World War I Service: Norman Scott Murrell The information below is from Norman's Defence Force Personnel Record, from Archives NZ. Biographical Details According to his History-Sheet, his occupation was Farmer, last employed by R Murrell, last New Zealand address was Lake Manapouri, his religion was Presbyterian and his birth-date was 22 February 1896. His next of kin was listed as Mrs R Murrell, Mother, of Lake Manapouri, Southland. His Attestation was dated 2 June 1916, at Trentham. His birth-place was Manapouri, on 22 February 1896. His occupation is given as Farmer, from Lake Manapouri. He had passed the Fourth Educational Standard. His last employer is given as R Morrell. He was not married. Also cited is Mrs R Murrell, Lake Manapouri. His physical description is given as: 20 years 4 mopnths, 5 foot 10 ¾ inches, 157lbs, chest measuring 36 - 39 ½ inches, Fair complexion, Blue eyes, Dark Brown haired. His religion was Presbyterian. His vision and hearing were normal. Service Details Norman's service number was 27549. He was assigned to Otago Infantry, 7th Regiment, 4th Company, 1st Battalion, and he began his service on 1 June 1916. He served 142 days in NZ, 2 years 180 days overseas, for a total of 2 years and 322 days. From 23 September 1916 he was posted overseas, finally returning on the SS Athenic out of Liverpool, on 20 March1919 arriving in NZ 18 April 1919. 1 June 1916 he was posted as Private and assigned to D Company 17th Reinforcements on 30 August 1916 23 September embarked on SS Pakeha, arriving Devonport 18 November 1916 On 18 November 1916 he marched into Sling and was assigned to 2nd Otago 14 December he was proceeding overseas (France) 16 December 1916 marched in Camp at Etaples 14 February he was assigned to 1st Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment, 4th Company 4 June 1917 he was Detached, to Escort Duty He returned to the Battalion from Escort Duty on 21 July 1917 On 2 April 1918 he was assigned to 4th NZ Infantry Reserve, Sling On 15 April 1918 he was transferred to 3rd Reserve Battalion Otago Regiment and proceeded overseas He returned to his original Company (1st Battalion Otago Infantry) 25 May 1918 27 July 1918 saw promotion to Lance Corporal 8 September 1918 he departed for England 21 December 1918 he was he was severely reprimanded and forfeited 1 day's pay for being absent without leave. He was finally discharged on 18 April 1919, having served in Western Europe (1916-17-18). On 27 March 1918 he signed a 'Will' with the following comment: "I have no wish to execute a will." Injuries 12 October 1917 while at/near Rouen he was wounded with other entries through October and early November 23 November 1917 he was reported as 'Improving' 11 January 1918 he was transferred to Convalescent Dept, Hornchurch 8 February 1918 it was reported left Hornchurch 3 February 1918 on Leave until 18 February when he rejoined his Company Awards / Medals Military Medal "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the 25th August 1918, during the operations near Baupaume, Lance Corporal Murrell showed great skill and daring as a leader of a daylight patrol, and assisted greatly in exploiting the success his Company had won. On the morning of 7th September, in front of Newville, he did further good work in leading a patrol which assisted to capture an enemy strong point and over twenty prisoners." Cited by: Wayne McDonald in Honours and Awards to the New Zealand expeditionary Force in the Great War, 1914-1918, published by Helen McDonald, Napier, 2001. p231: Murrell, Norman Stanley 27549, Private (Lance-Corporal), 1st Bn, Otago Regiment. London Gazette 11 February 1919, p2144, Rec No. 2568 He was also awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Demobilization Certificate This lists his service as 114 days in NZ, 355 in UK, 1 year 87 days in France/Belgium and 56 days at sea, says he was wounded 2 times, and has employment guaranteed on discharge by Murrell, Manapouri Lake.