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  1. #1
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    Default New Zealander enlisted with assumed name WW1

    Included in the WW1 Service Records (WO 363) for BERT SCOTT is a letter from the War Office to the Infantry Record Office at Preston, informing them that the man's British & Victory medals have been sent to a FRUITERER in PUKEKOHE, New Zealand, ending with a note: "Man states he served under an assumed name".

    Unfortunately, the name of the Fruiterer is illegible! Mr D SEAR???

    In his records, he gave his father's name as ARTHUR, of COMMERCIAL ROAD, AUCKLAND. He also claims a sister living in Everton, MARGARET M.

    He enlisted November 1915, declared age 23y 2m (born 1892?). Started as Private 5519 King's Liverpool Regt, progressed to A/Sgt 356839 Liverpool Scottish att Kings African Rifles.
    Court Martialled in Durban in 1918: found guilty; charges were dropped by War Office.
    Malaria sufferer.
    Repatriated to Pukekohe, NZ, 1919 or 1920.

    So if you're looking for a New Zealander whose name begins SEAR... it may be worth looking at Bert Scott!

    Anc****y, SCO, pages 83220 to 83279 and 83316 to 83343
    Last edited by fullscott; 31-10-2014 at 9:03 PM. Reason: more pages found!

  2. #2
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    The 1920 New Zealand Directory on Anc****y has an A Sears in Pukehohe. To view the image to see if he was a fruiterer and/or to browse the whole town, you need a World sub (or to be an active WAP volunteer who keyed this project). There is also a Donald Sears in Pukehohe in 1930.

  3. #3
    Super Moderator christanel's Avatar
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    The A Sears 1920 is down as a cordial manufacturer and Donald Sears in 1930 is a fruiterer. He is still a fruiterer in 1954 which is the last entry for him.

    There is a death for an Alfred Donald Sears in NZ 1966. No birth to match the c1892birth in NZ but there is one on FreeBMD December 1/4 1892 Edmonton registration district. In 1901 his parents are Kate and Alfred Sears but father is a book binder.
    In 1911 this Alfred D appears to be a private in the Royal Marines and is at the Royal Marine Depot, Walmer.
    Maybe he did what my grandfather did- joined up prior to WW1 under his correct name, my gfather got himself a dishonourable discharge prior to WW1 so when he wanted to join up again he went down South and used his mother's maiden name, claiming to be single too.

    Christina
    Sometimes paranoia is just having all the facts.
    William Burroughs

  4. #4
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    Thank you Chris & Christina.
    "Bookbinder" is one of the civilian occupations claimed by the soldier.
    It looks highly likely that you've solved this little mystery.

    Jane

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