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Topic: Samuel Pemberton (1893-1916)
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Tauranga carpenter Samuel Pemberton was killed in action in France on 17 September 1916.
Samuel Pemberton was born in Australia on 8 May 1893. His parents were Samuel and Mary Pemberton.
He worked as a carpenter in Tauranga and was a Hauraki Regiment Volunteer.
Samuel was engaged to be married to Dolly Ridley.
He enlisted on 14 August 1914 and served in the Auckland Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion (Service No. 12/439). His last rank was Sergeant.
He was killed in action in France on 17 September 1916, aged 23.
On 9 October 1916, fellow Tauranga solider Samuel James Keam wrote in a letter to his sisters and brothers:
“The parting is all the harder now because I got a telegram from Alice on Fri. saying that Sam Pemberton was killed in action. He was engaged to Dolly Ridley. Before he went their house was ready and there has been a good deal of furniture prepared as well. And now it is all crushed” (letter courtesy of the private collection of R&M Keam).
On 11 October 1916 the Bay of Plenty Times reported:
Cr Brown moved - That a letter of sympathy be forwarded to Cr Pemberton, expressing the Council's condolence with him in the loss he has sustained by the death of his son, Sergeant Samuel Pemberton, at the front. Cr Brown said Sergeant Pemberton's death was a very sad loss, not only to his parents and family, but to the country. He had known him for years and did not know of a finer type of young man. - The motion was seconded by Cr Castaing and passed in silence, all councillors standing. - The late sergeant S Pemberton, who was 23 years of age, was the youngest son of Mr S Pemberton. Prior to enlisting he was employed by his father. He was amongst the first to respond to the Empire's call and left Tauranga on August 13, 1914, joining the main body of the Expeditionary Force. He proceeded to Gallipoli. where he was wounded on May 1. He remained with his unit and was again wounded on May 8. He spent five months in hospital in Malta and again rejoined his unit before it proceeded to France. Apparently he escaped further injury until he was mortally wounded on September 17. The late Sergeant Pemberton was a keen athlete, and was well known as a wrestler, having taken first prize (gold medal) as champion middle weight wrestler, at Rotorua, when he was only 18 years of age. He spent two years in the Te Puke Mounted Rifles, and later was a member of the Te Puke Rifle Club. He joined the Territorials upon their establishment. He left New Zealand as a private, and after leaving Gallipoli was made Corporal. Soon after landing in France he was raised to the rank of sergeant. In giving his life for King, country, and freedom he has made the supreme sacrifice.
Sources:
Bay of Plenty Times (11 October 1916, p. 2).
Fiona Kean (Tauranga Heritage Collection).
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Hi Sharron, it comes from a letter that another Tauranga soldier sent home to his loved ones: On 9 October 1916, fellow Tauranga solider Samuel James Keam wrote in a letter to his sisters and brothers: “The parting is all the harder now because I got a telegram from Alice on Fri. saying that Sam Pemberton was killed in action. He was engaged to Dolly Ridley. Before he went their house was ready and there has been a good deal of furniture prepared as well. And now it is all crushed” (letter courtesy of the private collection of R&M Keam). We are also keen to know more about Samuel and his life - is there any information you might like to contribute that we could add to the page?
Posted on March 23rd, 2015 at 10:52 AM
Samuel Pemberton
Pemberton
Sharron
said Samuel's engagement to Dolly Ridley
This engagement is news to many in the Pemberton family. We would like to know more and would be happy to hear from whoever posted this information.