PLUSH, Edward Aubrey
| Service Numbers: | 888, 1235 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 7 January 1915, Until 16.2.1915 |
| Last Rank: | Gunner |
| Last Unit: | 13th Field Artillery Brigade |
| Born: | Perth, Western Australia, 1890 |
| Home Town: | Perth, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Carter |
| Died: | Victoria Park, Perth, Western Australia, 3 February 1960, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Karrakatta Cemetery & Crematorium, Western Australia Anglican EA portion, grave 0206 |
| Memorials: | Claremont Hospital for the Insane Honour Roll, Fremantle Scots Church Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 7 Jan 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 888, 10th Light Horse Regiment, Until 16.2.1915 | |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Feb 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1235, 3rd Pioneer Battalion, `9.5.1916 Private with D Company, Camperfield | |
| 6 Jun 1916: | Embarked Private, 1235, 3rd Pioneer Battalion, HMAT Wandilla, Melbourne | |
| 6 Jun 1916: | Involvement Private, 1235, 3rd Pioneer Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '5' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Wandilla embarkation_ship_number: A62 public_note: '' | |
| 15 Feb 1918: | Transferred AIF WW1, Gunner, 10th Machine Gun Company, 10th Australian Field Artillery Brigade | |
| 10 May 1918: | Transferred AIF WW1, Gunner, 13th Field Artillery Brigade | |
| 26 Jul 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Gunner, 1235, 13th Field Artillery Brigade, Returned to Australia on 19.4.1919 per Marathon - an invalid |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Helen Harmer
Edward Aubrey Plush was born in Perth in 1890. Edward initially enlisted on the 7.1.15. On the Nominal Roll, his middle name was misspelt as "Anbrey". His stated occupation on this enlistment was carter. He was appointed as Private number 888. Next of kin was Jessie Anabella Plush (née Rule), his wife, who was living in Claremont Avenue, then Second Avenue, Claremont. His denomination was Church of England. He was described as being 5 feet 9 inches tall, with a chest measurement of 35 – 37 inches, tanned complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He served with Number 2 Depot Squadron until the 16th February 1916, when he was appointed to the 4th Reinforcements of the 10th Light Horse and discharged.
He reenlisted on the 15.2.16 at Perth, aged 25 years 6 months and his service number was changed to 1235. His occupation was attendant, one of 74 employees of Claremont Hospital for the Insane who served in WW1. Edward was appointed to the 3rd Australian Pioneer Battalion. On the 19.5.16 he was a Private with D Company, at Camperfield. On the 6.6.16 he embarked at Melbourne on HMAT Wandilla.
He went AWL for 1 day in Cape Town on the 3.7.16, then on the 26.7.16 disembarked at Plymouth. From the 18.11.16 - 19.11.16 he was AWL in England. On the 31.12.16 he proceeded to France. On the 20.2.17 he joined his unit. On the 17.7.17 he was sick with a fever and sent to hospital, rejoining his unit on the 29.9.17.
On the 15.2.18 Edward transferred to the 10th Australian Field Artillery Brigade as a Gunner and on the 10.5.18 he was transferred to the 13th Field Artillery Brigade.
On the 19.4.19 he boarded the Marathon to return to Australia. Classified an invalid, he presented to hospital at sea, with a sore throat on the 1.5.19 and returned to duty on the 8.5.19. Edward disembarked on the 30.5.19 and was discharged on the 26.7.19.
Upon returning from the war, he found that his wife was living with her mother and refused to live with him. He returned to his work in the Mental Health system. In 1920, he put a notice in the paper saying that he would no longer be responsible for any debts incurred by Jessie. In 1921, she returned to live with him, but after four months, declared that she was tired of married life and left him. She returned to live with him again in 1926, but soon left, saying that her allowance was insufficient. In 1930, he filed for, and obtained, a divorce on the grounds of desertion.
In 1938, Edward was called as a witness in a Royal Commission into Heathcote Mental Reception Home. He told of aboriginal inmates and a “white hunchback” being hidden away on visiting days. He also testified that the Reception room was often overcrowded with patients sleeping on the floors, alleged that preferential treatment was given to some patients and spoke of being threatened by a violent patient.
Edward died on the 3.2.1960 in Victoria Park, aged 69. He was buried in Karrakatta Cemetery, Anglican EA portion, grave 0206.
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