ELLETT, Robert Henry
| Service Numbers: | 2772, 2407 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 3 October 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 46th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Springvale, Victoria, Australia, 1 March 1887 |
| Home Town: | Pakenham South, Cardinia, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Spring Vale State School |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Meningitis and Pneumonia, KooWeeRup, Victoria, Australia, 27 September 1925, aged 38 years |
| Cemetery: |
Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Melbourne |
| Memorials: | Pakenham South Honour Board, Pakenham South Memorial, Spring Vale School & District Great European War Roll of Honour, Springvale District Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 3 Oct 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2772, 1st Divisional Train | |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Dec 1914: | Involvement Driver, 2772, 1st Divisional Train, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '21' embarkation_place: Newcastle embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: '' | |
| 21 Dec 1914: | Embarked Driver, 2772, 1st Divisional Train, HMAT Berrima, Newcastle | |
| 1 Mar 1916: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 2772, 1st Divisional Train, Medically unfit due to sickness, asthma | |
| 18 Apr 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2407, 46th Infantry Battalion, Earlier enlistment SERN 2772, Divisional Train Reinforcements 3/10/1914 | |
| 1 Jun 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 46th Infantry Battalion | |
| 7 Sep 1916: | Involvement Private, 2407, 46th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Port Sydney embarkation_ship_number: A15 public_note: '' | |
| 7 Sep 1916: | Embarked Private, 2407, 46th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Port Sydney, Melbourne | |
| 11 Apr 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 2407, 46th Infantry Battalion, Bullecourt (First), GSW right arm | |
| 12 Dec 1917: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 2407, 46th Infantry Battalion, 3rd MD, due to wounding at Bullecourt |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From How We Served
2772 and 2407 Private Robert Henry Ellett had been engaged in farming at Pakenham South, Victoria when he enlisted for War Service on the 20th of October 1914. Allocated to the 1st Company of the Australian Army Service Corps, 1st AIF. Robert departed for Egypt and further training and by the 2nd of May 1915, Robert had been landed on Gallipoli.
Robert's time on Gallipoli was cut short when he, and other members of the 1st Coy AASC, were sent back to Egypt to look after the Unit's horses. Whilst in Egypt Robert developed influenza and following this he was cited as suffering chronic asthma, and was sent back to Australia as an invalid on the 12th of December 1915.
Not content with sitting out the rest of the War, Robert re-enlisted for further service abroad on the 18th of April 1916, and was allocated to reinforcements for the 46th Battalion, 1st AIF. and by the 29th of October 1916 arrived in England for further training. Again sickness plagued Robert's service and he was hospitalised for myalgia and rheumatism but following his recovery he still managed to be sent to France to undergo further training at the 'Bull-Ring' at Etaples.
Formally taken on strength with his Unit in the field on the 18th of March 1917. Robert's Battalion was committed to the First Battle of Bullecourt on the 11th of April, and having only been with his Unit for just over a month he received a serious gunshot wound to his right upper arm. Sent back to England for hospitaliation, Robert was again deemed an Invalid and was shipped back to Australia for his Discharge which took place on the 12th of December 1917.
Robert would continue to need further treatment for the injuries he received at Bullecourt and was admitted into the 11th Australian General Hospital. Not withstanding his war wounds, Robert applied for, and received, a soldier's settlers block at KooWeeRup, Victoria where he recommenced his farming that he had suspendered in order to enlist with the 1st AIF.
Robert's health was to never fully recover from the illness's and injuries he had sustained during 'The Great War'. On the 27th of September 1925, at the age of 37, Robert died of a combination of meningitis and pneumonia and was laid to rest within Springvale General Cemetery, Victoria.
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