The British War Medal and Victory Medal pair issued to Arthur William Olsen for his service during the First World War as a tunneller.

 

Arthur Olsen was born at Carterton, New Zealand. Son of Danish-born Christian Olsen and his New Zealand-born wife, Annie. At the time of his enlistment in June 1917 Olsen was working as a farmer at Matiere in the King Country. He was posted to the 6th Tunnelling Reinforcements, arriving in the UK in September 1917. He was posted to the NZ Tunnelling Companyin the field in November 1917. In mid-January 1918 he was evacuated to the UK suffering from an abcess of the mouth. This appears to have developed into a tumour of the mouth and he was classed as unfit for further service. He was discharged in New Zealand in November 1918.

 

Arthur Olsen died at Silverstream on 19th July 1942 and is buried in the service's section of Karori Cemetery, Wellington.

 

Both medals are correctly impressed 60414 SPR. A.W. OLSEN. N.Z.E.F.