HANK, Robert Herman
| Service Number: | 2115 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 30 December 1915, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Trooper |
| Last Unit: | 9th Light Horse Regiment |
| Born: | Norton Summit, South Australia, 28 March 1898 |
| Home Town: | Norton Summit, Adelaide Hills, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Norton Summit Public School |
| Occupation: | Gardener |
| Died: | Died of Illness, Died of wounds, Egypt, France, 13 June 1918, aged 20 years |
| Cemetery: |
Ismailia War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt Ismailia War Memorial Cemetery, Ismailia, Suez Canal, Egypt, Crouy British Cemetery, Crouy St Pierre, Amiens, Picardie, France, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Norton Summit Public School Roll of Honour, Norton Summit War Memorial, The South Australian National War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 30 Dec 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2115, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Mar 1916: | Involvement Private, 2115, 9th Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '2' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Anchises embarkation_ship_number: A68 public_note: '' | |
| 16 Mar 1916: | Embarked Private, 2115, 9th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Anchises, Adelaide | |
| 13 Jun 1918: | Involvement Trooper, 2115, 9th Light Horse Regiment, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 2115 awm_unit: 9 Light Horse Regiment awm_rank: Trooper awm_died_date: 1918-06-13 |
Help us honour Robert Herman Hank's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by John Edwards
"...2115 Trooper Robert Herman Hank, 9th Light Horse Regiment. A gardener from Norton Summit, SA, prior to enlistment Tpr Hank embarked with the 15th Reinforcements from Adelaide aboard HMAT Anchises (A68) on 16 March 1916. He died of typhus at Moascar, Egypt, on 13 June 1918, aged 20." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)
Biography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Robert Herman HANK was born on 28th March, 1898 at Norton Summit, Adelaide Hills, South Australia
His parents were Herman HANK and Mary HUNTER
His brother Norman John HANK also served in WW1 (Service No. 2422) and returned to Australia in 1919
Biography contributed by St Ignatius' College
Trooper Robert Herman Hank was born on 28 March 1898 in Adelaide, South Australia. He was the son of Herman Chas Hank (1863–1943) and Mary Ann Hunter Hank (1865–1899). Hank’s mother passed away when he was only a year old, leaving his father to raise the family. Hank’s brother was called Malcolm Thomas Hank (1888–1963) and Hank’s sister was called Gertrude Mary Hank (1894–1973). Before his enlistment, Hank worked as a gardener in South Australia. He attended school at Norton Summit Public School, and his religion was Church of England. Hank's nominated next of kin was his father, Herman Chas Hank. On 30th December 1915, at the age of 18, Hank formally enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in Adelaide.
When Hank enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), he was described as being 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 136 pounds, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes, and light brown hair. His eyesight was recorded as perfect vision in both eyes. The medical officer noted “vaccinations nil”, indicating he had not previously received vaccinations, and that he had no distinctive marks. Hank was then declared fit for active service, he was assigned the rank of Trooper and posted to the 9th Australian Light Horse Regiment. Once again he spent time in hospital in December with tonsilitis and returned to duty 13th January 1917. He became ill in July and spent several weeks in hospital and rest camp returning to duty 8 October 1917. He remained out of hospital for several months until he sprained his ankle in April 1918 and was treated for a few days. He was diagnosed with Pyrexia of unknown origin iin May and then typhus at the beginning of June. Despite receiving medical care, his condition didn’t improve, and he died of the disease on 13th June 1918 in Egypt, at only 20 years old.
Trooper Hank was buried with honour in the Ismailia War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt, where his grave is located in Row B, Grave 108. After his death, his personal belongings that included his identity discs, a wallet, letters and photographs were sent home to his family in South Australia. His father later on received the British War Medal and Victory Medal, along with a Memorial Plaque and King’s Scroll, which were presented by the government to families of those who died in service.
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