Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

An article from Bremhill parish newsletter
In memory of
Private Charles Fortune
No 3525 23rd Battalion, Australian Infantry
Born Avon 1890 Died 7th August 1916
Aged 26 Years

Charles was born in 1890 at Avon near Bremhill Wiltshire UK to William James Fortune and Elizabeth Fortune (nee Gingell) William was a farm labourer as was Charles until he and close friend Jesse Lewis made the decision to emigrate to Australia in 1911. They both worked at Lucernce farm in Alphington, Melbourne before the outbreak of war.
On the 16 August 1915 they both enlisted at Melbourne into the Australian Infantry, this was followed by training at the Melbourne army camp until they were prepared to join the Australian Expeditionary Force (AIF). They both sailed to the Northern hemisphere on the SS Afric, and landed in Egypt. After a couple of weeks further training and acclimatization after the long sea trip, they sailed for Marseilles and then onward to the trenches of the Somme by train in mid March 1916. Initially on the Armentieres trenches the 23rd Battalion was moved to the trenches at Pozieres and Mouquet Farm on the Somme.
Charles was wounded in an attack on Saturday 5th August 1916 with injuries to his legs and buttock. He was evacuated to the 3rd casualty clearing station and was buried a few days later on the 12th August 1916 at the Puchevillers British cemetery.
Charles Mother Elizabeth died in 1934 (Foxham burial ref 628) and his Father, William a few years later in 1939. (Foxham Burial ref 674).
Charles sacrifice is remembered both here in the Bremhill parish and on the war memorial in his adopted new home Alphington, Melbourne Victoria as well as Puchevillers, France. In addition Charles is remembered on the Australian Roll of Honour at Canberra with his name on display panel 99 and also displayed by a light beam projection at regular intervals