WW1 Corporal Henry Adam Madill 52237

Henry Adam Madill was born on 21 February 1897 to David and Maggie (Margaret Ann) Madill who farmed 115 acres at Tuakau. He attended Remuera Primary School and was farming for J J Madill at Tuakau when he enlisted on 17 January 1917.

He had tried to enlist earlier but hadn’t been accepted on account of his age. He was posted to the A Company 28th Reinforcements, transferred to E Company 27th Reinforcements and embarked on the R M S Tahiti to Devonport England on 12 June 1917 till 16 August 1917. On 16 August 1917 Henry was in training at Sling with the 1st Auckland Regiment 4 Reserve Battalion and proceeded to Etaples France 4 days later. He had a short detachment to the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company, rejoining the 2nd Battalion 3rd Rifle Brigade on 25 February 1918. Henry was promoted to Lance Corporal (1 May 1918) and Corporal on 5 August 1918. [1]

“On 21 August, the New Zealand Division with the British Third Army attacked along a 15-km front north of Amiens, pushing back the German line and driving toward Bapaume. The New Zealand Division played a support role for the first few days of the battle, then moved into the vanguard of IV Corps’ advance. On 24 August it captured Grévillers, Loupart Wood and Biefvillers. Operating now in ground that had not been shelled, with villages, farms and forests largely intact, the New Zealanders revelled, and excelled, in the new conditions of open warfare. On 25 August, the New Zealand Division attacked again in an attempt to outflank Bapaume, but the defenders held firm in the town. Losses mounted. Not until the night of 28/29 August did the enemy finally pull out, slipping away to new positions a few kilometres to the east. New Zealand troops entered Bapaume next morning, then pushed east through the villages of Frémicourt and Bancourt. After clearing strong German positions on Bancourt Ridge, they advanced another 6 km before halting near Bertincourt to regroup. The Battle of Bapaume was over.”[2]