HEAD, Robert
| Service Number: | 27155 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 29 March 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Gunner |
| Last Unit: | 21st Field Artillery (Howitzer) Brigade |
| Born: | Rosedale, Queensland, Australia, 20 June 1894 |
| Home Town: | Bundaberg, Bundaberg, Queensland |
| Schooling: | North Baffle Creek State School, Queensland, Australia |
| Occupation: | Porter |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 12 May 1918, aged 23 years |
| Cemetery: |
Querrieu British Cemetery, Picardie Row C, Grave No. 1. BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES OF A GOOD & NOBLE SON SHALL LIVE WITH US FOR EVER |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 29 Mar 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Gunner, 27155, 21st Field Artillery (Howitzer) Brigade | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Sep 1916: | Involvement Gunner, 27155, 21st Field Artillery (Howitzer) Brigade, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Aeneas embarkation_ship_number: A60 public_note: '' | |
| 30 Sep 1916: | Embarked Gunner, 27155, 21st Field Artillery (Howitzer) Brigade, HMAT Aeneas, Sydney | |
| 12 May 1918: | Involvement Gunner, 27155, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 27155 awm_unit: 31st Australian Field Artillery Battery awm_rank: Gunner awm_died_date: 1918-05-12 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Robert Head was one three sons of Joshua and Janet Head, of Bundaberg, Queensland who enlisted in the AIF during WW1.
Robert’s older brother, 2331 Lce. Cpl. Joshua Head 4th Pioneer Battalion AIF was killed in action on 20 October 1917, aged 25.
Another brother, 1073 Pte. Ernest Head, enlisted with the 42nd Battalion AIF and was returned to Australia during May 1918.
Robert was severely wounded by shrapnel in the front line near Heilly, France and he died from wounds just as he reached the 5th Field Ambulance.
During 1917, following the death of brother, Joshua, Robert had written to his parents and it was published in the Bundaberg Mail during December 1917.
“As will be seen from his letter, Gunner Robert Head, who had not seen his brother for eighteen months went across to where he was located, only to find that he had. been killed and buried that morning. Gunner Head writes from Belgium, under date 21st October, as follows: Dear Mother.-No doubt you have received the sad news by cablegram of the death of our dear Joshua who was killed on the 20th October. I came down from the lines and got half a day off to go and see if I could find out where Joshua was and when I got to his company, they told me he had been killed that morning and had been given a proper burial. He was hit near the heart with a piece of shrapnel and only lived five minutes. He was buried at a place called Ypres.
I then enquired about his belongings as that was all I could do and his Officer told me they had been packed up and ready to send home to Australia. It completely broke me up Mother as I had not seen Joshua since leaving Australia 18 months ago. I know it will be hard for you all at home to hear this; also, his wife and little girl. Well mother as soon as I knew this I went and found brother Ernest and told him the sad news. It was very hard for us but we went and saw his grave. They had put a little cross on it and his number. One comfort you will know is that he never suffered and died while doing his duty for us all….” From your loving son Robert Head.”
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