); Kathleen Anne Guilford, Leonard Cecil Guilford and Bruce Norman Guilford (daughter and sons of Alice Mabel Guilford and her husband Leonard Seymour Guilford); Robert Douglas Guilford, Edward Trevor Guilford, and Gordon Alexander Guilford who was killed in action on 15 August 1944 in Italy (all sons of Edward Benbow and Madeline Edith). Both Gertrude and Alice had married Guilford cousins. Guilford cousins who saw war service were Henry Tracey Guilford (born at Geraldine; South African War and World War One; Ernest Albert Guilford (born at Geraldine; married Guilford cousin; South African War); Gerald Edgar Guilford (born at Geraldine; World War One); Leonard Seymour Guilford (married Guilford cousin; World War One); Wilfred James Guildford (World War One); and Donald Bernard (Bernice) Guildford (World War One). William Guilford (father of Robert, Walter and Cecil), who was born in Monmouthshire, Wales, died at Tarata, late of Pleasant Valley, on 30 October 1906 and was buried at Tarata Cemetery with his son George, but is also remembered on Ann’s headstone at Te Henui Cemetery, New Plymouth. Ann Guilford, who came to New Zealand from England as a child with her parents, died at her New Plymouth residence on 29 June 1930, the relict of William Guilford of Tarata, and was buried at Te Henui Cemetery, New Plymouth.

A photograph of Walter Guilford is printed in Onward: Portraits of the NZEF, Vol. 1.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [17 September 2013]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5539 0048370) [17 September 2013]; CWGC [17 September 2013]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs); Timaru Herald, 13 April 1877, 4 February 1880, 29 March 1916, 13 & 17 April 1916, 2 & 5 May 1916, 19 April 1918, 1 June 1918, 27 March 1919, 27 March 1920, 24 May 1920, 19 July 1920, Temuka Leader, 6 January 1917, 31 May 1917, 30 April 1918, 13 June 1918, 25 May 1920, 15 July 1920, 12 August 1922, Otago Daily Times, 19 April 1918, Taranaki Herald, 19 April 1918, Stratford Evening Post, 23 November 1922, Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1922, 22 August 1924, New Zealand Herald, 19 June 1939 (Papers Past) [19 & 24 November 2013; 06 May 2014; 13 July 2014; 07 January 2015; 06 February 2018; 13 December 2018; 28 August 2020; 01 September 2022; 20 & 21 June 2026; 06 July 2026]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au); SCRoll web submission by W Griffin, 4 December 2015; Probate record (Archives NZ/Family Search) [18 June 2016]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• GUILFORD Walter - newspaper clippings (pdf, 191.5 KB updated 16-Jul-2026)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

TS