Great War Third Battle of Ypres casualty British War Medal awarded to Private. R. Birrell, 2nd Battalion, Otago Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force who saw service during the later stages of the Battle of the Somme suffering a gun shot wound to the right forearm and neck on 1st October 1916. Having recovered in the UK, he would return to France and later died of wounds on 12th December 1917. He is buried in Menin Road South Military Cemetery,
British War Medal 1914-1919; (11207 PTE. R. BIRRELL. N.Z.E.F.)
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
Robert Birrell a farm labourer, gave his address as 2 Monor Place, Dunedin, New Zealand. He joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on 13th January 1916 and proceeded after training to Alexandria, arriving in Egypt on 26th July 1916, he landed in France and proceeded to Etaples on the 5th September 1916. He was admitted to the 36th Casualty Clearing Station on the 1st October 1916 with a gun shot wound to the right forearm and neck, and was returned to the UK where he recovered in No. 2 War Hospital in Birmingham>
He would return to France on 1st March, where he would posted to the 2nd Battalion, Otago Regiment on 20th March 1917, and would later die of wounds on 12th December 1917 at No.3 New Zealand Field Ambulance. He is buried in Menin Road South Military Cemetery.
