An English solider, why did he emigrate?

[TomGad]

Just a general question. My 2nd great granduncle immigrated to New Zealand to serve in WW1 sometime between 1911 and 1916. But why would he go to serve in New Zealand instead of fighting for his own country?

[KGarrad]

The 1st World War was from 1914 to 1918.
The decision to emigrate would be a completely separate decision, as few people would have foreseen the outbreak of war.
It is important to get the timeline correct.

[TomGad]

The 1st World War was from 1914 to 1918.
The decision to emigrate would be a completely separate decision, as few people would have foreseen the outbreak of war.
It is important to get the timeline correct.

I have been able to find this:

Enlistment Date: 3 April 1916

Embarkation Information
Body   NZ Rifle Brigade
Unit 1st Battalion
Date 26 July 1916
Transport Waitemata
From   Wellington, New Zealand   Destination Devonport, England

[Blue70]

Conscription was introduced in 1916 so this would affect anyone with emigration plans. By emigrating and enlisting in the country where they intended to settle it moved on the process of starting a new life elsewhere and created a bond with that country. That is if they emigrated in 1916. You would need to confirm when they emigrated, whether it was before WW1 or during it:-

https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/private-lives/yourcountry/overview/conscription/   


C

[franh1946]

New Zealand and Australian serviceman fought under the Union Jack for the British Empire in the First World War. 

[Nanna52]

Someone my father worked with was born in England.  In 1913 joined the army as an 18 year old, but was discharged as not likely to make a good soldier.  Soon after he came to Australia on a scheme for farm workers landing in mid 1914.  At the outbreak of WW1 he joined the Australian Army and served throughout.  Mid war there was an enquiry about his whereabouts made by the English government, but as he was already serving they couldn’t have him back. 

[Fresh Fields]

Welcome to the NZ board.

May I suggest that you try looking up the CENOTAPH enlistment records, that can be accessed through the Auckland War Memorial Museum, and also our PapersPast web site.

I found hits for one of the surnames you appear to be researching, in both sites.

If you have names you are prepared to share with this public forum, there are several very experienced researchers who offer assistance from their acquired knowledge, of available historic records to be found in NZ archives, across our islands.

Alan.

PS. 20-9-25 I have supplied by PM, links to several named individuals that may be of interest to the poster.

Traditionally UK emigrants travelled to NZ in the hope of finding better prospects. When you research into their emigration, they have often followed people, or family known to them.