Charles Shelford
Born 22 Aug 1921 - Died 7 May 1984
- Service number
- 39159 AWMM
- Also known as
- Charlie AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
- WW2 Private AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, D Company AWMM
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 22 Aug 1921 AWMM
- Date of birth
- 22 August 1920Public - Brenda - Other Relative - 13 February 2015 - NZ Dictionary of Biography. His Army Personal File gives DOB as 22 August 1919 - he had added to his age to be eligible to enlist.
- Place of birth
- —
- Birth notes
- Son of Thomas & Ngakohu SHELFORDPublic - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 16 May 2026 - https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=226084780569422&set=gm.898650718623958&idorvanity=399298005225901
- Address before enlistment
- Pre 26 Jan 1940 AWMM Wainui Beach, Gisborne, New Zealand AWMM
- Post war occupation
- Drain layer/Civilian AWMM
- Next of kin
- Mrs Teowaina Shelford (mother), Tikitiki, New Zealand AWMM
- Relationship status
- Pre 08 Nov 1940 AWMM Single AWMM
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
- Campaign
- North Africa AWMM
- Italy AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Service number
- 39159 AWMM
- Military service
- 28 (Maori) Battalion, D Company AWMM
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
- —
Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) AWMM
I wish to recommend Pte. Shelford for an Immediate Award. During a night attack by this battalion on the 14 December 1941 the first line of positions at Gazala he showed outstanding heroism and courage. After the first entrenchments had been taken his section carried on with the Platoon Commander for a distance of 300 yards to a ridge. The Platoon Commander then discovered that his section was now isolated from the extreme left flank of the battalion and was being fired on from the right rear and from their left flank. Pte. Shelford volunteered to cover the 300 yards to the enemy firing from the rear and clean it out. Meanwhile the enemy on the left flank were sweeping the area with anti-tank guns, medium and light machine-guns as well as rifle fire. Notwithstanding the intensity of the enemy from his flank and his front Pte. Shelford covered the 300 yards walking and running and firing his Spandau machine-gun from his hip. When he was about 20 yards from the trench he was hit in rapid succession by 3 grenades in the legs. Badly wounded and dazed he attempted to bring the Spandau into action but that had been hit and and the butt smashed so even though he was suffering intense agony he threw a Mills bomb into the trench. This brought out the enemy and by this time his Platoon commander and section arrived and took charge of the prisoners. Altogether 4 officers and 36 O/R's came out of the trenches in the vicinity including the commander of the enemy positions. The surrender of the commander started the collapse of the entire position and ended the enemy resistance in that area. Pte. Shelford's conduct was outstanding even in action in which deeds of bravery Were numerous and in my opinion and the opinion of the Platoon Commander certainly merits the award requested. (L.G.24/2/1942) London Gazette 20 February 1942 During a night attack on 14 December 1941 he showed outstanding heroism and courage. Private Shelford volunteered to cover 300 yards to the enemy firing from the rear and clean it out. He covered the 300 yards under fire from anti tank guns, MMGs, LMGs and rifle fire, walking, running and firing. AWMM - 1939-1945 Star AWMM
- Africa Star (8th Army clasp) AWMM
- Italy Star AWMM
- Defence Medal AWMM
- War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
- New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
- Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) AWMM
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
- —
- Branch Trade Proficiency
- —
- Enlistment
- WW2 26 Jan 1940 AWMM Labourer/Civilian AWMM
- Age on enlistment
- —
- Occupation before enlistment
- —
Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW2 Private AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, C Company AWMM 4th Reinforcements AWMM
- WW2 Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM
2nd Embarkation AWMM
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
- —
- Days interned
- —
- Liberation date
- —
- POW liberation details
- —
- Liberation Repatriation
- —
- POW serial number
- —
Medical history
- Medical notes
- Height, Unknown Period AWMM
5 foot 10 1/2 inches AWMM - Eye colour, Unknown Period AWMM
Brown AWMM - Hair colour, Unknown Period AWMM
Black AWMM - Hospital Diseases , Wounds, WWII AWMM
Egypt, Camp Hospital 19-23 February 1941 AWMM - Hospital Diseases , Wounds, WWII AWMM
Hospitalised immediately after the Gazala incident with leg injuries AWMM - Accidental Death, Cause of Death AWMM
Killed as a pedestrian in a hit and run road accident AWMM
- Height, Unknown Period AWMM
Last known rank
- Last rank
- WW2 3 Feb 1945 AWMM
End of war AWMM
Private AWMM
28 (Maori) Battalion, D Company AWMM - Last rank
- —
Biographical information
- He was the son of Tame Shelford and Te Owaina Kirikiri Puihi of Tikitiki. Raised by Atareta and Paratene of Tikitiki
Married Lilias May (known as Maisie and Blue) Beazley in 1948
Aged 18 years at enlistment, as he increased his age by three years to enlist his military records have his birth date as 1918
Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal after the action at Gazala, Libya, North Africa. The recommending officer, 2nd Lieutenant Rangi Logan later recalled that he had actually recommended Shelford for the Victoria Cross. Feelings about this never really died away and were the subject of a newspaper report some 40 years later at the time of his tangi.
Was hospitalised after the Gazala episode as his legs were giving him trouble and was transferred to duties with transport as a driver initially for Rangi Logan and later delivering ammunition to distribution points close to the front line.
Described as a legendary figure for his exploits during service bravery, bucking authority and the rules, and for his success in collecting loot and booty for resale and trade.
Returned to New Zealand 31 October 1944 and discharged in February the following year having served 5 years 9 days
He was closely associated with the Newmarket Returned Servicemen’s Association. The club still holds an annual pool competition in which members compete for the Charlie Shelford trophy.
Closely associated with the Te Unga Waka Marae, Clyde Street, Epsom, Auckland; kaumatua and one of the first Maori Warden
Tangi held at the Te Unga Waka Marae AWMM - Documentary TV film of his life storyPublic - Brenda - Other Relative - 13 February 2015 - Maori TV. Telecast ANZAC DAY 2012.
To view the film go to www.ngataonga.org.nz/catalogues/
- He was the son of Tame Shelford and Te Owaina Kirikiri Puihi of Tikitiki. Raised by Atareta and Paratene of Tikitiki
About death
- Death
- 7 May 1984 AWMM
Age 63 AWMM - Date of death
- —
- Age at death
- —
- Place of death
- —
- Cause of death
- Accidental Death AWMM
- Death notes
- Coroner's Report available Archives New ZealandPublic - Brenda - Other Relative - 13 February 2015 - Archives New Zealand, Wellington
- Cemetery
- Mangere Public Cemetery, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
- Cemetery name
- —
- Grave reference
- —
- Obituary
- Death Notice: RSA Review Last Post AWMM
- Memorial name
- —
- Memorial reference
- —
Memorial
- Memorial name
- —
Sources
- External links
- Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.
http://www.dnzb.govt.nz
Sources Used - 28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945
http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/
Further Reference - Essay. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.
http://dnzb.govt.nz/dnzb/default.asp?Find_Quick.asp?PersonEssay=5S14
Further Reference - Wikidata Entity
http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q5082475
Further Reference - 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
Further Reference
- Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.
- References
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1941). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 3 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1940 to 31st March, 1941). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
WW2 3: WW2 430 - Awatere, A. (2003). Awatere : a soldier's story. Wellington, N.Z.: Huia.
- New Zealand Genealogist
Joyce, B. (2004). Charles Shelford. New Zealand genealogist. - RSA review: the official journal of the N.Z. Returned Services' Association
Death Notice: Last Post - Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
- Information kindly provided by family
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1941). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 3 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1940 to 31st March, 1941). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
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