George Dittmer
I whānau mai i te 4 Jun 1893 - I mate atu i te 11 Aug 1979
- Nama Hōia
- WWI 12/335 AWMM
- WWII 6135 AWMM
- WWII 30281 AWMM
- Ingoa kārangaranga
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- Te Ope o Tū / te peka
- Army AWMM
- Te tūnga whakamutunga
- Inter War Major/Military AWMM Auckland Infantry Regiment AWMM
- WW2 Brigadier/Military AWMM Central Military District (CMD) AWMM
- Pakanga
E pā ana ki
- Taitara
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- Ngā ingoa tuatahi
- George AWMM
- Ingoa whānau
- Dittmer AWMM
- Ingoa
- —
- Ingoa kārangaranga
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- Nama Hōia
- WWI 12/335 AWMM
- WWII 6135 AWMM
- WWII 30281 AWMM
- Ira tangata
- Male AWMM
- Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
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- Pono
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Mātātuhi
Ngā tuhinga
Te whānautanga
- Whānautanga mai
- 4 Jun 1893 AWMM
- Rā i whānau mai ai
- —
- Wāhi Whānau
- Maharahara, H.B.Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 5 January 2024 - https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Dittmer-368
- Tuhinga mō te whānautanga
- Son of August Frederick & Mary DITTMERPublic - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 5 January 2024 - https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Dittmer-368
- Wāhi noho i mua i te whakaurunga
- Pre 11 Aug 1914 AWMM Rotorua, New Zealand AWMM
- 2 May 1940 AWMM Waimiha, New Zealand AWMM
- 4 Mar 1941 AWMM Waimiha, New Zealand AWMM
- 30 Aug 1943 AWMM Waimiha, New Zealand AWMM
- Mahi whai muri i te pakanga
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- Uri kiritahi
- Augustus Frederick Ferdinand Dittmer, Te Pu, Rotorua, New Zealand AWMM
- Mrs Leonie May Dittmer (wife), C/o Mr W. Dittmer, Waimiha, King Country, New Zealand AWMM
- Mrs Leonie May Dittmer (wife), C/o Mr W. Dittmer, Waimiha, King Country, New Zealand AWMM
- Mrs Leonie May Dittmer (wife), C/o G. Steggall, 80 Awapuni Road, Gisborne, East Coast, New Zealand AWMM
- Mēnā he hoa rangatira tōna
- Pre 16 Oct 1914 AWMM Single AWMM
- Pre 02 May 1940 AWMM Married AWMM
- 1919 George DITTMER married Leonie May DAVISPublic - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 5 January 2024 - NZ BDM Marriage records
Ngā pakanga me ngā whawhai
- Pakanga
- Kauhanga riri
- 1915-1916 AWMM Gallipoli AWMM
- France and Germany (TBC) AWMM
- Greece AWMM
- 1941 AWMM Crete AWMM
- North Africa AWMM
- Pacific Theatre of War AWMM
- 1918 AWMM Le Quesnoy AWMM
- 1917 AWMM Passchendaele AWMM
- Te Ope o Tū / te peka
- Army AWMM
- Nama Hōia
- WWI 12/335 AWMM
- WWII 6135 AWMM
- WWII 30281 AWMM
- Urunga ki te ope taua
- Delta Company, Hauraki Regiment AWMM
- No. 1 New Zealand Entrenching Battalion, WW1 AWMM
- Whakapikinga / Tukunga / Whakawhitinga
- Fiji Defence Force AWMM
Ngā tohu taumata rau ope taua
- Mētara me ngā Tohu
- Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) AWMM
- Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) AWMM
Citation for Distinguished Service Order (DSO): "For gallant leadership. This officer commanded the 28th (Maori) Battalion and in both Greece and Crete rendered conspicuous service to the Division. In Greece his Battalion held a line 5000 yards in length and was attacked along the whole of its length. Despite the fact that its line was penetrated at several points the unit made a series of determined counterattacks, restored the position, and then made its withdrawal. The success was due to the leadership of Lt Col Dittmer. In the operations in Crete the 28th Battalion established a proud record. It counter attacked the enemy on at least five occasions; inflicting heavy losses each time. It took the largest share of the rearguard work and right to the end asserted its superiority over the enemy on the ground, and in every one of its engagements was led by its commanding officer, Lt Col Dittmer." (New Zealand Gazette, 21 September 1944) AWMM - Military Cross (MC) AWMM
Citation for Military Cross (MC): "Period: 21 September 1916 to 28 February 1917. This officer left N.Z. as a Private. He has the best record for steady service in the Battalion, he has never been absent for a day save on duty or leave. No action of his stands out vividly as an example of steady bravery in action, and daily punctual devotion to duty. After September he commanded his company at the Somme." (London Gazette, 4 June 1917, p. 5486, Rec. No. 680) AWMM - 1914-1915 Star AWMM
