Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Ernest was born at Geraldine on 18 August 1894, the fourth son of Thomas Wright & Emily Jane (nee Hines) Lord, of Geraldine. In 1899 he won an attendance prize at Geraldine School and in 1907, was attending Geraldine High School.

In early 1915, while working as a farm labourer for Mr T. Dyer at Ngaio, Ernest joined up at Wellington on 12 June 1915. His enlistment papers described him as being single, age 20, 5 foot 6½ inches tall, weighing 140 lbs, chest 32 inches, dark complexion, grey eyes, dark brown hair, teeth only fair and Anglican. His father, Mr T W Lord of Talbot Street, Geraldine, is listed as next of kin. He embarked from Wellington on 9 October 1915, with the 7th Reinforcements, NZ Machine Gun Corps, for Suez, Egypt, on SS Aparima, Navua or Warrimoo. He arrived in Egypt too late for service at the Dardanelles and remained there until leaving for France on 7 April 1916. On 1 October 1916, Ernest received gunshot wounds to his left shoulder. After treatment by Dr Stevens at Dublin, he returned to France on 26 October 1917. The Timaru Herald 19 October 1916, reported:

“Private Ernest Lord, one of the three sons of Mr W.T. Lord of Geraldine, has been wounded in the late fighting in Northern France. His brother, Private Herbert Lord of Geraldine, who returned wounded from Gallipoli last year, is again rejoining the colours”.

In May 1919, Ernest returned to NZ aboard the SS Kiaora, and, on 6 June 1919, received his discharge from the army. The Timaru Herald 10 May 1919 reported: “Private Ernest Lord was welcomed home by the mayor of Geraldine, Mr B.R. Macdonald, who thanked him for his long service and doing his duty. He advised him to get back into civilian clothes so he could continue to serve his country as he had done in the fighting line”. Ernest was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal for his 4 years of war service.

In 1926 he married Miss Amy Emily Ann Hight. Ernest lived the remainder of his life in the Manawatu area and died at Palmerston North on 7 October 1970. He was described as a retired driver and is buried in the Fielding Cemetery with his wife Amy.

Sources

Auckland Museum Cenotaph database (June 2015); Archives NZ (Personnel File); NZBDM Historical Records; NZSG Index V5; Papers Past; Manaaawatu District Council cemeteries database.

External Links

• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Ted Hansen (SC branch NZSG)

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.