Person:Louis Canning (1)

Louis Canning was born in New Zealand to a Portugese father and an Irish mother on 27 January 1885

In 1916 his trade was classed as a chemical worker and he was living in Queen Street, Otahuhu. He was at the time of enlistment into the army working for Kempthorn Prosser and Co, Auckland. In questions he had to answer for his 1916 army enlistment was the following question, "Have you ever been sentenced to imprisonment by civil power? If so when and where?" The answer was "Yes, in 1906 at Auckland". Further investigation found that on 19 November 1906 at Ellerslie he did break and enter Leslie Cook's dwelling house and stole 5 pounds, the property of Leslie Cook. On November 22nd he was bought before the Magistrates Court in Auckland where he was remanded over until the 26th. On November 26th he then pleaded guilty and was commited to the Supreme Court for sentencing. Because some of the original records are missing the actual sentencing can not be found although it is reasonable to assume that he did spend sometime in custody.

Although at the time of enlistment he was single he had one person dependant on him. Presumbly it was his sister who was listed as Celia Canning, 18 Grey St. Parnell. He was 5' 10" and weighed 9st 8lb. His complexion was Dark, Brown eyes, Hair Black and his religion was Baptist. He was rejected as medically unfit because of varicose veins.

In 1917 he reapplied. The same questions were put to him and the answer to the imprisonment question was answered as "no". He had in the previous year had his varicose veins operated on and this time appears to be fit for service. He was accepted 06 February 1917. He appears to have gone into the Medical Corps.

On 12 June 1917 he was admitted to hospital with dystentry and Malaria and was frequently transferred around different areas. Names mentioned in reports are Moascar, El Arish, Kautara, Abbassia, Heliopolis to Jerusalem for a rest camp.

On 30 June 1919 he returned to New Zealand, being discharged on 01 November 1919. By this time his sister had now married, being called Celia Whitehead.

During his discharge and in 1936 he lived in Auckland in Ngataringa Road, Devonport. In 1936 he married Amelia Ludkin.

In 1940 he appears to have re-enlisted and re-entered camp on 30 August where his birthdate now appears as being 1887. He was an Engineer and living in Ngarawhia. What is not clear is that according to enlistment papers, he was still employed by the Army in the Ordinance Unit and was living in the Waikato Military Camp at Ngaruawahia. (This is if memories are correct.)

In March 1941 he was promoted to the Rank of S/Sgt. His service at this time of the war appears to be mostly in the Ngarawahia area with an odd month or so at Whangarei and Papakura.

In 1946 he again answered the N.Z. Military Forces Questions. His Birthdate was still 1887. Also that he had served in the Army for the last 6 years and 3 months, he was a S/Sgt and was still serving. In 1948 his questions quite differed and the answers in the "Details of previous service" questions provided the following answers: Unit: 1st N.Z.E.F. Length of Service 2yrs 216 days; Unit: 9th Heavy Artillary. Length of Service 3yrs; Unit: N.Z.E.M.E. Length of Service 7yrs 10mths.

His medals being Victory General Service. War Medal 1939-1945.

He stayed in the Army after the war, being posted to the Ordanance Depot. He appears to have retired from the Army 19 December 1956.

Louis Canning died at Hamilton 13 September 1960 and is buried in Auckland. Louis has a will which is held in the Hamilton Court. Probate Number BCDG 4421 553/60. This was filed 28 September 1960.