Claude Clarence Breen

Forenames

Claude Clarence AWMM

Surname

Breen AWMM

Also known as

• Pirini AWMM
• Claud Clarence BREEN
  Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 29 August 2024 - NZ BDM Birth Records

Service number

WWI 16/594 AWMM

Gender

Male AWMM

Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe

• Iwi Māori, Māori AWMM
• Māori AWMM

Date of birth

12th June 1891

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 29 August 2024 - Military Record

Place of birth

Auckland

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 29 August 2024 - Military Record

Birth notes

Son of Michael & Annie BREEN

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 29 August 2024 - NZ BDM Birth Records

Address before enlistment

Unknown AWMM Avondale, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM

Next of kin

Mrs Eunice Phoebe Breen (wife), Coromandel, New Zealand AWMM

Relationship status

• Pre 14 Feb 1915 AWMM Married AWMM
• Husband of Eunice Phoebe nee' Atkinson
  Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 29 August 2024 - Military Record

War

World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM

Armed force / branch

Army AWMM

Service number

WWI 16/594 AWMM

Enlistment

WW1 Unknown AWMM Clerk AWMM

Embarkation details

WW1 14 Feb 1915-26 Mar 1915 AWMM
HMNZT 20 AWMM Vessel was Warrimoo AWMM Private AWMM A Company AWMM 1st Maori Contingent AWMM

Medical notes

Hospital Diseases , Wounds, WWI AWMM
Mentions in diary that he is nursed by 'Bungy' Newell's sister whilst in hospital - Lyna Todd Newell, 22/153, NZANSC. AWMM

The Auckland Museum Library's manuscripts collection holds a typed transcript of Breen's war diary covering a period from 10 February 1915 to 9 February 1916. [Ref. MS 2002/150]

Breen was the Native Contingent's Pay Clerk (the contingent's name for him was 'Pirini') and was with them at Gallipoli. However, while Breen was closely associated with the contingent he does not mention specific names. AWMM

Related objects

External links

• Military personnel file
  https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R22278790
  Further Reference
• Cowan, J. (1926). The Maoris in the Great War. Auckland, N.Z.: Maori Regimental Committee by Whitcombe & Tombs.
  https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/webarchive/20201108000000/https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-CowMaor.html
  Further Reference

References

• New Zealand Army Expeditionary Force. (1914-1919). Nominal Rolls of New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Volume I. Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
  Vol1: 75
• New Zealand. Army. 1st Maori Contingent. Scroll of the 1st New Zealand Maori Contingent, 1915. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS-624.
• Soutar, M. (2019). Whitiki! Whiti! Whiti! E!: Maori In the First World War. New Zealand: David Bateman Ltd.
• Information kindly provided by family
• Cowan, J. (1926). The Maoris in the Great War. Auckland, N.Z.: Maori Regimental Committee by Whitcombe & Tombs.
• Pugsley, C. (1995). Te Hokowhitu a Tu : the Maori Pioneer Battalion in the first World War. Auckland, N.Z.: Reed.