Lewis Alfred Duxfield (1897-1918)

Lewis Alfred Duxfield was born in Takapuna, Auckland, the third son of Alfred and Mabel Duxfield on 12 October 1897. He attended Morrinsville School from 1904 until 1910, and Eureka School from 1910 to 1912 when his parents and siblings moved to Raurimu.

According to Lewis's military records, on 31 October 1917 he volunteered to join the New Zealand Expeditionary Force at Taumarunui. He gave his occupation as farmer, and was working on his father's farm at Raurimu. He was 5 foot 7 inches tall on enlistment and 133 pounds weight. He had grey hair and brown eyes.

His military service and training started on 6 February 1918. He embarked on the "Maunganui" at Wellington for Liverpool on 9 May 1918, disembarking on 24 June 1918. He left England from Larkhill, Wiltshire, for France on 18 September 1918, marched to Etaples the next day and joined the Canterbury Regiment 1st Battalion.on 23 September. He spent the next two months in the field in France until he became ill and was taken to No 7 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples on 26 November 1918. He was recorded as seriously ill on 29 November, dangerously ill on 5 December and died of Broncho-pneumonia on 16 December 1918. Lewis was buried in Etaples Military Cemetery. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.