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Tree Information x

Identifier: NNR/1971
Tree Type: Single
Registered By: Nelson City Council
Registration Category: Historic tree/s – Local interest
General Notes:
This oak is dedicated to Lance Sargent, Leonard F. Smith (S/40905), who was wounded at the Battle of Arras in Northern France, later succumbing to his injuries on 9 April 1917. He was 35 years old and is buried at the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension near Aubigny-en-Artois, France.

The tree was planted along with others in conjunction with the unveiling of the Stoke First World War Memorial Gates in 1924 commemorating the lives of 7 Stoke men "who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War".

Gates were designed by Messrs Win. Houlker and Rix-Trott and Landscape designed by W. C. Hyde. The Masonry was by W. B. Vass and ironwork was carried out by Mr W. L. Heath.

The proposed unveiling of gates was initially Armistice Day 11 November 1923 but due to delays was opened on King’s Birthday, 3 June, 1924. ‘‘The Names of the Brave” are inscribed above the list of the fallen. W. Bovey E. G. Giblin A. E. Cresswell H. B. Jellyman L. G. Ching L. F. Smith S. and G. Davis. On the other side of the entrance are the words: “In memory of the men from Stoke’ who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-18.” (Cadwallader, B., 2024).

References
1] Cadwallader, B.G. research for Nelson City Council May 2023
2] Stoke War Memorial Unveiled by Bishop of Nelson, Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 4 June 1924, Page 4 (Thursday 3rd June).
3] Auckland War Museum Online Cenotaph - Leonard F. Smith
4] The Prow, Leonard F. Smith. www.theprow.og,nz, accessed 2.6.2014

Keywords: ANZAC, First World War, Somme

Single Tree Details

Genus: Quercus
Species: rubra
Common names: red oak,
Height: 16.60m
Height measurement method: Laser Nikon Forestry 550
Height Comments: (none)
Girth: 515 cm
Girth measurement height: 0.9 m
Girth Comments: (none)
Diameter: 163.9 cm
Crown Spread A: 34.00m
Crown Spread B: 29.00m
Avg. Crown Spread: 31.50m
Actual Planting Date: Jun 1924
Approx. Planting Date:
e.g. circa. 1860
Current Age: 100 years
Tree Health Description: (none)
Tree Form Type: Single Trunk
Number of Trunks: 1
Tree Form Comments: (none)
Champion Tree Score: 283
Local Protection Status: Yes
Tree Present: Yes
STEM Score: 0

Observations

Date Observer Action
18 May 2024 Cadwallader, B.G. for NCC

Location

Lat/Long: -41.31381532332096 / 173.2328703884216
Location Name: Marsden Recreation Ground
Address: Main Road Stoke
Suburb: Stoke
City/Town: Nelson
Region: Nelson
Location Description: North of the War Memorial Gates
Public Accessibility: Local Council Park
Local Authority: Nelson City Council

Images

Preview Credit Date
Brad Cadwallader 31 May 2024
Brad Cadwallader 18 May 2024
Len Burton-Smith (as he was later known) c1916. Image supplied by Sue Prebble. 13 Jun 1916
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