My namesake, my Great Uncle Peter Prendergast lies buried in the Grevillers British Cemetery at Pas-de-Calais in France.
He died on 2nd October 1918 after being wounded at Puissieux-Au-Mont where many New Zealanders fell. Tragically this was only a month before the end of the war.
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| Uncle Peter's grave in France |
He was a bit of a larrikan, having been awarded a first Military Medal at Ploegsteert in April 1917. He wanted another so was later awarded a bar (second Military Medal) to go with his Miltary Medal. Had he survived he would have no doubt been disappointed as he had said to his mates that he was after a VC.
In New Zealand, growing up in Eiffelton in South Canterbury he was a tough farmer. He was strong and fit and a good boxer so guys would come from miles away to challenge him to a match, probably bare fists. He never lost.
Here is a link to the the report of his actions which resulted in winning the medals:
http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/Cenotaph/66201.detail?keywords=Prendergast%20Peter%20World%20War%20I,%201914-1918
This morning I attended the Armistace Day ceremony at the Auckland War Memorial Museum - the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. It was very moving. By coincidence I was standing in the World War One Sanctuary below Peter's name on the wall:
It wasn't far from another Great Uncle of mine Hector McDonald's name. He died at Gallipoli.
I never associate Armistace Day with my father who fought in the Second World War but in his memory I always attend the Anzac Day services which is funny as Anzac Day commemorates another WW1 event.
"Have you forgotten yet?
... Look up, and swear by the green of the spring that you'll never forget."
- Siegfried Sassoon.
1 comment:
yes we must remember. We had a couple of R Prowse's in WW1 in the British 14th cavalry.
Though I think the closest my granddad got to action was when they charged some Arabs who promptly took off in the opposite direction!
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