- British War Medal (1914-1920) AWMM
- Victory Medal AWMM
- 1939-1945 Star AWMM
- Africa Star AWMM
- Pacific Star AWMM
- Defence Medal AWMM
- War Medal 1939-1945 with oak leaf AWMM
- New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
- New Zealand Long and Efficient Service Medal AWMM
- New Zealand Territorial Service Medal AWMM
- Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) (Military) AWMM
- Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) AWMM
Te Whakangungu me te Urunga atu
- Whakangungu ope taua
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- Branch Trade Proficiency
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- Te urunga
- WW1 11 Aug 1914 AWMM
Age 21 AWMM - WW2 Officer/Civilian AWMM
- WW2 Officer/Civilian AWMM
- WW2 Soldier/Military AWMM
- WW1 11 Aug 1914 AWMM
- Pakeke i te whakaurunga
- —
- Mahi i mua i te ekenga waka
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Te maha o ngā ekenga waka
- Taipitopito ekenga waka
- WW1 16 Oct 1914-03 Dec 1914 AWMM
HMNZT 8 or HMNZT 12 AWMM Vessel was Star of India or Waimana AWMM Sergeant AWMM Auckland Infantry Battalion AWMM Main Body AWMM - WW2 Vessel was Aquitania AWMM Lieutenant Colonel/Military AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, Headquarters AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Second Echelon AWMM
2nd Embarkation AWMM - WW2 Brigadier/Military AWMM Infantry Brigade AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM
3rd Embarkation AWMM - WW2 Brigadier/Military AWMM New Zealand Infantry Brigade, Headquarters AWMM
4th Embarkation AWMM
- WW1 16 Oct 1914-03 Dec 1914 AWMM
Mauhere o te pakanga
- Kia mau ki ngā taipitopito
- WW2
28 Nov 1941 AWMM
Captured whilst being treated for his wound at a New Zealand medical centre near Sidi Rezegh. AWMM - Ngā rā i mauherehia ai
- —
- Rā i puta ai
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- Ngā kōrero mō te puta i te mauhere pakanga
- —
- Te rā i whakahokia atu ngā hōia i mauherehia ai
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- Nama motuhake mō te mauhere pakanga
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Whakapapa hauora
- Tuhinga hauora
- Hospital Diseases , Wounds, WWII AWMM
Wounded (shell fragment in back) on 23 November 1941, in Libya. AWMM
Te tūnga whakamutunga e mōhiotia ana
- Te tūnga whakamutunga
- Inter War 13 May 1919 AWMM Major/Military AWMM
Auckland Infantry Regiment AWMM - WW2 Unknown AWMM Brigadier/Military AWMM
Central Military District (CMD) AWMM
- Inter War 13 May 1919 AWMM Major/Military AWMM
- Te tūnga whakamutunga
- —
Kōrero taurongo
- Son of Augustus Frederick Ferdinand Dittmer and Mary Dittmer.
Husband of Leonie Mat Dittmer (nee Davis)
Gained Second Lieutenant's commission on 31 May 1915 (Studholme 1928).
Served with the Auckland Battalion at Gallipoli (McGibbon 2000).
Promoted to rank of Captain on 15 March 1917 (Studholme 1928).
Officer Commanding of 1st New Zealand Entrenching Battalion.
Obtained a commission in the New Zealand Staff Corps after WW1
Commanding Officer of 28th (Maori) Battalion from November 1939, to February 1942.
Commander of 1st Infantry Brigade (in New Zealand) from April 1942, to August 1943.
Commander of 1st Division (in New Zealand) from August 1942, to January 1943.
Fiji Military Forces and Fiji Infantry Brigade Group, September 1943-November 1945; Camp Commandant, Papakura Military Camp, 1946; Commandant, Central Military District, 1946–48.
Commander Central Military District
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George Dittmer - 1893-1979
George was the 6th child of 13 children born to August Dittmer originally from Germany and Mary King from Scotland. . He was one of the first 3 boys from Rotorua to enlist in1915. He went away as a private but after being mentioned in dispatches and receiving an MC, he was made a sergeant and by the end of WW1 he was a lieutenant colonel. During some of this time, he had his brother as a batman. One of his promotions made him the first Commanding Officer of the 28th Maori Battalion. He also served in WW2 and by the end of his service, he was a General.
On his return from overseas, he married Leonie May Davis on Christmas Eve 1919 at St Andrews Church and they journeyed to Auckland for their honeymoon.
In the Birthday Honours of June 1935 he was given an MBE.
