GEORGE GRIEBEL

On 5 April 1918, 21 year old Private George Julius Griebel was killed in action near Le Signy farm on the Somme. He had been educated at Harewood and Ohoka Schools, and prior to enlistment in 1916 had worked as a farm labourer in his brother-in-law's farm on Russley Road. He left for overseas service on 14 April 1917, arriving for active service in France in September 1917. He survived the terrible battles of Passchendaele and Polderhoek Chataeu in October-November 1917. He also had a brief detachment to the Brigade School of Instruction in November 1917. He was killed in action while fighting to halt the last desperate German advance near Amiens. His mother received letters from the chaplain who buried him and the lieutenant of his platoon in the 13 th Company of the 1st Battalion, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, Second Lieutenant J.F. McFadden. He wrote that “I cannot speak too highly of your son as a soldier. He was a general favourite with everyone and, above all, was a born fighter … I trust it will be of some consolation to know that your son met an honourable and brave death, at a time when we were sorely pressed.” He is comemmorated on the Grevillers (New Zealand ) Memorial to the Missing and on the Harewood School memorial (see below).

.

Back to The Men from Papanui