James Esten Jensen

Private

Conflict:

WW2

Additional Information:

Son of Jens Christian Jensen and Kathrine Jensen, of Gisborne, Auckland, New Zealand.

References:

CWGC

NZ WAR GRAVES

Public Contributions:

James Esten Jensen was born on the 17 January 1917. He was the only son of Jens Christian and Katherine Jensen. Family and close friends called him Jimmy. I never got to meet my Uncle Jimmy and the o...nly memory I have is a letter that he sent to his dying father that I have treasured: No 45987 Pte Jensen Anti Tank Company 2nd N.Z E F Middle East Force's 9.2.43. Dear pop, Well old chap I received your letter the other day, and very pleased to hear that you are fit and well. Bob Mayfield had a little note in your letter, so next time you, see him tell him I received his note and I'm fit and well. Things are fairly quiet in this part of the world at the present time, we are having quite a good spell, but for how long I do not know, any thing is likely to happen any time, so don't be surprised if you read about us anytime. After you receive this letter I have done a mechanic course over here and now I'm a driver mechanic. I get a extra 1/- per day for that, so I suppose that will mount up in time. The weather here is just nice just like spring weather in N.Z. The nights are pretty cold, we have three blankets, so with our great coat on top of them we sleep fairly warm. We wear battle dress during the day, it will be a month or so before we get into the shorts again. I think you got a bit of a cheek telling me that you will drink me under the table, after me drinking the booze in this part of the world, think I could just about stand up to anything. They water the beer and the spirits are practically methylated spirits. Syria was a tough place for liquor, all the spirits were locally made from grapes, and believe me they were tough. We used to get Aussie beer there and I tell you it was good but dear. The bars are open till 10.00 at night here it is all dear compared with New Zealand and Australia. A long glass of beer cost 4 piasters (10d ) and a nip of whisky cost 6 piasters ( 1/3) so I think you will find a little dearer than New Zealand at the present time. So you have had quite a bit of illness lately, Olga used to tell me exactly how you were and how you looked, so as I read her letters, I could practically see you lying in bed. Finally them having the phone on the farm now, I suppose it reminds mum of the old Makauri days. I think they must have a wonderful little place there now. I must of known a thing or so about land when I decided to buy that. I will send a snap of me taken in a bar in Alexandra, you will see the peanuts on the counter in front of us, the chap next to me is Jackie Thomason, that is snowy boy. Well old chap there is lots I could tell you, but you will know the reason why. If there is anything of interest, mum will always tell you. So hoping to hear from you again, all the best, look after yourself. Bye Bye Jimmy. [Record since amended - NZWGT] Read More

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Casualty

Service Number:

45987

Name:

James Esten Jensen

Rank:

Private

Date of Birth:

17 January 1917

Next of Kin:

Mrs K. Jensen (mother), Mangapapa PO, Gisborne, New Zealand

Date of Enlistment:

Not known

Enlistment Address:

C/o W. Hogerty, Waikereru, New Zealand

Occupation on Enlistment:

Shepherd

Armed Force:

Army

Unit:

New Zealand Infantry, 22 Battalion

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Date of Death:

29 March 1944

Day of Death:

Wednesday

Age at Death:

Conflict:

WW2

Embarkation Details

Embarkation Body:

Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF)

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

Cemetery

Cemetery:

Cassino War Cemetery

Cemetery Reference:

X. D. 6.

Cemetery Location:

Italy