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Cenotaph record

William John Cullen Andrews

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Portrait, Weekly News - This image may be subject to copyright

Portrait, Weekly News - This image may be subject to copyright

Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    William John Cullen AWMM
  • Surname
    Andrews AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
    WWII 12538 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    1907 AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    WW2 Unknown AWMM Renwicktown, Marlborough, New Zealand AWMM
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    WW2 Mr Hugh J. Andrews (father), Kekerangu, Marlborough, New Zealand AWMM
  • Relationship status
    Unknown AWMM Single AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

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  • War
    World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
  • Campaign
    Sinai & Palestine AWMM
  • Armed force / branch
    Army AWMM
  • Service number
    WWII 12538 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 Unknown AWMM Transport driver/Civilian AWMM
  • Occupation before enlistment
  • Age on enlistment

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
    Accidental Death, Cause of Death AWMM
    Accidentally killed on active service AWMM

Last known rank

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Biographical information

Biographical information

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    • Son of Hugh and Annie Andrews (nee Jones), of Havelock, Marlborough.

      "For the regiment the manoeuvres began on a tragic note with a shooting accident. In the early hours of 21 May, Trooper Andrews was accidentally shot with a pistol and later died. He was given a military funeral at Ras Baalbek." (Loughnan 1963) AWMM
    • 31630 apt. J.L Rayner
      Div. Cap. Regt NZEF
      Middle East Forces
      3rd June 1942

      Dear Mrs Brownlee
      I am writing to give you a few more details about Bill Andrews death. I presume that the army has already advised you by telegram, but you probably wish for little more information. ‘It was one of these unfortunate accidents which will happen despite all precautions which we take regarding weapons.
      The squadron was out in the Syrian desert on exercise. We had put our vehicles in the usual tight little circle as a protection against wandering Arabic tribes. It was dark and one of the boys was cleaning his pistol preparatory to going on guard. Through some unexplained accident the pistol was discharged, and the bullet lodged in Bills chest. Despite the doctor’s efforts Bill died some hours later. He did not have a great deal of pain and I was with him when he died. He did not know that the wound was fatal and was quite cheerful.
      Naturally the boy who had the pistol is very cut up about the whole thing. To make matters worse he was a friend of Bills.
      I have known Bill for two years now, as a matter of fact I welcomed him into camp in Burnham about April or May 1940. He was such a good reliable chap and was most popular in the Squadron. He was one of these quiet boys who never get rattled and was just the man to have in a tight corner, we were in serval together.
      The deep sympathy of the Officers, NCO’s and men of B Squadron, go out to you. We have lost a good pal and you have lost a brother. We have lost a good many friends in this war, but their memory always remains green with us. It will always be “remember when Bill Andrews said this or did that”.
      Bills personal gear has been sorted out and will, I presume, be sent to you. I have sent on two razers (blades), 1 ??? & 1 comb & a wallet. The balance of his effects will be drawn out of his Base kit. Once again expressing my own sympathy.
      Yours faithfully
      J Rayner Public - Rachel - Other relative - 14 July 2019 - Family letter
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Death

About death

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  • Death
    21 May 1942 AWMM
    Age 33 AWMM
    Syria, Middle East AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
    Accidental Death AWMM
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
    Beirut War Cemetery, Lebanon AWMM 4.D.3. AWMM
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name
    • Havelock Museum, 74 State Hwy, Havelock 7100 AWMM
    • Renick War Memorial, 55 High Street, Renwick AWMM
    • Havelock War Memorial, Havelock AWMM
    • Marlborough War Memorial, Second World War Panel AWMM

Roll of Honour

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Leave a note

Leave a tribute or memory of William John Cullen Andrews

Leave a note

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  • W.J.C Andrews is my Great Uncle. My Grandmothers brother. I wear his medals with pride every ANZAC day at Dawn. My father treasured his uncles medals until he passed away 7 years ago.
    Great Uncle Billy was sadly shout by one of our own. My dad adored him.
    Public - Pamela - Direct descendant - 25 April 2020
    Report 
  • I would love to here from anyone with imformation about William Andrews
    Public - Elaine Ella - Direct descendant - 29 October 2016
    Report 

Sources

Sources

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  • External links
  • References
    • Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1941). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 4 (Embarkations from 1st April, 1941 to 30 June, 1941). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM
      WW2 3: WW2 15 AWMM
    • Loughnan, R. (1963). Divisional Cavalry. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM
      Loughnan, R.J.M., (1963). p. 177. AWMM
    • Loughnan, R. (1963). Divisional Cavalry. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM

Contributors

Command item
Command item
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DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
25 April 2020PamelaBlenheimDirect descendant
14 July 2019RachelChristchurch New ZealandOther relative
29 October 2016Elaine EllaNelson NZDirect descendant

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