Toll tells on combat soldiers

World War 1 soldiers continued to suffer from ill-health after returning home, dying younger than those who did not make it to the frontline, University of Otago research shows.

The study, involving researchers from Otago University, Kings College London and Massey University, looked at 350 soldiers who embarked on troopships in 1914, along with a comparison group of 350 who departed on troopships in late 1918 but never made the frontlines.

The average lifespan of the combat troops was estimated at 65.9 years, compared with 74.2 years for the non-combat group.

As well as warfare-related injury deaths, other causes of death included those from chemical weapons and various infectious diseases such as malaria and influenza.

Associate Prof Nick Wilson said while the main difference in life expectancy was due to soldiers dying on the frontline, the study also found among survivors of the war the 1914 veterans lived a ''statistically significant'' 1.7 years less.

Survivors in the combat group lived to 72.6 years compared with 74.3 years in the non-combat group.

Further analysis of death certificates suggested suicide, may have played a role, Prof Wilson said.

Another factor was the high burden of injuries; around 41% of New Zealand soldiers received non-fatal wounds in the war.

These injuries were likely to have increased the risk of death in subsequent surgical operations after the war and also death from cardiovascular disease.

''From other wars, we know that there is evidence that combat experience is a risk factor for post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans.

''This, in turn, is linked to an increased risk of coronary heart disease. PTSD is also associated with increased risk of suicide,'' he said.

Massey University War Studies academic Prof Glyn Harper said New Zealand was well placed to carry out this type of study, thanks to the Auckland War Memorial Museum's Cenotaph database, Archives New Zealand's excellent work digitising military files and other online records.

''This new study adds to our understanding of the impacts on those who went to this war - and also the continuing health burden borne by many of those who returned.''

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