Occupation: Tanner Labourer at Hirst & Company, Kaiwarawara, Wellington
John's parents were William Lowe McLeod Rankin and Rachael Caroline Holmes of Ngaio, Wellington, NZ.
John 's interest in the army began as a volunteer in the 5th (Wellington Rifles) Regiment in Crofton Downs. He enlisted on 5 May 1917, aged 23. Training commenced at Featherston and Trentham Camps where he was promoted briefly to Lance Corporal. He left for Europe with the 31st Reinforcements on HMNZT Tahiti (97) leaving Wellington on 17 November, and arriving in Liverpool, England, on 7 January 1918.
At Sling he joined the Reserve Battalions of the Canterbury Regiment for advanced training in preparation to join the front lines. On 19 March the reinforcements left for France, arriving at the camp at Etaples on 24 March. He joined the Battalion in the field on 28 March at crucial time in the war.
On 21 March the Germans began their Spring Offensive to push back into France, gaining ground between Arras and Hedauville. Reinforcements were brought in to fill in gaps at the front from the 24 March. The New Zealand Divisions defending the line in their sector of the Somme endured the fighting but at great cost. A constant barrage of heavy artillery and gas shells, amid days of rain and cold weather, took it's toll of casualties. More German attacks happened between April to July before they were pushed back.
On 12 May, John Rankin received a bullet wound in his right leg and buttock. He was taken to the field ambulance station for immediate attention. The next day he went to Doullens, then on to the No 9 General Hospital in Rouen, France on the 15th where he had surgery. After 12 days of recovery he was taken to Trouville for the next 6 weeks to convalesce. Now fully mended he began retraining at Le Havre and Etaples. He rejoined his Regiment on 28 August 1918 to see out the final months of the war.
He returned to England on 31 May from Plymouth on board the troop ship Kagoma (262), and arriving back in New Zealand on 15 July 1919.
At the beginning of WW2 John re-enlisted for the Home Service, spending his time in the Wellington region. In December 1943 he was awarded the NZ Service Medal. He was discharged in December 1945.
John remained single until 1947 when he met Daisy Lily Nile Ruffell. They were married in 1927 and lived in Ngaio, Wellington. Daisy, originally from Canterbury, had been previously married and divorced in 1929. Daisy had no chidren in either marriage.
After Daisy died John lived at the Hotel Trocadero in Wellington for a while, then moved to the Home for War Veterans in Levin until his death in 1952.
Public - Stephen - Other relative - 10 April 2022 - Family research, Military papers, on-line research.