Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Robert was born in Mt Barker on the 19th June 1884, the oldest of seven children born to George Sauders and Margaret Slocombe (nee Slaven) who had married by licence in April 1885. George was the youngest son of William Slocombe, who had emigrated from Devonshire. He worked as a carpenter and was a valued member of the Star of the South, Lodge of Druids based in Mount Barker.
Robert was eleven when his 36-year-old father tragically died in an horrific fall after losing his grip on a ladder as he was examining a leaking air pipe joint in a mine shaft at Clarendon. George initially fell onto a platform 15 feet down, before then continuing to fall 100 feet to the bottom of the shaft. The family was devastated.
Highly respected, George’s cortege consisted of 63 members of the Mount Barker Star of the South Lodge of Druids, marched in procession from the house to the grave, and the coffin was followed by 27 vehicles and a long array of horsemen. The local community immediately established a subscription list to support the widow and six children.
Tragedy again rocked the young family just eight years after their father’s death. Their 43-year-old mother, Margaret (then Caughlin) died in the Adelaide Hospital in July 1903. The children became orphans with Olive, the oldest daughter, taking on the role of next of kin. She married Sydney Young in January 1909.
Robert became the major wage earner, supporting the young family. With labourers in demand Robert moved to Broken Hill, becoming a talented footballer for the local team. In a typically Australian manner, Robert’s surname contributed to his nickname of ‘Sloper’. He worked at the British Mine until he heeded the call for volunteers.
30-year-old Robert was one of 44 volunteer infantrymen who left Broken Hill by train in September ’14, formally enlisting on the 16th September as 1329. He was the first of the four brothers who enlisted to serve in the War to End All Wars and was allocated to the 16th Infantry Battalion. With both parents deceased, he nominated his sister, Olive as his next of kin.
He was quickly promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. Within eight months Robert, a Lance Corporal had arrived at the Gallipoli Peninsula on the 12th April. In under three weeks, he was killed in action on the 2nd May 1915 at Dead Man’s Ridge, Gallipoli. In the frenetic fighting Robert was initially listed as ‘missing’. With so many deaths of the soldiers involved in the charge, despite a Court of enquiry being held, details were reliant on ‘eye witness’ accounts, including a fellow soldier who knew Robert from their Broken Hill days and saw him shot in the chest. Another witness believed Robert was taken to the beach after being wounded. However, neither his body or a makeshift grave was found in the frenetic, ill-fated action. Robert’s quite modest but precious belongings were posted to Olive over a year later. (At the time, a female relative did not rank high on the next of kin list and a male was preferred.) He is now remembered at the Lone Pine Memorial.
Back home, the Barrier Miner in June ’15 reported that ‘Lance-Corporal Robert James Slocombe, who has been reported as missing at the Dardanelles [later reported dead], is a brother of Mrs. Olive Young, of Welland, South Australia. Lance-Corporal Slocombe was an old resident of Broken Hill, and a well-known supporter of the Broken Hill Football Club. He was working at the British mine at the outbreak of the war. He enlisted and left Broadmeadows with the Second Contingent.’
The family continued to remember the young man who had acted in the role of both brother and father to them.
Advertiser Tuesday 23 May 1916, DIED ON ACTTVE SERVICE SLOCOMBE.-On the 2nd May. 1915, at Gallipoli, Lance-Corporal Robert J. Slocombe, late of Broken Hill, aged 30 years; killed in action; previously reported missing. Dearly loved brother of Mrs. S H. Young, Welland; Mrs. Leslie Green, England; Julia Cockburn; Sylvester, India; and Privates William and Albert (A.I.F., France). "His body lies in foreign soil, His soul is home with God."
Advertiser Wednesday 2 May 1917, SLOCOMBE.—Honored and loved ever will be the memory of our dear brother, Robert J. Slocombe, late 16th Battalion, who gave his life for us at Gallipoli, May 2, 1915 (late of Broken Hill). Peacefully sleeping, Where tears are never shed, Where no good-byes are said, Where grief and pain and care are felt no more. —Inserted by his sisters and brothers (on active service).
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes, SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.