GEORGE NAPIER

Captain David George Napier attained the highest rank among the Papanui men. George Napier's family originated from Hororata in inland Canterbury, but he attended Belfast School. He was one of the few men who had a secondary education, attending Christchurch Boys' High School. On leaving secondary school he entered the Customs Department, and he worked for five years in New Plymouth, before being transferred to Christchurch and finally to Wellington, where he enlisted and was assigned to the 10th Reinforcements. While in the Customs George Napier studied law and had passed all his examinations with the exception of the final one. He joined the 3rd Battalion of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, and on travelling to France in October 1916 was sent to the 4th Army Infantry School for training in the evolving “fire and manoeuvre” tactics. He performed a variety of roles including Quartermaster for the 3rd Battalion, and in time replaced Captain Thomson as second in charge of D Company. Eventually he became Acting Commanding Officer of D Company, and in leading this company was killed in action on 16 September 1917. He is buried in The Huts cemetery south of Ypres in Belgium. He is commemorated on both the Papanui War Memorial and the memorial in the grounds of Christchurch Boys' High School.

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