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Cenotaph record

Lionel William Roy Funnell

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copy of transcript for military medal supplied after returning to NZ

copy of transcript

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Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    Lionel William Roy AWMM
  • Surname
    Funnell AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
    WWII 80178 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    28 October 1918 AWMM Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    WW2 Pre 1943 AWMM Oroua Downs, Foxton AWMM
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    WW2 Mrs. E.E. Funnell, Oroua Downs, Foxton (m) AWMM
  • Relationship status

Service

Wars and conflicts

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  • War
    World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
  • Campaign
  • Armed force / branch
    Army AWMM
  • Service number
    WWII 80178 AWMM
  • Military service
  • Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Military decorations

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Training and Enlistment

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  • Military training
  • Branch Trade Proficiency
  • Enlistment
    WW2 Farmer/Civilian AWMM
  • Occupation before enlistment
  • Age on enlistment

Embarkations

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  • Embarkation details
    WW2 Sapper AWMM

Prisoner of war

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  • Capture details
  • Days interned
  • Liberation date
  • Liberation Repatriation
  • POW liberation details
  • POW serial number

Medical history

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  • Medical notes

Last known rank

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  • Last rank

Biographical information

Biographical information

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    • Sergeant L. W. R. Funnell, MM; Palmerston North; born Palmerston North, 28 Oct 1918; farmer. (Source: Cody, J.F. NZ Engineers, Middle East. p.626.)

      'There was only one action of any magnitude; Empoli was the last enemy strongpoint and 5 Brigade was ordered to clean it up. There was the usual checking of routes for the tanks, clearing fallen trees and filling of demolitions by 7 Field Company during the operation, which began at midnight on 11 August with the occupation of surrounding villages and ended three nights later with the clearance of Empoli itself.

      The relief of the Division by 85 US Division began on the night 14–15 August and was completed the following night as far as the engineer units were concerned. The companies moved back to the Castellina area near Siena for a spell.

      In due course two more Military Medals were awarded to sappers: to Sergeant Day for devotion to duty and disregard for his own safety, and to Sapper Funnell for minesweeping under aimed fire. ' (Source: Cody, J.F. NZ Engineers, Middle East. p. 626.) AWMM
    • Excerpt from diary of LWR Funnell -
      Wednesday, August 2nd 1944

      "Joined the boss this evening at surbaya (Sp.???; can’t find as a place name, but has been confirmed by owners of Villa Tattoli to be Cerbaia, south of Florence; Keith Funnell), where they have been in the castle of a Count (confirmed as Villa Tattoli by owners; Keith Funnell). Went in with Infantry support under barrage from La Romola (near Florence, Keith Funnell) met no mines, a bit of spandau fire which the Infantry dealt with, our biggest trouble was our 25s falling short. had to wait ¾ hour for it to lift, three Infantry chaps were wounded when one fell on the road behind us. About 4:15 we came against a house with Jerry snipers in it, and fortified by spandau fire. The tanks went forward and shot it up, the Jerries gave in, surrendered, the Armour were successful in taking this objective so things went off well, although presenting some scary, awkward moments." Public - Keith - Child - 7 February 2017 - Diary of Lionel William Roy Funnell, 2nd August, 1944
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Death

About death

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  • Death
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name

Roll of Honour

Remember Lionel William Roy Funnell by laying a poppy.

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Leave a tribute or memory of Lionel William Roy Funnell

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  • You frequently pop into my mind, and none more so today 27/6/20 when a stranger turned up at my sister's home with your personal watch, inscribed with your initials and military ID number (80178) and dated 1944. A year when you were mainly on the West Coast of Italy, including Cassino, Rome, and up to Florence. Just how you were parted from this watch remains unknown, but it was found in a curiosity shop by someone who used this cenotaph website to track down your family after searching for a decade or more. A nice keep sake to reflect upon, and thank you to Mr Hallett our compassionate stranger.
    Public - Keith - Child - 28 June 2020
    Report 
  • TODAY (24 May 2017) I REMEMBER my dad, Lionel William Roy Funnell, and all those brave young men and women who fought in WWI & II and wars that followed. I have just started to read my Dad's Diary from WWII for the first time. In 4 weeks time we (my brothers and I) are going to trace some of his journey through the Tuscany region where we are attending a family wedding. As I read his daily entries of being in a war zone it is hard to believe he came home after such a surreal experience and became the loving father who gave us such a wonderful start in life. Love you Dad know you will be looking down on us as we walk some of your journey in May. https://www.dropbox.com/s/mi8wsrn2nfr4teb/Transcript%20of%20War%20Diary%20of%20Lionel%20William%20Roy%20Funnell.docx?dl=0
    Public - Gail Eleanor - Child - 25 April 2017
    Report 

Sources

Sources

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  • External links
  • References
    • Cody, J.F. (1961). New Zealand Engineers, Middle East. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM
      p.626. AWMM
    • Dawson, W. (1961). 18 Battalion and Armoured Regiment. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM
      pp.3, 9, 183. AWMM
    • Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 11 (Embarkations from 1st April, 1943 to 30th June, 1943). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM
      p.45 AWMM

Contributors

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DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
28 June 2020KeithPalmerston North, New ZealandChild
25 April 2017Gail EleanorKopane, Manawatu, New ZealandChild
07 February 2017KeithPalmerston North, NZChild

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