THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

STARNES Fred

6/359, Captain, Canterbury Regiment, WW1

CITATION

Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Gazetted 3 March 1919, p2995

For valuable service rendered in connection with military operations in Mesopotamia.

Distinguished Service Order

Gazetted 14 November 1916, p11044

For conspicuous gallantry in attack.  When after heavy fighting, our men were exhausted, and being attacked in front and on both flanks, he rallied them and personally led a third and final attack with such determination that the enemy were swept back up their own communication trenches.  Next day he beat off a strong counter attack with heavy losses.

(Flers during the Battle of the Somme, 19 September 1916)

Mention in Despatches

Gazetted 4 January 1917, p261

Mentioned in a despatch from General Sir Douglas Haig, Commander-in-Chief of the British Armies in France.  Dated 13th November 1916.

Mention in Despatches

Gazetted 30 April 1919, p5446

Mentioned for distinguished and gallant service and devotion to duty by Lieutenant General Sir W.R M Marshall, Commander-in-Chief, Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force, in his despatch of 11 November 1918.

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Service Order

Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)

1914-15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Mention in Despatches (2)

NOTES

Born 11 October 1888, Motueka, New Zealand

Died 12 October 1973, Tauranga, New Zealand

Buried Pyes Pa Cemetery, Tauranga [RSA Sec A, Plot 110]