James Courtney (New Zealand)

James Courtney (New Zealand)

James Courtney MC (15 February 1888 - 22 June 1934).

Lieutenant James Courtney was awarded the Military Cross for his marked gallantry and able leadership on 4 November 1918 at Villereau, in northern France.

Early Years

James Courtney was a son of John Courtney and Ellen Kane. He was born on 15 February 1888 at Timaru, in the South Island of New Zealand. Courtney moved to Auckland and he married Elizabeth Amy Cartwright in 1911, they had one daughter, Joyce Dean Courtney, who was born in 1921.

At the time of his marriage, Courtney was a constable at the Newton Police Station in Auckland and when he was called up for service he was a farmer at Mapiu, in the King Country of the North Island.

First World War

James Courtney was a Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion of the Wellington Regiment in WW1.

His first feat of gallantry in the field occurred at the beginning of July 1916, in France. No Man's Land wiring was one of the infantryman's most important and dangerous duties. Sergeant James Courtney, he was promoted to Lieutenant later, was in command of a wiring party when hostile machine gun fire was directed at them. Two men were killed and two were wounded. Courtney ordered the remainder of the party back, he himself carrying one of the wounded men. The other walked in by himself, but in ignorance of this Courtney went out again with the stretcher-bearers to find him. He found the body of one of the dead men and brought it in. Then finally he went out to search the ground to ensure no one was left in No Man's Land. All this was done under continuous heavy machine gun fire and whilst he was negotiating his own wiring.

Courtney was awarded the Military Cross for marked gallantry and able leadership. On 4 November 1918 during operations near Villereau, Courtney was in charge of a leading platoon when the advance was held up by machine gun fire, he personally reconnoitred forward, and then leading a party of his own men to the flank, rushed the machine gun, killing a number of the crew and taking the remainder prisoners, also capturing the gun. The capture of the gun saved many casualties.

Later life

After returning to New Zealand James Courtney farmed at Te Puke, in the Bay of Plenty of the North Island.

He died on 22 June 1934, aged only 46, and is buried at the Te Puke Cemetery.

References

*"The New Zealand Division 1916-1919" by Hugh Stewart (1921, Whitcombe and Tombs, Auckland)
*"The New Zealand Roll of Honour: New Zealanders who have served their country in peace and war 1845-1995" by Alistair Taylor (1998, Roll of Honour Publications, Auckland)
*"Honours and Awards to the NZEF in the Great War 1914-1918" by Wayne McDonald (2001, Helen McDonald, Napier)

External links

* [http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/cenotaph/locations.aspx James Courtney's Military Record] - Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • New Zealand national cricket team — New Zealand New Zealand cricket crest Test status granted 1930 First Test …   Wikipedia

  • New Zealand general election, 1871 — 1871 general election 1868 (Māori) ← members 14 January – 23 February 1871 → 1875–76 …   Wikipedia

  • New Zealand records in athletics — The following are the national records in athletics in New Zealand maintained by New Zealand s national athletics federation: Athletics New Zealand (ANZ). For unknown reasons ANZ does not recognise a multitude of best marks set by New Zealand… …   Wikipedia

  • New Zealand national rugby league team — Not to be confused with New Zealand national rugby union team. New Zealand …   Wikipedia

  • 1888 in New Zealand — IncumbentsRegal and Vice Regal*Head of State Queen Victoria *Governor – Lieutenant General Sir William Jervois.Government and lawThe 10th Parliament continues.*Speaker of the House Maurice O Rorke. *Premier – Harry Atkinson. *Minister of Finance… …   Wikipedia

  • 1943 in New Zealand — Population* Estimated Population as of 31 December: 1,642,000 http://www.stats.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/24107FC8 E7B5 4CF2 B17C 15E31CCA7D05/0/HistoricalPop.xls] * Increase since 31/12/1942: 5600 (0.34%) * Males per 100 Females: 92.9IncumbentsRegal… …   Wikipedia

  • 1934 in New Zealand — Population* Estimated Population as of 31 December: 1,558,400 http://www.stats.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/24107FC8 E7B5 4CF2 B17C 15E31CCA7D05/0/HistoricalPop.xls] * Increase since previous 31/12/1933: 11,300 (0.73%) * Males per 100 Females:… …   Wikipedia

  • Courtney — This article is about the surname and given name. For places named Courtney or Courtenay and other uses, see Courtney (disambiguation). Courtney Gender Unisex, originally male, both male and female name Origin Word/Name Norman, Old French …   Wikipedia

  • List of New Zealand politicians — New Zealand This article is part of the series: Politics and government of New Zealand Constitution …   Wikipedia

  • List of New Zealand by-elections — By elections in New Zealand occur to fill vacant seats in the New Zealand Parliament. The death, resignation, or expulsion of a sitting electorate MP can cause a by election. (Note that list MPs do not have geographic districts for the purpose of …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”