Charles Kesteven “Charlie” Saxton
Major · NZ #13930 · T Patrol
| Rank | Major |
|---|---|
| Service number | NZ #13930 |
| Patrol | T Patrol |
| Known as | “Charlie” |
| Born | 1913-05-23 |
| Died | 2001-07-04 |
| Record | https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/134309 |
What this roll records
Commanded T1 patrol’s month-long watch on Kithnos (1943), whose reports led the Navy to sink a 2,500-strong invasion convoy; avoided a German garrison by constantly changing hiding-places. During the battle of Leros led his patrol, with T2 and SBS troops, against the paratroops dropped on the Gurna–Alinda isthmus (12 November). Source: ‘Invasion of the Dodecanese Islands’ (Battle of Leros / Assault on Levita), Episodes & Studies Vol. 1 (NZ official war history).
Patrol T: "Capt. C.K. Saxton, T Patrol LRDG". Patrol from Brendan O'Carroll, "The Long Range Desert Group in North Africa".
Cenotaph record linked. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph.
Born 23 May 1913 at Kurow. Aged 88 at death. Commercial traveller in civilian life. Embarked/served with Army Tank Brigade. All Black (undefeated 1938 Australia tour); captain of the NZ Expeditionary Force team (The Kiwis) 1945/46 tour; also first-class cricket for Otago. Rose to Major. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph.
Full name Charles Kesteven. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph.
The Kiwi Scorpions (Brendan O'Carroll): Maj. C. K. Saxton — commercial traveller, Dunedin; born Kurow, 23 May 1913; patrol commander LRDG.
Patrol commander: commanded T1 Patrol. Kiwi Scorpions (Appendix II — Commanders of NZ Patrols).
Commercial traveller, of Dunedin; born Kurow, 23 May 1913. m.i.d. Patrol commander LRDG. Source: Episodes & Studies Vol. 1 (biographical notes).
New Zealand (A) Squadron, LRDG — T1 Patrol at disbandment, 10 December 1943. Source: Brendan O’Carroll, ‘The Long Range Desert Group in the Aegean’ (Appendix IV, New Zealand (A) Squadron Disbandment Roll, 10 December 1943).
See him in the full roll →Where this comes from
- AKA added from the LRDG Preservation Society’s Troopers roll (missing information).
- Additional sources (AWMM Online Cenotaph). Nominal Roll 2NZEF No. 9, p.351. Also cited: Biographical research by Ian Banks (All Black rugby & cricket career, death details).
This page is part of the Long Range Desert Group roll of members at lrdgarchive.org. If you hold rights to anything on it and would like it credited differently, or taken down, please see Sources and Copyright. It will be dealt with promptly.
Not By Strength But By Guile