Norman Joseph Levien
| Norman Joseph Levien, OBE | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 June 1871 London |
| Died | 22 January 1967 Auckland |
| Allegiance |
 New Zealand
|
| Service/branch |
 New Zealand Army
|
| Rank | Major |
| Service number | 12/131 |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire 1914–1915 Star British War Medal (1914–1920) Victory Medal with oak leaf |
Norman Joseph Levien OBE (1871–1967) was a New Zealand Army Officer and a foundation member of the New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps who served in Egypt, Gallipoli and Europe during the First World War.
Born in 1871, Levien attended Nelson College 1887–88. In the period 1896–1914 he was employed as a clerk in Wellington, a flaxmiller in the Manawatu and a commercial traveller based out of Auckland.
On the outbreak of the 1st World War Levien enlisted into the 3rd Auckland Regiment as a Temporary Sergeant, transferred to the Ordnance Department as the IC of Stores and Equipment and assisted in equipping the troops for overseas service.
Levien embarked with the main body, departing Wellington on 3 December 1914 on the troopship TSS Maunganui.
On arrival in Egypt, Levien was for a short period was attached to the British Ordnance department at the Citadel in Cairo for familiarisation with the ordnance systems and procedures in use at the time.
Promoted into the NZAOC as a 2nd Lieutenant on 3 April 1915, Levien was the Officer In Charge of Equipment, Small Arms and Accoutrements (SAA) and Clothing and was in a pivotal role equipping the forces in the Dardanelles. In Alexandra he established a New Zealand Ordnance Depot at No. 12 Rue de la, Porte Rosette and a warehouse at Shed 43, Alexandra Docks.
Levien embarked for the Dardanelles on 2 August 1915, where he replaced Captain Beck as the Deputy Assistant Director of Ordnance Services(DADOS) for the Australian and New Zealand Division and was promoted to Lieutenant on 6 October 1915. Redeployed to Mudros on 28 November 1915, Levien became the Chief Ordnance Officer at Sarpi camp responsible for reequipping the now depleted Australian and New Zealand Division. On the evacuation of the Dardanelles Levien returned to Alexandra for the reorganisation of the New Zealand Division for operations in France.
As the NZ Division departed for France, Levien remained in Egypt to close and adjust the Divisions stores accounts, disposed of unserviceable stores by Auction and handed over all remaining ordnance stores to the Imperial Ordnance organisation. Closing the depot he had established in Alexandra, Levien embarked for England on 10 May 1916.
...
Wikipedia