Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Snake Valley & District Historical Society

Pte Yeoman RP (SRN 458)

Private Richard Percy Yeoman was born in Snake Valley in 1890 to Richard and Agnes (nee Wookey)Yeoman. His occupation is listed as labourer. He was better known by family and friends as Perc.
He enlisted on the 2nd of May 1916 at the age of 26 in Brunswick.

He embarked per H.M.A.T 'Barambah', leaving Melbourne on the 27th of June 1916 and travelled to the UK. I have found a picture (posted below) of the troopship 'Barambah' leaving from Melbourne in June 1916 - we can presume that Thomas Adams and Perc Yeoman were on board when the photograph was taken.

Perc also marched into the Australian Cycling Training Battalion at Camp Chiseldon on the 22nd of September 1916. After completing the required training, Perc was then posted to the 2nd ANZAC Cycling Battalion and proceeded to travel to France on the 25th of November 1916, where he remained for the duration of his service.

Following discharge, Perc returned to Australia per 'Ascanius' on the 3rd of April, 1919.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
After his service, Perc and his brother, Ellis, purchased the Snake Valley General Store together. The Yeoman Brothers owned and operated the store from 1921-1960. The store became known as the 'Diggers Store'.

He went on to marry Jessie (nee Nunn) in 1924.
Perc passed away in 1984 at the grand age of 94 and is buried in the Carngham Cemetery.

The AIF Cyclist Battalion: 

It is a lesser known fact that the humble bicycle played an important logistical role in WW1. Approximately 3,000 men served in the Australian Cycling Corp.

We know of two local men who served within the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) cycling units. This week, we take the opportunity to remember Private Thomas Charles Adams and Private Richard Percy Yeoman and honour their service. Both men served in WW1 and WW2.

The Australian Cycling Corps fought on the Western Front in France and Belgium. The 1st and 2nd Cyclist Battalions were formed in France and attached to the I and II ANZAC Corps. Those serving in the Cycling Corps had multiple roles and responsibilities. They were deployed to the front line, as well as performing duties such as traffic control, patrolling, cable burying and reconnaissance work.

You might wonder about the bicycles used by these men – technology has certainly advanced dramatically since the models manufactured in 1916. The bikes were made in England from the ‘Birmingham Small Arms Company’. Although practical – they certainly lacked the luxuries of modern design when it came to comfort and functionality.

The landscape that the Cycling Corp had to navigate was varied and would have been unbelievably challenging. It is difficult to imagine riding through paddocks, mud and rubble, whilst carrying a gun and heavy load, often under the real threat of shellfire.