Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The details provided are taken from the book "Just Soldiers" written by WO1 Darryl Kelly, published 2004 - refer to chapter 12, pages 107 to 114. Born 1876 in Canada. Early in his adult life Robert became an adventurous spirit who travelled the world, and had many enlistments in small military actions in various parts of the world. He arrived in Australia just as WW1 was declared. He enlisted immediately and was posted to the 3rd Infantry Battalion. The Unit was sent to Egypt, and prepared for Gallipoli. He was promoted to Lance Corporal 21 April 15 and landed with the first waves. He was quite adept at scouting the enemy positions and was Mentioned in Dispatches in this early period. He was wounded 27 Apr 15, and was hospitalized for 3 weeks. When he re-joined the Battalion he was promoted to Corporal. He showed great courage in further activities, and was at Lone Pine in August. Wounded during the action, it was treated and he resumed duties immediately. He was ordered to go to Brigade HQ, but on the way was severely wounded which then caused him to again be hospitalized. The whole army was evacuated back to Egypt, and he was discharged and rejoined the Unit there. He was promoted to Sergeant at this time. The Battalion landed at Marseilles 28th Mar 1916 and was soon into the Western Front actions, and for these actions he was again Mentioned in Dispatches. 3rd July 1916, he took a bullet which smashed the bone in his upper left arm, and for this he was evacuated to the UK for medical treatment. During this enforced leave he met Irene Rhodes, they soon became married and gave birth to a son, Robert. The war ended prior to him gaining clearance from the medical leave, but he volunteered for service in the force which was raised to go to Russia to fight with the forces of the Czar against the Red Army. He was captured at one action, but managed to escape back to the allied lines. At the end of this engagement he was evacuated to the UK where he rejoined his wife and child, and they sailed for Australia 14th June 1919.

Employed on many jobs during the intervening years, and when WW2 was declared he again volunteered. He was 61 years old at this time, but enlisted stating his age as 43. During the initial training the authorities confirmed his error and discharged him. His son, Robert Jnr, enlisted in this war March 1941, and was posted to the 2/18th Infantry Battalion, a Unit of the 8th Division, and they were sent to Malaysia to defend that area against the Japanese Forces. The whole Division had to surrender in Singapore, and the family did not know if Robert Jnr was alive or dead. The war ended and they were informed that their son had been captured, transported to Sandakan Borneo, and were subjected to the horrors of the Death March there. Robert Snr took the news hard and it broke his spirit. He died 22 March 1958 and is buried at Woronora Cemetary, the gravestone commenorates Robert Snr, Robert Jnr and Irene who died in 1979.

May they Rest in Peace, Lest We Forget