Robert Charles Earle (1871 - 1964)

Born 14 Dec 1871 in Wanganui, New Zealand

Ancestors

Died 17 May 1964 at age 92 in Wanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand

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Biography

Robert was born in 1872. He is the son of Robert Earle and Eliza Mason.

In 1910 he was granted a lease of four acres on the Waitotara riverbank.^[1]

Bob volunteered as a Trooper, 1st King Edward's Horse (The King's Overseas Dominions Regiment), No.131 from 1918-1922.^[2] However, when his father died in 1916 the affadavit of executors (he was one) mentions Robert Charles Earle's address as The Curragh, Dublin, Ireland. The Curragh Camp was a recruiting and training base and served as a Reserve Regiment supplying replacements of personnel to the 1st Regiment in the field and helped deal with the Troubles of 1916.

The nominal roll on the King Edwards Horse website makes these remarks:

• Wounded & Missing Vieille Chappelle 9, 10, 11 April 1918
• Prisoner of War (?)

ROLL OF HONOUR. WELLINGTON MILITARY DISTRICT. WELLNGTON, June 20. The many friends of Mr R. C. (Bob) Earle will regret to hear that word has been received that he is missing and wounded, and is reasonably supposed to have been killed during the recent German offensive in France. He was the eldest son of the late Dr. and Mrs Earle, of this town, and was well known all over the district. Shortly after the outbreak of war he left his farm at Upokongaro, journeyed to England, and joined King Edward’s Horse as a trooper. In addition to serving in France, he also served on the Italian front. He was recommended for promotion on several occasions, but modestly preferred to do bis duty in the ranks. A man of sincere and unassuming character, the news will be received with great regret, and his friends will hope that his mother and relatives will yet hear that their fears are unfounded.^[3]

There is a description of his wounding on the King Edward's Horse website, on the 9th April 1918, as written by a fellow soldier - http://www.kingedwardshorse.net/history.html

He is believed to have been held as a prisoner by the Germans while recovering from his wounds.

• Discharged 5 March 1919
• Note: Hist App E

• Fact: Probate (1964) Wanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand
• Fact: Residence Wanganui
• Fact: Burial Whanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand
• Spouse listed on FamilySearch record is Ann Warburton

Sources

1. ↑ WAITOTARA COUNTY COUNCIL. Wanganui Chronicle, Vol L, Iss 12622, 4 Oct 1910 [PapersPast] - https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC19101004.2.3
2. ↑ Archives New Zealand: R22422426
3. ↑ Wanganui Herald, Vol. LII, Iss. 15533, 21 Jun 1918 [PapersPast] - https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WH19180621.2.53

• "Family Tree," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : modified 20 January 2018, 01:53), entry for Robert Charles Earle(PID https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/4:1:M2NJ-DND); contributed by various users.
• NZ Birth Registration 1872/19559