Alfred Bregmen, son of Edward Bregmen of Rangiriri, enlisted with the Auckland Mounted Rifles but was later transferred to the 2nd Battalion Auckland Infantry Regiment at Moascar in March 1916. He left New Zealand with the 8th Reinforcements in November 1915. After 2 years 233 days overseas service (and 166 days in New Zealand) Alfred Bregmen was discharged on 31.12.1918, “no longer fit for service”. Alfred suffered from gas poisoning, initially experienced on 25 June 1917 during the later stages of the Battle of Messines. His gas poisoning was followed by measles and neuralgia, but it was the gas which had a lasting effect, and on his return to New Zealand he went before a Medical Board which reported that he would likely continue to suffer the effects for a minimum of 12 months.