Walter Leslie STRATHERN 23 Infantry Battalion - Army - Service # 451497

[Michaela Sortehaug]

Hi All

Walter Leslie Strathern was my 1st cousin 2 x removed.

I was wondering if anyone might have a photograph of this chap (ideally in uniform) that they might be able to e-mail me a copy of as I would love for our family to be able to put a face to his name and to be able to remember him for many years to come for the sacrifices that he made for us?

He died aged 22 years old on 17 September 1945 aged just 22 years (so was born in approx. 1923).  He was a Private who served with the NZ Army in the 23 Infantry Battalion.  His service number was 451497 and he served in Italy.  He was buried at Assisi War Cemetery, Italy in location VI, F, 6.  I am lucky to have a photograph of his headstone at this cemetery.

Walter Strathern was the son of David Gibson STRATHERN and Margaret Elizabeth STRATHERN (nee ANDERSON), of Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand.  David (his father) was born on 03 March 1898 in Glasgow, Scotland and died on 28 December 1954 in Timaru, New Zealand aged just 56 years and Margaret (his mother) was born in approx. Waianiwa, Southland, New Zealand apparently and died on 31 May 1974 in Invercargill, New Zealand aged approx. 71 years.

Also if you have any other info on this man, it would be greatly appreciated.

If any family are reading this I would love any photos of our Strathern line of the family that you would be prepared to share, in particular the below 2 guys who served in WWI but survived (again ideally in uniform):

David Gibson Strathern
World War I, 1914-1918
Force: Army (Private), 37th Reinforcements, Specialists Company, NZ Expeditionary Force
Service Number: 71049
Occupation before Enlistment: WW1 French Polisher

William McGill Strathern
World War 1, 1914-1918
Force: Army (Sergeant Cook), 4th Battalion, A Company, New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Service Number: 25/689
Occupation before Enlistment: WW1 Cook

Kind regards

Michaela

[SignalHill]

Hi Michaela

Somewhere I have a recently acquired photo of an Otago Company which looks like an official Company photograph taken early in WWII at Burnham Camp.

At the moment I cannot locate it as it does not store easily with other documents -maybe 50 cm x 25 and rolled up.

It would seem likely that other such official photos were taken so may be woth contacting Army Records in Wellington or RSA in Christchurch or Invercargill.

Signal
 

[New Zealander]

For what it is worth.

It might be worth writing to the 2nd NZEF Club at 177 Don  Street, Invercargill. You can find the club easily on Google or Facebook.   The Awarua RSA Club is also based there.

One of my teachers at the old Clifton School  in South Invercargill during the 1950's was a Mr Strathern.  There was also a Strathern family at Woodend and well remember two of the children (brothers I think) during my time at Clifton School.

For similar inquiries in the past I have had some success at the Auckland War Memorial Museum as well.

Alex G

[Michaela Sortehaug]

Hi Signal & Alex G

Thanks both for your posts.  I will try and make contact with these places and see how I get on.

Yes my Strathern family settled in Invercargill in 1909 & 1910 from Scotland.

Regards

Michaela

[Gaye Ruru]

Hi Michaela,

I am connected to this Strathern Family through marriage i.e. my Uncle, Robert Clarence Forbes married Isobel Wilkie Layburn Strathern daughter of Robert Tyrell Strathern the brother of David Gibson Strathern and William McGill Strathern.  If you are interested I can put you in touch with the daughter of Robert and Isobel, I'm pretty sure she'd have an interest in sharing information as she is a Librarian.

Gaye