63579
PEERS, Gustave
| Service Number: | 3694 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 50th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Antwerp, Belgium, date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Station hand |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 4 Aug 1917: | Involvement Private, 3694, 50th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Themistocles embarkation_ship_number: A32 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Aug 1917: | Embarked Private, 3694, 50th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Themistocles, Melbourne |
Help us honour Gustave Peers's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by St Ignatius' College
Gustave Peers was born in Antwerp, Belgium. Gustave was a station hand who lived with his wife Mrs May Peers. Gustave's height was neither short nor tall and was around average size. Gustave enrolled into the army on the 27th of June, 1917. He then embarked on the 4th of September 1917.
These battles were described as horrendous, extremely scary and maddening. The 50th battalion was a “pup” battalion this means that it was created from the 10th Battalion to double the AIF. The first 16 battalions were all split to create more pup battalions.
Throughout his battles, he would have carried many things including a gas mask, rifle, ammunition, a bayonet, possibly grenades, clothing (often protective), a helmet, personal items, knife(s), cutlery, water, hygiene and sanitary items and a shovel. Gustave was at war for 1 year and 153 days before he was discharged on the 8/11/18 because of mild epilepsy and suffering many shrapnel wounds specifically to the hand.
Gustave fought in numerous battles and was a good soldier he returned home with shrapnel wounds. He died of old age on the 12th of November 1958.