DescriptionMaurice John Rillstone grew up at Waipori.
This is a photograph of him, likely taken prior to leaving New Zealand to fight in World War One with the 4th Battalion, D Company, of the NZ Rifle Brigade.
Maurice enlisted in October 1915. At the time of enlistment, Maurice was married with a 4-month old baby girl. On his enlistment form, he noted his wife, Alice Rillstone, as Next-of-Kin, and his occupation as a bricklayer. He embarked for the front in early February 1916.
In mid-1917, Maurice was wounded in action. This resulted in his left arm being amputated. Despite this, when Maurice returned in 1918, he continued to work in the construction sector as a builder rather than a bricklayer.
He received a permanent 20% war pension as a result of his disablement.
Maurice died in 1951 aged 64. He is buried in the Purewa Cemetery, Auckland, along with his wife Alice.PhotographerUnknown DateC.1915RightsThis item is out of copyright. ContributorWaipori Goldfields Charitable Trust