Charles Lewis Zimmerman

Born 21 Dec 1917 - Died 18 Dec 1944

Service number: 13912 AWMM
Also known as: —
Armed force / branch: Army AWMM
Last rank: Trooper AWMM 18 Armoured Regiment AWMM
War: World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM

Charles Lewis Zimmerman — Portrait, Weekly News - This image may be subject to copyright

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Biographical information

Golden Bay WW2 soldier - killed in action - Remembered:
Trooper Charles L. Zimmerman # 13912 : 18th Armoured (Tank) Regiment, NZ Army 2NZEF.
Born 1917 at Whangaroa, Northland. Son of Maidie (born Whangaroa) and Bernard (born Taranaki) Zimmerman - of Ponsonby, Auckland.
Prior to war service Charles - who was known as Charlie - was employed as a Farmer on the property of Mrs W.J. Reilly, Rural Delivery, Takaka.
Charles enlisted, for war service, in the early months of the war. After his military training was completed, at New Zealand, he was shipped out of his home country for overseas war service.
In early 1940 Charles was posted to the 18th (NZ) Battalion - then an Infantry Battalion - which was a part of the 2nd New Zealand Division 2NZEF.
The 18th (NZ) Infantry Battalion saw war service in Greece, Crete, North Africa including El Alamein and Italy including Monte Cassino.
In October 1943 the Battalion was converted to an Armoured (Tank) Regiment. The Battalion used Sherman Tanks.
The Armoured Regiment spent a year in Egypt training with the Sherman tanks - before embarking for war service in the Italian Campaign.
Charles gained the reputation, within his regiment, as a fearless and courageous soldier.
On 6 April 1944 Charles was awarded the Military Medal (MM) for Bravery in Action - at Sangro River, Italy. (London Gazette : 6 April 1944; Page 1558).
In the last 3 months of 1944 the 18th Armoured Regiment were in the Rimini-Forli-Faenza Sector (Italy) - where atrocious winter weather conditions made life very difficult - with heavy rain, bitter cold and deep mud - which hindered the movements of the heavy steel Sherman tanks.
On 18 December 1944 Charles was mortally wounded by German weapons fire. He died whilst being transported to an Army Medical Unit. He was 26 years of age.
On 1 January 1945 the Padre of the 18th Armoured Regiment, Rev. R.M (Pat) Gourdie wrote to Charles's mother Maidie, at Auckland.
"There will be no need to tell you of his ability as a Soldier and his Decoration for Gallantry (bravery) for his work at the Sangro River, Italy speaks volumes about him.. I think he was the most fearless man I have ever met. Padre Gourdie continued : "He was one of the old 18th (NZ Infantry Battalion) - and he was full of character and personality..and it seems so hard that one who has seen so much campaigning (battles of war) - and was due for return to New Zealand should have perished".
Charles's award for Bravery - the Military Medal - was presented to his mother Maidie Zimmerman - at Auckland after his death at Italy.
Trooper Charles L. Zimmerman is remembered on the Takaka War Memorial, Tasman District.

Public - Jenifer - Researcher - 24 August 2026 - Research and Probate of Will of Trooper Charles L. Zimmerman (NZ Archives).

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Charles Lewis Zimmerman