MITCHINSON, David Edward
| Service Number: | 720 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 January 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Pay Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 44th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Rottnest Island, Western Australia, 1894 |
| Home Town: | Fremantle, Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Scotch College, Claremont, Western Australia |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Died: | Claremont, Perth, Western Australia, 23 December 1963, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Karrakatta Cemetery & Crematorium, Western Australia |
| Memorials: | Fremantle Scots Church Honour Roll, Nedlands Scotch College WW1 Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 4 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 720, 44th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Jun 1916: | Involvement Private, 720, 44th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Suevic embarkation_ship_number: A29 public_note: '' | |
| 6 Jun 1916: | Embarked Private, 720, 44th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Suevic, Fremantle | |
| 11 Apr 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 44th Infantry Battalion | |
| 22 Aug 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Pay Sergeant, 720 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Helen Harmer
David Edward Mitchinson was born on Rottnest Island in 1894 and educated at Scotch College, Claremont. His father, David Anderson Mitchinson (died 28.1.1925) was an assistant lighthouse keeper on Rottnest Island and at the time of his son’s enlistment, lighthouse keeper at Woodman Point. His mother, Kathleen died on the 14.6.1903, as did an unnamed stillborn baby. All three are buried in Fremantle Cemetery, Presbyterian E section, grave 0326. David enlisted on the 4.1.16 at Perth, aged 21 years 2 months. He was a clerk and Presbyterian, who had previously served with the 86th Infantry. David was described as being 5 feet 3 inches tall, with a chest measurement of 33 – 37 inches, dark complexion, blue eyes and dark hair. He was initially a Private with the service number 720, with the 44th Infantry Battalion. David embarked at Fremantle on HMAT Suevic A29 on the 6.6.16.
On the 14.2.17 he was appointed L/Corporal to complete establishment, then on the 11.4.17, Lance Corporal. On the 29.5.17 he was appointed Corporal and on the 24.6.17, wounded in action with injuries to his head, chest and thigh. On the 1.7.17 he was admitted to hospital in Eastbourne, England. On the 21.10.17, he was transferred to Number 1 Command Depot for guard duty. On the 4.1.18 he joined number 5 Officer Cadet Battalion at Cambridge and was appointed a cadet. On the 1.6.18 he qualified for commission and on the 11.6.18 was appointed EDP/Sgt at Tidworth and on the 19.6.18 Corporal on command at Musketry School Tidworth with the 9th Training Battalion. He went to hospital on the 24.6.18 with influenza. On the 19.7.18 he proceeded to France as 2 Lieutenant, marching in to Rouelles on the 21.7.18. He was wounded in action on the 10.8.18 but remained on duty. In October 1918 he took on the role of Extra Duty Pay Sergeant. David was given leave on the 28.12.18 and rejoined his battalion on 12.1.19. He was detached for duty on the 25.3.19 as a Lieutenant in Abbeville and left France on the 28.4.19. David returned to Australia on the 1.6.19 per Somali and his appointment was terminated on the 22.8.19.
David became engaged on 24.12.1919, while living in Rockingham Road, Coogee. In 1921 he married Catherine Rosalie Hall, and they settled in Cottesloe. Voter lists state that he was an estate agent. In 1941 he was a Land Agent with James Hall of 29 Barrack St, Perth and in 1942 he was working with Stone James & Co., Solicitors of 47 St. George's Terrace, Perth.
David died in Claremont on the 23.12.1963 aged 69, he was cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery and his ashes taken by the Funeral Director. Catherine died on 12.1.1975, aged 78 and was cremated at Fremantle Cemetery.
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