NIBLOCK, Robert Douglas
| Service Number: | 421 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 22 August 1914, An original of D Company |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 8th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Comber, County Down, Northern Ireland, 1 September 1875 |
| Home Town: | Colac, Colac-Otway, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Bricklayer |
| Died: | Died of wounds, Egypt, 25 April 1915, aged 39 years |
| Cemetery: |
Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery E 94 Comber and District War Memorial, Northern Ireland., |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Colac Soldier's Memorial, Colac St Andrew's Presbyterian Church Honor Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 22 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 421, 8th Infantry Battalion, An original of D Company | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Oct 1914: | Involvement Private, 421, 8th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: '' | |
| 19 Oct 1914: | Embarked Private, 421, 8th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Benalla, Melbourne |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Robert Douglas Niblock was born on 1 September 1875 in Bridge Street, Comber, County Down, Ireland and he was the fourth son of James and Agnes Niblock.
Robert Douglas Niblock moved to Australia around 1901 and he worked there as a bricklayer. He enlisted on 24 August 1914 at Broadmeadows in the state of Victoria and he joined the Australian Imperial Force. In his attestation papers it was noted that Robert Douglas Niblock was 5 feet 7 inches tall with a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He cited his brother John Niblock of Bridge Street, Comber as his next-of-kin.
Private Robert Douglas Niblock (No. 421) was wounded during the landings at Gallipoli and the date of his death is not known precisely. In his records it is stated that he died of wounds sometime between 25 April and 3 May 1915, presumably making it back to Egypt as he does have a grave there.
At the time of Robert’s death his wife, Louisa Elizabeth Dickson Niblock lived at Yarraville, Victoria, Australia. They had one son – Ronald Stanley James Niblock. Robert’s brother John lived in Bridge Street, Comber and after he was notified about Robert’s death John placed a death notice in the Newtownards Chronicle. It was noted that Robert was a brother of ‘James Niblock, the well-known North Down cricketer and hockey player’.
Robert’s widow was granted a war pension of £52 per annum and his son Ronald Stanley James Niblock was granted a war pension of £15 per annum, both with effect from 10 July 1915. The inventory of his effects shows that he had an identity disc, a notebook, a wrist-watch and a Testament.
Private Robert Douglas Niblock (No. 421) was 39 when he died, and he was buried in Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. There is an inscription on his CWGC headstone: EVER REMEMBERED
Private Robert Douglas Niblock (No. 421) is also commemorated on Comber and District War Memorial; in Comber Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church and in the Belfast Book of Honour (Page 506).
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