Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Albert Greenwood was born on 26 June 1879 at Oldham, Lancashire, England, the only son of Benjamin and Sarah Ann (née Hughes) Greenwood. In early 1890 Albert and his older sister came to New Zealand with their parents and settled in Dunedin. After one day at George Street Dunedin School, Albert was admitted to North East Valley School. Getting a job in a furniture shop he attended Dunedin Technical classes and trained as a cabinetmaker.

In 1916 he was called up. Albert married Eva Beatrice Howe on 23 August 1916 at the Bank Street Methodist Church, Timaru. On 21 September 1916 he enlisted at Trentham, naming his wife as next-of-kin – Mrs E. B. Greenwood, care of Mrs W. M. Howe, “Ratana”, Rathmore Street, Timaru. Private Greenwood embarked for Plymouth, England, on 21 January 1917. A son, Arthur Albert Greenwood, was born on 9 May 1917 at Timaru. A. Greenwood suffered a gunshot wound to the left shoulder on 13 October 1917.

“Private messages have been received from the Base Records as follows: By Mrs Greenwood, Rathmore Street, that her husband. Private A. Greenwood, who left with 21st. Reinforcements, is reported missing and believed killed on April 5th. [Timaru Herald, 17 May 1918.] “News has been received that Private Albert Greenwood, who was reported as missing and believed to be killed, is a prisoner of war. The place is not stated. Private Greenwood, who lived in Dunedlin for mauy years prior to going on activo service, is a son of Mr B. Greenwood, foimerly of Hanover street and now residing at 222 King street.” [Otago Daily Times, 17 May 1918.]

“Mrs A. Greenwood, Rathmore Street, has received word from her husband, a prisoner of war in Germany, saying that he is well.” [Timaru Herald, 17 May 1918.] In mid-December 1918 it was reported that Albert Greenwood, previously a prisoner of war, had been repatriated. “Mrs A. Greenwood, Rathmore Street. Timaru. has received word that her husband, Private A. Greenwood, who was taken prisoner last March, has been released and has arrived at Dover. [Timaru Herald, 14 December 1918.] Albert Greenwood had been captured and taken as a German prisoner of war on 5 April 1918; he was released in Dover on 9 December 1918.

A. Greenwood, of Timaru, returned to New Zealand by the “Tainui” in April 1919. His intended address was 9 Craighead Street, Highfield, Timaru. He was discharged on 29 May 1919. Four more children were born to Albert and Eva at Timaru after his return, although one was stillborn. Albert Greenwood died on 23 September 1962 at Wellington, aged 83 years, He was buried at Timaru Cemetery with his wife who had died in 1941. His next-of-kin at death was his son, Mr L. H. Greenwood, Kitchener Square, Timaru. Albert Greenwood applied for replacement medals as he had lost his in the Opihi flood of February 1951. His hut had been washed away and all contents lost.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [14 June 2022]; School Admission records (Dunedin Branch NZSG) [15 June 2022]; Timaru Cemetery headstone image (Timaru District Council) [15 June 2022]; Timaru Herald, 17 May 1918, 26 August 1918, 14 December 1918, Otago Daily Times, 17 May 1918, Star, 16 April 1919 (Papers Past) [14 & 15 June 2022]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC branch NZSG

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.