History – A family’s sacrifice

“Much sympathy is expressed for the Llewell family”. Four sons volunteered for the War. The Minister for defence wired to Mr Llewell news of each report as received in New Zealand. Finally he wired – “Please accept my sincere sympathy in the loss which the Military authorities in England consider you and New Zealand have sustained.” Rodney and Otamatea Times, 17 January 1917

The Llewell family of Warkworth lost three sons during World War I, and their fourth son sustained injuries that affected him for the rest of his life. These are their stories.

John William LLewell
Born 3 December 1883, John died of pneumonia in Auckland Hospital on 30 September 1916 shortly after enlisting. His body was brought back to Warkworth on board the Hauiti. He is buried in the Anglican cemetery in Warkworth.

Albert George Llewell
Born 16 October 1885, Albert was the first brother to enlist, doing so just a few days after war was declared. He was wounded in the Dardanelles in 1915, his injuries were described as “severe” and he was invalided to England. He then returned to New Zealand where he was officially discharged in July 1916.

An article printed in the Rodney and Otamatea Times, 14 June 1916, stated:
“Private A.G. Llewell arrived at Warkworth by the boat on Monday. The few townspeople on the wharf greeted him heartily. He looks well but one leg is still partially paralysed. It is to be hoped that this will soon get right, and that he will be his old self again.”

Unfortunately, he permanently lost the use of his leg and although he took up a land grant in Streamlands after the war, he was employed as a clerk at the time of his death on 15 January 1940. He is buried next to his brother.

James Llewell
Born 9 April 1888, James was working at the Wilson Cement factory when he enlisted in July 1915. He was wounded in action 27 September in the Battle of the Somme. On September 30, it was left to a routine Court of Inquiry to declare him missing, presumed dead. His body was never found, but a Field Report recorded that he was believed to be, “Buried south of Le Sars on Martinpuich Road about 100 yards north east of Martinpuich.”

Arthur Thomas Llewell
Born 26 March 1890, Arthur was also employed by Wilson’s at the time of his enlistment. He was initially reported missing in Ypres on October 12, 1917, and the Field Report recorded that he was “Buried R. of L. of Road. 3 miles N.E. of Ypres.” His body was subsequently recovered and was buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium.

In Warkworth Museum’s collection, and currently on display, we have the “Death Pennies” for James and Arthur. These were issued to the next-of-kin of those who died. Made of bronze, they earned their name due to resembling coins although they are significantly larger. As both parents died during the war, it was Albert who received the death pennies for his two younger brothers. The individual stories of these four brothers reflect the stories of all those men that went to war full of hope or looking for adventure.