Rifleman John Cameron, 47119, 1st Battalion, 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
John Cameron was born on 3 November 1885 at Gloonan, Ahoghill, Ballymena. He was the youngest of four children of David Cameron and his wife Mary Ann Cameron (nee Cameron). His mother died when he was a young boy and his father remarried in 1892. The family were farmers, so John worked on the family farm alongside his father and brothers.
In 1910 he decided that he didn’t want to settle down in Ireland, and so he followed some of his cousins to New Zealand. He commenced work at Longbeach were many of his Ahoghill relations were also employed.
On 20 January 1917 John enlisted in the New Zealand army, and served in WW1. His enlistment papers confirm his parentage, and his father David is listed as his next of kin. He was described as teamster.
Shortly after he enlisted he was sent to England and finally his battalion was posted to France where he saw active service. He suffered at head wound, concussion and a perforated eardrum and was admitted to a field hospital.
From there he was sent back to England and spent two months in hospital. He was finally returned to his unit. Later he was declared unfit for further duty and returned to New Zealand where he was finally discharged on 15 Jan 1919.
John served a total of 1 year 239 days in France.
He returned to work at Longbeach, where he became Farm manager. In 1930 he married but had no children. Other than a short visit back to Co Antrim, he spent all his remaining years in New Zealand. He died there on 12 Oct 1964 aged 79 and is buried in Ashburton Cemetery.