George Watson Arlidge

  General Notes:

Private 35839 George Watson Arlidge (nickname 'Dinky') enlisted in the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force and sailed with the Fourth Reinforcements for the Middle East on 1 February 1941. He became ill on the voyage and on arrival in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, was evacuated to hospital at Deolali on 28 February. He was discharged fit for duty and entered Egypt on 24 March 1941.

He was posted to 32 NZ Battalion and moved forward into Libya on 13 November in the campaign which resulted in the relief of Tobruk. On 23 November during the assault on Point 175 in the Sdi Rezegh Sector, he was severely wounded in the left thigh and died of his wounds on 5 December 1941. He was buried in the Knightbridge Military Cemetary, Libya, where his grave is identified as Plot 14, Row G, Grave 9.

For his services, Private Arlidge was awarded the 1939-45 Africa Star, and New Zealand War Service Medal. In addition to the medals, the New Zealand Memorial Cross in his honour was presented to his widow, Mrs Alma Winifred Bulmer (remarried) and also to his mother Mrs Jean Arlidge. (Information supplied by New Zealand Army Headquarters, 18 August 1965).