Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

One of three brothers (Tom, Bert and Allan) who served in the Army, Private Ethelbert Dale (Service No:388944) served in the ACMF with 12 and 33 Battalions VDC from 24 January 1942 to 13 February 1945. His application to enlist in the AIF in 1916 was unsuccesful (unfit).

Bert was born in Brighton, Victoria in 1890, sixth of nine children of George Watson Dale (b1857 in Williamstown, Victoria) and Alice Amelia Box (b1861 in Brighton, Victoria). George trained for the Ministry before running away to the Hokitiki Diggings in New Zealand. Returning to Victoria, he was a Bootmaker's Apprentice in Terang, and in 1881 was working as a Bootmaker when he and Alice married in Melbourne. The couple settled in Brighton, where they raised their family and George worked as a Bootmaker and as a House, Land and Insurance Agent. In 1900 they moved their family to New South Wales, initially to Delegate before settling in Grahamstown via Adelong. George worked as a Bootmaker, and was active in politics and his local community - he took part in the campaign for Federation, and founded the first Dredge Workers' Union and the Grahamstone Branch of Federated Engine Drivers and Firemens Association - also serving as  Secretary. George was also involved in his local school - Secretary of the Parents and Citizens Association, and of the Primary Exams and the High School Bus Committees.

Bert was a Labourer in Adelong in 1910 when he married Lucy Olive Follan (b1890 in Sydney, New South Wales). Bert and Lucy settled in Sydney, where they raised their family and Bert worked as a Tanner until his death in 1952. Lucy died in 1983.