SOMERSET, Charles William Henry Rollo
| Service Number: | 479 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 30 October 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 5th Light Horse Regiment |
| Born: | Caboombah Esk, Qld., 24 January 1896 |
| Home Town: | Toogoolawah, Somerset, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Southport Boys' School |
| Occupation: | Station Hand |
| Died: | Suicide, 20 February 1936, aged 40 years, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Caboonah Churchyard Cemetery |
| Memorials: | Boondooma Homestead Memorial Plaques, Esk War Memorial, Toogoolawah War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 30 Oct 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 479, 5th Light Horse Regiment | |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Dec 1914: | Involvement Private, 479, 5th Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '2' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Persic embarkation_ship_number: A34 public_note: '' | |
| 21 Dec 1914: | Embarked Private, 479, 5th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Persic, Sydney |
WW1
The details provided are taken from the book "Stealth Raiders - a few daring men in 1918" written by Lucas Jordan, published 2017, refer to pages 152, 155 & 275. Prior to the war he was a station hand of Toogoolawah Qld. He enlisted 30th Oct 1914 aged 20 years. He served with the 1st Infantry Battalion, rising to the rank of Captain. During his service he was Mentioned In Dispatches and awarded a Military Cross for his actions. He survived the war, departing the UK for home 9th Dec 1918.
Submitted 1 April 2020 by Maxwell HILL
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
Military Cross
'For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led two attacks against the enemy with great courage and determination. Later, although wounded, he led another attack and continued to encourage his men.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 103
Date: 29 June 1917
FARMER'S BODY
FOUND IN LOG FIRE.
BRISBANE, Thursday.
A few bones with a set of false teeth found to-day In the ashes of a fire about seven miles from Toogoolawah are believed to be all that remains of the body of Charles William Henry Rollo Somerset, about 41. It is understood that Somerset left a note for Mr. C. N. Turner, with whom he was in partnership on a farm. It Is believed ho stood on a smouldering log und shot himself. He was a son of Henry Plantagenet Somerset, one of the pioneers
of Brisbane Valley, and a former member of Parliament.
BUILT HIS OWN PYRE.
Evidence given at an inquest held by Mr. D. Culhane (Coroner) at Toogoolawah indicated, that Charles William Henry Rollo Somerset (41), late of Caboonah, whose charred remains were found near Glenbardie, Coeembardi, the
joint property of Somerset and Charles Norman Turner, on February 20, built his own funeral pyre, set it alight, and then shot himself on top of it.
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