HUBBARD, Charles
| Service Number: | 6830 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 27 February 1917, Northam, WA |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 28th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | New Zealand, 1853 |
| Home Town: | Northam, Northam, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Miner |
| Died: | Natural Causes, Northern Government Hospital, Northam, Western Australia, Australia, 6 November 1934 |
| Cemetery: |
Northam Cemetery |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 27 Feb 1917: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 6830, 28th Infantry Battalion, Northam, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Jun 1917: | Involvement Private, 6830, 28th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Borda embarkation_ship_number: A30 public_note: '' | |
| 29 Jun 1917: | Embarked Private, 6830, 28th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Borda, Fremantle |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
The death occurred at the Northam Government Hospital yesterday morning of Mr. Charles Hubbard, aged 81 years. The deceased had been an inmate of the hospital for about six weeks, but prior to that had not enjoyed good health for a considerable period. He was a native of Ireland and spent his early days in New Zealand. He visited America where he took out naturalization papers, and came to Western Australia in time to participate in the increased activity caused by the early "strikes" on the goldfields. On many occasions he drove teams from Perth to Kalgoorlie. He had been associated for a number of years with coastal shipping work and was the holder of a first mate's certificate.
Early in the Great War he enlisted in the 28th Battalion, later transferring to the 16th Battalion. He was then 62 years of age, and as the exemption clause applied to men over 45 years of age, gave his age as 43. He had at first some difficulty over his American naturalization, but avoided this by stating in his papers that he was a native of New Zealand. He saw much active service in France and was one of the platoon which attacked the "pear shaped" German trench at Vaire Wood, in connection with which Jack Axford was awarded the Victoria Cross. Finally he was severely wounded in the Battle of Hamel on July 4, 1918, and lay on the field from 4 p.m. on that day until noon on the following day without receiving medical attention. When finally the stretcher bearers reached him he urged them to give attention to another wounded soldier nearby whom he considered more seriously disabled than he was. Throughout the 16th Battalion he was affectionately known as "Dad" Hubbard and soldiers of his company still recall the tremendous impression which was created by one of his financial transactions. On one occasion it was found impossible to establish com- munications with the Paymaster and it appeared likely that the usual pay would not be forthcoming. "Dad" to the awe of all present, drew a cheque on a French bank, and when it was honoured loaned the whole of the members of the company their pay. As a result of his war injuries he was unable to follow any oc- cupation following the signing of peace and on a number of occasions was obliged to seek medical treatment.
The funeral will take place this morning leaving St. Joseph's Church at 11 o'clock.
The funeral of the late Mr. Charles Hubbard whose death occurred at the Northam Hospital on Tuesday, took place on Wednesday morning leaving St. Joseph's Church at 11 o'clock after a service conducted by the Rev. Father Dunne, the interment being in the Roman Catholic portion of the Northam cemetery. The pall-bearers were Messrs. G. C. Curlewis (Northam sub-branch R.S.L.), A. F. Lawrence and J. Bleakley (16th Battalion), J. and L. Allardyce and J. Dutton. "Last Post" was sounded at the graveside by Bugler A. K. Harrison.
(Funeral arrangements were carried out by J. W. Purslowe and Sons)