47676 Private Arthur Milton Le Mottee
1st Company 2nd Battalion
New Zealand Canterbury Regiment
12th December 1917
Born In Morpeth, New South Wales, Australia on 09/11/1883. His parents were
Alfred Le Mottee(17/07/1847-19/06/1926) and Elizabeth Milton(07/12/1843-10/02/1916). They were married in 1875.
Arthur had 5 brothers, Alfred James(14/11/1878-03/02/1879), Alfred James(11/11/1879-30/06/1901),George Ernest(28/12/1887-11/09/1888), Harold John(16/04/1890-18/04/1890) and Ernest Selwyn(29/08/1892-24/06/1958).
He also had 3 sisters, Louise(09/05/1876-27/09/1952),Eleanor Maude(15/10/1882-15/12/1882) and Beatrice Blanche(17/06/1886-1887).
In the 1914 NZ Electoral Roll, Arthur was recorded as living at 22 Parkes Street, Woolston, Christchurch with his family. He was employed as a stores man.
He enlisted on 17/02/1917 in Christchurch, at this time he was living at 201 Ferry Road Linwood, Christchurch and was being employed by Andrew Lees.
Arthur had a medical on the day of his enlistment, the details of which are below;
Apparent Age - 33 years 7 months, Height - 5ft 2inches, Weight - 112lbs,
Chest Measurement- Minimum - 30 inches, Maximum - 32 inches
Complexion - Dark, Colour of Eyes - Blue, Colour of Hair - Dark, Religious Profession - Church of England
Distinctive markings - Acne on back and shoulders, Old fracture of right collarbone.
Arthur left New Zealand for the Western Front on 26/04/1917, embarking at Wellington, before spending nearly
3 months at sea before dis-embarking in Devonport, England on 20/07/1917. That same day, he was marched into Sling Camp.
He stayed at Sling camp, training until he left for France on 05/09/1917, marching into Etaples camp 4 days later.
He joined 2nd a battalion in the field on 16/09/1917 and was posted to 1st company.
Arthur was killed in action on 12/12/1917.
He was awarded the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
Arthur had signed a will on 23/04/1917 in which he left everything he had to his sister Louise.