His health was compromised after service at Gallipoli and like many returning veterans he died young.
3/172A Sergeant Roy Houchen, NZ Medical Corps, NZEF
Roy Houchen was born on 15th January 1892[i] in Harper Street, Newtown, Wellington the son of Mary (nee Sadler)[ii]
and Jeremiah Houchen.
Roy grew up with two younger sisters, Emily Catherine, 1895, and Doris May Houchen, 1897. The family moved to
Constable Street , Newtown in the early 1900’s with Roy’s father employed as a Letter Carrier.[iii]
Roy was sixteen when his father was committed to Porirua Asylum in 1908. Roy’s father died in the Asylum that year.[iv] Roy may have already been a cabinet maker’s apprentice but his mother would have relied on his wage to assist in maintaining the family.
In 1909 the New Zealand Defence Act made compulsory military training for all boys from 12 years. Roy as a
Senior Cadet chose to serve in the Wellington Naval Volunteer Artillery then on 5th March 1911 enlisted in the
Territorials as a Gunner in the No 3 Company, NZ Garrison Artillery Volunteers, stationed at Fort Dorset.
Following the outbreak of WW1 Roy was living with his mother and sister Doris May Houchen in Harper Street,
Newtown with Roy employed as a cabinetmaker. He signed attestation forms on 13th October 1914 and with his
territorial service was accepted as 3/172A Private Roy Houchen, NZ Medical Corps. (see notes).
Private Houchen embarked from Wellington on 16th October 1914 landing in Egypt on 4th December 1914.
Private Houchen landed at ANZAC Cove on 12th May 1915 and served on the Pennisular up to the start of the
Battle of Chunuk Bair. He had been evacuated to Malta on 5th August 1915 suffering dysentery. Private Houchen
remained on Malta for initial treatment but as the casualties from Chunuk Bair began to arrive he was evacuated by Hospital Ship to England arriving at the No 5 Northern General Hospital, Liecester on 24th September 1915.
Private Hochen was not considered fit until 16th April 1915 when he reported to the NZ Depot at Hornchurch.
Private Hochen was processed through Sling Military Camp and sent to France on 26th June 1916. There was a
general build up of men and equipment with the Battle of the Somme launched by British on 1st July 1916.
Private Houchen was still at the NZ Base Depot in Estples when he was sent to the 26th General Hospital on the
7th September 1916. Assessed by a medical board it was determined he was only fit for base duties and he was
evacuated 15th September 1916 to England.
Private Houchen remained in England at the No2 NZ General Hospital, Walton on Thames. Private Houchen was
prompted to Temporary Corporal Houchen on 20th November 1916.
While deployed at Walton on Thames T/Cpl Houchen had a number of admissions as a patient, potentially an ongoing issue from the dysentery contracted at Gallipoli.
T/Cpl Houchen was promoted to Sergeant on 18th September 1917. With the Allies pushing the Germans back in late
1918 the NZ Government began to repatriate those who were not ‘fit for active service.’ Sergeant Hochen embarked
on the SS Ayrshire on 5th November 1918 landing in New Zealand on 24th December 1918. Sergeant Houchen
was placed on sick leave on arrival in New Zealand and admitted as a outpatient at Wellington Hospital.
Sergeant Houchen was discharged from the NZEF on 13th February 1919 as no longer physically fit (Chronic Dysentry).
Roy returned to live with his mother and sister in Harper Street but was also made 17/591 Temporary Sergeant Houchen, 2nd Company, NZ Garrison Artillery. It may have been an appointment to allow Roy to continue to receive treatment
as a soldier. T/Sgt Houchen was still with the NZGA on 16th February 1920 which enabled him to apply for the
New Zealand Service Medal, which was approved.
Roy returned to cabinetmaking, he married Aileen May Lake in 1921.[v] The couple moved
to 50 Ross Street, Kilbirnie, Wellington.[vi] The couple had two children Brian Frank, 1923,[vii]
and Alisa Mary Houchen, 1927.[viii]
Roy was in declining health, potentially the ongoing iimpacts of dysentery contracted in
Gallipoli, the family moved back to live, in Constable Street, with his mother.[ix]
Roy signed a will on 26th June 1934 leaving his estate to his wife Aileen May Houchen.
Roy Houchen died on 19th July 1934 and is interred in Karori Cemetery, Public N 496.
Houchen grave Karori Cemetery
Roy’s mother Mary and sister Emily Catherine Goodall are also interred in the grave;
Notes
The original regimental numbers, a paper based system, allocated serial numbers in all the
recruitment districts. In some cases the number was issued more than once in this case
3/172 Private Frank Loftus, NZ Medical Corps enlisted on 19th August 1914 and embarked
with 3/172A Private Houchen. When the duplication of serial was determined as
Private Loftus had enlisted earlier he retained the serial number and rather than give
Private Houchen a new serial number the A was added. Both Privates served in Gallipoli
both were evacuated with dysentery / enteric fever. Both men also served on the
Western Front and attained the rank of Sergeant before returning to NZ and discharge.
3/172 Staff Sergeant Franic ;Frank’ Joseph Loftus, Croiix de Guerre, and his wife Edith are interred in the RSA Section, Aranoho Cemetery, Whanganui.
References
Archives NZ WW1 Military Records
NZ BDM
Karori cemeteries WCC
Porirua Cemeteries Online
Archives NZ Probate
NZ Electoral Roll
Photos
Houchen grave: WCC Karori Cemetery
Houchen grave: NZ Remembrance Army
[i] NZ BDM 1892/2179 Birth
[ii] NZ BDM 1889/1404 Marriage
[iii] Electoral Roll, 1902, Wellington
[iv] WWW,poriruawarstories.com/houchen-jeremiah (Porirua Cemetery Section)
[v] NZ BDM 1921/5599 Marriage
[vi] Electoral Roll, 1922, Wellington East
[vii] NZ BDM 1923/13035 Birth
[viii] NZ BDM 1927/14755 Birth
[ix] Electoral Roll, 1931, Wellington South