Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ernest Peace Stark was born in Malvern, Victoria, Australia 1892.   Stark was the youngest and only son of Thomas and Emma Stark nee Peace. Stark’s parents died when he was very young. His mother died at the age of 23 during childbirth in 1892. She had been married to her husband Thomas Stark for two years before her passing and her daughter Euphemia was less than two years old. Four years after Emma Stark's death, Thomas Stark left his children in the care of his sister when he went to the gold fields at Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. One day his sister and children were sent a death certificate saying Thomas Stark had died on March 15, 1896, at Government Hospital, Kalgoorlie. He died at the age of 34, his children never got to know their parents and the two children were raised by their aunt.

July 1, 1915, was the day Ernest Peace Stark became Private Stark of the 7th Battalion. It was on this day which he had enlisted to join and fight in the First World War. Stark and his unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A16 Star Of Victoria on 10 September 1915.

Between March 12, 1918, and June 3 Stark spent his time at the Bombing School at Lyndhurst. On March 12 and April 11 Stark was the Sergeant on command at the school. On June 3 Stark left the Bombing School and proceeded overseas to France. He re-joined his unit on June 11.

Stark was admitted to hospital several times whilst at war. On April 14, 1916, Stark was admitted to hospital due to illness. Later on May 5, he was admitted to hospital again due to becoming infected with mumps. Stark re-joined his unit in France three days later. On August 9, 1918, Stark was wounded in action in France. Several days later he was admitted to the Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot, England, suffering from a shrapnel wound to the left ankle. The date of which Stark returned to his unit is unclear.

During his time in the First World War Stark was promoted several times. He was first appointed to acting corporal in France without pay. Two weeks later on August 27, he was promoted to Corporal. Stark's final promotion was on November 24, 1916, in France where he was promoted to sergeant.

Stark was honoured by being mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s Despatch of March 16, 1919. He was awarded in the 'London Gazette' No. 31448 (11 July 1919), and in the 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 124 (30 October 1919). Stark received several medals during his service. One 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal were issued to Stark for his efforts and achievements during the First World War.

Stark returned home to Australia March 28, 1919. He was discharged July 6, 1919, in Melbourne due to the termination of the period of his enlistment.

Four years after being discharged Stark got married to Ivy Bernice Reeves in Victoria on June 16, 1923, at the age of 31. During their 33 years of marriage Stark and Ivy never had any children. Ivy passed away in 1956 in Elwood, Victoria. Stark later passed on April 23, 1971, in Melbourne, Victoria, when he was 79 years old. Stark was buried at Burwood Cemetery, Victoria, Australia with his wife Ivy Bernice Stark.

Stark’s sister Euphemia married William Marshall White in Serpentine, Victoria, on December 6, 1916, when she was 25 years old. Euphemia became the mother of two beautiful daughters. Her eldest, Marjorie Winsome was born in 1917 and her youngest Wilma Mary was born in 1920. Euphemia’s husband passed away on 20 March 1953 in Boort, Victoria, at the age of 63. Euphemia and William were married for 36 years. Euphemia White nee Stark died on 14 August 1985 in Boort, Victoria at 95 years old.