CROKER, Robert
| Service Number: | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 8 September 1915, Newcastle, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 30th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Failford, New South Wales, October 1894 |
| Home Town: | Failford, Great Lakes, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Carpenter |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 8 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2005, Newcastle, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Feb 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2005, 30th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ballarat embarkation_ship_number: A70 public_note: '' | |
| 16 Feb 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2005, 30th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ballarat, Sydney | |
| 20 Jul 1916: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 2005, 30th Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix), GSW (left elbow) | |
| 22 May 1917: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 2005, 30th Infantry Battalion |
Robert Croker
Robert Croker was one of four Croker boys, the others being Harry,Wyllie and Charles. Robert was born in Failford New South Wales in October 1894 and attended Failford Public School. In his adult life Robert was a carpenter and built the Methodist Church at Failford where later a memorial stained glass window was added to commemorate his brothers Harry and Wyllie who were killed in action on the Western Front in World War1. The church at Failford was lated moved and added to the back of the Methodist Church at Nabiac.
The Croker boys were also involved in the timber industry around Taree, Failford and Nabiac in New South Wales as tree lopers.
Robert was wounded on the 20th July 1916 at the Battle of Fromelles in France and was later discharged.
Robert enlisted on the 8th September 1915 at Newcastle. Both the brothers Robert and Harry embarked from Sydney on the HMAT Ballarat with the Australian Imperial Forces disembarking in Suez Egypt in March 1916 and then both Robert ad Harry joined the 30th Battalion the Australian Military Camp at Zietoun on the 1st April 1916 and then on to Ferry Post on the Suez Canal.On the 16th June 1916 Robert and Harry embarked from Alexandria to Marseilles France on the HMAT Hororata to join the British Expeditionary Force and disembarked on the 23rd June 1916.
As part of the 30th Battalion, both the brothers Robert and Harry were involved in fighting in the Battle of Fromelles on Wednesday 19th July 1916 and Thursday 20th July 1915. Harry was killed in action on the 20th July 1916 and Robert was wounded on the same day. The Battle of Fromelles is remembered as the bloodyist day in Australian Military history.It is quite possible that Robert and Harry fought side by side in the Battle of Fromelles.
Robert returned to England from Wimereux France and was discharged on the 22nd May 1917.
On returning to civilian life after the war Robert married Jessie Jane Cowan in Stroud New South Wales in 1919.
Submitted 8 September 2017 by Edwin De Vivo
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