SOLOMON, Edwin John
(Service number N/N)
| First Rank | Last Rank |
|---|
Birth
| Date | 23/02/1881 | Place of Birth | St Columb, Cornwall, England |
|---|
Enlistment Information
| Date | Age | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Address at Enlistment | |||
| Occupation | Tailor; Soldier | ||
| Previous Military Experience | 17th Lancers 7 years, time expired | ||
| Marital Status | Married. Two children | ||
| Next of Kin | |||
Military Service
| Served with | NZ Armed Forces | Served in | Army |
|---|
Embarkation Information
| Body on Embarkation | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit, Squadron, or Ship | |||
| Date | |||
| Transport | |||
| Embarked From | Destination | ||
| Other Units Served With | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Last Unit Served With | |||
Military Awards
| Campaigns | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Medals | |||
Award Circumstances and Date
No information
Prisoner of War Information
| Date of Capture | |
|---|---|
| Where Captured and by Whom | |
| Actions Prior to Capture | |
| PoW Serial Number | |
| PoW Camps | |
| Days Interned | |
| Liberation Date |
Death
| Date | 20 May 1932 | Age | 51 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Place of Death | Waitaki Hydro Works | ||
| Cause | Accident | ||
| Memorial or Cemetery | Timaru Cemetery | ||
| New Zealand Memorials | |||
Biographical Notes
Edwin John Solomon, born in 1881 at St Columb, Cornwall, was the eldest son of William John (John) and Ann Maria (née White) Solomon. In 1881 one month old Edwin was with his mother and his maternal grandparents, while his father was a sailor aboard the "Fairy Maid". In 1891 the family was at St Columb, having grown to include another son and two daughters. And in 1901 the family, including another daughter and young Richard but without Edwain, was still at St Columb. It appears that Edwin came to New Zealand about 1907-1908, probably with his parents and some siblings. His name was added to the list of members of the South Canterbury Honorary Territorials in November 1914. He had previously had seven years service with the 17th Lancers. In February 1916 Quartermaster-Sergeant E. J. Solomon was stationed at Rangiora as drill instructor. In March 1918 he was on the staff at the Territorials camp at Trentham. he stated that he had been medically examined for service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force five times - at Rangiora, Timaru, and Hokitika, and found fit. His youngest brother Richard served with the New Zealand Forces in World War I.
Edwin John Solomon was killed accidentally at the Waitaki Hydro Works on 20 May 1932. An iron truck broke loose and struck him in the back. His wife Minnie tried to claim compensation from the Crown but difficulties arose because Edwin was working for an independant contractor. Edwin and Minnie (Mary) had two sons born in New Zealand, in 1910 and 1914. In 1911 they were living at Mina, North Canterbury, and by 1914 had moved to Pleasant Point. After Edwin's death Minnie moved into Timaru. She died in 1955 and is buried in Christchurch.
Sources
1881, 1891, 1901 census returns for Cornwall, England (ancestry.com.au) [18 March 2019]; Timaru Herald, 25 November 1914, Sun, 4 February 1916, Press, 19 March 1918, Otago Daily Times, 21 May 1932, Evening Post, 13 October 1932 [x 2], 14 October 1932 (Papers Past) [18 March 2019]; Timaru Cemetery burial record (Timaru District Council) [18 March 2019]; Ruru Cemetery, Christchurch, burilal record (Christchurch City Council) [18 March 2019]; Nz BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [18 March 2019]; Nz Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [18 March 2019]
External Links
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Researched and Written by
Teresa Scott, SC branch NZSG
Currently Assigned to
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