KNILANDS, William
Born 28 February 1890; died 22 November 1918; buried 23 November 1918; age 28
William Knilands was born on 28 February 1890 (1) in Wellington, the third son of Samuel Knilands and Grace BRANIGAN. Samuel had emigrated from Woodside, Termamongan, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. He married Grace in New Zealand in 1883. The family name was also spelt as NEILANDS.
William had 3 brothers: Robert, James and John and one sister, Barbara. Robert Knilands was killed in the Battle of Messines on June 7, 1917 and brother John was wounded twice in the war.
In 1916 William’s name appeared in the Nelson Evening Mail as being injured on the ship Kennedy. Also that year he signed up to the Army Reserves, giving his occupation as Ship’s Steward.
Private William Knilands, service number 60593, embarked to Apia, Western Samoa on 11 February 1918 on the vessel Talune with the Samoan Relief Force. He gave his occupation as Fisherman (Ngaio Bay, French Pass) on enlistment. He returned to New Zealand about 13 September 1918.
On Armistice Day (Nov 11 1918), a soldier fell in Wellington Harbour and the story was published in New Zealand newspapers that William Knilands, an Able Seaman on the Invercargill, had helped to save him and another sailor who had gone in to help.
On the 22nd November, William died at St John’s Temporary Hospital, Wellington, of influenza, aged 28 years. He was buried on 23 November 1918 in Public2 Section, Plot number 294 I. He is in Karori records as W Knilands. He was not married.
The Evening Post published the death notice on 26 November:
KNILANDS.—On the 22nd November, 1918, at St. John's Temporary Hospital, William, third beloved son of Grace Knilands, of No. 19, Frankvllle-terrace. At rest.
Samuel (d1909), Grace (d1929) and James (d1957) are also buried in Karori Cemetery.
Written by Pam Neilands, grandaughter of his cousin, Private John Brown Neilands
Sources:
1. Date of birth in war records was given as 20 February; New Zealand Births, Deaths & Marriages confirm date of birth as 28 February.
2. Newspapers – Papers Past – www.paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
3. War records - Archives New Zealand - www.archway.archives.govt.nz
Born 28 February 1890; died 22 November 1918; buried 23 November 1918; age 28
William Knilands was born on 28 February 1890 (1) in Wellington, the third son of Samuel Knilands and Grace BRANIGAN. Samuel had emigrated from Woodside, Termamongan, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. He married Grace in New Zealand in 1883. The family name was also spelt as NEILANDS.
William had 3 brothers: Robert, James and John and one sister, Barbara. Robert Knilands was killed in the Battle of Messines on June 7, 1917 and brother John was wounded twice in the war.
In 1916 William’s name appeared in the Nelson Evening Mail as being injured on the ship Kennedy. Also that year he signed up to the Army Reserves, giving his occupation as Ship’s Steward.
Private William Knilands, service number 60593, embarked to Apia, Western Samoa on 11 February 1918 on the vessel Talune with the Samoan Relief Force. He gave his occupation as Fisherman (Ngaio Bay, French Pass) on enlistment. He returned to New Zealand about 13 September 1918.
On Armistice Day (Nov 11 1918), a soldier fell in Wellington Harbour and the story was published in New Zealand newspapers that William Knilands, an Able Seaman on the Invercargill, had helped to save him and another sailor who had gone in to help.
On the 22nd November, William died at St John’s Temporary Hospital, Wellington, of influenza, aged 28 years. He was buried on 23 November 1918 in Public2 Section, Plot number 294 I. He is in Karori records as W Knilands. He was not married.
The Evening Post published the death notice on 26 November:
KNILANDS.—On the 22nd November, 1918, at St. John's Temporary Hospital, William, third beloved son of Grace Knilands, of No. 19, Frankvllle-terrace. At rest.
Samuel (d1909), Grace (d1929) and James (d1957) are also buried in Karori Cemetery.
Written by Pam Neilands, grandaughter of his cousin, Private John Brown Neilands
Sources:
1. Date of birth in war records was given as 20 February; New Zealand Births, Deaths & Marriages confirm date of birth as 28 February.
2. Newspapers – Papers Past – www.paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
3. War records - Archives New Zealand - www.archway.archives.govt.nz