Service Number: 22656 Unit: New Zealand Infantry Next of Kin: Mrs Margaret Craig (mother), Poroporo, Whakatane, New Zealand Enlistment Address: Poroporo, Whakatane, New Zealand Occupation on Enlistment: Grocer Embarkation Details: Corporal, 21 Infantry Battalion, Second NZ Expeditionary Force, Second Echelon Bill had served in the local Territorials for 6 months before Attesting on 28th December 1939 at Whakatane. His mother Margaret had married Andrew Craig in Scotland in Dec 1916, shortly afterwards Andrew was killed in France.. Margaret's father William Glen came to New Zealand in 1913 to work on Conway Station at Kaikoura. Once he was established he sent for his family to join him, but the great war intervened. His wife Janet delayed sailing until hostilities ceased and then brought Margaret and her son William (Bill) and her son Robert to New Zealand. They sailed on the S S Pakeha in early 1919. Two of Margaret's elder brothers Bill (William Jnr) and Alexander were wounded in France but followed them as soon as they were able. Margaret's qualifications she gained as a nurse and midwife back in Scotland were recognised in NZ which made her welcome in The Lake Tekapo and Fairlie area where her son William Glen was working. The Mackenzie was cold, which encouraged the family to move to Whakatane. An excerpt from "Valour Remembered" Vol 2, by Sonia Edwards Q.S.M.
