News Wanted Of Unidentified Soldier

Northern Advocate, 16 March 1944, Page 2

News Wanted Of Unidentified Soldier

In hospital in the Middle East is an un% identified soldier suffering from loss- of memory. From documents in his possession it is thought that he is probably a New Zealander; but so-far an exhaustive search in the Middle East and in New Zealand has failed to establish his identity. A photograph, and description are published below, and anyone recognising the soldier or possessing any helpful information is asked to communicate at once with the Director, Base Records, Victoria Street, Wellington. The soldier, who states that his name is “Chrisp”—he could remember nothing else about himself —was found wandering amongst United Kingdom troops in the Enfidaville area, Tunisia, and was evacuated to a Field Ambulance on May 9, 1943, and later the same day admitted to a New Zealand casualty clearing station. He was wearing a field service cap with a New Zealand badge and a battle dress blouse with New Zealand titles on the shoulder straps. This, together with very meagre evidence gleaned from mutilated documents in his possession, led to the conclusion that he was a member of the 2nd N.Z.E.F., and his admission to the field ambulance was recorded as “N.Z. Chrisp, Gnr.” There was, of course, no actual proof that the battle dress the man was wearing was his own. Aged About 30-35 The soldier is described as from 30 to 35 years of age, sft 2V2in in height, weight about 10 stone, dark hair (bald in front and centre;, blue-grey eyes, fresh complexion, of stocky build with good physique and clear-cut features. His chest measurement is 37 */ 2 inches and he has a double scar mark on his right thigh. He is well spoken.

The papers in his possession included a badly mutilated Part I of a pay book showing the owner *as single and as a voluntary enlistment. The name and address of the next-of-kin was almost entirely illegible. In the space for the name the letter “M” only could be read at the beginning, and of the address only the letters "Eller. . ."at the beginning of a word could be made out. The soldier also carried a wallet containing two photographs of himself, one of a woman, one view of Palliser Bay and two cuttings from the "Weekly News” of New Zealand casualties. One cutting reported the death of an Auckland soldier. There was also a notebook showing the name “Chrisp” on the torn fly-leaf. Entries in this notebook show the writer’s interest in the Methodist Church and fanning activities. There is also frequent reference to news items in letters from someone named “Johnny.” Exhaustive Search Fails

An exhaustive search in the Middle East into records and location of all persons reported as battle casualties, deserters or evacuated as sick, revealed no unaccounted for soldier whose description fitted that of “Gunner Chrisp.” The search also disclosed that all N.Z.E.F. personnel of the name of “Chrisp” or "Crisp” could be accounted for.

A description and photograph of the soldier were published twice in the “N.Z.E.F. Times,” but, though a number of replies were received naming various soldiers, none could be reconciled as being the unidentified man in the General Hospital. All inquiries in the Middle East having proved negative, a search was instituted in New Zealand, particularly in the Auckland district, but again without result. All clues given by the document in the man’s possession were fully investigated, and in addition a number of families of the name of Chrisp were communicated with. Although the soldier is deserbed as a gunner the photograph of himself in his possession showed him wearing a hat with a pugaree which did not appear as the colours of an artillery pugaree would be expected to appear in a photograph. The Army authorities will, therefore, appreciate any help civilians are able to give which may lead to this man’s identification.