1st Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade (New Zealand Army)
Date Of Birth:
21/12/1894
Died:
03/01/1917 (Died of Wounds)
Age:
22
Summary
Vesey Fleming was the second youngest son of Job and Margaret Fleming. He was born on 21st December 1894 in Desertmartin, Magherafelt. The 1901 census lists the family in Ballymoghan, Magherafelt. Vesey’s mother has recently been widowed (between 1897 and 1901). They were farmers. Vesey Fleming emigrated to New Zealand. He arrived in Wellington, New Zealand in Jan 1914. He was working for Robert Vesey in Mangapapa. He gave his next of kin as his brother, R Fleming, who also lived in Mangapapa, Gisborne. Rifleman Fleming was serving with the 1st Battalion of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade when he was injured. He received shell wounds to both feet. Rifleman Vesey Fleming died of his wounds on 3rd January 1917.
Further Information
Vesey Fleming was the second youngest son of Job and Margaret Fleming. Job Fleming married Margaret E Porter on the 9th March 1875 in the Magherafelt.
Vesey Agmondisham Fleming was born on 21st December 1894 in Magherafelt.
Family: Margaret E Fleming, Job Fleming, Alexander Fleming (born 4th December 1877), Samuel Fleming (20th February 1881), Job Fleming (born 8th July 1883), John Fleming (born 19th June 1885), Robert Fleming (born 21st March 1887), Margaret Fleming (born 14th September 1889, died 26th March 1890), William Fleming (born 10th May 1891, died 7th February 1892), William W Fleming (born 27th November 1893), Vesey Agmondisham Fleming (born 21st December 1894), Sincular Henry Fleming (born 2nd March 1898).
The 1901 census lists Vesey as age 6 living with the family at house 8 in Roshure, Ballymoghan, County Londonderry. Ballymoghan lies just south of Magherafelt town. Vesey’s mother has recently been widowed (between 1897 and 1901). They were farmers and had two servants.
Vesey Fleming emigrated to New Zealand. He arrived in Wellington, New Zealand on 23rd Jan 1914. He was 18 years old. He arrived on the Ionic, which had sailed from London.
Vesey Fleming enlisted at Trentham Military Camp on 4th April 1916. He gave his birthplace as Desertmartin and his occupation as teamster. He was working for Robert Vesey in Mangapapa. He gave his next of kin as his brother, R Fleming, who also lived in Mangapapa, Gisborne.
Rifleman Fleming embarked from New Zealand with the 9th Reinforcements, 2nd Battalion, F Company on 26th July 1916. His unit arrived in Devonport, Devon, England on 3rd October 1916. The Vessel was Waitemata
Rifleman Fleming was serving with the 1st Battalion of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade when he was injured. He received shell wounds to both feet.
Rifleman Vesey Fleming died of his wounds on 3rd January 1917. He was 22 years old.
Rifleman Vesey Fleming is buried in Estaires Communal Cemetery, Nord, France.
A plaque in Lecumpher Presbyterian Church, Desertmartin commemorates Rifleman Vesey Fleming:
In fond and loving memory of Vesey Fleming, 1st Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade (formerly of Roshure), who died 3rd July 1917 from wounds received in action in France aged 22 years. ‘He gave his life for his country.’ This tablet was erected by his mother and brothers.
Rifleman Vesey Fleming is also commemorated in Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 1 Hall of Memories. Panel: Flanagan, J. - Fletcher, H. (photo J Halpin 2010)
