A determined face and a great name: this is brave Private John Tantrum, a plumber from Feilding on New Zealand’s North Island, who volunteered to fight early in the War.
He left home shores at the end of 1915 and finally sailed for France from Alexandria at the start of April 1916.
With mum Mary and dad Edwin waiting ever-anxiously at home, Pte Tantrum fought for over a year with the NZ |Rifle Brigade before he came unstuck.
On 12th October 1917, in the middle of Third Ypres, he was hit by bullets which pierced his arm and chest.
He was young and strong but these were unsurvivable wounds.
Evacuated as far as the Casualty Clearing Station at Lijssenthoek, it was probably down to his youth and strength that he was able to hold on for an inconceivable 11 days.
Private Tantrum, you are Not Forgotten
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