Above biography was transcribed, researched and written by Margaret Nash of Panmure Branch of NZSG
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George Dittmer’s two siblings Agnes Hayden and Rose Turner (nee Dittmer) are also buried with their parents at the Kauae Cemetery, Ngongotaha, Rotorua (Public source, RDC cemetery records, 7/ 2015)
George's wife Leonie is also buried at the Kauae Cemetery, Ngongotaha, Rotorua.(RDC Cemetery records, 7/2015) AWMM
Te matenga
- Matenga
- 11 Aug 1979 AWMM
Age 86 AWMM - Rā i mate ai
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- Pakeke i te matenga
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- Wāhi Mate
- —
- Te momo matenga
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- Tuhipoka mō te matenga
- —
- Urupā
- Kauae Cemetery, Ngongotaha, Rotorua, New Zealand AWMM Block 14 Section R49 Plot 2 AWMM
- Ingoa o te urupā
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- Tohutoro kōhatu urupā
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- Pānui Matenga
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- Ingoa maumaharatanga
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- Tohutoro maumaharatanga
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Maumaharatanga
- Ingoa maumaharatanga
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Mea e whai hononga ai
Ngā mātāwai
- Hononga ki waho
- Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington: Dept. of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. Digital copy.
https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/webarchive/20210104000423/http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Maor.html
Sources Used - Rotorua District cemetery records
http://www.rdc.govt.nz/our-services/cemetery-services/Onlincemeterysearch/Pages/default.aspx
Sources Used - Military personnel file
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R24055834
Further Reference - New Zealand Electronic Text Collection topic page
http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/name-009310.html
Further Reference - Woodville Pioneer Museum, 1079 McLean Street, Woodville
http://www.nzmuseums.co.nz/account/3100
Further Reference - 28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945.
http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/
Further Reference - Papers Past
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19430930.2.85?query=fiji%20defence%20force
Further Reference
- Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington: Dept. of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. Digital copy.
- Ngā tuhinga
- Macdonald, L. (1978). Passchendaele : the story of the third Battle of Ypres 1917. London : Penguin Books.
- Harper, G. (2000). Massacre at Passchendaele : the New Zealand story. Auckland, N.Z.: HarperCollins.
- Haigh, J., Polaschek, A. (Eds.). (1993). New Zealand and the Distinguished Service Order. Christchurch, N.Z.: Authors.
- McGibbon, I. (Ed.). (2000). The Oxford companion to New Zealand military history. Auckland, N.Z.: Oxford University Press.
- Studholme, J. (1928). New Zealand Expeditionary Force record of personal services during the war of officers, nurses, and first-class warrant officers, and other facts relating to the N.Z.E.F. : unofficial but based on official records. Wellington, N.Z.: Government Printer.
- New Zealand Army Expeditionary Force. (1914-1919). Nominal Rolls of New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Volume I. Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
Vol1: 189 - Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1941). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 2 (Embarkations to 30th June, 1940). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
WW2 2: WW2 51 - Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 12 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1943 to 31st December, 1943). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
WW2 12: WW2 51 - Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 15 (Embarkations from 1st January, 1945 to 31st December, 1945). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
WW2 15: WW2 40 - Dittmer, George. Miscellaneous papers, 1925 - 1975. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS-98/31.
- McDonald, W. (2001). Honours and awards to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Great War, 1914-1918. Napier, N.Z.: Helen McDonald.
McDonald, W. (2001). p. 85. - Studholme, J. (1928). New Zealand Expeditionary Force record of personal services during the war of officers, nurses, and first-class warrant officers, and other facts relating to the N.Z.E.F. : unofficial but based on official records. Wellington, N.Z.: Government Printer.
Studholme, J. (1928). p. 147 - Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
Cody, J. (1956). pp. 177-178 - Beattie, P.J. & Pomeroy, M. (2013-2020). Onward : portraits of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (vols 1-5). Auckland, New Zealand: Fair Dinkum Publications
Vol. 2: Includes portrait - The Le Quesnoy Campaign research was undertaken by the New Zealand Society of Genealogists as part of the development of New Zealand Liberation Museum - Te Arawhata (Le Quesnoy France). This research project was led by CJ Barbour (NZSG), BI Silvester, HH Farrant (NZMHS) with the support of NZSG volunteers (2022). The individuals included in this research dataset were identified as potentially having served in or around the wider Le Quesnoy campaign. Their presence at Le Quesnoy has not been individually verified in every case.
- McDonald, W. (2013). Honours and Awards to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Great War, 1914-1918. (3rd ed.). Hamilton, N.Z.: Richard Stowers.
- Mason, W.W. (1954) Prisoners of war. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
- McClymont, W. (1959). To Greece. Wellington, N.Z.: Department Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
- Waite, F. (1919). The New Zealanders at Gallipoli. Auckland, N.Z.: Printed and published under Authority of the New Zealand Government by Whitcombe & Tombs.
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