SIMONSEN, Ernest
| Service Number: | 2715 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 8 August 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 47th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Gin Gin, Bundaberg - Queensland, Australia, 6 April 1889 |
| Home Town: | Gin Gin, Bundaberg, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 28 February 1979, aged 89 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Mount Thompson Memorial Gardens & Crematorium, Queensland Columbarium 41 Section 2 |
| Memorials: | Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 8 Aug 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2715, 47th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Oct 1916: | Involvement Private, 2715, 47th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Marathon embarkation_ship_number: A74 public_note: '' | |
| 27 Oct 1916: | Embarked Private, 2715, 47th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Marathon, Brisbane | |
| 5 Apr 1918: | Imprisoned Dernancourt/Ancre, Imprisoned in Quedlinburg, Germany | |
| 5 Apr 1918: | Wounded Private, 2715, 47th Infantry Battalion, Dernancourt/Ancre, Shot in Leg | |
| 15 Jun 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 2715, 47th Infantry Battalion, Returned to Australia 8 May 1919 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Heath Gee
Ernest Simonsen was the eighth child of Jens Peter Simonsen and Frances Ann Sidenius nee Pearce. He was a man of 27 years and 3 months when he enlisted for the Great War on 08 August 1916 at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. His occupation was a labourer at the time. He was described as 5 feet 7 inches (170cm) tall. He weighed 130 pounds (59kg) and had a medium complexion with blue eyes and brown hair. Ernest noted his religion as Church of England. He was a married man with 2 children at the time and listed his wife, Ethel, who was living at Newmarket, Brisbane at the time, as his next of kin.
On 27 October 1916, Private Ernest Simonsen of 47 Battalion boarded the HMAT “Marathon” at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia to serve his King and country. He disembarked Plymouth, England on 09 January 1917 and marched in to 12 Training Battalion, Codford, England the following day. At the end of March, Ernest proceeded overseas to France and join with his battalion. On 22 January 1918, Ernest was detached for duty at Aust. Forestry Company and rejoined the 47th on 03 February. He was granted leave on 09 February and reported back to his unit on 26 February. Still in France, Ernest was reported missing in action on 05 April 1918. On 08 April 1918, a postcard from Germany was received in England, stating Ernest was a Prisoner of War and wounded.
On 30 December 1918, Ernest arrived in England for repatriation. He marched in to No. 1 Command Depot, London on 20 January 1919. Ernest was granted an extension of leave until 17 March 1919 when he embarked England aboard H.T. “Plassy” and arrived at Australia on 08 May 1919. Ernest was discharged from the A.I.F. on 15 June 1919.
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