Captain

Oliver Steele

Conflict: 
WW1
Additional Information: 

Eldest son of Mr T J Steele, Arney Road, Remuera, Auckland.

References:
  • CWGC
NZ WAR GRAVES

Biographical Notes:

OLIVER STEELE.
Advice was received by cable of the death in action on October 25 of Captain Oliver Steele, of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, eldest son of Mr. T. J. Steele, of Arney Road, Remuera. The intimation from the War Office included a message from Earl Kitchener expressing deepest sympathy with the relatives of Captain Steele.

He entered the School in 1894, and was a conspicuous figure in the Sports of 1896, and made a school record for the 100 yards under 15, which is still unbroken. While still in his teens, he first saw active service as a member of the Fifth New Zealand contingent in South Africa. He left Auckland in 1899 and served throughout the war, being promoted to the rank of corporal. When peace was restored he joined the Royal Berkshire Regiment, having secured one of the ten subalterns commissions which were offered to colonials after the war. With his regiment, Lieutenant Steele went to India, and was stationed there for eight years. He received in 1909 a year’s furlough, during which he visited New Zealand. Shortly after returning to India he received the commission of captain. Some time ago Captain Steele went to England to continue his military studies, and was engaged in a- professional examination when war broke out. He was immediately ordered to Portsmouth to undertake special duties. A few weeks ago Captain Steele was ordered to the front, the last letter received from him having been written shortly before he landed in France. Captain Steele was 32 years. [Auckland Grammar School Chronicle, Volume 2, Number 2, pp 14-15]

Public Contributions:

There are no public contributions written for this casualty

Personal Tributes:

Casualty

Name:
Oliver Steele
Rank: 
Captain
Date of Birth:
08 August 1882
Place of Birth: 
Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Next of Kin: 
Mr T.J. Steele, Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Enlistment:
Not known
Enlistment Address: 
Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand
Occupation on Enlistment:
Accountant
Unit:
Royal Berkshire Regiment, 1 Battalion

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:
Killed in action
Date of Death:
25 October 1914
Day of Death:
Sunday
Conflict: 
WW1

Embarkation Details

Embarkation Place:
Wellington, New Zealand
Embarkment Date:
31 March 1900
Vessel:
Maori
Destination:
Beira, Portuguese East Africa

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

Cemetery

Cemetery Reference: 
Panel 45.
Cemetery Location: 
Belgium
Oliver Steele
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