Wrestler-turned-soldier killed in France remembered in Tauranga

The Field of Remembrance. Photo/John Borren

Samuel Pemberton was a keen athlete and a well-known wrestler before he was killed in action during World War I.

The late Sergeant Pemberton is one of eight fallen soldiers to be honoured with white crosses at the growing Field of Remembrance on Tauranga waterfront today. He served with the Auckland Infantry Regiment in the 1st Battalion before he was killed in action in France on September 17, 1916, aged 23.

Samuel Pemberton is one of eight more fallen soldiers to be honoured with white crosses on the waterfront. Photo/Supplied

Pemberton was the youngest son and was among the first Tauranga servicemen to respond to the Empire's call when he enlisted.

He left Tauranga on August 13, 1914, joining the main body of the Expeditionary Force before proceeding to Gallipoli, where he was wounded on May 1. He remained with his unit and was again wounded on May 8.

Pemberton spent five months in hospital in Malta and again rejoined his unit before it proceeded to France.

He was said to have escaped further injury until he was mortally wounded on September 17.

He was a keen athlete and well known as a wrestler, winning a gold medal as champion middle weight wrestler in Rotorua at age 18.

He spent two years in the Te Puke Mounted Rifles and later was a member of the Te Puke Rifle Club and joined the Territorials upon their establishment.

He left New Zealand as a private, and after leaving Gallipoli was made corporal.

Soon after landing in France he was raised to the rank of sergeant. In giving his life for King, country, and freedom he made the supreme sacrifice.

White crosses will also be erected today to honour Thomas Clemson, William John Francis, Charles Joss, Richard Wearne Sharplin, William Simpson, George Henry Webbe Tobin and Cecil Louis Walker.

At 45, Thomas Clemson was the oldest Tauranga man to be killed in action. He died in France on September 27, 1916.

William John Francis died of wounds in France on September 19, 1916, aged 27.

Charles Joss was reported missing and believed dead while serving in France on September 27, 1916.

Richard Wearne Sharplin was one of only two Tauranga soldiers to receive a military funeral at home during the war. He died of pneumonia following measles in Featherston on October 25, 1916, aged 22.

William Simpson, 38, and George Henry Webbe Tobin, 31, were killed in action in France on September 15, 1916.

Cecil Louis Walker died in action a day later in France on September 16, 1916.

Our fallen soldiers:
Samuel Pemberton
Hauraki Regiment Volunteer
12/439 – Auckland Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion
Born: Victoria, Australia, 8 May 1893
Family: Son of Samuel and Mary Pemberton, fiancé Dolly Ridley
Occupation: Carpenter, Tauranga
Enlisted: 14 August 1914
Killed in action: 17 September 1916, France
Aged: 23
Name recorded on Tauranga Domain War Memorial

Thomas Clemson
23345 – Private, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, E Company, 7th Reinforcements
Born: Staffordshire, England, 27 February 1871
Family: Son of Reverend William and Elizabeth Clemson
Occupation: Farmer, Gate Pa, Tauranga
Enlisted: 7 February 1916
Killed in Action: 27 September 1916, France
Aged: 45
Name recorded on Tauranga Domain War Memorial

William John Francis
8/3260 – Private, Otago Infantry Battalion, D Company, 8th Reinforcements
Born: Ireland, 19 October 1888
Family: Husband of Amelle Francis, father of Edward Francis
Occupation: Engineer, Ōmokoroa
Enlisted: from Tauranga 25 August 1915
Died of wounds: 19 September 1916, France
Aged: 27
Name recorded on Tauranga Domain War Memorial

Charles Joss
8/3302 – Private, 1st Battalion, Otago Regiment
Born: New South Wales, 21 November 1886
Family: Son of James Joss
Occupation: Fisherman, Sanford Ltd, Tauranga
Enlisted: from Tauranga 25 August 1915
Reported missing believed dead: 27 September 1916, France

Richard Wearne Sharplin
Hauraki Regiment Volunteer 34441 – Private New Zealand Training Unit
Born: Canterbury, 3 February 1894
Family: Son of Henry and Elizabeth Sharplin Bushman
Occupation: Whakamarama Timber Footballer, Boxer
Enlisted: from Tauranga 23 August 1916
Died of: pneumonia following measles 25 October 1916, Featherston
Aged: 22
Name recorded on Tauranga Domain War Memorial

William Simpson
24/1820 – Private, Otago Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion
Born: Australia, 23 February 1878
Family: Son of Joseph and Amelia Simpson
Occupation: Bushman, Gamman's Mill, Omanawa Falls
Enlisted: from Tauranga 18 October 1915
Killed in action: 15 September 1916, France
Aged: 38

George Henry Webbe Tobin
Driver 12/3846 – Private Auckland Infantry Regiment
Born: Awanui, 30 April 1885 Son of William and Laura Tobin
Enlisted: 20 October 1915
Killed in action: 15 September 1916, France Aged 31
Name recorded on Tauranga Domain War Memorial

Cecil Louis Walker
12/2872 – Private Auckland Infantry Regiment 1st Battalion
Born: Mercury Bay, 1 October 1886
Family: Son of Richard and Ellen Walker
Occupation: Accountant
Enlisted: 15 March 1915
Killed in action: 16 September 1916, France
Aged: 28
Name recorded on Tauranga Domain War Memorial