DENHAM, Richard Edwin Geachville
| Service Number: | 5080 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 5 August 1915, Melbourne, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 14th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Geachville, Victoria, Australia, 1888 |
| Home Town: | Yarragon, Baw Baw, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Natural Causes, Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia, 10 April 1951 |
| Cemetery: |
Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Melbourne Church of England, Compartment J, Section 4, Grave 48 |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 5 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 5080, 14th Infantry Battalion, Melbourne, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Mar 1916: | Involvement Private, 5080, 14th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Anchises embarkation_ship_number: A68 public_note: '' | |
| 14 Mar 1916: | Embarked Private, 5080, 14th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Anchises, Melbourne |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Richard Edwin Geachville Denham, Regimental Number 5080 was the youngest son of John and Elizabeth Denham. The family moved to Lot 47A Denhams Road around 1886 and took up dairying’; the area was known as Geachville, with Frank Geach owning the neighbouring block Lot 47. Richard was born at Geachville in 1888.
On 20th August 1915 Richard enlisted in Melbourne joining the 14th Battalion, 16th Reinforcements aged 28. He was described as 5’11”, medium complexion, grey eyes, and dark hair. Following training in the Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A68 Anchises on 14 March 1916. He marched into 4th Training Battalion at Tel el Kebir (Egypt) 15th April 1916. In May 1916 he became unwell with influenza. In July of that year he proceeded to Etaples, France. In October 1916 he was diagnosed with Diphtheria and was sent back to England. He was unwell for a significant period of time and was finally Taken on Strength to the 65th Battalion in March 1917. The unit proceeded to France to reinforce the 14th on 12th September 1917. 15th December he was awarded the Military Medal consequent on action on 21st October. 9th February 1918 Richard was gassed (mustard gas) and again transferred back to England for treatment and convalescence at Clacton on Sea and Harefield. In March he joined No.3 Com Dep. On 7th June he transferred to the 4th Machine Gun Battalion and on 14th September the unit proceeded overseas to France Camiers. In November 1918 he was Taken off Strength and appointed Driver. Richard returned to England 28th January 1919 and departed 5th April on the Armagh bound for Australia.
Upon his return Richard applied for a soldier settlement lease of 180 acres at Mt Eccles. He was not successful, and it was recommended that he apply for a block in the Mallee. In 1924 he was allocated 788 acres, Allotment 17 at Werrimull near Mildura. Richard married Olive May Arthur a teacher from Mathoura in NSW in 1926. They had two sons Arthur John in 1929 and Frank Richard in 1929. Both children died in 1935.
Having left the Mallee, Richard and Olive moved to Surrey Hills where Richard worked as a Storeman. Richard died 10th April 1951 and is buried at Springvale Botanical Cemetery.
Courtesy of Avenel Jane
Military Medal
'Near BROODSEINDE on the 21st October, 1917, Private DENHAM displayed conspicuous courage and devotion to duty whilst acting as a stretcher bearer. He had to carry the wounded through heavy shell fire and across extremely difficult country. His cheerfulness and coolness under these trying conditions was most marked. In addition to carrying individual cases, he attended to other wounded men during his many carries, rendering first aid and placing them in comparatively safe places until he returned to assist in carrying them to the R.A.P. He remained on duty for periods of three and four days only resting when ordered to do so. His gallantry and determination urgent his comrades to greater efforts.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95
Date: 27 June 1918
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