ELLIOTT, Hurtle
| Service Number: | 2907 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 20 April 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 12th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Townvale South Australia, February 1887 |
| Home Town: | Loxton (SA), Loxton Waikerie, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | McLaren Flat SA, 21 February 1949, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
McLaren Flat Uniting Church Cemetery Unmarked grave in McLaren Flat Cemetery |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 20 Apr 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2907, 43rd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Dec 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2907, 43rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: '' | |
| 15 Jun 1917: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 12th Infantry Battalion, Posted to France from the UK joined 12th Infantry Battalion in the Field | |
| 30 Sep 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 2907, 12th Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres | |
| 4 Aug 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 2907, 12th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Steve Larkins
Hurtle Elliott
An extract of Hurtle Elliott's service record telss a story not unique among soldiers on the Western Front. He enlisted from Loxton on 20th April 1916, and embarked Adelaide, 16 December 1916 after initial training.
Rather than going via Egypt, his ship went straight to the UK landing at Devenport on 16 February 1917 whereupon he and his draft destined for the infantry, marched into 2nd Training Bn, 19 February 1917.
Following completion of his training he proceeded overseas to France, 22 May 1917; and joined the 12th Battalion (nominally a Tasmanian unit but reinforced with a lot of South Australians), rather than the 43rd to which he had originally been assigned, in the field, 15 June 1917.
Re-allotted Regimental Number 2907B.
The Third Yopres campaign began in late Julya and by mid September the Australians were heavily engaged. Elliott was wounded in action, 30 September 1917 (bullet wound, left forearm); whereupon he was admitted to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, 1 October 1917, and transferred on the same day to 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station.
His wounds having been deemed serious enough to warrant evacuation, he was transferred to 1st Australian General Hospital, Rouen, 2 October 1917. From there he was evacuated to England, 18 October 1917, and admitted to 1st General Hospital, King's Heath, 19 October 1917.
He was again transferred this time to 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, 26 October 1917; discharged on furlough, 3 November 1917 and then directed to report to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 7 November 1917.
He got into some minor disciplinary strife. He was found guilty, at Weymouth, 17 November 1917, of being absent without leave from 6 pm, 17 November, to 6.30 pm, 19 November 1917: awarded 7 days' confined to barracks, and forfeited 3 days' pay on 27 November 1917
Marched out to No 4 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 26 November 1917. The next day he was admitted to Camp Isolation Hospital, Hurdcott, 27 November 1917 with scabies. Things then got worse for Elliott as he had contracted the blight of the AIF, VD. He was admitted to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, 6 December 1917; discharged to Convalescent Training Depot, Parkhouse, 13 April 1918; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 129 days.
Proceeded overseas to France, 22 May 1918; rejoined Bn, in the field, 28 May 1918 aseeing out the rest of the war as the German Spring Offensive was blunted and then the Allies went on the Offensive to finish the war on 5 October 1918 when the AIF was withdrawn to rest and reinforce. The war concluded before they returned to the Front line.
Marched out for return to Australia, 27 March 1919.
Commenced return to Australia from Devonport on board HT 'Soudani', 12 May 1919; disembarked Adelaide, 26 June 1919; discharged (termination of period of enlistment), Adelaide, 4 August 1919.
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