Albert Rowland

Early life and family Born in Christchurch on 26 October 1885, Rowland was the son of Edward Anthony Rowland and Anne Rowland (née Macdonald). He married Agnes Ludlow "Jo" Fraser on 28 October 1911 at Holy Trinity Church in the Christchurch suburb of Avonside, and they went on to have one daughter.

He represented Australasia at the 1908 Olympic Games in London. He finished fifth in the final of the 3500 metres walk behind teammate and fellow New Zealander, Harry Kerr, who won the bronze medal. He also competed in the 10-miles walk, finishing fifth in his heat and not progressing to the final.

World War I Rowland was working on his own account as an optician in Wellington when he enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in July 1916. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the New Zealand Rifle Brigade on 30 April 1918. He was attached to the New Zealand Cyclist Battalion when he was killed in the Second Battle of the Marne on 23 July 1918. He was buried in the Marfaux British Cemetery.