Eric James Ingram

Private

Secondary Memorial:

Matakana War Memorial

Conflict:

WW1

Additional Information:

Son of Mary E. Cottrell, of 17, Park Rd., Grafton, Auckland.

References:

CWGC

Archives New Zealand

NZ WAR GRAVES

CONTRIBUTED

Public Contributions:

Private Eric James Ingram born 14th February, 1894 [see below] in Gisborne, New Zealand. Son of Thomas Ingram & Mary Ellen (Smith - daughter of James Smith, Napier). His parents Thomas and Mary E...llen married 10 October 1887 at the Manse in Waipukurau. Eric was their third child. Eric's brothers and sisters are: - Robert Oswald Ingram - b 1888 - 1916 married Winifred Bertha Parkinson - Mabel Margaret Ingram - b 1891 - 1929 married Andrew Robert Duncan - Ralph Thomas Ingram - B 1895 - Ellen Ingram - b. 1886 d 1895 In early 1884 Eric’s father Thomas purchased a farm in Patutahi (west of Gisborne). Ten years later in February 1894, he purchased the Owen Gallagher's Hotel in Patutahi. The price was 450 pounds for a 7 roomed house, 10 acres and 30 perches. Sadly, Thomas died several months later on April 4th at the age of 34 years struck down by Typhoid Fever. Eric was only 2 months old. Mary Ellen is left a widow with 4 small children. Fortunately in 1897 she met and married George Cottrell a commercial traveller and the family moved to Waiotahi, Opotiki. Success came to the family and in 1908, Eric was sent to King's College in Auckland to finish his education. Around 1913 the whole family moved to Auckland. In 1914 at the age of 20 years, Eric, with help from his stepfather and mother leased a farm in the Whangaripo Valley, north of Auckland. Early in 1915 the three Ingram brothers joined up to serve their country. Both Ralph and Eric serving with the 21st Reinforcements, (Photo: he wears the Fantail Collar badge of the 21st) E Company - Wellington Infantry Regiment - 3rd battalion. Robert became very ill with Malaria and spent many months in Hospital. He survived and returned to New Zealand, Ralph also survived although was badly wounded September 1916. Eric was first wounded in action on 13 June 1917 returning to his unit early August 1917. Sadly, he was killed in action at Battle of Broodseinde Ridge, 4 October 1917, Ypres, Belgium. He was 24 years old. 35,000 casualties for the period 1–10 October 1,853 New Zealanders. Private Eric Ingram is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial Cemetery, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium and the Matakana War Memorial. A second tragedy befell the family after Eric’s death when the Family were unable to work the farm and they fell behind in payments and declared bankrupcy. Private Eric James Ingram – Lest we forget. [Births, Deaths and Marriages Online has Eric James DOB as 13/02/1893, which would make him about 14 months old when his father died. Strangely enough there is an Ingram born on 14/02/1894 - Frank Ingram (parents Sarah and Samward) born at Ashurst and did serve in WW1, and returned to New Zealand. - NZWGT] Read More

Add a Story or Photo

Casualty

Service Number:

33548

Name:

Eric James Ingram

Rank:

Private

Date of Birth:

13 February 1893

Next of Kin:

Mrs Mary Ellen Cottrell (mother), 24 Khyber Pass Road, Auckland, New Zealand

Date of Enlistment:

Not known

Occupation on Enlistment:

Farmer

Armed Force:

Army

Unit:

NZEF, Wellington Regiment, 3 Battalion

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Date of Death:

04 October 1917

Day of Death:

Thursday

Age at Death:

Conflict:

WW1

Embarkation Details

Embarkation Body:

New Zealand Expeditionary Force

Embarkation Place:

Wellington, New Zealand

Embarkment Date:

19 January 1917

Transport:

HMNZT 74

Vessel:

Ulimaroa

Destination:

Plymouth, England

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery:

Tyne Cot Memorial

Cemetery Reference:

N.Z. Apse, Panel 6.

Cemetery Location:

Belgium