Charles Gillespie

Military service Gillespie enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Artillery in April 1903. By November 1910 he had attained the rank of bombardier farrier and in November 1914 he was promoted to corporal farrier. Following the outbreak of World War I he became a part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, going overseas in October 1914. He saw active service at Gallipoli and, from April 1916, in France. In January 1916 he received a commission as a second lieutenant, and he was promoted to lieutenant in July 1917.

In July 1917, Gillespie was awarded the Military Cross. His citation read:

Gillespie was slightly wounded on 24 October 1917 at Passchendaele, but remained with his unit. He retired with the rank of major after 35 years service in 1938. His war service was listed as a contributing factor in his death.