Onesimus William Howe M.M. (1895 - 1977)

Born 23 Jan 1895 in Auckland, New Zealand

Ancestors

Husband of Alice Florence Clinkard (Hooper) Howe — married 1928 in New Zealand

Died 5 Apr 1977 at age 82 in Hamilton, New Zealand

Bill Howe M.M. is an Anzac who served in World War One.

Biography

Onesimus William Howe was a teacher at Salt Springs School when he joined up in 1915. He was living at Broadwood on the Hokianga Harbour in North Auckland. He was 5' 11" tall, weighed 162 pounds, had bronze hair, a fair complexion and green eyes. [1]

HOWE, Onesimus William - WW1 12/2333 - Army [2]

he was a Private in the Auckland Infantry Battalion, 4th Reinforcements

he embarked on the 17th April 1915 from Wellington, New Zealand on either the troopship Willochra, Knight Templar or Waitomo

Onesimus William Howe served in the Auckland Infantry Regiment. His unit was the first to hit the beach at Anzac Cove in Gallipoli in the Dardanelles campaign, wounded, he was sent to hospital in Malta and rejoined his unit 5 months later at Ismalia.

and later served in France on the battlefields of the Somme and Passchendaele. On the 1st January 1917 he was appointed Lance Corporal, and Corporal on the 19th April 1917. On the 1st September 1917 he was made Sergeant.

On the 15th October 1917 Sergeant Howe was awarded the Military Medal, decorated "For conspicuous gallantry in the field. East of St. Julien on the 4th October, this N.C.O. went into the attack as commander of a mopping up platoon, which he handled with capability and coolness throughout. At the commencement of the advance severe opposition was met with at Aviatic farm and it was largely due to the capable manner in which this N.C.O. handled his platoon that the garrison of this strong point was overcome and accounted for. Very severe fighting occurred here, and throughout he exhibited extraordinary coolness. His actions throughout the day until wounded showed him possessed of splendid courage and fine leadership." [3]

Sergeant Howe was gazetted 14th February1919 as 2nd Lieutenant on the unattached list.

During WW2 Onesimus William Howe served in the Home Guard, Raglan Division based at Whatawhata near Hamilton (Waikato).

Burial

Onesimus William HOWE was buried aged 82 years on the 7th April 1977 in Hamilton Park Cemetery; grave - RSA-11-112

Sources

• N.Z. BIRTHS - 1949/95076 - Howe Onesimus William - parents : Frances Eleanor & Onesimus AKA Samuel John
• N.Z. MARRIAGES - 1928/4295 - Alice Florence Clinkard Hooper & Onesimus William Howe
• N.Z. DEATHS - 1977/40534 - Howe Onesimus William birth 23/1/1895 death aged 82 years
• National Archives Military Records http://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE14251572
• Ghosts of Anzac by Onesimus William Howe ed Doreen Langsford
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Medal