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Cenotaph record

Wilson George Handley

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Portrait, Mr Handley taken while he was serving in the Army - This image may be subject to copyright

Portrait, Mr Handley taken while he was serving in the Army - This image may be subject to copyright …

Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    Wilson George AWMM
  • Surname
    Handley AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
    WWII 1396 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion
    Church of England, Christian AWMM

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    28 December 1913 AWMM Whanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    WW2 Pre 15 September 1939 AWMM Maxwell, New Zealand AWMM
  • Post war occupation
    Farmer/Civilian AWMM
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    WW2 Mrs Ida Ruth Handley (wife), 43 Ingestre Street, Wanganui, New Zealand AWMM
  • Relationship status
    Pre 5 January 1940 AWMM Married AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

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  • War
    World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
  • Campaign
    • Greece AWMM
    • 1941 Crete AWMM
    • North Africa AWMM
  • Armed force / branch
    Army AWMM
  • Service number
    WWII 1396 AWMM
  • Military service
    Territorials (1931-1955) AWMM
  • Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Military Cross (MC) AWMM
      17 June 1943 AWMM
      'Leading his squadron of Stuart Tanks and Bren Carriers with great vigour at BUNGEM Road on 15 December 1942 Captain Handley outflanked the enemy's position, and during an engagement, by skilfully handling his squadron, succeeded in making the enemy retire on their flank. He personally went forward and organised his squadron and directed an attack on a 75mm and MG position. The gun was destroyed and the crew killed, the others in the position were forced to retire, suffering heavy casualties.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Handley, Wilson George. (Ref. WO 373/25/93). Military Cross. AWMM
    • 1939-1945 Star AWMM
    • Africa Star (8th Army clasp) AWMM
    • Defence Medal AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
    • Efficiency Decoration and 2 bars (ED**) AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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Embarkations

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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
    • Hospital Diseases , Wounds, WWII AWMM
      Injured 15 January 1943 AWMM
    • Died of Disease, Cause of Death AWMM
      Cancer of pancreas and renal failure AWMM

Last known rank

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Biographical information

Biographical information

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  • Husband of Ida Ruth Handley died 28 September 1998.

    Enlisted in the Territorials on 1 June 1931

    He was married for 10 days [before enlisting]

    Service in New Zealand 225 days (2 October 1939-4 January 1940, and 13 July 1943-18 December 1943)

    Service overseas 3 years and 189 days (5 January 1940-12 July 1943)

    Mr Handley served on the Waitotara County Council for a total of 18 years. He was county chairman from 1974 until he stepped down from the post in 1982 and retired in 1983 . He was also a member of the Wanganui Senior Lions Club including being president.

    Maj W. G. Handley, MC, ED and bar; Wanganui; born Maxwell, 28 Dec 1913; farmer; wounded 15 Jan 1943. (Source: Loughnan, R.J.M. Divisional Cavalry. p.192.) AWMM
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Death

About death

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  • Death
    14 February 1987 AWMM
    Age 73 AWMM
    Wanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
    Died of Disease AWMM
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
    Aramoho Cemetery, Wanganui, New Zealand AWMM Block B, Row 8, Plot 273 AWMM
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
    HANDLEY, Wilson George: On February 14, 1987 at Wanganui, dearly loved husband of Ida, loved father and father-in-law of Sue and Richard Walkinton, Richard and Gini, Paul and Christobel, Robert and Juliette, Viv and the late Graham and loved "Wiri" of all his grandchildren. No flowers please. In lieu, donations to the NZ Neurological Foundation Inc., PO Box 391, Wanganui would be appreciated. A service will be held in Christ Church, Wicksteed Street, Wanganui on Tuesday, February 17, 1987 at 2pm followed by private cremation. Alex Hird Ltd, FDANZ, 179 Ingestre Street, Wanganui

    Mrs Ida Ruth Handley, wife of Wilson Handley died on 28 September 1998. The third photo attached to this record is of Ida and Wilson at their engagement. It was reproduced on the card the family sent out after her funeral.

    Obituary appeared in the Wanganui Chronicle, 17 February 1987.

    Members of the above Association and all ex service personnel are invited to attend the funeral of their late comrade Wilson George Handley, Reg. No 1396, MC, ED, Major Div, Cav. 39/45

    RSA AWMM
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name

Roll of Honour

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Sources

Sources

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  • External links
    • Loughnan, R. (1963). Divisional Cavalry. Wellington, Dept. of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. Digital copy
      http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2DiCa.html
      Further Reference
    • 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.' (London Gazette, 17 June 1943, p.2760.). Military Cross.
      http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36057/supplements/2760
      Further Reference
    • 'Leading his squadron of Stuart Tanks and Bren Carriers with great vigour at BUNGEM Road on 15 December 1942 Captain Handley outflanked the enemy's position, and during an engagement, by skilfully handling his squadron, succeeded in making the enemy retire on their flank. He personally went forward and organised his squadron and directed an attack on a 75mm and MG position. The gun was destroyed and the crew killed, the others in the position were forced to retire, suffering heavy casualties.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Handley, Wilson George. (Ref. WO 373/25/93). Military Cross.
      http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7361312
      Further Reference
  • References
    • Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1941). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 1 (Embarkations to 31st March, 1940). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM
      WW2 1: WW2 74 AWMM
    • RSA review: the official journal of the N.Z. Returned Services' Association AWMM
    • Wanganui Chronicle AWMM
      "Members of the above Association and all ex service personnel are invited to attend the funeral of their late comrade Wilson George Handley, Reg. No 1396, MC, ED, Major Div, Cav. 39/45 " AWMM
    • Loughnan, R. (1963). Divisional Cavalry. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM
      pp.192, 209, 228, 240, 257–8. AWMM
    • Loughnan, R. (1963). Divisional Cavalry. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM
    • Information kindly provided by family AWMM

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