S7108
LAPIDGE, Eric Arnold Freeling Opie
| Service Number: | 1856 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 June 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 43rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Burra, South Australia, Australia, 3 February 1896 |
| Home Town: | Burra (SA), Goyder, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Tertiary education, University of Adelaide |
| Occupation: | Headmaster |
| Died: | Woodville, South Australia, Australia, 12 January 1963, aged 66 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia |
| Memorials: | Adelaide High School Great War Honour Board, Adelaide University of Adelaide WW1 Honour Roll, Aldgate War Memorial, Goodwood Public School WW1 Roll of Honor, South Australian Education Department Roll of Honour, Unley Town Hall WW1 Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Jun 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1856, 43rd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Aug 1916: | Involvement Private, 1856, 43rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Ballarat embarkation_ship_number: A70 public_note: '' | |
| 12 Aug 1916: | Embarked Private, 1856, 43rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ballarat, Adelaide | |
| 2 Aug 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 1856, 43rd Infantry Battalion, Lapidge was sent to the Netley Hospital in England where he spent 4 to 5 months recovering. This wound likely was a hand/head wound. | |
| 14 Aug 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 1856, 43rd Infantry Battalion, Reason for Discharge - MEDICALLY UNFIT (NOT DUE TO MISCONDUCT) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Heathfield High School
Eric Arnold Freeling Opie Lapidge
Life Before the War
Eric Arnold Freeling Opie Lapidge was born on the 3rd of February 1896 in the town of Burra South Australia a pastoral centre and historic town east of the Clare Valley. His mother was Jessie Lapidge. Before enlisting in the army Lapidge was doing a degree at Adelaide University in the year of 1916. He was never involved in cadets or any other wars before his enlistment.
Life in Service
Lapidge enlisted into the AIF for WWI as a Private in the 43rd Battalion on the 1st of June 1916 with the service number 1856. Upon his enlistment his description was, Age 20 years 5 months, Height 5 feet 8 inches, Weight 134 lbs, Chest Measurement 33-35 inches, Complexion Medium, Eyes brown, Hair brown, Religious Denomination Church of England.
Lapidge embarked on the 12th of August 1916 on the HMAT Ballarat. While in the war Lapidge served on the Western Front. In 1919 he received the Victory Medal, he received the 1914-15 Star medal in the year of 1919 and also was given a British War medal that same year.
Lapidge survived WWI however it wasn't easy. Lapidge was wounded on his face, arms and back on the 31st July 1917. After this wound Lapidge was sent to the Netley Hospital in England where he spent 4 to 5 months recovering.
After the War
On the 16th of December 1917 Lapidge was medically discharged returned to Australia safely, proceeding to live his life as a worker in the education system. Upon Lapidge’s return a welcome home social was given to Lapidge and another private who came from the same area. It was held in the Mylor Institute on February 16 (no year). At the social there were songs, recitations, and speeches as well as the two veterans were presented with gold medals suitably inscribed. The night was concluded with a supper and a dance.
After returning from Australia and being discharged from the army on the 14th of August 1918 due to being Medically unfit, Lapidge worked at a number of different schools as the headmaster. He started off at Langhorne’s creek (SA) school on the 22nd of May 1926 before moving to Sedan (SA) public school on the 26th of September 1929. After Sedan he then moved to Edithburg (SA) public school on the 31st of May 1935 which then 5 years later he made another move to St Leonards (SA) where he stayed for one decade until he moved to his very last school in 1954, Whyalla (SA). Lapidge had a very busy and successful life working as a headmaster at 5 different schools before his retirement.
After a jam packed almost 67 years of Eric Arnold Freeling Opie Lapidge’s life it came to an end on the 12th of January 1963 at Woodville (SA). Lapidge was the buried in centennial park cemetery (SA).
References:
https://heuristplus.sydney.edu.au/heurist/viewers/record/renderRecordData.php?db=ExpertNation&recID=51136
https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=7379688&isAv=N