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12/516 Staff Sergeant-Major John Gordon Bethell

NZEF MSM - Wounded Gallipoli

SKU: ZM292
$750.00Price
  • The Meritorious Service Medal (UK) awarded to SSM John Gordon Bethell of the Auckland Infantry Regiment, who was wounded on Gallipoli and later served at NZEF Headquarters in London for which he was decorated.

     

    John Bethell was born in 27th April 1894 at Chard, England, son of Samuel John and Ada Jane Bethell (née Roles). Sometime around 1910 the family emigrated to New Zealand, settling in Whangarei. John served with the 15th North Auckland Regiment and at the time of his enlistment in 1914 was working as a clerk in a legal firm.

     

    Bethell embarked with the Main Body NZEF, landing on Gallipoli on 25th April 1915. During the hectic first hours of the landing, Bethell was wounded in both arms and evacuated to Egypt. Upon recovering from his wounds, Bethell was posted to the base depot in Cairo, and in March 1916 he transferred to the NZ Dental Corps and was posted to the UK. He remained in the UK for the duration of the war, ultimately acheiving the rank of Staff Sergeant-Major (WO1) and it is this service for which he received the MSM in 1919.

     

    Bethell discharged whilst in the UK, remaining in his native country. He married in 1924 but passed away just four years later, in London in 1928.

     

    The MSM is correctly impressed 2-516 S.S. Mjr J. G. BETHELL. I / AUCK: R.

     

     

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