NZ Infantry & Engineers; some uniforms and other details

A Kiwi ANZAC

Regimental Number: 12/2480 Major John (Jack) Subritzky MID 15th North Auckland Company 1st Battalion, Auckland Infantry Regiment

John Subritzky was born on the 27 January 1892, at Waihopo in Northland New Zealand. Prior to his enlistment he worked as a kauri gum supervisor for W.H. Evans of Houhora.He enlisted in the New Zealand Army on 9 February 1915, at Trentham Military Camp, being then 23 years old. He was single and his next of kin was his father Captain John Henry Subritzky, Master Mariner of Waihopo. He was of medium build, stood 5 foot 8 inches tall, had hazel coloured eyes and dark hair (he was 1/4 Maori - Te Aoupouri). Upon completion of his recruit training he was posted to the 5th Reinforcements, and sailed in secrecy from New Zealand to the Dardanelles on 12 June 1915.

He came ashore at Gallipoli during the Battle of Chunuk Bair on the 8 August 1915, and was posted to the Auckland Infantry Battalion. He was reported "missing in action" that same day. (Family legend has it that when he got off the lighter, he was ordered to sling his rifle, and carry two kerosene tins of water "up the hill"...his Gallipoli campaign was measured in hours). In the confusion and chaos that was Gallipoli he was not located until the 12 August 1915, badly wounded and aboard the Hospital Ship Aquitania. He had a severe shrapnel wound in his left shoulder. He remained aboard the H.S. Aquitania which then then sailed for England disembarking at Southampton on the 23 August 1915.

He was admitted to Hornchurch Hospital where he remained convalescing until 12 May 1916 when he "left for France." He rejoined his unit at Armentieres on the 16 June 1916, and was posted to the 15th North Auckland Company, 1st Battalion, Auckland Infantry Regiment. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 15 October 1916. During this period he was involved in heavy fighting at the Battle of the Somme and was mentioned in despatches for bravery.

On the 23 March 1917, he was withdrawn from the field and admitted to the 7th General Hospital based at St Omar, suffering from mumps; he rejoined his unit on the 10 April 1917. On 7 June he was wounded for the second time, on this occasion being shot in the left ankle. He was admitted to the 9th (Australian) Field Ambulance, treated and returned to the trenches on 20 July. One week later he was again involved in heavy fighting and when the Platoon Sergeant was shot he was promoted and took over the Platoon. Three days later his company had suffered heavy losses and were withdrawn to the rear. He was sent to England for a ten-day leave break, returning to France on 10 August 1917.He was promoted to Warrant Officer on 28 December 1917, and was appointed CSM (Company Sergeant Major) of 15th Company. On 13 November 1918 he was recommended by the General Officer Commanding, and received a "Battlefield Commission" - promoted to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

He returned to England on 12 September 1919 embarked from Torquay aboard the Remuera for New Zealand, arriving on 27 October. On 23 November he was demobilised from the Regular Force but continued to serve as a Territorial Officer with the 15th (North Auckland) Infantry Regiment until 1924 when he was placed on the reserve of officers.He was recalled to the colours on 1 November 1939, with the outbreak of the Second World War, at which time he was 48 years old, married and employed as a Civil Servant at the Social Security Department in Kaitaia. He marched into the Narrow Neck Camp and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 24 September 1940 and to Captain on 15 February 1941.

He served with a commando unit at Okaihau from 3 January 1942 until 15 April, and was then posted to 1st Battalion North Auckland Regiment. He was promoted to the rank of Major on 1 March 1943 and continued to serve on the Cadre Staff of that unit until 22 June 1943 when he was demobilised and placed on the reserve of officers. He was to remain on the reserve of officers until his death in 1950.Major John Subritzky RNZIR was awarded the following: Mentioned in Despatches, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal (1914-18), Victory Medal, British War Medal (1939-1945), New Zealand War Service Medal (1939-1945) and two Wound Stripes.