BRIGGS, Norman William
Born 1 February 1890; died 14 November 1918; buried 16 November 1918; age 29.
Norman was born on 1 February 1890 in Edgbaston, Warwickshire, England and baptised on 9 March 1890 in St Thomas’s Parish Church, Birmingham. His parents were William BRIGGS, a blacksmith, and Flora Selina HUTCHINGS. Norman had one sister, Mabel (1894-1944) and one brother, John Graham (1896-1975).
By the time World War 1 started Norman had left England, and in 1915, when he enlisted with the NZ Expeditionary Force, he stated he was working as a “housekeeper” for the Australasian United Steam Navigation Company, out of Brisbane, and he gave an Auckland address as a contact. Norman was medically examined and passed as fit, but for some reason was later discharged as unfit.
In 1917 he was balloted, and enlisted again accordingly. This time he was working as a ship’s steward for the Union Steamship Company on the SS Navua. He was single, and he gave the address of Mrs Vickery, 64 Hill Street, Wellington He also recorded his next-of-kin contact as his mother Flora, living in Beech Lane, Birmingham. This time he was found to be medically fit for home service.
His military personnel file at National Archive NZ provides no further information about Norman’s activities from November 1917.
When Norman became ill in November 1918 he was taken to St John’s Temporary Hospital, and died there on 14 November 1918. His death certificate recorded his residence as 45 Waterloo Avenue, which is probably incorrect and may have referred to a hostel for seamen of some kind, perhaps on Waterloo Quay, close to the wharves.
Norman was buried in the Anglican section of Karori Cemetery on 16 November 1918. His plot was never paid for, and no grave structure, headstone or plaque was ever provided. In 1969 or 1970 his plot was amongst those offered for sale (the cemetery “closed” in 1965 and there were no new plots available) and Norman’s remains would have been disinterred and re-interred in the area behind the plot. The plot was purchased and is now owned by a family who have had a plaque and statue erected on the site.
Researched and written by Beverley Hamlin
Grave Information:
Section: CH ENG2
Plot: 41 E
Sources:
1. Karori Cemetery database – www.wellington.govt.nz › Services › Community & culture › Cemeteries
2. Briggs Family information – www.ancestry.co.uk
3. World War I records – www. archway.archives.govt.nz
Born 1 February 1890; died 14 November 1918; buried 16 November 1918; age 29.
Norman was born on 1 February 1890 in Edgbaston, Warwickshire, England and baptised on 9 March 1890 in St Thomas’s Parish Church, Birmingham. His parents were William BRIGGS, a blacksmith, and Flora Selina HUTCHINGS. Norman had one sister, Mabel (1894-1944) and one brother, John Graham (1896-1975).
By the time World War 1 started Norman had left England, and in 1915, when he enlisted with the NZ Expeditionary Force, he stated he was working as a “housekeeper” for the Australasian United Steam Navigation Company, out of Brisbane, and he gave an Auckland address as a contact. Norman was medically examined and passed as fit, but for some reason was later discharged as unfit.
In 1917 he was balloted, and enlisted again accordingly. This time he was working as a ship’s steward for the Union Steamship Company on the SS Navua. He was single, and he gave the address of Mrs Vickery, 64 Hill Street, Wellington He also recorded his next-of-kin contact as his mother Flora, living in Beech Lane, Birmingham. This time he was found to be medically fit for home service.
His military personnel file at National Archive NZ provides no further information about Norman’s activities from November 1917.
When Norman became ill in November 1918 he was taken to St John’s Temporary Hospital, and died there on 14 November 1918. His death certificate recorded his residence as 45 Waterloo Avenue, which is probably incorrect and may have referred to a hostel for seamen of some kind, perhaps on Waterloo Quay, close to the wharves.
Norman was buried in the Anglican section of Karori Cemetery on 16 November 1918. His plot was never paid for, and no grave structure, headstone or plaque was ever provided. In 1969 or 1970 his plot was amongst those offered for sale (the cemetery “closed” in 1965 and there were no new plots available) and Norman’s remains would have been disinterred and re-interred in the area behind the plot. The plot was purchased and is now owned by a family who have had a plaque and statue erected on the site.
Researched and written by Beverley Hamlin
Grave Information:
Section: CH ENG2
Plot: 41 E
Sources:
1. Karori Cemetery database – www.wellington.govt.nz › Services › Community & culture › Cemeteries
2. Briggs Family information – www.ancestry.co.uk
3. World War I records – www. archway.archives.govt.nz